Steam 99S...Boom or Bust?

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

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

Ha...yes...you might be right. Im new here so not sure of the overall vibe, but i take this place to be a recreational tennis forum for the most part.

I'm glad I'm just a hacker! I like tennis as its good exercise (beats running around the block), is sociable, I've made some good friends through this medium, etc.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by couch

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.

I stick with my polys probably a bit longer than I should...That said, i've never broken a poly string...only guts and multis (guess i'm not such a huge hitter). So i'll see how it lasts

[couch]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

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.

Yeah, I hear you. We need to find a good, cheaper, alternative to 4G. The BC 15L broke on me tonight after about 2 hours of hitting. There needs to be a 15/15L poly that is durable out there that would be a nice cheaper alternative.

I wonder if string companies will start coming out with thicker polys for sticks like this. Sounds like Prince is coming out with a similar racquet and I bet others will follow. These racquets will not be successful if you can't find a string cheap enough or durable enough to make it worth your time and money.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by couch

Yeah, I hear you. We need to find a good, cheaper, alternative to 4G. The BC 15L broke on me tonight after about 2 hours of hitting. There needs to be a 15/15L poly that is durable out there that would be a nice cheaper alternative.

I wonder if string companies will start coming out with thicker polys for sticks like this. Sounds like Prince is coming out with a similar racquet and I bet others will follow. These racquets will not be successful if you can't find a string cheap enough or durable enough to make it worth your time and money.

Possible current option may be Golden Set Power Cord? On their site they claim " similar to Luxilon 4g" and it's $77.22 a reel.

I also think there will be a bunch of 15 (maybe 14?) gauge strings coming out soon......

[nickarnold2000]

Originally Posted by couch

Yeah, I hear you. We need to find a good, cheaper, alternative to 4G. The BC 15L broke on me tonight after about 2 hours of hitting. There needs to be a 15/15L poly that is durable out there that would be a nice cheaper alternative.

I wonder if string companies will start coming out with thicker polys for sticks like this. Sounds like Prince is coming out with a similar racquet and I bet others will follow. These racquets will not be successful if you can't find a string cheap enough or durable enough to make it worth your time and money.

Absolutely the other string companies will be coming out with their longer lasting 15 gauge poly versions(and cheaper!) - it's money to them but it takes a little time. For those of you who don't like to use such big head sizes, Wilson(and hopefully other racket companies) will be offering the open pattern in smaller head versions and heavier frames.

[MesQueUnClub]

Has anyone tried full bed of kevlar strings on these strings. I am wondering how a 18 g kevalar string at 45 - 50 lbs range would feel on this racquet ?

[ttwarrior1]

How is this racket for a drop shot artist and slice returner?
And for someone that normally plays the same no matter what racket he uses?

[Centerforward71]

Originally Posted by ttwarrior1

How is this racket for a drop shot artist and slice returner?
And for someone that normally plays the same no matter what racket he uses?

Dude you just answered your own question. Player who Plays the same no matter what racquet he uses. Your the type of player who probably strings his racquet once a year so the issues here are null and void. With that said why would you spend that kind of money on a stick like this ?

[neil1b]

I think it will be a game changer in the mind of the masses......which is hat Wilson wanted. I used it for a while and I can hit more spin with my reg stick. I think the racquet hits horrible and have tried many different string combos and tensions.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by Centerforward71

Dude you just answered your own question. Player who Plays the same no matter what racquet he uses. Your the type of player who probably strings his racquet once a year so the issues here are null and void. With that said why would you spend that kind of money on a stick like this ?

What's wrong with you man? The guy asked a legit question, and you start hating on him and assuming what 'type of player he is.' THEN, you question why he's spend the money on the racquet...

So again, what the hell is your problem. #1 You don't know what kind of player he is, or how often he restrings. #2 You DEFINITELY don't know how much MONEY this guy has, as he may be independently wealthy, or at the very least, have more money than YOU do. So, I think you need to cool it bro.

[couch]

It's so funny that people who use a dense string pattern say this racquet hits horribly. I have typically used a 16x18 pattern and that's what my game has been grooved on. For me the Steam 99S is an easy and natural fit. My business partner hits a blade and he simply said he was leaving balls short in the court because it doesn't suit his style of play. That doesn't mean it's a horrible racquet. Different strokes for different folks.

