babolat addiction
- Thread starter lgbalfa
- Start date
Valjean
Hall of Fame
Stiffer, not much feel too... A better buy at the same price point is Prince's Premier Attack, even though PPA loses tension faster than Addiction does.
I've played with both, and I've measured tension loss with RacquetTune. PPA maintains tension much better than Addiction. It's hard to tell subjectively because Addiction is so stiff. I guess it's just me, but I'm not a big fan of Addiction even though other people like it. It's too stiff, hard on the arm, and feels dead. For me, PPA is a far better string.
Valjean
Hall of Fame
Interesting; and there is an objective measure that contradicts yours, by the way--RSI's: http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2012/01/string_selector_2012.html.
It even shows how PPA has the higher stiffness rating. It's its dead feel that makes Addiction feel that way.
mikeler
Moderator
I think RacquetTune's method is more accurate since you are measuring actual tension loss of your stringbed by playing tennis over time versus plucking a string with an object a few times.
I'm aware of that. I'm also in disagreement with a lot of other RSI stats. I don't think anyone would agree that Dunlop Black Widow is softer than NXT, or that Head FXP Tour, Ashaway Dynamite, and Gamma Live Wire XP are all softer than Mantis Comfort Synthetic. Here is RSI's test procedure:
------------------------
Test Procedure. All strings were tensioned to 62 pounds and allowed to sit for 200 seconds. Then the string was hit five times with a force equivalent to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss represents the total amount of the relaxation over both time and impact. The stiffness value is a calculation derived from the amount of force created at impact to stretch the string. Lower values represent softer strings and lower impact forces. Higher values represent stiffer strings and higher impact forces.
-------------------------
RSI has to test hundreds of strings with very little time and money. It wouldn't be practical for them to conduct a more thorough and expensive evaluation unless someone gave them a ton of money to do that. You have to take their information with a grain of salt.
Valjean
Hall of Fame
Unfortunately for you, though, coatings, material blends and construction can make a manifold difference in how the string "feels" in play without touching the actual stiffness of the string. So, the mere integrity of their figures is likely not something to complain of.
I do feel, with you, that a measurement more in line with how a string plays is in order, at least to avoid the confusion that results when a measurement doesn't relate sufficiently to that. As most people are aware now, what you can test for usually gets put out there, often at the expense of more relevant stuff. And it does not help with the public mind when the USRSA uses terms derived from play--"soft" and "hard"--when they're merely talking from their own, rather esoteric, string stiffness measurement.
There are two further points, though. First, how it still makes sense to take their figures into account. Those figures at least speak to a rate of tension loss, as well as an amount, that is achieved through a standardized test procedure, making it free of who is playing, how, and under what conditions, when the test is made. In addition, that result is displayed in a comparison with several other strings of a like type, through values derived in the same way. This testing may seem, and may even be, artificial, but it causes a generalization that is helpful, and in the same way yours could be--although as things stand, that would result in something applicable just to you.
The second point is that you would still have to be able to establish that RacquetTune is not only objective enough, but trustworthy for serious measurement--i.e., can satisfy the criteria you wish were already being met to your satisfaction.
I just wish you good luck in doing that.
I do feel, with you, that a measurement more in line with how a string plays is in order, at least to avoid the confusion that results when a measurement doesn't relate sufficiently to that. As most people are aware now, what you can test for usually gets put out there, often at the expense of more relevant stuff. And it does not help with the public mind when the USRSA uses terms derived from play--"soft" and "hard"--when they're merely talking from their own, rather esoteric, string stiffness measurement.
There are two further points, though. First, how it still makes sense to take their figures into account. Those figures at least speak to a rate of tension loss, as well as an amount, that is achieved through a standardized test procedure, making it free of who is playing, how, and under what conditions, when the test is made. In addition, that result is displayed in a comparison with several other strings of a like type, through values derived in the same way. This testing may seem, and may even be, artificial, but it causes a generalization that is helpful, and in the same way yours could be--although as things stand, that would result in something applicable just to you.
The second point is that you would still have to be able to establish that RacquetTune is not only objective enough, but trustworthy for serious measurement--i.e., can satisfy the criteria you wish were already being met to your satisfaction.
I just wish you good luck in doing that.
Last edited:
Valjean
Hall of Fame
Except that its relevance is questionable, when achieved that way.
My daughter has been using Babolat Addiction for the last 3 years. We have been trying other multis lately to see if we can find a better string for her. The results have been mixed so far.
She is 10 and plays with moderate spin and pace with fast swing using Babolat drive Z lite strung to about 52-53 Ibs. (255g, 16x19, 27")
The Addiction 16 lasts for about 20 hours before it starts to go with fraying and modertate notching. The 17 does not last more than a few hours before breaking.
