Now have about 8hrs on a set of NRG 16g. There are a couple notching/fraying in some areas, but still very playable. String movement is a smidge more, but def managable. Great feel and touch, with the pop when needed. I'm planning on trying a stick out with NRG2/RIP Control crosses to see if the RIP locks in and provides a smidge more spin. All in all--this is a very nice string. Tension maintence is excellent for a multi!!!
Mikeler's Multis
- Thread starter mikeler
- Start date
i cant recall if you said it in an earlier post. Do you hit with a lot of topspin?
mikeler
Moderator
Funny you mention "pop when you need it". MultiFeel had that also. It was a control oriented string for me but when I swung out the power went way up with no loss in control.
Definately has more "pop" on demand than the Mantis CS--that's why I'm thinking the addition of the rip cross could add just a twinge of sping to it. Also--can tell you right now--if the Mantis CS had the notching/fraying that the NRG is showing it would be toast. I was literally waiting for the strings to pop all day, but never did. Made it through 2hrs (45 min singles/ 1.15 dubs) in cool damp conditions (52*)
PeterPanda
Semi-Pro
Does the Mantis CS offer as much power as a synthetic gut? But still delivering the softness.
mikeler
Moderator
It is a unique string. Power is there when I hit out. For those with short strokes, it may not have enough pop. I sold a set to a pusher friend of mine. It takes him 6 weeks playing almost every day to break Gosen synthetic. I'll be curious to see what happens when he finally puts the Mantis in.
PeterPanda
Semi-Pro
I don't swing through a lot but i have one of the best froehands at my club. I play onece a week usually have'nt broken my string since April. My coach is astonished. If i made a hybrid with Mantis PS would it add a little more pop to it.
A hybrid using Mantis and what other string(s)? Mantis as a main or cross?
-Bobo-
Semi-Pro
I think he means hybriding comfort and power synthetic.
PeterPanda
Semi-Pro
Mantis CS and Mantis PS. Mains then crosses.
NRG2 16g has the best price/performance ratio in the multi family in my experience. I'm glad my search is over.
I break everything fairly quickly, except poly. But my arm says no to poly.
So far it has surprised me as well--especially on the tension maintence side of things. Strung it up at 56# due to cooler temps and even now the control/spin is great. Really good dwell time/pocketing as well--
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
It's gotta be one of the top multi's available. So easy to string and the stretch is very consistent (using a dropweight).
What kind of durability do you get with NRG mains/poly crosses?
parasailing
Legend
I could go either way, NRG2 or X1. X1 is a bit more powerful and inconsistent through the life of the string whereas NRG2 is a solid string overall. You can't really go wrong with NRG2 unless you don't like your strings crispy.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Very good. I hardly ever break strings though, so I may not be a good measure. I try and stick with round copoly crosses. I think edged crosses against a multi like NRG might not last as long???
mikeler
Moderator
I looked at my Mantis racket and checked a few notches. Once I saw the fibers, I knew there was no way it would last more than a few more games. So I cut it out and strung up Gamma TNT2 16g just now. Seems pretty soft while stringing. Had lots of coil memory. The Gamma ties are great because you can snap them off with your thumb. I wish the other manufacturers would mimic them. It had the gluey smell but it was different than other glues I have smelled.
Did the bounce test. It feels a little stiffer than Genesis. Seems like it will have a lot of spin. Feel is muted except when I hit the sweet spot and then I felt some power. Hope it is not too springy. It reminded me of Maxim Touch when I strung it up.
Did the bounce test. It feels a little stiffer than Genesis. Seems like it will have a lot of spin. Feel is muted except when I hit the sweet spot and then I felt some power. Hope it is not too springy. It reminded me of Maxim Touch when I strung it up.
Had a quick hit with RIP Control 1.20 this evening. Really quite a unique (or dare I say, unusual) string. Doesn't feel like a typical multi at all and neither does it feel like a solid core / wrapped synthetic gut either. Very little feel to it, and the ball leaves the stringbed pretty quickly - almost poly like - though obviously without the stiffness. Low powered. Resists string movement pretty well. Makes a bit of an unusual higher pitched 'bok' sound on contact with the ball too!
