Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by scotus

Just for fun, I strung up my racquet to copy the concept of Wilson Steam S, basically turning the 16X20 pattern into 16X10.

At first, I had a very hard time controlling the ball but the control got somewhat better in a few minutes of adjustment.

Unfortunately, I didn't notice any significant increase in spin. Only the launch angle was higher.

Wilson's claim what the 15 was the perfect number of crosses to allow for the snap-back to occur with optimum performance. Perhaps your 16x10 did not spin as much because there were not enough crosses to forcibly throw the main back in position quickly enough for it to effect the shot. 16x14 might do better.

[Mongolmike]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I am doing 50# in the 99s and 52# in the 105s. Let me know what you think about the full poly above 60#.....I will be really curious to see thought on that tension and all poly.

Just an FYI... the recommended range for the 105 is 57-67, and from what I've heard/read the higher weight works well in this stick to temper the power and increase the control without losing any "comfort". I wanted to check the tension on the demo after I hit with it to see what I was actually hitting with, but they couldn't find their stringmeter. I bet if you string at 52, that is gonna be a bazooka! Which is good if you can tame it!

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Just an FYI... the recommended range for the 105 is 57-67, and from what I've heard/read the higher weight works well in this stick to temper the power and increase the control without losing any "comfort". I wanted to check the tension on the demo after I hit with it to see what I was actually hitting with, but they couldn't find their stringmeter. I bet if you string at 52, that is gonna be a bazooka! Which is good if you can tame it!

I first demo'd them both (99s and 105s) at 62 hybrid on them both. There were a few guys on here who demo'd and said they did 50# without a problem with this frame. I demo'd it again and he was due for a restring so I talked him into letting me take it to string how I like, then return it and he could cut it out for his hybrid.....and I did 52# and loved it (this was in the 99s). I am dying to hear what you think about full poly at 60+# as I was too afraid of no power at all.

I have slowly moved my stringing from 60# to 50# in my other frames a little at a time and love the full poly at lower tension.....but like you mentioned, the recommended number for the steam are so high. For the 105s the recommended tension is 57-67!!!! So that left me with the thought of does a 57# there = a 50# on my yonex that is recommended from 50-65? It was a couple of reviews on here from guys saying the low 50s was great for them with the 99s, so i'll let you know how it goes. Please please post early and let us know your stringing thoughts.....most in the 60 range have been hybrids so far and I cannot recall a review of all poly at 62#.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by racertempo

Congratulations for you, you are a model poster. This thread is 60 pages long with about 20 pages of legit content, sorry for adding just another 2-3 posts out of 1079 total posts, especially when it refereed to TW shipping the frames in question. Don't like what I write, feel free to ignore, such a great thing about the internet.

At least you are back on topic now.

[Mongolmike]

Just got done stringer 'er up... won't hit with it til Saturday, unless it is 50 and dry tomorrow... I don't think it will be that warm tomorrow... anyway....

...as for a tension, it does make a big difference in terms of swing speed/style and tension I agree... what might be good for you at 50 I might like at 56... anyway...

My current set-up really suits my topspin FH, topspin 1H BH and defensive slice BH, and solid kicker 2nd serve... I use full poly (Dunlop Juice 16) at 52#... so racertempo you and I are already pretty close tension wise. (I don't think I have played poly higher than 57.)

I also use a very light racquet because I can get more racquet head speed. To really use poly the best you have to swing hard... and its seems like that is what moves the strings and gives the snap back which gives the spin. So... if that is true, then with a supposed launch-y type stick like the 105, higher tension will take away some of its power... making me have to hit harder... thus getting more benefit of the open pattern and slippery poly. I am open to dissension on this, it is what I think happens tho.

So, like I said, I strung it at 62... (I'll report back with this, and if anyone is interested I can edit in some of the other strings I have to try... but I think there will be plenty who will soon be adding their experience).

The racquet itself is easy as you might imagine to string... no shared holes, open pattern, weaving was a piece of cake, even the top/last weaves no problem. I tied off the main @ 6 throat which seemed pretty natural.

