Mikeler's Multis

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Laid back, soft like NXT, GPro, or Xcel. Expensive but worth $4 set.

I thought NXT was pretty stiff.

Originally Posted by heartattack

did anyone tried NXT tour 17? it place 2nd on the other forum.

I don't buy 17g multis. If it ever goes on sale, I may pick up a set. No way I'm paying $20 for a multi that probably costs $1 to make.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I thought NXT was pretty stiff.




I don't buy 17g multis. If it ever goes on sale, I may pick up a set. No way I'm paying $20 for a multi that probably costs $1 to make.

Used NXT along with the others 6-9 yrs ago. May differ from what is available now.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Used NXT along with the others 6-9 yrs ago. May differ from what is available now.

Funny you say that. I cut my sets of X1 Biphase 16 and Prince Premiere Attack 16 last night. The Attack is much smoother than what I remember from last time. I hope they did not change the formulation.

[mikeler]

I'm thinking of cutting out the Volkl Power Fiber II. It just does not do it for me. RacquetTune has it at 16% tension loss. The string loses more tension each time out on the court. I hate strings like that!

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Funny you say that. I cut my sets of X1 Biphase 16 and Prince Premiere Attack 16 last night. The Attack is much smoother than what I remember from last time. I hope they did not change the formulation.

BITD, TW used NXT as a demo string. Quite nice, held its tension well. Wilson sent several sets of NXT Control to demo, forgetaboutit! Best multi ever until tried Premier LT. Used the Prince Premiere this morning for an hr of hitting. Still primo. Can hit hard and the stringbed never stiffens.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

BITD, TW used NXT as a demo string. Quite nice, held its tension well. Wilson sent several sets of NXT Control to demo, forgetaboutit! Best multi ever until tried Premier LT. Used the Prince Premiere this morning for an hr of hitting. Still primo. Can hit hard and the stringbed never stiffens.

I liked NXT Control much better than NXT. It seemed to be softer even though it had poly in it. I like Attack better than LT. Easier on the arm but same good feel and cheaper.

[Ronaldo]

When Nostradamus mentioned Babolat was introducing a poly blend, first thought was NXT Control.

[mikeler]

I was looking at Big T's site. There are still 5 Pro's Pro multis he has that I've not tried. Throw in a set of Tour Bite Soft and I'm $11 away from free shipping. Can't think of anything else to try though.

[themitchmann]

mikeler,

How would you say Prince Premier Attack compares to Babolat Addiction? I have a customer that used Addiction in the crosses, but I don't carry that string. Is PPA a good substitute (it's what I use in my crosses)?

[newyorkstadium]

My recommendations based on those I've liked:

Nxt tour
Nxt 16
Head FXP Power 16
XCel Power (I thought it was better then xcel premium)
Gamma Asterisk 16

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by themitchmann

mikeler,

How would you say Prince Premier Attack compares to Babolat Addiction? I have a customer that used Addiction in the crosses, but I don't carry that string. Is PPA a good substitute (it's what I use in my crosses)?

Both provide more spin than average for a multi. PPA is softer, for that reason alone I'd favor it over Addiction as a cross with a poly main.

[themitchmann]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Both provide more spin than average for a multi. PPA is softer, for that reason alone I'd favor it over Addiction as a cross with a poly main.

Thanks. Is there much of a difference in terms of durability?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by themitchmann

Thanks. Is there much of a difference in terms of durability?

I cut Addiction out, so I don't know about durability. It was a little too stiff for my arm at the time.

[mikeler]

I cut out Volkl Power Fiber 2 tonight. I've served well with it but if my opponent gets the ball back then it just sucks. Reminds me of Pro Supex Maxim Touch 17 in that regard.

So I put in Tecnifibre Biphase 16 in its place. This time, I gave the Biphase a 1 minute pre stretch for both pieces since I string 2 piece. I pulled as hard as I could without risking breakage. Could I have pulled harder? Maybe.

The ball bounce test with Biphase revealed that natural gut feel. Very crisp but also with a little more control. My "gut" tells me, this string will still crap out after a few hours, but I have to know if that is due to tension loss or just losing the initial coating.

[Legend of Borg]

What's a string alternative similar to RPM Blast 16 gauge?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Legend of Borg

What's a string alternative similar to RPM Blast 16 gauge?

Might want to try a different thread since RPM is a poly.

[themitchmann]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I cut Addiction out, so I don't know about durability. It was a little too stiff for my arm at the time.

Ok. Appreciate you help!

[mikeler]

OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Volkl Power Fiber II 16.

Stringing was pretty easy.

Tension it is strung: 50 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Discho Microfibre 16 @ 50 pounds on a lockout
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18
Power (or lack there of): Higher powered multi
Feel: Not very good
Tension maintenance: Dropped each time out on court. Not a good trait for a string.
Price: $12.99/set, reel price I don't care
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This review will be short. When a $13 string stinks, I say quite simply "It sucks".

Serve/Return of Serve: Serves are the only highlight with this string. I served well but if the ball came back I was in trouble.

Strokes: Spin was a chore to create.

Volleys: It feels OK on volleys, nothing special.

Touch shots: Not good

Softness: Stiff for a multi string.

Tension: I don't think tension will compensate for a company that does not make good multis.

Durability: I cut it out after 4 sets of singles. This string is a "snapper". I have a feeling it would have broken in my next match. The "frayers" usually last longer than the snappers.

Movement: String movement is average for a multi meaning it moves a decent amount.

Conclusion: This is a below average multi string with a premium price. Maybe Volkl should only be considered for polyester strings.

[djNEiGht]

I hit with power fiber II for a bit and the one thing I really didn't like was the pinging sound that the string bed gave off... I didn't hit with it too much. It's in a racquet that I don't use that much and will probably visit again when I get bored. I'm pretty sure it's a mess with tension loss though...

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by djNEiGht

I hit with power fiber II for a bit and the one thing I really didn't like was the pinging sound that the string bed gave off... I didn't hit with it too much. It's in a racquet that I don't use that much and will probably visit again when I get bored. I'm pretty sure it's a mess with tension loss though...

The ping sound probably comes from the extra stiffness.