After about 2 hours the strings will start to move. It definitely is not stiff, and I found that it has a lot of feel compared to other multis.
athiker
Hall of Fame
Your description fits my experience with that string almost perfectly.
Sensation is the quickest breaking string Ive ever used. I had barely dialled my strokes in and it was starting to fray and Im not a big string breaker.
X1 on the other hand has lasted for ages but I can now feel some lack of control so will cut out and replace. Ill be interested in your play test of X1.
I've also tried a hybrid of Mantis comfort and poly and to be honest couldnt notice any real benefit over using Gossen SG with the same poly (cyber blue).
Next will be a full bed of Mantis comfort but I'm suspecting Ill find it too low in power compared to X1 on my low powered Fischer frames.
Lots of good info in this thread!
mikeler
Moderator
Mine too.
Thanks buddy. I also have a low powered PST+ and the Mantis has enough pop for me but I can understand where it may not have enough pop for others. I'm a stocky guy so I normally don't have trouble generating my own pace.
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
Mikeler -
what's the spinniest multi you've hit?
I've grown to like MT 17, but sometime it seems the ball just floats when I think it should dip - or would have dipped with poly.
Thinking I'm looking for something with more spin.
what's the spinniest multi you've hit?
I've grown to like MT 17, but sometime it seems the ball just floats when I think it should dip - or would have dipped with poly.
Thinking I'm looking for something with more spin.
mikeler
Moderator
RIP Control has the most spin but it does not have any feel. It's an ideal for string for baseliners who just like to hit heavy topspin off both wings and not hit many touch shots. Dunlop Hexy Fiber might be a good starting point for you as a spinny value multi. If you want to spend a few more dollars, Technifibre Multifeel was fairly good in the spin department too. If you like the softness of MT 17 but just feel like you need more control, give the Mantis Comfort 16 a try. It just seems like it is hard to hit a ball long with the Mantis.
Tnt2
I hit with TNT2 for the first time last night. I haven't ever played with a multi so I am anxious to hear how you say it compares to the others. (Came free with my Gamma stringer last week....) I had PSGD in this frame pretty tight but decided to drop the tension a bit and try the TNT2. So far I can't cut out the nearly new VS in my other stick but I think I want to play the TNT2 against Gosen OGMS17 and see if it is worth the $. Or if any cheap multi for that matter would be worth the extra over the beloved OG.
To think, I played kevlar and syngut hybrids in high school... Look at all the power and comfort I was missing!
I hit with TNT2 for the first time last night. I haven't ever played with a multi so I am anxious to hear how you say it compares to the others. (Came free with my Gamma stringer last week....) I had PSGD in this frame pretty tight but decided to drop the tension a bit and try the TNT2. So far I can't cut out the nearly new VS in my other stick but I think I want to play the TNT2 against Gosen OGMS17 and see if it is worth the $. Or if any cheap multi for that matter would be worth the extra over the beloved OG.
To think, I played kevlar and syngut hybrids in high school... Look at all the power and comfort I was missing!
mikeler
Moderator
I used Prince Pro Blend for years. When I bought my Gamma stringer 3 years ago, I liked the Gamma synthetic gut so I used that for awhile. Multis definitely have better feel for me.
I'm not going to promise I'll get to the TNT2 tonight though. My shoulder was locked up this weekend, so if it still is not normal I'll probably stick with the softer Genesis.
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
Thanks!
Yeah, been wanting to try the RIP Control. I was supposed to do a string trade, but it keeps being put in the back burner.
I'll try the RC for starters, I may also go back to a poly/multi hybrid.
I do like the cushion of MT17 (arm feels great even though I've been playing alot and hitting hard), but some times it just feels like the ball just floats or goes longer than it should and doesn't drop, especially against heavy hitters like I played last night. Wonder if MT16 would be a little less lively?
I like feel, but I prob have a tolerance for less feel since I used to play with poly (Big Ace 16).
mikeler
Moderator
I had the same issues with MT17. After a 2 month slump with it last year, I realized I was hitting way too many balls long which is why I wanted to try some other strings. At the time I did not realize that I'd be trying out SO many strings! I'll probably try MT16 just to give it a fair shake against all the other 16 gauge strings I've been trying.
