BigT
Professional
Are you a big time string breaker? If so, multis are not going to last very long for you.
I guess I am. But I've had some of the better multis last me 4 to 6 hours.
Are you a big time string breaker? If so, multis are not going to last very long for you.
I started my warm up today with NRG2. After a few hits, I put it away and decided to cut it out today. I put Tecnifibre X1 in. Very unusual string to work with. It is sticky and very rough. I had to use my screwdriver method to fan the crosses and I could see visible friction burn on the bottom of the mains when I was done. Getting the string through blocked holes was a little bit difficult.
Gave it the old ball bounce test and I can tell this string has some power. With little effort I can keep the ball bouncing on the string bed. I hope I can tame the power, I'll find out Wednesday. The sweet spot seems pretty large with this string. Saw another thread where somebody said X1 has a huge gut like sweet spot.
I guess I am. But I've had some of the better multis last me 4 to 6 hours.
Hahaha M, actually my wife shares your opinion I am out of control since I bought a stringing machine
No multi is gonna last in something like the extreme.
For the last 20 years, in all the racquets I've used, no synthetic or multi has lasted on average more than a few hours. That's why I started stringing in the first place.
For the last 20 years, in all the racquets I've used, no synthetic or multi has lasted on average more than a few hours.
Have been following your thread only for a few days. Can't wait to hear the results with the X-1. I am ready to select a new multi but want to hear your review of it first.
Arg, my opponent had to bail on me today. Now I'm in scramble mode to find another player to test my X1 tonight.
X1 is gonna be too powerful for you my friend
You also won't like how stiff it feels for the 1st hour or so.
Mikeler - Finally got to hit with the Mantis string.
Strung it at 57lbs in my Head Prestige Pro MG
Have to say that overall I like it so far.
Felt pretty controlled on most shots. If I took a full swing and came over the ball it stayed in - though (and this could just be me) like a lot of multis there are times when I feel like I hit the sweet spot and it goes flying.
Spin was decent.
I felt it had a nice, slightly muted feel. Not a lot of shock trasmitted from the string bed.
Not alot of string movement for about the first hour, but noticed a good amount of movement by the time I was finished.
Good amount of pop on groundstrokes and serve.
Sting looked to be in good condition after my first hit.
My first impression from 1.5 hours of hitting is it's a good all-around string.
have you decided whether your going to give a poly hybrid a go?
Every time I think my elbow is completely healed, I'll do something like lean on a chair and a feel a dull ache. Keeping my arm healthy is the top priority and until I don't feel anything for about a month, I'll probably stick with the multis for now.
I think Mantis recommends that you string it 58 pounds or above. I'm guessing if you strung it up next time at 60 it would take away the trampoline effect you are getting. Everything else you described I would agree with. The strings move more and more each hour of play. Once you see that outer coating gone and can actually see the multifilaments, you have maybe 2 more games before it pops. Thanks for reporting back your thoughts.
PS I like the new avatar.
Fair doos, thats the sensible option
LOL - Yeah, I saw a pict of Tsonga in a sombrero at some ATP event and I had to make it my Avatar.
I'll try to string it tighter next time. Thanks!
If you do try TGV let us know how it plays.
It is tough to avoid the poly temptation since spin is such a critical part of my game but I'd rather keep the pounds off playing tennis.
Ever since Tecnifibre discontinued my favorite soft multi, their 515, I've again been trying out all the soft strings out there. I had high hopes for the TGV, since it was supposed to be 515's replacement, and its specs are similar, but it was worst feeling multi I've ever tried---its feel and sound was dead---a real disappointment. $15, for THIS?
I'll try one more string, TF's Multifeel, then decide on one.
So far, in order, I like: Rip Control 17, Quasi-Gut 17, and Prince Synthetic Original 17. More disappointments? For me, TF's NRG2 loses its feel after a week, the X-1 hurt my tender wrist, and the Maxim Touch 17 was TOO soft.
You can get WAY more spin with technique than with string types.
Agreed. I mean, there's definitely a discernible difference on the trajectory of my balls when playing with a full bed of Maxim Touch as opposed to a Volkl Cyclone/OG-Micro hybrid, but I'm still capable of generating more than respectable ball rotation with the former. It simply takes less effort with the latter.
