D
Deleted member 25923
Guest
Think about it, the build up for April fool's day is perfect. I can't help but wonder if TW is pulling our leg on this one.
Any chance this whole low tension deal is an April Fool's?
Nah. Plenty of players out there go low, especially with poly. I've crept down from 60 to 52 since poly, and I'd probably dip into the 40s if I had my own stringer and strung my own.
Now, someone coming from 50 already, etc etc.
As for the experiment, it's also a bit of a 'why not try it?'. As they point out, there are a couple of players stringing exceptionally low and making a living as a pro!
Now, someone coming from 50 already, etc etc.
As for the experiment, it's also a bit of a 'why not try it?'. As they point out, there are a couple of players stringing exceptionally low and making a living as a pro!
![[d]ragon](/data/avatars/m/26/26312.jpg?1574364787){kind=avatar}
Bud
Bionic Poster
I've been fiddling around with low-tension poly and kevlar for years.
Bud
Bionic Poster
[d]ragon;4528413 said:
It's definitely different. I like low tensions better with the older (i.e. first) generation of stiff poly strings.
The newer copolys feel better at 45# or above. Anything below 40# and they feel too mushy, IMO.
However, the flip side to that is the comfort level (and life expectancy) of any poly goes way up when lowering tension.
KickservKyle
New User
Funny story- yesterday I was at a certain well known tennis superstore in Baltimore to restring my k90. The lady at the register was resisting my request for kev/poly at 36 lbs. She looked inside the throat and said "but it has to be between 50 and 60 lbs!" I saved her an explanation so we just summoned a stringer to assure her it was okay. Bless her heart
SteveI
Legend
Hey Bud,
A few years back I was playing a leaded-up Dunlop 400G with Polylon Ice 17 Hybrid @ about 50 #s (mains) and Sweet 16 @ 48 #s in the crosses. It was a great ride... nice ball pocketing.. control and .. never a sore arm. Not to mention the cost of the string job was like ... $2.50 per. Seems like the ball used to stay on the strings forever. One note, the flex of the Dunlop 400G was in the lower 60s. Also you said the frames (in my case) played well for 20 + hours.
Regards,
Steve
Last edited:
Bud
Bionic Poster
I still have a partial reel of Polylon Ice. I think I may try stringing up a APD with it at 40# or so.
old pro?
I'm one of those, does he use poly? really curiosu how low I can go with a nxt or rip control
I'm one of those, does he use poly? really curiosu how low I can go with a nxt or rip control
Bud
Bionic Poster
What did you think?
I also have a partial roll of 17g Polylon Ice. I strung up an APD at 45# and will try it out tomorrow (Monday afternoon).
I love the look of the PI in the frame... that shiny, crystal look is awesome
SteveI
Legend
What did you think?
I also have a partial roll of 17g Polylon Ice. I strung up an APD at 45# and will try it out tomorrow (Monday afternoon).
I love the look of the PI in the frame... that shiny, crystal look is awesome
Bud,
I am off this week.. so I am planning to string one up today. Be back with you soon. The PI does look cool.. I hope the rain holds off so I can get a test done. I would have done the low tension stringing this weekend.. but I had 4 other frames to string for others and Easter Sunday.. was a no tennis tennis day.
brownbearfalling
Hall of Fame
What's the point of an April fools joke thread? The "motherload stvincent stash" joke was already stupid enough.
Funny story- yesterday I was at a certain well known tennis superstore in Baltimore to restring my k90. The lady at the register was resisting my request for kev/poly at 36 lbs. She looked inside the throat and said "but it has to be between 50 and 60 lbs!" I saved her an explanation so we just summoned a stringer to assure her it was okay. Bless her heart
Wow, wonder what she thinks about all those racquets that have no string on them?
forthegame
Hall of Fame
Ha ha ha! I remember that one; silly, silly boy! Where is he now?
SteveI
Legend
Hi Drew,
If I had a history of shoulder problems I would be careful with polys in general. I have used poly hybrids as high as 62/58 with no issues. I have only played full set-ups a few times.. and really do not like the feel at all. I am guessing that a poly hybrid at low tension will be safe in most cases. With the lower tension.. creating pace should not be a problem and the stringbed should play and feel soft even for a 1st gen poly like Polylon Ice.
Good Luck,
Steve
SplitStepper
Rookie
I have. Believe it or not, it felt too stiff for me at 35lbs. Then again, I stopped stringing over 40lbs awhile ago. With my current wrist troubles, I can't even think about 40lbs.
SteveI
Legend
Just strung it up... used the PI 17 in the mains @ 48 with PSGO 16 (red) in the crosses @ 45. Will test tomarrow.. Feel quite soft..