I'd recommend you try both RIP and Mantis Comfort. You won't hit many balls long with Mantis Comfort. If you want to do a string trade or purchase for a set of MC let me know. I have 6 sets left on my reel so it works out to $5.29 per set.
mikeler
Moderator
So I tried out Gamma TNT2 in the first set yesterday and Genesis Xplosion in the 2nd set. I don't want to write up a full review yet because I've been having shoulder issues the last few matches and I can't serve normally. Plus my forehand is a little off because I'm trying to protect my shoulder. So Mikeler needs to rest up for a week or two before hitting the courts again.
Here are some initial thoughts on both strings. TNT is the stiffest multi to date but did not bother my elbow. It had below average average feel and decent spin. If I could serve normally, I have a feeling that I could bomb some monster flat serves with this string. Jury is still out on it, but I don't think this is "the one".
Xplosion is fairly soft with average spin for a multi. I hit one of the best drop volleys of my life yesterday. It was crazy good. Overall I was just off yesterday with both strings. The warm up I had with this string the other day leads me to believe that this could be a good one but again the jury is still out.
Here are some initial thoughts on both strings. TNT is the stiffest multi to date but did not bother my elbow. It had below average average feel and decent spin. If I could serve normally, I have a feeling that I could bomb some monster flat serves with this string. Jury is still out on it, but I don't think this is "the one".
Xplosion is fairly soft with average spin for a multi. I hit one of the best drop volleys of my life yesterday. It was crazy good. Overall I was just off yesterday with both strings. The warm up I had with this string the other day leads me to believe that this could be a good one but again the jury is still out.
parasailing
Legend
I know this is a multi thread but I thought I share my thoughts on Polystar Energy. I usually don't touch polys due to arm and shoulder soreness after hitting for a half an hour or so but this string is great.
It is a poly that is truly soft on the arm. I tried Luxilon ALu Power at 48lbs and that didn't really help much with the stiffness in my scenario. I strung Energy at 52lbs and will likely go down to 50lbs for additional comfort.
This string definitely feels like a multi when strung at lower tension and the spin production is much better than a multi so those who like poly for spin might consider this string.
It is a poly that is truly soft on the arm. I tried Luxilon ALu Power at 48lbs and that didn't really help much with the stiffness in my scenario. I strung Energy at 52lbs and will likely go down to 50lbs for additional comfort.
This string definitely feels like a multi when strung at lower tension and the spin production is much better than a multi so those who like poly for spin might consider this string.
mikeler
Moderator
We were talking about this string earlier in the thread so no worries. I bounced a few balls off a friend's frame who was playing with it and it did feel soft. Considering my elbow can now handle the Gamma TNT2 with a stiffness of 210 I may try this as a hybrid some day.
Lively is the word. It's also a powerful string. Gut like to an extent, because you hit hard past a certain point and the stringbed can start acting like a cannon ball launcher. People who hit consistently hit with the same amount of power will probably like it more. Personally, I prefer a more linear response off the stringbed in the term of power.
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
I think it gets more lively as it loses tension a bit. First week it seems spot on, but slowly I start missing by a few inches, and next thing I know, it's going long by a few feet on balls where I swear I gave it by best top-spin stroke.
What did it for me was I was playing a big server this week. To have any chance I had to time my split step, guess and step in. If I got my strings on it, it was coming back hard. I hit dead center on a backhand return, just blocked, sort of like a volley, and I swear that ball went on a line-drive and hit the back curtain.
BTW- I'm playing with string savers too...so that even stiffens up the string bed a bit.
mikeler
Moderator
Yep, this is exactly what would happen to me. I thought I hit a perfect shot and it goes 10 feet long.
Uvijek Argen
Semi-Pro
No problem with this poster here with MT16. String MT at 50 pounds with premier ace in the crosses at 47. Great spin-control, soft and power.
I can see why people have problem with this string, since I gave my racquet to a few people and all send the ball to the fence. People are use to low power string in this days.
