Mikeler's Multis

mikeler · Oct 11, 2012

As promised, here is the TecFlex packaging. The string is mostly smooth and has a slight gluey smell to it. I find it interesting they only gave themselves a 5 out 10 score on spin. Finally, somebody gives their string an honest score!

I also cut my sets of the Volkl V-Twist. Based on the name Volkl, I thought it was a German string but it says made in Taiwan. Kind of looks like X-1 Biphase and has that nice gluey smell.

ewberner · Oct 11, 2012

Awesome. Thanks for the pics.

mikeler · Oct 11, 2012

I strung up the Tecflex and the V-Twist tonight. The Tecflex is smooth and may be softer than DM. The tension range on it was 45-55, so I strung it at 54 to directly compare it to DM. I decided to stick with that same tension for the V-Twist which seems spinner using the old ball bounce test. It feels crisper but I think any full multi setup in the Exo3 Tour is going to feel silky soft.

ewberner · Oct 11, 2012

Was there any problem with ghosting with either of these?

sansaephanh · Oct 12, 2012

ewberner said:
Was there any problem with ghosting with either of these?

is that when you're stringing up a racket and a poltergeist starts? That happens to me all the time... Didn't think it happened to anyone else.

ewberner · Oct 12, 2012

sansaephanh said:
is that when you're stringing up a racket and a poltergeist starts? That happens to me all the time... Didn't think it happened to anyone else.

It's like it comes out of the string or something.

mikeler · Oct 12, 2012

No problems with ghosting on either string although I really would not classify ghosting as a problem with a string. I forgot what a pain new rackets are to string since the tie off holes are not enlarged. Getting a soft string through some of those tight spots was not fun. I'll probably play tomorrow with the TecFlex and report back.

mikeler · Oct 13, 2012

Played 2 sets of singles with TecFlex. Nice and soft but had a few random "fly always" that sailed well long.

mikeler · Oct 15, 2012

Broke the Volkl V-Twist in 2.5 sets tonight. Full review tomorrow but I'd stay away from this one.

Ronaldo · Oct 15, 2012

mikeler said:
Broke the Volkl V-Twist in 2.5 sets tonight. Full review tomorrow but I'd stay away from this one.

Which notched first, the V or the Twist?

officerdibble · Oct 16, 2012

Just wanted to comment on my experience of Discho Microfibre having played with it for a couple of months.

I'm using it in a hybrid with Pros Pro Blackout in the mains (very similar to Tecnifibre Black Code).

The DM is a fantastic string. It has great durability, wears like gut so you can see when it's going to pop (I've even used string savers with it) and in this set up with a poly gives fantastic string-bed life: I think that it's getting twangier as the poly goes dead so they balance each other out.

I have never experienced a soft string like this have such great durability: some other multis I break inside an hour.

As a bonus I'm now playing without an elbow brace for the first time in a year or two.

Very highly recommended. Don't tell Discho this, but they could charge twice the price for a reel and I would still buy it. And, no, I have no connection to any string brand.

fortun8son · Oct 16, 2012

sansaephanh said:
is that when you're stringing up a racket and a poltergeist starts? That happens to me all the time... Didn't think it happened to anyone else.

At first, I thought I was doing something wrong. Still one of my peeves.:lol:

COPEY · Oct 16, 2012

officerdibble said:
Don't tell Discho this, but they could charge twice the price for a reel and I would still buy it. And, no, I have no connection to any string brand.

Not the kind of statement you want to make around here since Ray does read these boards.

I'm not sure what the price of a reel is (I've asked, have yet to receive a reply), but for twice the price (I'm going to guess it's somewhere in the $160 range given the price of a set...which would be a great price!), it'd better do more than just sit in my frame and soften the mains.

mikeler · Oct 16, 2012

COPEY said:
Not the kind of statement you want to make around here since Ray does read these boards. I'm not sure what the price of a reel is (I've asked, have yet to receive a reply), but for twice the price (I'm going to guess it's somewhere in the $160 range given the price of a set...which would be a great price!), it'd better do more than just sit in my frame and soften the mains.

I think it was $140.

COPEY · Oct 16, 2012

Oh wow - that's a really good price - thanks!

mikeler · Oct 16, 2012

Volkl V-Twist will only twist your wallet!

OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Volkl V-Twist 16.

Stringing was a little more difficult than normal, the string had a tendency to try and kink from coil memory. It seemed like it would be able to create some spin on court testing proved that wrong.

Tension it is strung: 54 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Discho Microfibre 16 @ 54 pounds on a lockout
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered multi
Feel: Great feel
Tension maintenance: Seemed to hold the entire 2 hours until breakage
Price: $14/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This review will be short. When a $14 string breaks in 2 hours I say quite simply "It sucks".

Serve/Return of Serve: Serves lacked punch last night. Returns were average.

Strokes: Spin was a chore to create.

Volleys: It feels pretty solid on volleys.

Touch shots: It is very good for drop shots and drop volleys.

Softness: About average.

Tension: If I knew the string would last, I'd say go up a few pounds in tension.

Durability: Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

Movement: String movement is average for a multi meaning it moves a decent amount.

Conclusion: This is a below average multi string with a premium price and **** poor durability. Stay Away!

mrmike · Oct 16, 2012

Wow, you did that to the strings in 2 hrs ? Holy spin Batman.

mikeler · Oct 16, 2012

mrmike said:
Wow, you did that to the strings in 2 hrs ? Holy spin Batman.

The TecFlex and Discho don't look at all like that. Both of those strings look like they have plenty more life on them. Volkl is crap, I'm not buying any more products from them.

filphil · Oct 16, 2012

Are you going to be revisiting your top rated strings after your racket switch?

Nostradamus · Oct 16, 2012

^^Agree, Volkl strings are not all that great. i say it is below industry standard.

Ronaldo · Oct 16, 2012

Nostradamus said:
^^Agree, Volkl strings are not all that great. i say it is below industry standard.

Certainly not ready for a Primetime Shredder

djNEiGht · Oct 16, 2012

i am ruined...i just bought x3 different strings fr volkl...

mikeler · Oct 16, 2012

filphil said:
Are you going to be revisiting your top rated strings after your racket switch?

I've already got Discho Microfibre in 1 racket. It plays great in my new frame as well. Broke the TecFlex tonight dead center again. Dang open pattern Exo!!!

sphinx780 · Oct 16, 2012

Wow, I'll steer clear of v-twist. That being said I still stand by Gripper's durability...it's beginning to sound lke the exception to the rule. I do use an 18x20 though but I am at 12 sets minimum.

Ronaldo · Oct 16, 2012

djNEiGht said:
i am ruined...i just bought x3 different strings fr volkl...

But bought at a bargain price, eh?

ewberner · Oct 16, 2012

mikeler said:
I've already got Discho Microfibre in 1 racket. It plays great in my new frame as well. Broke the TecFlex tonight dead center again. Dang open pattern Exo!!!

Writing a review for it soon?

mikeler · Oct 17, 2012

sphinx780 said:
Wow, I'll steer clear of v-twist. That being said I still stand by Gripper's durability...it's beginning to sound lke the exception to the rule. I do use an 18x20 though but I am at 12 sets minimum.

Good news. Thanks to the great TW customer service, they are shipping me a set of Gripper.

ewberner said:
Writing a review for it soon?

Tonight.

sphinx780 · Oct 17, 2012

mikeler said:
Good news. Thanks to the great TW customer service, they are shipping me a set of Gripper.

Nice! I'll be intrigued to get your take on it. I figure it'll either be somewhat similar to my take, or completely the opposite.

filphil · Oct 17, 2012

mikeler said:
Good news. Thanks to the great TW customer service, they are shipping me a set of Gripper.

Did you tell them to look at your thread?

djNEiGht · Oct 17, 2012

filphil said:
Did you tell them I'M A BOSS!!!

best have!

mikeler · Oct 17, 2012

sphinx780 said:
Nice! I'll be intrigued to get your take on it. I figure it'll either be somewhat similar to my take, or completely the opposite.

At least this might help you in the future. If I hate it, then you know to stay away from my favorite strings.

filphil said:
Did you tell them to look at your thread?

Yes, in order to prove that I knew what I was talking about. :idea:

djNEiGht said:
best have!

Haha.

mikeler · Oct 17, 2012

OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Gosen TecFlex 16.

It looks like a standard 16g multi string. It was smooth and seemed fairly limp. The packaging recommended a tension of 45-55 pounds which most here would consider to be low.