The cross tie off I had to think about for a second or two... I tied it off @ 5 head, and I'd be interested to hear other opinions. The last cross exits at 7H: 8H 9H 10H 11H were too tight to squeeze a knot in, 6H is too close, and I think 4 was near my clamp... but looking at it again, I think 4H would also work.

The two bonus things about this stick, fewer weaves = faster stringing and less string used... so you could really stretch a reel further if you measure well... save a little $ there. I measured a regular 11ft short side/29ft long side... had about a normal amount left on the short side, and a couple feet (estimate) extra on the long side that I cut off BEFORE I even pulled the last cross and tied off.

That being said, I used the recommended Luxilon G4 16.... PAIN IN THE BLANK! Major coil memory issue. Maybe this pack just came off the extruder, but wow... I've got 3 other packs of it and I'm curious if they will all coil like this. Its a regular poly... stiff, tougher to tie knots, slick like... but the coil issue added 10+ minutes easy. That, and the color doesn't go with the stick The G4 might look a little better in the new Blades, kind of... but I think it would look a lot better in the Donnay X Gold. But that's just my fashionista sense. Anyone got a problem wit dat??

[drakulie]

Just a quick update on stringing with different gut/poly hybrids and durability.

I have found that using a thicker poly than the gut, helps durability. For example, a 16 gauge gut in the mains, with 15 gauge poly in crosses, will last longer than if you had both at the same gauge. Or a 17 gauge gut mains/16 gauge poly crosses. etc.

[goeblack]

Just before I take the bait and buy one, I would like to throw this out. Maybe someone can talk me out of it. Then again I like the excitement of being on the cutting edge.

Starting out, I play mostly 4.0 and some 4.5 players. I do play heavy topspin on both sides with a backhand slice as needed when on my heels. The kids I play are very fast. Add to that , top spin is not going to bother them at all. Moreover, topspin tends to allow them more time to get dialed in.(Yes I know it kicks off faster when it leaves the ground,) but they are camped, and ready to whale it back, due to the extra hang time.

I find in order to beat them I normally mix it up with some really hard flat shots. Otherwise they get in a grove with the topspin and actually thrive on it.

So, I am reluctant to go to a racket with a higher projection over the net. (Those who understand will understand) Bottom line I am wondering if the increase in hang time will be counter productive at levels above 3.5.

What say you??

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by goeblack

Just before I take the bait and buy one, I would like to throw this out. Maybe someone can talk me out of it. Then again I like the excitement of being on the cutting edge.

Starting out, I play mostly 4.0 and some 4.5 players. I do play heavy topspin on both sides with a backhand slice as needed when on my heels. The kids I play are very fast. Add to that , top spin is not going to bother them at all. Moreover, topspin tends to allow them more time to get dialed in.(Yes I know it kicks off faster when it leaves the ground,) but they are camped, and ready to whale it back, due to the extra hang time.

I find in order to beat them I normally mix it up with some really hard flat shots. Otherwise they get in a grove with the topspin and actually thrive on it.

So, I am reluctant to go to a racket with a higher projection over the net. (Those who understand will understand) Bottom line I am wondering if the increase in hang time will be counter productive at levels above 3.5.

What say you??

Do the pros play with a lot of topspin? There's my answer.

I hit pretty hard and have no problem flattening my FH. I do want the option to have more spin as it allows me to hit harder with a faster stroke and the spin brings the ball down into the court rather than out.

That said, I haven't tried the Steam 99s and can't tell if it will slow my game down clearing the net higher. Can you demo a 99s first?

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Do the pros play with a lot of topspin? There's my answer.

I hit pretty hard and have no problem flattening my FH. I do want the option to have more spin as it allows me to hit harder with a faster stroke and the spin brings the ball down into the court rather than out.

