Steam 99S...Boom or Bust?

[Lilguy1456]

In the short time this stick has been out, I cannot BELIEVE the differences in opinions. Some are saying it's a game changing spin monster, and others are saying it's a toy that loses tension instantly. So...which is it?!

[tlm]

Useless toy that loses tension instantly is the perfect description. I get nearly the same spin out of my prince rebel with 10 times the amount of control.

[Buford T Justice]

Can it be both?!?!?!

It definitely hits balls in a manner that I could not hit before but it definitely also destroys strings in a shockingly fast manner.

[TroutSc]

I didn't demo due to the stiffness, my friend bought one and I hit with it a few minutes the other night. Things that would normally go long for me still went long. A good hit though felt really good, but I didn't feel all of the sudden "better". He says he's getting better with it the more he uses it but is taking a beating at touch/volly/net but groundstrokes and serve seem better for him. I think my wife's gonna give it demo from all the buzz. Curious to see the next iterations and frame choices.

[pshulam]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

Can it be both?!?!?!

It definitely hits balls in a manner that I could not hit before but it definitely also destroys strings in a shockingly fast manner.

Possibly. The open pattern is not really that revolutionary as Vortex, a much smaller company, has already introduced this technology for a few years already. The uniqueness of Wilson's open pattern (16 x 15) is that the number of crosses is less than that of the mains.

[Centerforward71]

Neither but much closer to overhyped. More toy than weapon for higher level players.

[Lilguy1456]

I wonder though...

Would pros be more apt to use it than rec players for the simple fact that they can have many racquets with fresh strings at their disposal? For us, it's super annoying to restring constantly. Pros don't have that concern though...

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by pshulam

Possibly. The open pattern is not really that revolutionary as Vortex, a much smaller company, has already introduced this technology for a few years already. The uniqueness of Wilson's open pattern (16 x 15) is that the number of crosses is less than that of the mains.

I am no tennis equipment historian....but this string pattern looks to be movements towards this (now banned) idea of yesteryear?

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cros...20RACQUETS.htm

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

I wonder though...

Would pros be more apt to use it than rec players for the simple fact that they can have many racquets with fresh strings at their disposal? For us, it's super annoying to restring constantly. Pros don't have that concern though...

I was wondering the same thing.....

[tlm]

Originally Posted by pshulam

Possibly. The open pattern is not really that revolutionary as Vortex, a much smaller company, has already introduced this technology for a few years already. The uniqueness of Wilson's open pattern (16 x 15) is that the number of crosses is less than that of the mains.

I had a vortex and this is nothing but a wilson vortex, the 1 less x's means nothing it is not unique in any way. That is just a way to say it is different than the vortex.
The difference is it is mainstream and highly advertised by Wilson something vortex could not due. It is the open pattern that makes it play the way it does.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by tlm

I had a vortex and this is nothing but a wilson vortex, the 1 less x's means nothing it is not unique in any way. That is just a way to say it is different than the vortex.
The difference is it is mainstream and highly advertised by Wilson something vortex could not due. It is the open pattern that makes it play the way it does.

As with most things in life......follow the money!!!!!

[pshulam]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

I am no tennis equipment historian....but this string pattern looks to be movements towards this (now banned) idea of yesteryear?

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cros...20RACQUETS.htm

Thanks for the link - interesting article.

[pshulam]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

As with most things in life......follow the money!!!!!

Most likely that other manufacturers will jump on the bandwagon .. more open pattern racquets.

[Lilguy1456]

Even split in the poll so far, as expected. Odd how there can be two ends of the spectrum so adamently expressed already. I need this Northeast weather to get reasonable so I can experiment more.

[couch]

When this racquet is set up with the proper strings in the proper hands it is definitely a spin monster. The Steam 99S can give a player the added confidence to swing out on a shot and know its going to dip and stay in.

The problem(s) with this racquet are:

People put the wrong types of string in them

They aren't good enough to use the spin and control of spin to their advantage- aka "rocket launchers".

People put too thin a gauge in the racquet- lack of durability

People expect the racquet to just work wonders for their game. No racquet is going to work wonders. A racquet can compliment a player but, as always, it's the ability of the player that makes the racquet.

The better you are a thicker, more durable poly is a must. It's the only way to get the benefits out of this racquet.

A good player may be able to get away with a gut/poly hybrid

A lower level player can probably get away with a softer, thinner poly or gut/poly hybrid.

I'm a 5.0 baseline player who uses topspin to hit the ball with pace. This racquet has allowed me to hit more consistently deep because of the spin. I have no trouble with loss of control, launching rockets, etc. if this stick is used correctly it does exactly what it's supposed to do. It increases your spin and in turn increases the depth and length of the court.

As mentioned string choice is vital in this racquet. I would suggest the following:

5.0- lux 4G in 16g or 15g
4.5- lux 4G in 16g
4.0- lux 4G in 16L, or any 16g poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid
3.0-3.5- softer poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid

I string mine at 58lbs with 4G 16g and it lasts me anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on whether it's a hitting session, doubles, or singles. 15g will probably last 6-8 hours when I try it. The strings do start to lose the snap back ability at the end but I don't feel like there is a huge tension drop with 4G that would magnify this that much. I truly believe 4G is a must for this racquet. To me it seems to be one of the most durable polys and holds its tension extremely well. Everything you need in this stick.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by couch

When this racquet is set up with the proper strings in the proper hands it is definitely a spin monster. The Steam 99S can give a player the added confidence to swing out on a shot and know its going to dip and stay in.

The problem(s) with this racquet are:

People put the wrong types of string in them

They aren't good enough to use the spin and control of spin to their advantage- aka "rocket launchers".

