Help choosing strings for babolat pdr

Jqlevy

New User
I've heard that a full set of poly works the best, but I don't want to restring every couple weeks when the string goes dead. I practice about 4 times a week, so how long would a full bed of alu power or rpm last me? Also, how long would vs gut/pht hybrid last? It sounds like a good combo since the gut holds its tension and I never break strings.

Ideally I would like something that I can play with for at least a couple months because I'm 14 and my parents would think its ridiculous to restring every other week.

Thanks
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
my parents are the exact same. But especially Alu and rpm wont last you 2 weeks if you hit really hard. I would suggest Volkl Cyclone, dunlop black widow, and if you want something that would play a little longer than blast i would choose RPM Team ( i use it with my PD2012). But overall these 3 i would chose volkl cyclone because it is not expensive like rpm and alu, plus it plays 2x longer than rpm and alu and a little better than these strings.

And vs and pht will last atleast a month or 2 but im guessing the pht will die before gut does



But answer some of these questions so i know which string would be good for you:

Do you play with topspin? _
Durability or playability? _
How often do you play and how long? _
What do you want out of a string? _
Any arm/elbow problems? _
Control or power? _
do you play competitively, for fun, team? etc. _
 
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Jqlevy

New User
But answer some of these questions so i know which string would be good for you:

Do you play with topspin? _
Durability or playability? _
How often do you play and how long? _
What do you want out of a string? _
Any arm/elbow problems? _
Control or power? _
do you play competitively, for fun, team? etc. _

Thanks for the help

Do you play with topspin? yes
Durability or playability? I don't really have arm problems. I mainly need something that can last me a few months without going dead.
How often do you play and how long? 4 to 5 days a week for 2 hrs a day
What do you want out of a string? An overall well-balanced string with control and some power. Something that I can leave in my racquet for a while so I don't have to restring a lot.
Any arm/elbow problems? no
Control or power? Anything that isn't too powerful for the pure drive so I can hit hard without the ball going long all the time.
do you play competitively, for fun, team? etc. USTA tournaments and high school team.
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
Ok then i would suggest something that is durable and holds tension so you dont have to keep restringing when the strings get loose. I would suggest Weisscannon Silverstring, Solinco Tour bite, or the Volkl Cyclone, or the Tourna Big hitter blue rough. These strings are really good. I like the tourna big hitter blue rough and the volkl cyclone.

But if i were to choose between these 2 i would choose Volkl Cyclone. It got really great scores on the reviews from TW and people love it too! Plus its only $8

Here are the reviews :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h92XWER4hI

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/VCYC/VCYCReview.html

If you have more questions keep asking! We will help
 
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Francis27

Semi-Pro
Oh and if you want a hybrid try the Tourna Big hitter blue rough with Babolat vs gut, or if you dont want to spend too much money Babolat Xcel premium (multifilament) is a real good choice too. Tourna Big hitter blue rough mains and Xcel crosses.
 

Jqlevy

New User
Ok then i would suggest something that is durable and holds tension so you dont have to keep restringing when the strings get loose. I would suggest Weisscannon Silverstring, Solinco Tour bite, or the Volkl Cyclone, or the Tourna Big hitter blue rough. These strings are really good. I like the tourna big hitter blue rough and the volkl cyclone.

But if i were to choose between these 2 i would choose Volkl Cyclone. It got really great scores on the reviews from TW and people love it too! Plus its only $8

Here are the reviews :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h92XWER4hI

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/VCYC/VCYCReview.html

If you have more questions keep asking! We will help

Thank you! what tension do you recommend for cyclone 16?
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
Thank you! what tension do you recommend for cyclone 16?

I string my PD2012 at 55. The Pure drives are stiff so i would do 53-55. 53 would be lowest because the Pure drives are also powerful and you might not have as much control on your shots when strung low.
 
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D

Deleted member 369227

Guest
I mainly need something that can last me a few months without going dead.
I play 4 to 5 days a week for 2 hrs a day

So you need a string that will endure 80-100 hours of hitting, without significantly losing its properties? I'm afraid that's unrealistic goal :)

In addition, let's do some math:

Here in Belgrade, playing on a typical red clay court would cost me ~7 USD per hour. In winter time, the price goes up to 10-15 USD per hour. If I would play 100 hours over two months, like you, I would have to spend at least ~700 USD, plus transportation costs, parking costs, water/refreshments etc. OK, maybe you have some arrangements with your club, but I doubt that you play tennis for free in the United States :)

Now, during these 200 hours of hitting, I would also "burn" at least 20-30 tennis balls, that will cost me additional 40-60 USD, and I would partialy wear my tennis shoes (~20-30 USD worth amortization costs).

Considering all of these costs, should I really try to save money by playing with the same string for two months? :)
 
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Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Are you talking about the new 2012 version ? If so, I will give you some tips. Get the Kirschbaum Proline X. It works best and sweet with PDR or PDR Roddick 2012. I was using the RPM blast and Big banger sometimes but they didn't work as well as Proline X.
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
Are you talking about the new 2012 version ? If so, I will give you some tips. Get the Kirschbaum Proline X. It works best and sweet with PDR or PDR Roddick 2012. I was using the RPM blast and Big banger sometimes but they didn't work as well as Proline X.

I was actually just going to say that :razz:
 
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Jqlevy

New User
Are you talking about the new 2012 version ? If so, I will give you some tips. Get the Kirschbaum Proline X. It works best and sweet with PDR or PDR Roddick 2012. I was using the RPM blast and Big banger sometimes but they didn't work as well as Proline X.

