Do you think Nadal will try the new Steam?

[yonexRx32]

Originally Posted by cknobman

LOL yonex.

So Wilsons thought was making a less dense string pattern and using a polyester string would allow the string to move even more. Since the string could move more it would impart more spin on the ball because it snapped back more.

You can go watch Wilsons video explaining it all its too much for me to type here.
Again not saying I am promoting it, I am just explaining Wilsons reasoning for it.

Hi cknobman,
Polys have been around for many years and at least during the past 5-6 years have been very popular. Wilson did not discover how the polys work. Everybody notticed they snap back in place. Also, everyone knew that less dense string patterns promote spin. Therefore there is really nothing new here. Snauwaert had a 12mx13c racket 30 years ago. There is a company out there that has marketed rackets with very similar (14mx16c) specs for years. That's why I suspect some of the WOW factor is disingenuous.

Not saying that you are promoting it, but there is definitely a concerted effort on these boards to promote these rackets. Given the number of discussions and how they are initiated (eg. do you think Nadal will try it?) it lis likely that either the manufacturer or the distributors have enlisted people to bombard the boards with the message that this is somehow earth shattering technology. 12 months from now these new rackets will sell for pennies on the dollar on auction sites when the general public will notice that
a) Nadal doesn't use them, Federer doesn't use them, no pro will use them
(a simple paint job won't hide the string bed)
b) run of the mill players can't use them because the wrist action required to produce the lift and spin necessary to keep the ball in the court is not included in the price tag.
c) anybody can string an 18x20 racket to 14x16 or even 14x12 if he/she wishes to do so.

[sundaypunch]

I think that Nadal has enough clout at Babolat to get frames with any drill pattern he would want to try.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

I think that Nadal has enough clout at Babolat to get frames with any drill pattern he would want to try.

I was thinking the same thing...

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by yonexRx32

Hi cknobman,
Polys have been around for many years and at least during the past 5-6 years have been very popular. Wilson did not discover how the polys work. Everybody notticed they snap back in place. Also, everyone knew that less dense string patterns promote spin. Therefore there is really nothing new here. Snauwaert had a 12mx13c racket 30 years ago. There is a company out there that has marketed rackets with very similar (14mx16c) specs for years. That's why I suspect some of the WOW factor is disingenuous.

Not saying that you are promoting it, but there is definitely a concerted effort on these boards to promote these rackets. Given the number of discussions and how they are initiated (eg. do you think Nadal will try it?) it lis likely that either the manufacturer or the distributors have enlisted people to bombard the boards with the message that this is somehow earth shattering technology. 12 months from now these new rackets will sell for pennies on the dollar on auction sites when the general public will notice that
a) Nadal doesn't use them, Federer doesn't use them, no pro will use them
(a simple paint job won't hide the string bed)
b) run of the mill players can't use them because the wrist action required to produce the lift and spin necessary to keep the ball in the court is not included in the price tag.
c) anybody can string an 18x20 racket to 14x16 or even 14x12 if he/she wishes to do so.

Good points but wouldn't stringing a 18 x 20 to say 16 x 15 stress the frame somehow? Just wondering and apologies if this is a stupid question.

I do have an old Wilson Hammer that I might do this to but I'm probably a month away from stringing it

[ChicagoJack]

deleted. 10 char

[yonexRx32]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Good points but wouldn't stringing a 18 x 20 to say 16 x 15 stress the frame somehow? Just wondering and apologies if this is a stupid question.

I do have an old Wilson Hammer that I might do this to but I'm probably a month away from stringing it

I wouldn't think so if you keep the tension reasonable, but don't blame me if you crack your frame, it's just an opinion. I plan on testing the hypothesis when I get a chance. On someone else's tip, I have skipped crosses on rackets before, to soften the string bed but it was one or two crosses, not four or six, and I haven't experimented with the mains. I have even a wood racket where I skipped a cross and it is fine thank you, no warping.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by yonexRx32

I wouldn't think so if you keep the tension reasonable, but don't blame me if you crack your frame, it's just an opinion. I plan on testing the hypothesis when I get a chance. On someone else's tip, I have skipped crosses on rackets before, to soften the string bed but it was one or two crosses, not four or six, and I haven't experimented with the mains. I have even a wood racket where I skipped a cross and it is fine thank you, no warping.

Thanks yonexRx32!

no worries it's a Hammer 2.7 I got for $5 at a garage sale so not a biggie. I'm planning using poly 17 ga at 30-35 lbs. So it shouldn't stress the hoop a ton.

Probably 16 x 15 and I'll be judicious with the strings I skip, so it looks like it will be as even in stress as possible

Cheers

[Rafaboy]

what if i just loosen the crosses on my APD? would that have a similar effect?

Because in order for advanced spin technique, you need a head light racket like the APD, whereas i think the 99s would hinder my head speed.

[davidl7]

I would hold off until there are more high level players using the 99S. You need to use 15g string to have control and tension maintenance. Currently not too many selections for 15g poly. Lux 4G is not a spin string, they need to make Lux Original in 15g for this rac.

Rumor has it that, Wilson will be releasing a Blade version as well.

[yonexRx32]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Thanks yonexRx32!

no worries it's a Hammer 2.7 I got for $5 at a garage sale so not a biggie. I'm planning using poly 17 ga at 30-35 lbs. So it shouldn't stress the hoop a ton.

Probably 16 x 15 and I'll be judicious with the strings I skip, so it looks like it will be as even in stress as possible

Cheers

Just a couple of thoughts.

I have floating clamps but swivel clamps would probably be easier to use for this type of job.

Because the string bed is sparse, the overall string bed tension will be significantly lower than when you string normally. You will feel a lot more pocketing as the ball sinks deeper in the bed. You will also lose control. Check a posting by ChicagoJack on what happens when a ball strikes the string bed.

I think you can safely go up to 50 lbs or even more if you keep the symmetry of the string bed. I don't know what pattern the Hammer is, but I would try to keep the symmetry of the string bed. If it's 16x18 you may want to go even nr x even nr. To be extra safe you can string with two pieces, and start the cross portion from the center. You shouldn't have too much trouble.

[yonexRx32]

Originally Posted by Rafaboy

what if i just loosen the crosses on my APD? would that have a similar effect?

Because in order for advanced spin technique, you need a head light racket like the APD, whereas i think the 99s would hinder my head speed.

My guess is yes. Probably the better approach.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by yonexRx32

Just a couple of thoughts.

I have floating clamps but swivel clamps would probably be easier to use for this type of job.

Because the string bed is sparse, the overall string bed tension will be significantly lower than when you string normally. You will feel a lot more pocketing as the ball sinks deeper in the bed. You will also lose control. Check a posting by ChicagoJack on what happens when a ball strikes the string bed.

I think you can safely go up to 50 lbs or even more if you keep the symmetry of the string bed. I don't know what pattern the Hammer is, but I would try to keep the symmetry of the string bed. If it's 16x18 you may want to go even nr x even nr. To be extra safe you can string with two pieces, and start the cross portion from the center. You shouldn't have too much trouble.

Thanks yonexRx32

I appreciate this - will try it

Cheers

nigel

[droliver]

Not sure what this would offer a guy like Nadal who is already hitting the highest RPM on tour. At some point it would seem self-defeating