Technifibre Black Code v. Babolat RPM Blast

forehandshanker

forehandshanker

Rookie
Has anyone noticed that both of these strings share the following similarities?
  • Black Color (nice but shouldn't make a performance difference)
  • Copoly material
  • Shaped (BC -> pentagon, RPM -> octagon)

Has anyone actually hit with both? How does it feel and perform?

BTW, I've been hitting lately with a K 6.1 95 strung with the BC at 48 lbs (mains) with PSGD at 51 lbs (crosses) and love it.
 
downs_chris

downs_chris

Professional
to me BC feels mushy and blah...i'm just not a fan of the string...i do really like RPM Blast though (going through 3 sets of it) -- i like the comfort / bite you get (even in the 16 gauge versions i've used)...but the trade off -- you only get about 4 to 5 good hours of it...
 
Tennis_Crazed

Tennis_Crazed

Semi-Pro
I just wanted to share my thoughts on the RPM Blast (below). Wrote a review on BC before as well... and would say overall that I enjoyed RPM Blast much more than black code.

RPM Blast:

String: RPM Blast
Racket: Head YOUTEK Prestige Mid
Tension: 52lbs
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Hitting time: 2.5 hrs

Background: I usually play Lux ALU but recently switched to Solinco Tour Bite. Despite the cost, had to try it out given all the hype out there and thought I would share my thoughts:

- Power – 9/10
- Control – 8/10
- Feel – 8.5/10
- Comfort –9/10
- Spin – 8/10

Thoughts / Feedback:

First off, I think the black string looks pretty cool in the frame, which is always important  Compared to PHT this string has more power and is softer. It felt like there was more of a trampoline effect taking place on the string bed. I’ve heard from several people that this string is just the PHT in a different color, but it does feel different. The string is more comfortable than the PHT, but because it felt softer, it had less control. I felt on the control front that the added power was a little harder to control and balls were flying a bit long. If it had better spin maybe I could have dipped it back in, but the spin was not as good as either the ALU or Tour Bite which I am accustomed to.

Also, in terms of durability, the string has notched a lot. Can't say for sure, but durability might not be that great. Will note how long it lasts when it actually does break. Tension maintenance seems fine thus far.

Side note - although I noticed that it was hexagonal / pentagon(?) in shape prior to stringing, after stringing it up, I noticed that the edges were not as obvious…its kind of weird. It seemed like when the string was pulled tight, it lost its shape and became rounder losing its edges. When I string up the Tour Bite however, the edges are very clearly defined and look like the blade of a knife.

Overall I think this poly is a good string and one of babolat’s better ones for sure - actually best. I would use this over PHT any day. A bit disappointed though given all the hype. Thought this might be something completely revolutionary. just my 2 cents
 
Fedace

Fedace

Banned
Tennis_Crazed said:
I just wanted to share my thoughts on the RPM Blast (below). Wrote a review on BC before as well... and would say overall that I enjoyed RPM Blast much more than black code.

RPM Blast:

String: RPM Blast
Racket: Head YOUTEK Prestige Mid
Tension: 52lbs
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Hitting time: 2.5 hrs

Background: I usually play Lux ALU but recently switched to Solinco Tour Bite. Despite the cost, had to try it out given all the hype out there and thought I would share my thoughts:

- Power – 9/10
- Control – 8/10
- Feel – 8.5/10
- Comfort –9/10
- Spin – 8/10

Thoughts / Feedback:

First off, I think the black string looks pretty cool in the frame, which is always important  Compared to PHT this string has more power and is softer. It felt like there was more of a trampoline effect taking place on the string bed. I’ve heard from several people that this string is just the PHT in a different color, but it does feel different. The string is more comfortable than the PHT, but because it felt softer, it had less control. I felt on the control front that the added power was a little harder to control and balls were flying a bit long. If it had better spin maybe I could have dipped it back in, but the spin was not as good as either the ALU or Tour Bite which I am accustomed to.

Also, in terms of durability, the string has notched a lot. Can't say for sure, but durability might not be that great. Will note how long it lasts when it actually does break. Tension maintenance seems fine thus far.

Side note - although I noticed that it was hexagonal / pentagon(?) in shape prior to stringing, after stringing it up, I noticed that the edges were not as obvious…its kind of weird. It seemed like when the string was pulled tight, it lost its shape and became rounder losing its edges. When I string up the Tour Bite however, the edges are very clearly defined and look like the blade of a knife.

Overall I think this poly is a good string and one of babolat’s better ones for sure - actually best. I would use this over PHT any day. A bit disappointed though given all the hype. Thought this might be something completely revolutionary. just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Power 9 out 10. WOW. i am confused. some people say it is high powered and some people say it is low powered. which is it ??
 
Autodidactic player

Autodidactic player

Professional
downs_chris said:
to me BC feels mushy and blah...i'm just not a fan of the string...i do really like RPM Blast though (going through 3 sets of it) -- i like the comfort / bite you get (even in the 16 gauge versions i've used)...but the trade off -- you only get about 4 to 5 good hours of it...
Click to expand...

