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

[Nostradamus]

Do you guys know if I can take off the Head guard on the Spin 99 or Spin 105 racket but leave the grommets in place ?

[fibonacci888]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Do you guys know if I can take off the Head guard on the Spin 99 or Spin 105 racket but leave the grommets in place ?

I don't string myself, but from what i've seen. NO

[Fed Kennedy]

Just bumping to see if anyone played with the 4Gs poly that I think was designed for the racquet? I ordered a set, should be up and running next week.

Also...anyone modding the frame? I put a leather grip...I think I would like a tad more weight...

[fibonacci888]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

Just bumping to see if anyone played with the 4Gs poly that I think was designed for the racquet? I ordered a set, should be up and running next week.

Also...anyone modding the frame? I put a leather grip...I think I would like a tad more weight...

I played with the 4G 1.25. Horrible string! No feel, stiff, underpowered.

[morandi]

What has been the general consensus for stringing tension on the 99S? Do you want to go a bit higher, like mid to high 50's? I am a convert after demoing. I have been stringing my APDs between 48-52 with 17g RPM.
The demo with 16g 4G feels pretty good to me. I'm not sure of the tension.
Other than the 4G any other poly work well in the 99s?

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by morandi

What has been the general consensus for stringing tension on the 99S? Do you want to go a bit higher, like mid to high 50's? I am a convert after demoing. I have been stringing my APDs between 48-52 with 17g RPM.
The demo with 16g 4G feels pretty good to me. I'm not sure of the tension.
Other than the 4G any other poly work well in the 99s?

I've settled on 56lbs as my tension and focus hex is my string.
Lots of polys work well but for me:
Xcite
RPM Blast
ALU rough
Have been the stand out ones that I've tried. The Wilson Enduro Pro that it came with wasn't terrible either. The tension maintenance was horrendous on it though.
Lots of others have used or tried hybrids but for me its a no go as they would break too quickly for me.
I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

DD

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by fibonacci888

I played with the 4G 1.25. Horrible string! No feel, stiff, underpowered.

I just put the 1.30 in one frame and liked it very much, better than any poly set up so far. I strung it at 49/46. As a test, i put Beast 15 in the other frame at 51/49 and didn't care for it.

Originally Posted by morandi

What has been the general consensus for stringing tension on the 99S? Do you want to go a bit higher, like mid to high 50's? I am a convert after demoing. I have been stringing my APDs between 48-52 with 17g RPM.
The demo with 16g 4G feels pretty good to me. I'm not sure of the tension.
Other than the 4G any other poly work well in the 99s?

See above, I strung mine on a CP electronic machine at 49/46. I may go down a couple of pounds as well.

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Do you guys know if I can take off the Head guard on the Spin 99 or Spin 105 racket but leave the grommets in place ?

you cannot

[MCN]

I'm demoing a 99S at the moment. The first one I tried had a multi/poly set up and was obviously well used with the strings not snapping back. It was a bit of a rocket launcher and difficult to control shots as the strings were so loose. I asked for a new one with full poly setup - Wilson Spin Cycle at about 50lbs (I had bad TE and daren't go too high tension-wise). The racquet plays much softer than it's stiffness rating and has a large sweetspot. Some slight elbow twinges after a few sets but nothing too drastic that's putting me off at the moment. Spin is definitely more pronounced and you do need to take a good cut at the ball to get it deep otherwise it can sit up a bit mid court. The swingweight is bearable and it feels quite good and not too sluggish. I quite enjoy doubles with this stick and can whip through the ball quickly and get good angles and topspin. Less so singles as it's just lacking that extra bit of mass for those long heavy penetrating shots that my current Volkl PB10 Mid gives me. It's actually quite stable for volleys which is also good for dubs. I'm considering buying this as I get tired with the PB10 Mid, but will play a few more times before I make up my mind.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by doctor dennis

I've settled on 56lbs as my tension and focus hex is my string.
Lots of polys work well but for me:
Xcite
RPM Blast
ALU rough
Have been the stand out ones that I've tried. The Wilson Enduro Pro that it came with wasn't terrible either. The tension maintenance was horrendous on it though.
Lots of others have used or tried hybrids but for me its a no go as they would break too quickly for me.
I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

DD

Do you mind saying bit more re how Xcite and Hex compare and contrast performance-wise? How long are they lasting you respectively before the next string job? Thanks DD.