Tension it is strung: 54 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Discho Microfibre 16 @ 54 pounds on a lockout
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18
Power (or lack there of): Medium/High powered multi
Feel: Below average feel
Tension maintenance: Questionable around the 3 hour mark
Price: $9.95/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: The only other Gosen string I've tried is OGSM 17 which I hated. So I had low expecations for this string. I liked this one much better but it was just too springy for my game. They can't blame it on the low tension I used since I strung it near the top of their recommended tension.

Serve/Return of Serve: Serves were good for the first 2 hours but then I seemed to be just missing them. Returns got more difficult as the string lost tension.

Strokes: Spin was below average. The string surface is so smooth that it just does not seem to grab the ball well.

Volleys: It feels pretty average on volleys.

Touch shots: It is not great for drop shots.

Softness: The string is nice and soft. Might be a good alternative to try along with Maxim Touch for those who want a lot of power and softness from a string.

Tension: If I were to try this string again, I might up the tension a few pounds to see if I could get rid of the trampoline effect. But I won't try this string again...

Durability: After almost 4.5 sets of singles and 0.5 sets of doubles, one string snapped right in the sweetspot. There was zero warning that breakage was imminent. No fraying or notching that I could see.

Movement: String movement with every multi I've tried in my new Exo Tours is pretty bad. Low tension multis in an open pattern just will not stay in place.

Conclusion: This string reminds me a lot of the Yonex Tour Super 850. It would not surprise me if it is the same string. I just hit way too many balls long especially in my last match to justify using this again.

Up&comer · Oct 17, 2012

The tours break strings at an ungodly rate. I had to either switch to the 18x20 (which I really didn't like) or go to something else. Poly wasn't even making it 3 hours in that stick.

filphil · Oct 17, 2012

It's not only the open pattern that's contributing to breakage is it? When I looked at Babolat(buffer system) and Prince(speed ports) it seemed they would be more likely to break strings. The strings move more in all directions when compared to traditional grommet systems where most of the wear(in my experience) have been on the mains.

Ramon · Oct 17, 2012

Up&comer said:
The tours break strings at an ungodly rate. I had to either switch to the 18x20 (which I really didn't like) or go to something else. Poly wasn't even making it 3 hours in that stick.

The open string pattern of the 16x18 definitely makes it susceptible to early breakage and string movement. I suspect the flexibility the Tours has something to do with it also. If the head flexes a lot, the mains will stretch more on impact than they do with a stiffer frame.

mikeler · Oct 17, 2012

Up&comer said:
The tours break strings at an ungodly rate. I had to either switch to the 18x20 (which I really didn't like) or go to something else. Poly wasn't even making it 3 hours in that stick.

I'm sure poly would last longer for me but I understand why you were breaking strings so often with this stick now.

filphil said:
It's not only the open pattern that's contributing to breakage is it? When I looked at Babolat(buffer system) and Prince(speed ports) it seemed they would be more likely to break strings. The strings move more in all directions when compared to traditional grommet systems where most of the wear(in my experience) have been on the mains.

I agree. The ports allow the strings to move more and I think that results in more friction. I used to always hit high on the PK 7G but with the Exo I'm busting it right in the sweetspot.

Ramon said:
The open string pattern of the 16x18 definitely makes it susceptible to early breakage and string movement. I suspect the flexibility the Tours has something to do with it also. If the head flexes a lot, the mains will stretch more on impact than they do with a stiffer frame.

If both the racket and strings are flexible, it seems like that would take some of the stress on the strings. I'd think a stiffer frame would put more stress on the strings. Interesting side topic perhaps?

Up&comer · Oct 17, 2012

mikeler said:
If both the racket and strings are flexible, it seems like that would take some of the stress on the strings. I'd think a stiffer frame would put more stress on the strings. Interesting side topic perhaps?

I was thinking the same thing. I might get a thead going on that. I'll have to search to see if it's been discussed before.

ckcgary · Oct 18, 2012

Hi Mikeler, the name of some strings are almost same from different brands. Do you know if they are same string by OEM? For example:

1) Polyfibre Gutex & Pro's Pro Gutex
2) Boris Becker Pulse & Pro's Pro Pulse

Did you try Pro's Pro HotStuff? Which one is better if compare with Polyfibre Gutex? How about Pro's Pro Kingut? (Recently, I am studying the performance of Pro's Pro strings and wanna to try it) Thank you very much.