Any report Bud?
Regards,
Steve
Thanks for the reply Steve. This thread has sparked my interest in Polylon Ice. After moving from my apdc to a radical, the denser string bed has seemed to help my shoulder greatly. I think I may try a hybrid with that string at a low tension and see how it goes.
Thanks
drew
SteveI
Legend
Drew,
What Radical are you using? Version? MG? LM? FP? Are you using the the MP or the O/S? The apdc can play and feel quite stiff... even with the cortex. The MG rads are a very sweet and softer ride to be sure. I hit a few balls the other day with the MG O/S and was really impressed with the comfort and flex. I have not played the MP.
Regards,
Steve
Playing the LM rad mp. Love it in every aspect over my old apdc EXCEPT in serving. That's one of the reasons I am willing to try this low tension, more than willing to sacrifice some control for pop.
Have not had the chance to hit with the o/s. My serve with anything over 100" tends to be awful.
Thanks again
drew
SteveI
Legend
Rain... all day here. Tomarrow for sure!!!
Bud
Bionic Poster
Arm issues decrease with the poly at lower tensions. The lower you go the less it hurts :twisted:
Bud
Bionic Poster
Bud
Bionic Poster
I'll have a report tonight... playing 2 singles matches.
It rained here yesterday
I really like the Polylon Ice at 45#... and may go a bit lower next time.
There is nice spin, good power and it's also comfortable.
I won my first match using strictly the frame with the Polylon... and my second match is in an hour.
SteveI
Legend
Bud,
Got out today. Loved the set-up. Nice frim string-bed. Soild, firm. Nice pop.. great control... I only missed the court a few times. Did not play a match.. but hit some strong 1st (Flat) serves and some slick kick and slice serves. Comfort was there...but time will tell. I might go 2 or 3 #s less the next time. I was impressed. $2.50 a set-up...can't go wrong. I also find the PI softens up a bit after a few hours or so.. and really pockets the ball super nice then.
Well.. I report more when I have more drill time.
Steve
Bud
Bionic Poster
I too love mine.
I think the first generation of really stiff poly strings play better at lower tensions. I hated the Unique Big Hitter Blue at 40# as it felt mushy and uncontrollable.
The Polylon Ice is the complete opposite. So far not even a twinge of arm tightness, either.
I think I'll go down to 40# and give that a try next. If I still like it... I'll try it at 35#.
What tension did you end up stringing at?
I keep trying but low string tensions are not for me. I have tried it in every decade since the 70's with different strings and it just does not work for me. Even with the latest attempt last week with poly it is a no go for me.
But as in the past I can see how it might work for people with low swing speeds who don't hit with a lot of pace. For me I will stick with thin strings and higher tensions. For now it will be Maxim Touch 17 and BAM 18L.
But as in the past I can see how it might work for people with low swing speeds who don't hit with a lot of pace. For me I will stick with thin strings and higher tensions. For now it will be Maxim Touch 17 and BAM 18L.
SteveI
Legend
I ended up going 48 mains (PI 17) and 45 crosses (Prince Syn Gut 16). I think next time.. I might go 45/42. I would also not try to play the 2nd gen polys that low either. I had a frame that I got in a trade.. strung with SPPP @ 50 or so.. it played very mushy and with very little control. I am planning to get more drill time this weekend..so I may add more to my report.
Have a good one.
SplitStepper
Rookie
It may not be for you Ripper, but its not because you swing too hard. Sorry. Try telling Fillipo Volandri he swings slow. Or any other guy over 4.5 who have enjoyed 35lb and under.
Bud
Bionic Poster
So, you think all of us here who like low-tension poly setups are dinkers and pushers? :lol:
SteveI
Legend
I think the racket and the string is very dependent in this case.
bad_call
Legend
the BBO mains at 48 and syn gut crosses at 51 hit very nice. :shock: guessing i could go lower and still maintain good control. BBO excels in control.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I got a racquet that is under 40#s right now and did not know until I asked the seller. It was a nice way to discover low tensions since I did not know it was that low.
I swing very hard with a lot of topspin. I definitley noticed more power then my usual 62#s, but I adjusted and could actually do a lot more with the ball.
I think 45#s is about right for me. But it is no april fools. You can hit really hard and keep the ball in the court if you have the stroke for it. Flat hitters would probably not like the tension this low.
I swing very hard with a lot of topspin. I definitley noticed more power then my usual 62#s, but I adjusted and could actually do a lot more with the ball.
I think 45#s is about right for me. But it is no april fools. You can hit really hard and keep the ball in the court if you have the stroke for it. Flat hitters would probably not like the tension this low.
Similar threads