This racquet, in the right player's hands, can be a real weapon. It hits an extremely heavy ball and explodes off the court. This racquet will play well for a 3.0-5.0 if you ask me, but for different reasons.

A 3.0 - 4.0 will generate more spin, have nice power, more control and less UE if used correctly. A 5.0 who is used to a Pure Drive type racquet can make this racquet do whatever they want but with more spin and action on the ball.

That's my take on this racquet.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by MesQueUnClub

Has anyone tried full bed of kevlar strings on these strings. I am wondering how a 18 g kevalar string at 45 - 50 lbs range would feel on this racquet ?

Interesting proposition! Kevlar lasts forever (sorta), 18 ga will lessen the stiffness.

If I do get a 99s one day, I'll try this out.

Anyone try this combo yet?

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

What's wrong with you man? The guy asked a legit question, and you start hating on him and assuming what 'type of player he is.' THEN, you question why he's spend the money on the racquet...

So again, what the hell is your problem. #1 You don't know what kind of player he is, or how often he restrings. #2 You DEFINITELY don't know how much MONEY this guy has, as he may be independently wealthy, or at the very least, have more money than YOU do. So, I think you need to cool it bro.

Probably the reason he posted a reply like that was because that same person started a thread stating that he has demoed 100 frames and they ARE ALL THE SAME. So this guy is looking for bites posting like he did in this thread. Based on what he has already stated it does not matter how the 99s plays, this guy will say it is no different.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Interesting proposition! Kevlar lasts forever (sorta), 18 ga will lessen the stiffness.

If I do get a 99s one day, I'll try this out.

Anyone try this combo yet?

I tried 18 gauge kevlar with a poly cross and it helped the control some but still not enough for me, after that experiment I knew I was done with this racket.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by racertempo

Probably the reason he posted a reply like that was because that same person started a thread stating that he has demoed 100 frames and they ARE ALL THE SAME. So this guy is looking for bites posting like he did in this thread. Based on what he has already stated it does not matter how the 99s plays, this guy will say it is no different.

I read that thread, and it seems that he said he sees no difference in his game from frame to frame...but that reply saying he's a hacker who shouldn't bother spending his money was a bit much...

[quest01]

I used the steam 99s strung with luxilon alu power for the first time yesterday and it felt great. In comparison to the babolat apdgt which is the racquet I usually use, I was generating considerably more spin with the 99s. I didnt notice a drastic difference power wise. Ive never broke a full poly job in a racquet so hopefully the 99s won't be my first.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by tlm

I tried 18 gauge kevlar with a poly cross and it helped the control some but still not enough for me, after that experiment I knew I was done with this racket.

Thanks Tim! I appreciate the feedback

[nkbond]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

What's wrong with you man? The guy asked a legit question, and you start hating on him and assuming what 'type of player he is.' THEN, you question why he's spend the money on the racquet...

So again, what the hell is your problem. #1 You don't know what kind of player he is, or how often he restrings. #2 You DEFINITELY don't know how much MONEY this guy has, as he may be independently wealthy, or at the very least, have more money than YOU do. So, I think you need to cool it bro.

I don't believe you are familiar w/ ttwarrior1...

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by couch

It's so funny that people who use a dense string pattern say this racquet hits horribly. I have typically used a 16x18 pattern and that's what my game has been grooved on. For me the Steam 99S is an easy and natural fit. My business partner hits a blade and he simply said he was leaving balls short in the court because it doesn't suit his style of play. That doesn't mean it's a horrible racquet. Different strokes for different folks.

This racquet, in the right player's hands, can be a real weapon. It hits an extremely heavy ball and explodes off the court. This racquet will play well for a 3.0-5.0 if you ask me, but for different reasons.

A 3.0 - 4.0 will generate more spin, have nice power, more control and less UE if used correctly. A 5.0 who is used to a Pure Drive type racquet can make this racquet do whatever they want but with more spin and action on the ball.

That's my take on this racquet.

^ Mine too.

[Nostradamus]

it is NO good. spin is not noticeable to already nadal like player like me. and swingweight is too high. It only helps intermediate players that struggle making topspin.