That said, I haven't tried the Steam 99s and can't tell if it will slow my game down clearing the net higher. Can you demo a 99s first?

ditto this. Once I got used to the frame (like any other frame), I haven't found any problems flattening the ball out and hitting thru the court. The extra spin, even on flat shots, helps many shots that would other wise go long,,, land in.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by drakulie

ditto this. Once I got used to the frame (like any other frame), I haven't found any problems flattening the ball out and hitting thru the court. The extra spin, even on flat shots, helps many shots that would other wise go long,,, land in.

Drak these rackets are no good. Why did they make the SW so high ? there is no room for customization to my liking

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Drak these rackets are no good. Why did they make the SW so high ? there is no room for customization to my liking

Have a great sun-shiny day, and God Bless.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Have a great sun-shiny day, and God Bless.

What is DUBM ? does it have something to do with bowel movement ?

[Faithfulfather]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

What is DUBM ? does it have something to do with bowel movement ?

Is it just me or does this guy always have something idiotic to say?

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by Faithfulfather

Is it just me or does this guy always have something idiotic to say?

Not just you. It would be very hard not to notice.

[corners]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Just a quick update on stringing with different gut/poly hybrids and durability.

I have found that using a thicker poly than the gut, helps durability. For example, a 16 gauge gut in the mains, with 15 gauge poly in crosses, will last longer than if you had both at the same gauge. Or a 17 gauge gut mains/16 gauge poly crosses. etc.

Drak, have you tried the flat/rectangular polys from Gosen, Polymater I & II in the crosses? I haven't had the chance to, but the flat surfaces of those string might not cut into the gut mains at all, or not for a while.

[Johnny-Cage]

The steams are so stiff. I suffer from arm problems, would you recommend this? Or should I just stick with the more flexible BLX Tour?

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Just got done stringer 'er up... won't hit with it til Saturday, unless it is 50 and dry tomorrow... I don't think it will be that warm tomorrow... anyway....

...as for a tension, it does make a big difference in terms of swing speed/style and tension I agree... what might be good for you at 50 I might like at 56... anyway...

My current set-up really suits my topspin FH, topspin 1H BH and defensive slice BH, and solid kicker 2nd serve... I use full poly (Dunlop Juice 16) at 52#... so racertempo you and I are already pretty close tension wise. (I don't think I have played poly higher than 57.)

I also use a very light racquet because I can get more racquet head speed. To really use poly the best you have to swing hard... and its seems like that is what moves the strings and gives the snap back which gives the spin. So... if that is true, then with a supposed launch-y type stick like the 105, higher tension will take away some of its power... making me have to hit harder... thus getting more benefit of the open pattern and slippery poly. I am open to dissension on this, it is what I think happens tho.

So, like I said, I strung it at 62... (I'll report back with this, and if anyone is interested I can edit in some of the other strings I have to try... but I think there will be plenty who will soon be adding their experience).

We are very very close in play styles, I am a 1H BH as well with mostly defensive slices to keep people back, but I charge the net at any chance at all and thus volley a ton. For that reason I also like the lighter and sometimes larger head sizes for net play, which is why I like the 105s. I hit the 105s with my ball machine with the 62# hybrid string job and did not find too much power, so my thought is full poly will be even less power......yet I wanted more power then I had. Unfortunately mine will not be here until Monday so I cannot use them for my big match tomorrow, but I have all 2013 to use them

[D-money]

Mine showed up last night as expected. It will be strung up and ready for a hit tomorrow. I'm excited. Going with Pro Hurricane tour in the low 50's. Tolerance was very nice mine came in at 302 and 6 to 5.5 points head light. Close enough for me.

[bertrevert]

Now that they are appearing on a court near you - can players report back on the swingweight.

TW has it at 333 on the review page.

But 325 in the racquet comparison tool

So which is it, like a Blade or lighter to swing, or neither? cheers

[crosbydog]

Drak -
My 11 y.o. demo'd a 99S tonight and liked it. What do you recommend string wise for a kid with this racket? She got more pace than usual and her high top spins dropped in more easily.
Thanks!