The Addiction holds its tension better than Prince PA and Yonex 850pro.
PPA loses significant amount of tension after 10 hours of play but has the least amount of notching.
Y850 has few more hours of play on it compared to PPA but less fraying and notching compared to Addiciton.
PPA is much softer followed by Y850 and Addiction.
Yonex has the most spin, followed my Addition and PPA.
Addicion has the most power, followed by PAA and Y850.
We have TF Multifeel, Dunlop Hexy fiber, TF NRG2, Head Rip and Fibergel waiting in line for testing however due to tournaments we will have limited time available for long term testing. I will comment in due time.
Hope that helps.
She is 10 and plays with moderate spin and pace with fast swing using Babolat drive Z lite strung to about 52-53 Ibs. (255g, 16x19, 27")
The Addiction 16 lasts for about 20 hours before it starts to go with fraying and modertate notching. The 17 does not last more than a few hours before breaking.
The Addiction holds its tension better than Prince PA and Yonex 850pro.
PPA loses significant amount of tension after 10 hours of play but has the least amount of notching.
Y850 has few more hours of play on it compared to PPA but less fraying and notching compared to Addiciton.
PPA is much softer followed by Y850 and Addiction.
Yonex has the most spin, followed my Addition and PPA.
Addicion has the most power, followed by PAA and Y850.
We have TF Multifeel, Dunlop Hexy fiber, TF NRG2, Head Rip and Fibergel waiting in line for testing however due to tournaments we will have limited time available for long term testing. I will comment in due time.
Hope that helps.
mikeler
Moderator
You make some good points in your longer reply to Ramon. A standardized way to compare strings is useful. My problem is how the data correlates to real world conditions like Ramon pointed out. Will I still look at RSI data? Sure, it will be helpful in some cases to determine what a string "may" play like.
As for RacquetTune, it does seem to work well for me. The last TW playtest I did, the string felt like it kept dropping tension each time out and RT confirmed it so it least the program matched what I was feeling on the court.
mikeler
Moderator
I'd rate spin from best to worst as Addiction, PPA, Yonex. Check out my thread here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048
Maybe string tension has an effect. PPA was very nice for the first few hours but went downhill faster. Yonex had more of a breakin period but then started to perform well. Addiction was the most consistent from start to finish with close to 20 hours of good play time. For the money I'd say Addicition is the winner between these 3 strings.
mikeler
Moderator
I would like to try it. Can't find it on TW. I normally buy from ******* and can't find there either. Must not be very popular.
Do a Google search on Discho Microfibre. It's not sold by any of the major distributors, but that doesn't mean that it's not a great string. Mikeler says it's the same as Signum Pro Micronite.
mikeler
Moderator
Valjean
Hall of Fame
Basically agree with all of this. +1...
Slim Pickens
Rookie
I have a set of Addiction that a friend gave me. Since it is so slippery how would it perform as a cross with Tour Bite mains? Would it let the poly "snap" back even faster thereby providing more spin?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
What do you think the best multis are for the purposes of hybrid with polys like alu power or prolines ? Would you rate your multis the same ? It is surprising that this Discho is so good and highly rated by you. This string is a unknown commodity. If so good, why doesn't it have the world wide recognition ?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Mikeler, i am going to try this Discho micro. it is very good price at $12.99 per set. I had major issues with X-1 losing tension and losing control on me and NRG2 wasn't that much better either, maybe last 2 hour longer before losing tension.
mikeler
Moderator
I thought Mantis Comfort Synthetic and Genesis Thunder Blast were nice as crosses with poly mains.
I've been testing a few different setups to find one I really like and this is what I'm currently using.
First off, soft and Addiction do not belong in the same sentence. Strung at 56 on my Pure Storm LTD GT and I actually think RPM Blast is easier on my arm. This was confusing to me as it is known as a "comfort" string.
Playability was solid I'd say. Has decent control and power, although touch is most certainly lacking.
Durability has been pretty good thus far. Xcel would be fraying by now, but the Addiction is lasting a bit longer.
Seems like a classic case of "you get what you pay for" to me. I was hoping on a nice string that may be a good value, but I'd be tempted to play with a bed of synthetic over Addiction next time.
First off, soft and Addiction do not belong in the same sentence. Strung at 56 on my Pure Storm LTD GT and I actually think RPM Blast is easier on my arm. This was confusing to me as it is known as a "comfort" string.
Playability was solid I'd say. Has decent control and power, although touch is most certainly lacking.
Durability has been pretty good thus far. Xcel would be fraying by now, but the Addiction is lasting a bit longer.
Seems like a classic case of "you get what you pay for" to me. I was hoping on a nice string that may be a good value, but I'd be tempted to play with a bed of synthetic over Addiction next time.
Similar threads
- ptb5021
- Strings