[Jaeger]

Steam 99S gave me the first arm problems of my life, and I broke (more like "sawed through") strings faster than ever. Yes, I had some nice crazy spin on my groundstrokes, but it was not worth it at all. You'd need to have your own stringing machine and an iron elbow to use the 99S regularly. Wilson should have tried 16 x 17 rather than 15.

[Rabbit]

I hit for two hours yesterday morning and played doubles for two hours yesterday afternoon. The 99S is a great frame for me. While others seem to like it strung according to Wilson's range, I find it is really nice in the high 40s. I do string my own.

One other thing to note. If you string your own, undoubtedly you've noticed you're throwing away about 6' of string with every 40' pack. This racquet is built for reels! You can probably cut quite a bit off the cost of stringing by finding a string you like that comes in reels. While Luxilon claims they designed 4GS for the 99S, you notice they didn't put it on a reel!

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

I hit for two hours yesterday morning and played doubles for two hours yesterday afternoon. The 99S is a great frame for me. While others seem to like it strung according to Wilson's range, I find it is really nice in the high 40s. I do string my own.

One other thing to note. If you string your own, undoubtedly you've noticed you're throwing away about 6' of string with every 40' pack. This racquet is built for reels! You can probably cut quite a bit off the cost of stringing by finding a string you like that comes in reels. While Luxilon claims they designed 4GS for the 99S, you notice they didn't put it on a reel!

I suppose this has been asked, but today March 18th, how do you rank the Steam with the APD 2013? I got harsh vibartions on my elbow that hurt pretty much with the APD. Could I experience them with the 99S if I string with 4g at 47? Also, I dont string myself, so could this racket and string tension loss and constant stringing get real expensive?

I could stick with the APD with a soft setup (which I dont like alot) or go for a arm friendly racket like the Pro Kennex Q5 295. So, why should I get the Steam if its so "problematic" in terms of severe tension loss in strings?

And , like Ive said a million times, I cant demo.

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Boricua

I suppose this has been asked, but today March 18th, how do you rank the Steam with the APD 2013? I got harsh vibartions on my elbow that hurt pretty much with the APD. Could I experience them with the 99S if I string with 4g at 47? Also, I dont string myself, so could this racket and string tension loss and constant stringing get real expensive?

I could stick with the APD with a soft setup (which I dont like alot) or go for a arm friendly racket like the Pro Kennex Q5 295. So, why should I get the Steam if its so "problematic" in terms of severe tension loss in strings?

And , like Ive said a million times, I cant demo.

No problem. I will tell you that a guy I string for came from the APD to the 99S. He continually complained about his arm hurting with the APD, yet he insisted on full poly. Since moving to the 99S, he says his arm no longer hurts and now he complains about the constant stringing.

I am working with him to find a solution. We're going to back down his tension (from 5 and see if we can't get him more durability than 4 sets. I think we can.

I own the 99S and quite frankly, I love it. I don't seem to notice the "drastic" drop in tension others refer to. Hopefully, I'll break strings in 4 - 6 hours which is probably about right for a fully poly stringbed.

Hope this helps.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

No problem. I will tell you that a guy I string for came from the APD to the 99S. He continually complained about his arm hurting with the APD, yet he insisted on full poly. Since moving to the 99S, he says his arm no longer hurts and now he complains about the constant stringing.

I am working with him to find a solution. We're going to back down his tension (from 5 and see if we can't get him more durability than 4 sets. I think we can.