People put too thin a gauge in the racquet- lack of durability

People expect the racquet to just work wonders for their game. No racquet is going to work wonders. A racquet can compliment a player but, as always, it's the ability of the player that makes the racquet.

The better you are a thicker, more durable poly is a must. It's the only way to get the benefits out of this racquet.

A good player may be able to get away with a gut/poly hybrid

A lower level player can probably get away with a softer, thinner poly or gut/poly hybrid.

I'm a 5.0 baseline player who uses topspin to hit the ball with pace. This racquet has allowed me to hit more consistently deep because of the spin. I have no trouble with loss of control, launching rockets, etc. if this stick is used correctly it does exactly what it's supposed to do. It increases your spin and in turn increases the depth and length of the court.

As mentioned string choice is vital in this racquet. I would suggest the following:

5.0- lux 4G in 16g or 15g
4.5- lux 4G in 16g
4.0- lux 4G in 16L, or any 16g poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid
3.0-3.5- softer poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid

I string mine at 58lbs with 4G 16g and it lasts me anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on whether it's a hitting session, doubles, or singles. 15g will probably last 6-8 hours when I try it. The strings do start to lose the snap back ability at the end but I don't feel like there is a huge tension drop with 4G that would magnify this that much. I truly believe 4G is a must for this racquet. To me it seems to be one of the most durable polys and holds its tension extremely well. Everything you need in this stick.

Excellent post. I string all my sticks up with Cyclone 17 @52, so that's what I did with my 99S. I haven't hit with it yet (again, weather). Do you think that setup will work? As for restringing after 4 - 6 hours, that's just simply not an option for me. Frankly, I wonder if anyone who actually does that holds a job, has a wife/kids, or anything else to do other than restring their sticks. Seems obsurd to me.

Anyway, I'll post after I hit with an update...

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

As for restringing after 4 - 6 hours, that's just simply not an option for me. Frankly, I wonder if anyone who actually does that holds a job, has a wife/kids, or anything else to do other than restring their sticks. Seems obsurd to me.

I agree with you there. The only reason I don't mind all this stringing chicanery is because I have a young chap (if 26 counts as young) who lives down the street from me to whom I drop off my racquets to for stringing and he does them for 10 bucks if I provide the string.

Otherwise, I'm with you...there's no way in h$&@ I'd spend time stringing racquets after every few times of use.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by couch

When this racquet is set up with the proper strings in the proper hands it is definitely a spin monster. The Steam 99S can give a player the added confidence to swing out on a shot and know its going to dip and stay in.

The problem(s) with this racquet are:

People put the wrong types of string in them

They aren't good enough to use the spin and control of spin to their advantage- aka "rocket launchers".

People put too thin a gauge in the racquet- lack of durability

People expect the racquet to just work wonders for their game. No racquet is going to work wonders. A racquet can compliment a player but, as always, it's the ability of the player that makes the racquet.

The better you are a thicker, more durable poly is a must. It's the only way to get the benefits out of this racquet.

A good player may be able to get away with a gut/poly hybrid

A lower level player can probably get away with a softer, thinner poly or gut/poly hybrid.

I'm a 5.0 baseline player who uses topspin to hit the ball with pace. This racquet has allowed me to hit more consistently deep because of the spin. I have no trouble with loss of control, launching rockets, etc. if this stick is used correctly it does exactly what it's supposed to do. It increases your spin and in turn increases the depth and length of the court.

As mentioned string choice is vital in this racquet. I would suggest the following:

5.0- lux 4G in 16g or 15g
4.5- lux 4G in 16g
4.0- lux 4G in 16L, or any 16g poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid
3.0-3.5- softer poly that holds tension well. Gut/poly hybrid

I string mine at 58lbs with 4G 16g and it lasts me anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on whether it's a hitting session, doubles, or singles. 15g will probably last 6-8 hours when I try it. The strings do start to lose the snap back ability at the end but I don't feel like there is a huge tension drop with 4G that would magnify this that much. I truly believe 4G is a must for this racquet. To me it seems to be one of the most durable polys and holds its tension extremely well. Everything you need in this stick.

I agree...great assessment. I also liked the 4g 16 but I am too cheap to spend that much for the strings! Even at reel price......it's pretty heady per racquet.

[couch]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

Excellent post. I string all my sticks up with Cyclone 17 @52, so that's what I did with my 99S. I haven't hit with it yet (again, weather). Do you think that setup will work? As for restringing after 4 - 6 hours, that's just simply not an option for me. Frankly, I wonder if anyone who actually does that holds a job, has a wife/kids, or anything else to do other than restring their sticks. Seems obsurd to me.

Anyway, I'll post after I hit with an update...

It just depends on your ability. If you're a decent 4.0 I don't think the 17g will last real long for you. Maybe 25% less than what you're getting now. What kind of stick do you currently have? I would definitely look at using a thicker gauge string. Cyclone 16g at about 54-55lbs may be a good option. You can string it tighter because of the open string pattern. I normally use 17g poly at 55lbs and I'm string 4G 16g at 58lbs in my Steams and its working well.

If you know what the racquet is designed to do then you should be able to match a good string based on the racquets attributes and your abilities.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

I agree with you there. The only reason I don't mind all this stringing chicanery is because I have a young chap (if 26 counts as young) who lives down the street from me to whom I drop off my racquets to for stringing and he does them for 10 bucks if I provide the string.

Otherwise, I'm with you...there's no way in h$&@ I'd spend time stringing racquets after every few times of use.

I think some of the guys on these forums use the time their strings last as some kind of d!ck measuring contest...e.g. "this string only lasted me 2 hours!"..."i hit with so much pace, I broke these after 27 minute" etc...

lol