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

ckcgary said:
Hi Mikeler, the name of some strings are almost same from different brands. Do you know if they are same string by OEM? For example:

1) Polyfibre Gutex & Pro's Pro Gutex
2) Boris Becker Pulse & Pro's Pro Pulse

Did you try Pro's Pro HotStuff? Which one is better if compare with Polyfibre Gutex? How about Pro's Pro Kingut? (Recently, I am studying the performance of Pro's Pro strings and wanna to try it) Thank you very much.

I don't know if those are the same strings or not. My guess is that they probably are. As for for the other Pro's Pro strings, I have not tried them. Check out post #1 of this thread for all the multis I've tried to date.

Nostradamus · Oct 18, 2012

These synth multi strings aren't supposed to be affected by weather but i think it does. It was raining yesterday and warm and humid weather. and my strings felt really mushy and harder to control. what's up with that ?

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

All strings are affected by weather. Some types more than others. I tend to snap multis quicker in cooler weather.

edwincen · Oct 18, 2012

Nostradamus said:
These synth multi strings aren't supposed to be affected by weather but i think it does. It was raining yesterday and warm and humid weather. and my strings felt really mushy and harder to control. what's up with that ?

I think if the outer wrap was tear, humitidiy will absorbed in the filaments.
I felt it with multi, u can try to wipe the string with tissue, its wet.

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

I forgot to mention that I strung up Klip Excellerator yesterday. Had that lovely gluey smell. I'm up in DC the next week but I'm scheduled to play McLovin tomorrow. Not sure if I want to use an unknown string against an unknown opponent. Hmmmm.

jrhb · Oct 18, 2012

Mamba Discho

Does anyone know what is going on with Mamba/Discho Strings?

I placed an order for 9 sets and received 2, with a note saying the rest will be sent to me. This was several weeks ago, and now they are not responding to emails and their website shows my order as being completed.
Has anyone been in contact with them lately?

Nostradamus · Oct 18, 2012

edwincen said:
I think if the outer wrap was tear, humitidiy will absorbed in the filaments.
I felt it with multi, u can try to wipe the string with tissue, its wet.

Mike and ed, what do you think are some Top multis that are Least affected by humidity and temperature ? thanks

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

jrhb said:
Does anyone know what is going on with Mamba/Discho Strings?

I placed an order for 9 sets and received 2, with a note saying the rest will be sent to me. This was several weeks ago, and now they are not responding to emails and their website shows my order as being completed.
Has anyone been in contact with them lately?

I have not been in contact with Ray for awhile. He does seem to have supply problems with Discho. Did you try to contact him?

Nostradamus said:
Mike and ed, what do you think are some Top multis that are Least affected by humidity and temperature ? thanks

There is a new multi coming out in 2013 by the FedAce company that is 100% temperature resistant.

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

OK, now I'm really nervous. Signum Pro Micronite is no longer being offered either. What have I done! I should have kept my big mouth shut.

mikeler · Oct 18, 2012

jrhb said:
Does anyone know what is going on with Mamba/Discho Strings?

I placed an order for 9 sets and received 2, with a note saying the rest will be sent to me. This was several weeks ago, and now they are not responding to emails and their website shows my order as being completed.
Has anyone been in contact with them lately?

I just e-mailed Ray and got a response a few minutes later. He has an order still in customs. I asked him to come in here and contact you. The good news is that DM is not being discontinued! I've met him in person, he is not going to let you down.

MambaT · Oct 18, 2012

jrhb said:
Does anyone know what is going on with Mamba/Discho Strings?

I placed an order for 9 sets and received 2, with a note saying the rest will be sent to me. This was several weeks ago, and now they are not responding to emails and their website shows my order as being completed.
Has anyone been in contact with them lately?

Hi... very sorry, we have been swamped. The new order is in customs, but is taking a while for some reason. We expect it any day and we will get those out to you immediately.

jrhb · Oct 18, 2012

MambaT said:
Hi... very sorry, we have been swamped. The new order is in customs, but is taking a while for some reason. We expect it any day and we will get those out to you immediately.

No worries, I've had great service with them in the past.

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