I own the 99S and quite frankly, I love it. I don't seem to notice the "drastic" drop in tension others refer to. Hopefully, I'll break strings in 4 - 6 hours which is probably about right for a fully poly stringbed.

Hope this helps.

If you dont break the 4g, how many playing hours would you get (or got)?

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Boricua

If you dont break the 4g, how many playing hours would you get (or got)?

I'd say 10 which is/has been pretty much standard with me, but we'll have to see.

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Do you mind saying bit more re how Xcite and Hex compare and contrast performance-wise? How long are they lasting you respectively before the next string job? Thanks DD.

Well I think they both lasted up to 8 hours I think. I didn't find a whole bunch of difference between them. I can't remember which I used in a singles match and which I used in doubles though.
Performance wise the Xcite had slightly more spin and pop but not much more. Comfort wise it was focus hex definitely but neither bother my arm. Focus hex felt softer but not mushy.
For me Xcite is the better string but when you look at what you pay for both I can't justify the price increase. Focus hex is a good cheap poly that feels premium to me. Xcite is worth the price but not in comparison to focus hex. I'd say that focus hex held tension longer from what I remember. I didn't have to move the strings back as much.
Sorry I can't provide more detail on them. I cant remeber what i did yesterday. Lol. I'm using 4G now then it'll be back to my reel of focus hex.
The 4g is nice. I cant really say too much as I've only put 2 hours in. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts and how long its playable.

DD

[JGads]

Has anyone tested and found an ultimate verdict between the steam 99s and the non-S Steam 99? Every time I pick a 99S demo up (yesterday it was a friend's), I play great with it in set play, everything comes easy, but the string situation is a nightmare with the movement and early breakage. Is the 99 really the same frame with less spin and more durability? (Ie feel and ease of swing the same), or does it feel and play drastically different?

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by doctor dennis

Well I think they both lasted up to 8 hours I think. I didn't find a whole bunch of difference between them. I can't remember which I used in a singles match and which I used in doubles though.
Performance wise the Xcite had slightly more spin and pop but not much more. Comfort wise it was focus hex definitely but neither bother my arm. Focus hex felt softer but not mushy.
For me Xcite is the better string but when you look at what you pay for both I can't justify the price increase. Focus hex is a good cheap poly that feels premium to me. Xcite is worth the price but not in comparison to focus hex. I'd say that focus hex held tension longer from what I remember. I didn't have to move the strings back as much.
Sorry I can't provide more detail on them. I cant remeber what i did yesterday. Lol. I'm using 4G now then it'll be back to my reel of focus hex.
The 4g is nice. I cant really say too much as I've only put 2 hours in. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts and how long its playable.

DD

Thanks DD.

Despite opting for the Blade when I was checking both out a while back, I can't quite rule out the 99s (swings very sweetly for me, serves superbly, all court/solidness/feel-wise it pretty much ticks these boxes too). I did have issue with ball sitting up a bit for opponent. Plus, let's call it some general groundstroke erraticness - but I think this could maybe be sorted with more use. However, I was dismayed by the tension loss with TB (I'm accustomed to this string holding tension pretty well), and the general strings aggravation. If it wasn't for the already bountiful amount of TT threads on the subject I'd create my own... "Steam 99s and The Mythical Quest To Find The Golden Strings!"

Anyhow, interesting to hear a bit re Hex (which I actually have some sets of) and Xcite.

[fibonacci888]

Update:
Best so far:

1. Pacific Xcite 1.25 at 59,5 lbs
2. Wilson Enduro 1.30 at 59 lbs
3. Solinco Tour bite 1.25 at 53lbs
4. Volkl Cyclone 1.25 at 59 lbs and TF razorcode 1.25 at 56 lbs
5. Yonex pro poly 1.25 at 55lbs
6. Luxillon 4G 1.25 at 56 lbs

Playtest is over. I'm buying a reel of Xcite.