This post only proves that you are going to have to play with the string yourself to really get an idea of how it plays. I LOVE Black Code. What this poster calls "mushy and blah" I found to be soft with great feel. If there is one thing I've learned reading this forum it's that reading about one poster's experience (or many posters experiences) is no substitute for having your own experience.
 
Fedace

Fedace

Banned
Autodidactic player said:
This post only proves that you are going to have to play with the string yourself to really get an idea of how it plays. I LOVE Black Code. What this poster calls "mushy and blah" I found to be soft with great feel. If there is one thing I've learned reading this forum it's that reading about one poster's experience (or many posters experiences) is no substitute for having your own experience.
Click to expand...

i feel the same Mushy and Sucky. It feels like Paper or Plastic feel-- not like the groceries. feels like plastic from Tonca toys.
 
Blade0324

Blade0324

Hall of Fame
I'm really curious to see how this compares to BC. I am one that really likes BC and finds it to be a solid string. I prefer BC to MSV Hex, and Gamma Zo Twist by a long shot. I have a couple sets on the way to try out RPM and see how it feels. I don't have any real expectations out of the string but will give it a shot as I do with most new strings. Being a BC user I'll post my review later next week once I've had a chance to try it over a couple of hitting sessions.
 
R

rice&tennis

Rookie
Autodidactic player said:
This post only proves that you are going to have to play with the string yourself to really get an idea of how it plays. I LOVE Black Code. What this poster calls "mushy and blah" I found to be soft with great feel. If there is one thing I've learned reading this forum it's that reading about one poster's experience (or many posters experiences) is no substitute for having your own experience.
Click to expand...

just curious, what tension did you string the blackcode?
 
Sangria

Sangria

Semi-Pro
Very interesting read thanks for the insights guys. I am enjoying the BC very much so far, but might pull the gun on the RPM just to get a taste of it.

The BC for me, well played great for about 8-10 hours, but then not sure if its me, but I seemed to lose that extra cut on topspin (or maybe its just the tension failing). Nonetheless I preferred the BC over the PHT, so will see how the RPM goes. Might just buy the single pack first then see...
 
The Don

The Don

Rookie
haha what if nadal was really using this string but the media is saying that he's currently using the RPM blast... I wouldn't be surprised
 
J

jsomrak

Rookie
First I noticed string is more charcoal grey than black. That said I really liked it. My usual set up is alu power and pacific tough gut 57/60. I string this up the same. It felt tighter than usual. My ert usually reads 41-42 and with rpm it read 45! Ill check again today and see where it's at. I played about 2 hours and felt it was slightly less powerful than my usual setup. On serves it shined. I could place kick serve well, actually it seems like a control string to me. To compare it with BC, I'd say it's better. It lack that soft outer coating which in my mind gave BC a mushy feel. Rpm seems like a spin version of Revenge actually. I tend to agree with tennis crazed on the rest of his review. I'd probably string it at 56 and cross at 59 next time. I'll stick with this for a while and keep checking dynamic tension and see how fast it drops off.
 
Blade0324

Blade0324

Hall of Fame
First impression with RPM vs. Black Code.

I strung up full set of RPM 17g in a TGK238.2 at 58 mains and 60 crosses.

First couple of hits seemed like this was going to be a really powerful set up. The ball really jumped off of the stringbed. After about 10 balls I realized that this string really rewards an aggressive swing.

I would say that this is really a quite powerful string. I had excellent pop on groundies as well as serves. Spin is easy to produce with good technique. Control is also pretty good overall I would say.
It is a muted feeling string IMO but that is a good thing. I need a little bit more time with this string to see how I like it compared to Black Code. Right now it is almost a toss up.
 
S

stanfordtennis alum

Hall of Fame
they are not the same string, I tried both and they are definatelly different.. I personally prefer the Black Code but i know many people who tried the RPM have liked it so far..
 
imalil2gangsta4u

imalil2gangsta4u

Hall of Fame
I got my racket strung with RPM yesterday but unfortunately I'm unable to play tennis for a few days due to some foot/leg problems. Hopefully ill be able to hit with it by next week and give my thoughts.
 
surfsb

surfsb

Rookie
I haven't tried RPM but I have Black Code on two racquets and love it. Don't see a reason to change and pay more.
 
Fedace

Fedace

Banned
mrmo1115 said:
^ How does it compare to PHT?

Which one will be a better main to cross with VS Gut?
Click to expand...

I am about to test the RPM myself but from what i know from others, it has More power than PHT and little bit more spin. but i will let you know after i try it since i have been a PHT user for last 3 years.
 
ClubHoUno

ClubHoUno

Banned
Fedace said:
I am about to test the RPM myself but from what i know from others, it has More power than PHT and little bit more spin. but i will let you know after i try it since i have been a PHT user for last 3 years.
Click to expand...

What racquet do you currently use, fedace ?
 
Tennis_Crazed

Tennis_Crazed

Semi-Pro
Fedace said:
Yonex RQIS tour-1 for singles and tour-2 for doubles. These two rackets are Spin machines as is. Don't know but maybe i can make nadal like spins with that string in there.....lol
Click to expand...

Not famililar with yonex frames, but you use two different ones depending on doubles vs singles?

Never heard of this...very interesting. what level do you play at by the way?
 
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