Ashaway 100% Zyex monofilament

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Torres

I think you should test it. Your 'mikelers multis' thread has no credibility until you do.

(the fact that I'm curious as to what Zyex is like is purely coincidental)

Perhaps 1 day...

[Automatix]

Originally Posted by gd!

I may try it before you but will wait to report till you have reported

I'm going to fully testdrive the string at a tournament this week.
Setup: Yonex MP-5i HS @ 24kp.

Originally Posted by bsandy

To me, this string played like any soft poly. Very Very similar to a Polyfibre or MSV string.

I have a torn TFCC (look it up). I need a soft string bed, I was hoping for a nice control string that didn't make my wrist hurt.

Zyex Monogut is not it. To mention the word "gut" in the description of this string, should be criminal.

. . . Bud

I agree it is not as soft as any multifilament. Though it is somewhat softer and definitely more resilient than co-poly monofilaments. Just slightly, slightly softer than co-polys such as Polyfibre Black Venom.

But is seems more dynamic than co-polys.

I'll have a full view of this string after the weekend.

[Centered]

Originally Posted by Torres

I think you should test it. Your 'mikelers multis' thread has no credibility until you do.

That's the beauty of testimonial. He doesn't need to test any Zyex strings, especially when making a case against TW's scientific testing being used to say anything about strings.

[pennc94]

I wonder if Zyex Monogut is preferrable as a main or cross.

I like polys and would try my poly (Tour Bite) and Zyex Monogut as a cross. Anyone try this combo yet?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Centered

That's the beauty of testimonial. He doesn't need to test any Zyex strings, especially when making a case against TW's scientific testing being used to say anything about strings.

Gauntlet thrown. Tell me the best Zyex string and I'll buy it.

[fgs]

mikeler,
it seems you do like cats.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by fgs

mikeler,
it seems you do like cats.

Let's see if our resident *****Cat comes through.

[Centered]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Gauntlet thrown. Tell me the best Zyex string and I'll buy it.

I've tried two and they're better than the nylon synthetics I've tried. Judging by your response you still think anecdotal testimonial is all-important. It's amusing that your "Mikeler's multis" topic, which is supposedly such a treasure trove of information doesn't even have your take on such an old and yet compelling string tech, let alone the recent varieties. Dynamite debuted how long ago?

If your topic is truly going to be some sort of replacement for the discussion of TW's scientific testing that you helped shut down then you have a responsibility to at least come up with some testimonial.

As for the much complained about Dynamite coating issue, given that the last set of WB 16 lasted me an entire season of competitive singles and doubles before the coating loss became a significant factor, the limitations of anecdote are obvious. A friend of mine who has been using the string has found the life comparable to NRG-2 and the feel comparable to Babolat 15 gauge gut.

Since I don't have a lot of money to throw around and rarely break strings (Wilson Sensation aside), and since I don't blithely dismiss TW's and RSI's tests (on the contrary, I've found their stiffness measurements to be very useful) — I'm not going to give you a lot of testimonial comparison. I will say that Dynamite is the best synthetic I've tried and that the 16 is better than the 17, probably because of reduced string movement.

One thing I can say that isn't addressed by the TW and RSI tests is that the crosses shred before the mains, perhaps because speedy stringers burn the strings when pulling them.

The best Zyex string you'll experience is the one you test, since you haven't tested any of them.

[Centered]

Originally Posted by bsandy

To me, this string played like any soft poly. Very Very similar to a Polyfibre or MSV string.

I have a torn TFCC (look it up). I need a soft string bed, I was hoping for a nice control string that didn't make my wrist hurt.

Zyex Monogut is not it. To mention the word "gut" in the description of this string, should be criminal.

. . . Bud

Plenty of stiff nylon strings are called "gut" and they can run into soft poly territory, depending upon the tension.

The abuse of the name gut is nothing new, but at least Dynamite (verified by TW, RSI and my experience) is gut-like at lower tensions. Prince's so-called Synthetic Gut is garbage when compared with real gut.

[ced]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Gauntlet thrown. Tell me the best Zyex string and I'll buy it.

Mike, I've been using the Ashaway Dynamite Soft 17 for a year or so now and really have no negative issues with it. As a full bed it does tend to move and saw itelf, so I use it in my mains (generally at 4 with syn gut crosses (at 52) and have no problems with durability or movement ..... but then I am a pretty flat hitter. It has become my "go to" string (despite its garish color).

Give it a try, i would very much like to hear your opinion of it.

[Torres]

RSI have now reviewed it. Jump to Page 45:

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...206/index.html

Interesting comments about this string, not least because they say it feels poly like even though Zyex is supposed to be soft.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Torres

RSI have now reviewed it. Jump to Page 45:

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...206/index.html

Interesting comments about this string, not least because they say it feels poly like even though Zyex is supposed to be soft.

Yeah, not going down that road with a tender forearm. At least the Dynamite 16 is soft because RSI said so.

