ALU POWER-esque strings

Nanshiki · Jan 20, 2010

Anyone know of any strings that are stiff yet still provide the power you want on flat serves (at least at reasonable tensions)? Meaning, they're stiff when you're just pushing on them but they have high elasticity when force is applied. ie, dynamic stiffness is different from static (strung) stiffness.

Strings like say, Pro Supex Premier Ace are can be less stiff than ALU POWER but have less dynamic elasticity meaning that you can't get enough power on the serve and feel on hard shots is poor. OTOH, Big Ace's static stiffness is about the same but it's much more elastic.

How's Cyberflash when it comes to flat serves? If I remember it wasn't all that great, but I've only tried two jobs with it.

I'd also appreciate a string that's very, very slick and don't notch, including while stringing...

just don't say M2

XFactorer · Jan 20, 2010

Wilson Enduro Pro. 5 dollars a set, plays the same.

000KFACTOR90000 · Jan 21, 2010

Nanshiki said:
Anyone know of any strings that are stiff yet still provide the power you want on flat serves (at least at reasonable tensions)? Meaning, they're stiff when you're just pushing on them but they have high elasticity when force is applied. ie, dynamic stiffness is different from static (strung) stiffness.

Strings like say, Pro Supex Premier Ace are can be less stiff than ALU POWER but have less dynamic elasticity meaning that you can't get enough power on the serve and feel on hard shots is poor. OTOH, Big Ace's static stiffness is about the same but it's much more elastic.

How's Cyberflash when it comes to flat serves? If I remember it wasn't all that great, but I've only tried two jobs with it.

I'd also appreciate a string that's very, very slick and don't notch, including while stringing...

just don't say M2

I really like cyberflash. Great all rounder - roughly the same stiffness as alu at a much lower cost and has its own unique feel.

I used to hybrid alu rough mains and cf 17 crosses and liked it more than full alu!

Have 4 reels and no buyers remorse!

[d]ragon · Jan 21, 2010

Cyberflash comes somewhat close and holds tension longer. But it doesn't have that pop and spin that fresh ALU has. I also don't think it feels quite as nice but for half the price, it's pretty good

abllee2198 · Jan 21, 2010

Alternative for Alu

Don't know if it meets all your requirements, but the new Forten Pro Select 17L is quite good. A little to stiff to use full up, but great as a hybrid. I use it in mains with Signum poly Plasma 1.23 as a cross.

I use it in a Head MG Prestige Mid (18x20), strung at 62.

Very good feel, no notching (yet), and very good tension maintenance.

Albert

Nanshiki · Jan 21, 2010

SPPP is about as stiff as ALU and has good pop... but I wonder why it doesn't feel the same way.

ALU is the only poly I've ever used that makes a THOWCK sound instead of a dull thud/thump with a slight ping in the background.

Although that doesn't last very long.

My theory is that the reason ALU = most spin because it's slicker than other polys which allows a slingshot affect and has a higher 'spin efficiency' (spin per unit of relative movement of the string face against the ball) than a string face where the mains don't move at all.

I also theorize that natural gut in mains at a higher tension than ALU crosses might actually have more spin potential than ALU mains at low tension and higher tension natural gut crosses.

LPShanet · Jan 23, 2010

Nanshiki said:
Anyone know of any strings that are stiff yet still provide the power you want on flat serves (at least at reasonable tensions)? Meaning, they're stiff when you're just pushing on them but they have high elasticity when force is applied. ie, dynamic stiffness is different from static (strung) stiffness.

Strings like say, Pro Supex Premier Ace are can be less stiff than ALU POWER but have less dynamic elasticity meaning that you can't get enough power on the serve and feel on hard shots is poor. OTOH, Big Ace's static stiffness is about the same but it's much more elastic.

How's Cyberflash when it comes to flat serves? If I remember it wasn't all that great, but I've only tried two jobs with it.

I'd also appreciate a string that's very, very slick and don't notch, including while stringing...

just don't say M2

The poly that I've found most similar to Alu is Tecnifibre Black Code. Similar crispness, as opposed to the deadness of many polys. Some gauges of Pro Hurricane Tour aren't bad either, but it's a stiffer string than Alu.

Nanshiki · Jan 23, 2010

Hmm, sets aren't much cheaper but reels are $90 cheaper...

Although I think the pentagon shape isn't going to help spin much, if it doesn't actually hurt it.

LPShanet · Jan 23, 2010

Nanshiki said:
Hmm, sets aren't much cheaper but reels are $90 cheaper...

Although I think the pentagon shape isn't going to help spin much, if it doesn't actually hurt it.

Yeah, didn't realize you were going for cheaper, as you didn't mention that. Figured you were just looking to try similar stuff. The pentagon shape definitely doesn't hurt spin. Generally any shape other than round will either help or do nothing for spin. You can't really get any less grippy than round

Nanshiki · Jan 23, 2010

What reason is there to use something besides ALU if it's not significantly cheaper? If there was one, 70% of the pros on the planet wouldn't be using ALU or ALU+gut.

ALU POWER-esque strings

Nanshiki

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XFactorer

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[d]ragon

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