Also like the construction of the MT string, multi in the inside with the outer wrap fiber for durability.
I can see why people have problem with this string, since I gave my racquet to a few people and all send the ball to the fence. People are use to low power string in this days.
Also like the construction of the MT string, multi in the inside with the outer wrap fiber for durability.
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ManuGinobili
Hall of Fame
Don't hybrid. Your first experience with PolyStar Energy should be a full bed for the full taste
Try it at 35 lbs, it will be quite an experience (disclaimer: I'm not guaranteeing total satisfaction, just saying it will be unique)
mikeler
Moderator
MT 17 has been more durable than any of the 16g multis I've played with until breakage. Some of the multis I've cut out so I can't say it is more durable than all the strings I've tried. Watch this thread end with me deciding that MT 16 is my string of choice!
Don't hybrid. Your first experience with PolyStar Energy should be a full bed for the full taste
Try it at 35 lbs, it will be quite an experience (disclaimer: I'm not guaranteeing total satisfaction, just saying it will be unique)
That is pretty low but a lot of folks are having success with polys down in that tension range.
mikeler
Moderator
I got my birthday strings last night. My mom only got me 5 strings but threw in a $100 gift certificate at the local shop. Had I known she was going to get a gift card, I would have gotten one from TW since they have a larger inventory of strings. So here is what she got:
Technifibre X-One Biphase 16
Babolat Xcel 16
Prince Premiere LT 16
Yonex Tour Super 850 16
Wilson NXT 16
Since I'm not going to play any tennis this weekend, I'll probably drive over there tomorrow or Sunday and put a dent in the gift card.
Technifibre X-One Biphase 16
Babolat Xcel 16
Prince Premiere LT 16
Yonex Tour Super 850 16
Wilson NXT 16
Since I'm not going to play any tennis this weekend, I'll probably drive over there tomorrow or Sunday and put a dent in the gift card.
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Have you or any of the others on here that like Polystar Energy also have tried Big Ace Micro? (pro supex) BAM was the most comfy poly i've tried before I've gone non-poly in the last year. There is always a part of me itching to do some low-tension poly again though... been having a rough few weeks lately, and a back-up strung with poly might be my answer on those days when you can't find your typical groove.
Anyway, not trying to hijack.. hope your shoulder heals up quick, looking forward to the Genesis xplosion review!
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mikeler
Moderator
Not a thread hijack at all. I think I was the one who brought up Polystar Energy in the first place. A few local TTW members have dabbled with Big Ace Micro and they seem to like it.
I think Xplosion has some good potential. I may just go out and hit some balls with it this weekend and not play a match. Unfortunately, it is going to get colder here and that is never good for healing an injury.
It's tough for me to generate much sympathy when it's 12 degrees here.
BTW, once I get over my golfers elbow, I want to move from Mantis comfort to a multi with a little more spin and power. Any suggestions?
mikeler
Moderator
Tell me a little bit about your game. The first string that popped into my head around the same price point and that is still fairly soft is the Dunlop Hexy Fiber.
I'm about 6 months into coming back to the game. I hit fairly flat but I'm trying to develop more topspin. I used to hit with a grip that was between continental and eastern on both sides but I've recently moved to an eastern forehand and eastern backhand grip. I have no problem trying to slug it out on the baseline but my opponents are usually more consistent than I am, so I rush the net quite a bit. Here's a vid of my groundstrokes that I took 2 months ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qovXrmweF8
That was 4 months into my comeback and I was taking it easy on my forehands due to the GE. I like to think I'm a little better now.
mikeler
Moderator
What string are you using now? Is price an object? If you don't mind paying a few dollars more, I really like Technifibre MultiFeel.
I'm using Mantis Comfort 16 on two of my rackets and Wilson NXT 16 on the other. I primarily play with the two rackets with Mantis due to GE and I'm going to continue using the Mantis through the end of February. But I generate more power and spin with the racket strung with NXT.
I'll try MultiFeel in March. Thanks.
mikeler
Moderator
I'm looking forward to trying NXT out. I think you'll like MultiFeel and Hexy Fiber but I play with a lot of spin so only time will tell.