I'll be curious to see what kind of durability you get. Are you playing indoors still or has it warmed up in the DC area?
Well you've either always hit with a lot of spin or shanked, just saying either way the extreme eats string, just like pogs or various other frames over the years. Out of curiosity you ever used something like prestige mid and did you get the same thing with that sorta frame?
You say 'a few hours' what do you mean? 3, 4, 5? And during those hours, what exactly are doing? Singles, doubles, constant drilling with the ball machine on maximum setting? And are you implying that you still break strings in a few hours in a small 18x20 frame?
Arg, my opponent had to bail on me today. Now I'm in scramble mode to find another player to test my X1 tonight.
What nerve! - he must have known you would destroy him with the x-1.
I've always hit with lots of topspin, so I've always used 16x19 or 16x20 on 95"-100" racquets. Never broke a synthetic off a shank, only polys once in a while. I would say 75% hitting, 25% match play, singles with at least 4.5+ players that can hit with some pace.
Average multi lasts 2-3 hours.
Worst case, I give it the scissor treatment and test out the Yonex multi this weekend. Hard to believe I'm almost done with this round of testing.
I forget, are you planning on trying Babolat's Addiction? Curious how their cheaper multi stacks up to your thoughts from Xcel.
Kirschbaum touch multifibre and Volkl Gripper would also be interesting ones to try?
Sorry, I enjoy living vicariously through your multi tests so I can stick with my gut & hybrid testing... (and most recently, some racquet testing now too) :|
Awesome! Every one of those sounds interesting!
Yea, I decided on a whim to demo a few of the latest racquets out there to see what I was missing... and well now I've open a can of worms on myself I kind of regret, but it may be worth it, I need to drop a good ounce off my current 12.8 oz club.
^^^ Addiction doesn't really compare to Xcel (and its also one of the few multis I've tried as a full bed 16). I'll let Mikeler make up his own mind rather than chipping in with my comments so as not to sub-consciously influence him.
I have a set of Gripper lying about. May give that a go at some point, but its difficult to let go of at least half a set of poly in the stringbed....
Being trying out MultiFeel as a main in a poly hybrid. Quite a new string (though difficult to evaluate properly in such a setup). It doesn't half move alot though! The string placement the string deforms very easily. I was hoping for a bit more terms of directional control (though depth is fine) but I guess it just moves much more when sliding against a more slippery poly. Spin was pretty good for multi.
^^^ Well, when I played with Addiction 16 (and this a couple of years ago in a weighted PSGT), I thought it had a little bit of that Xcel feel but was stiffer, deader, and boardier. I didn't really like this string - it just didn't seem to offer the best of anything.
Ladies and Gentlemen who don't read the whole review above, we have a new #1.
Not to rain on your parade, but give it some time before you rank it. XOne loses tension and it's initial crispy-ness and becomes overly powerful and starts moving a lot. Make sure it's still controllable after another few days with it. You string tight, so it won't be as pronounced as most with people, but check it out in a few days before throwing the party Also, did u prestretch? They recommend prestretching XOne to lessen the tension loss effect.
On a side note, how do u compare it to NRG2?
Poured on my man----LOL:twisted:
That's your boy
Yes sir--good one PED
Not to rain on your parade, but give it some time before you rank it. XOne loses tension and it's initial crispy-ness and becomes overly powerful and starts moving a lot. Make sure it's still controllable after another few days with it. You string tight, so it won't be as pronounced as most with people, but check it out in a few days before throwing the party Also, did u prestretch? They recommend prestretching XOne to lessen the tension loss effect.
On a side note, how do u compare it to NRG2?
X-one?!?! I never heard of it lol. Nice to hear it improved your game. Sweet! The good news is this string holds tension well. If you find later on after it settles you have more power than you want just string it at 61 pounds and you'll be fine. Whats nice is after it settles it holds its tension nicely.
4 out the top 10 currently are Technifibre strings! They make great multis.
I was curious about your take on x-1, so thanks for the writeup.
I don't think I'm very sensitive to tension loss like others here. There are only two strings I cut out because I started hitting too many balls long. One was Prince Pro Blend and the other was Head FXP (Control). I did not prestretch X-one. Don't remember seeing anything about it on the package. I liked X-one way better than any other string so obviously I feel like it is way better than NRG2.