[mctennis]

I use the Dynamite 17g. I think it is softer and plays better than the 16g. I've tried both side by side and that was what it felt like to me. I've got a set of their "soft" version but haven't tried it yet.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by mctennis

I use the Dynamite 17g. I think it is softer and plays better than the 16g. I've tried both side by side and that was what it felt like to me. I've got a set of their "soft" version but haven't tried it yet.

I looked real quick yesterday on TW and I'll I saw was the "tough" version.

[ced]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I looked real quick yesterday on TW and I'll I saw was the "tough" version.

I believe that "Tough" has replaced the original Dynamite.

Dynamite Soft 17 (green) and Dynamite Soft 18 (blue) are the other dynamites.

Have not used "Tough" but the original Dynamite was stiffer, not as durable and lost tension quicker than Soft 17 (my personal choice of the Dynamites)

[mctennis]

Originally Posted by ced

I believe that "Tough" has replaced the original Dynamite.

Dynamite Soft 17 (green) and Dynamite Soft 18 (blue) are the other dynamites.

Have not used "Tough" but the original Dynamite was stiffer, not as durable and lost tension quicker than Soft 17 (my personal choice of the Dynamites)

I've got the "soft" 17 set to try. I agree with you about the 16g of the "tough" version. That's why I tried, and liked, the 17g of the "tough" version a lot better. I look forward to try the "soft" 17g green version now.

[ced]

Originally Posted by mctennis

I've got the "soft" 17 set to try. I agree with you about the 16g of the "tough" version. That's why I tried, and liked, the 17g of the "tough" version a lot better. I look forward to try the "soft" 17g green version now.

I've got one set of the original Dynamite 17ga that I'll be glad to send you if you will provide a snail mail address..... I'm not going to be using it any time soon and hate to see it go to waste.

McTennis string is on its way ........

[Centered]

Originally Posted by Torres

RSI have now reviewed it. Jump to Page 45:

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...206/index.html

Interesting comments about this string, not least because they say it feels poly like even though Zyex is supposed to be soft.

That's not what the article says. The articles says it looks and feels like a poly when you get it out of the package. But, you will notice that the stiffness is significantly below Prince Synthetic Gut which is a nylon string that is below the normal poly stiffness range. You'll also notice that several of the playtesters praised the string for improved comfort, even if they didn't follow Ashaway's guidelines concerning reducing tension. The article also noted that it does not act like a poly during stringing.

Zyex is a string material that plays softer at lower tensions and stiffens at higher tensions. It is more gut-like than other synthetics at lower tensions. In order to get maximum comfort out of it, you need to drop the tension down 10-20% from what you normally use like Ashaway suggests. If you want a synthetic string that doesn't stiffen as much at higher tension you may want to try a polyolefin ribbon type string, like Isospeed Control Classic. Natural gut also, based on TW's data, resists stiffening as tension increases much better than synthetics — making it the best choice for players prone to pain from ball impact shock who want higher tensions.

As for Zyex Monogut being stiffer than Dynamite, that's hardly surprising since it's a monofilament string. Monofilament strings are always stiffer because they are a single filament. Old Dynamite has something like 6 Zyex filaments that are wrapped. New Dynamite has a large number of fine filaments, as far as I know. Testing data finds that old Dynamite isn't stiffer than new Dynamite, with the exception of the 18 gauge Soft which is thinner and less stiff. Interestingly, the 16 gauge of the old Dynamite tested slightly less stiff than the 17, at least at some tensions. I have found the 16 more durable and resistant to movement. I prefer it, although the 17 is a nice string for a racquet with a dense pattern.

[Centered]

Comments from RSI testers:

"This is an arm-friendly control string with average power." 5.5 male stringing at 52 lbs in Wilson BLX Pro Tour, constant pull

"Excellent spin and power. It stays playable longer than most polys I've tried." 5.0 male at 52 lbs in Wilson BLX Blade, constant pull

"Good touch and comfort. Power is there when needed. Baseliners will like the control." 4.5 male at 56 lbs in Head Liquidmetal Radical OS, lock out

"Power is definitely there when needed. A vibration dampener is recommended (to reduce noise)." 4.5 male at 55 lbs in Babolat Pure Storm GT, constant pull

"This is a comfortable string with great control. Power is just right." 4.0 male at 58 lbs in Babolat Pure Storm LTD, constant pull

"This string adds extra kick to serves. Excellent control on both groundies and touch shots. Outstanding comfort." 4.0 male at 60 lbs in Prince Triple Threat Viper, lock out

"Touch and feel are lacking. There is a slight buzzing on softer strokes." 4.0 male at 54 lbs in Donnay X-Dual Gold, constant pull

------

One negative review out of seven.

Prince Synthetic Gut Original RSI measured stiffness: 217*
Ashaway Zyex Monogut 16 measured stiffness: 151*

*24 hours after stringing with no play

[fgs]

centered,
i really don't quite get it - you were so much on the scientific hard facts side and now i see you resort to "anectodat" evidence by some string-testers.
are you sure you are o.k?