Thanks, I'll try that. How do you like the hybrid of proline x and tecnifibre? Would you recommend the hybrid or a full set?
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
Thanks, I'll try that. How do you like the hybrid of proline x and tecnifibre? Would you recommend the hybrid or a full set?

Full set is very good, hybrid it just to make it softer. So if you want a soft feel then do hybrid if you want a stiff feel then go full set. X one Biphase is probably the most used multifilament out there for people and the pros.
 

Jqlevy

New User
Full set is very good, hybrid it just to make it softer. So if you want a soft feel then do hybrid if you want a stiff feel then go full set. X one Biphase is probably the most used multifilament out there for people and the pros.

I'll try a full set. Thanks for the help :)
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
Has anyone tried pht/vs gut hybrid? Im just curious of what people think of it.

Its really good it was a little powerful for me but i can fix that with the spin the PHT gave me. Although the PHT died before the gut.

I dont hybrid (i use RPM Team full set) but if i were to i would do

Mains:
Babolat RPM Team
Tecnifibre Black code
Luxilon Alu power rough
Tourna Big hitter blue rough

Cross:
Babolat Vs gut
Tecnifibre X1 Biphase
Babolat Xcel
Tecnifibre NRG1

I like to have a spin string in the mains
 
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Fuji

Legend
Gut is probably the biggest waste as a cross. Literally a 2$ synthetic gut will provide 99% of the same playability as gut will. The majority of your play comes from the mains.

That being said, I've used Gut/PHT before. It's a nice playing set up but I found the PHT ate through the gut rather quickly considering the stiffness of PHT.

-Fuji
 

lynnbart

Rookie
Discho Iontec Black mains crossed with Prince Synthetic gut original has the longest playability, durability, and feel as anything that I have strung my PDR with. Plus the value factor is fantastic.
 

Jqlevy

New User
Gut is probably the biggest waste as a cross. Literally a 2$ synthetic gut will provide 99% of the same playability as gut will. The majority of your play comes from the mains.

That being said, I've used Gut/PHT before. It's a nice playing set up but I found the PHT ate through the gut rather quickly considering the stiffness of PHT.

-Fuji
Is synthetic gut the closest thing to real gut? Or is a more expensive multi closer to how gut feels?

I've never hit with natural gut before, but it seems like there is quite a big price difference between natural and synthetic for something that plays so similar in a hybrid.
 

Fuji

Legend
Is synthetic gut the closest thing to real gut? Or is a more expensive multi closer to how gut feels?

I've never hit with natural gut before, but it seems like there is quite a big price difference between natural and synthetic for something that plays so similar in a hybrid.

Well it makes a huge difference if you are using gut in the mains, nothing else plays close IMHO. Gut in the crosses is a waste as cheap synthetic gut will achieve the same goal of softening the string bed.

Syn gut, and gut aren't close at all in terms of playing characteristics. Some multis get close, but none are really at that level with the current technologies out now.

-Fuji
 

Jqlevy

New User
Well it makes a huge difference if you are using gut in the mains, nothing else plays close IMHO. Gut in the crosses is a waste as cheap synthetic gut will achieve the same goal of softening the string bed.

Syn gut, and gut aren't close at all in terms of playing characteristics. Some multis get close, but none are really at that level with the current technologies out now.

-Fuji

Ah, ok. So pht/syn gut will essentially play the same as pht/vs?
 
D

Deleted member 369227

Guest
Is synthetic gut the closest thing to real gut? Or is a more expensive multi closer to how gut feels?

Synthetic gut is in essence a single-core premium nylon, compared to multifilament strings that consist of many superthin microfibers (nylon, polyamide, elastyl, polyester etc.), usually impregnated with polyurethane or nylon, and coated with silicone to reduce friction.

The later much better resemble (some of) playing characteristics of natural gut.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Thanks, I'll try that. How do you like the hybrid of proline x and tecnifibre? Would you recommend the hybrid or a full set?

I use Hybrid only cause I have existing arm issues. but if you want sweet control and don't have arm or shoulder issues then Proline X full bed should be really good at tension of 50-55 lbs. Proline X is not the most powerful poly like Alu Power but Control cannot be matched by any other. This works especially well on Pure drives which are fairly powerful rackets. And Spin you get from Proline X is 9 out of 10 and I don't know of any other better string for that.

Good review written and videoed by TW on their website.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Has anyone tried pht/vs gut hybrid? Im just curious of what people think of it.

Yes, Choice of Andy Roddick himself. If you can afford gut, this Is also very good choice. but I think Proline X has better control and spin. and power will be there with VS gut in there. this might be Sweet combo if you can afford it.
 

roadworkky

New User
Volkyl Cyclone (16gau) [$7.99/pack] is working out very nice for me in my pure drives and I play daily ( the string stays lively for 3 weeks or so) but I found that the neon yellow has more pop and is more lively than the black (unfortunately).
 
I've heard that a full set of poly works the best, but I don't want to restring every couple weeks when the string goes dead. I practice about 4 times a week, so how long would a full bed of alu power or rpm last me? Also, how long would vs gut/pht hybrid last? It sounds like a good combo since the gut holds its tension and I never break strings.

Ideally I would like something that I can play with for at least a couple months because I'm 14 and my parents would think its ridiculous to restring every other week.

Thanks

Try Tourna Big Hitter Blue 17. You will be pleasantly surprised by the cost and performance!
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Prince Premier Attack is my best friend and I think you'll like it too. Control, power, spin, and good durability for a multi. Also is only $10 a set.
 

JonnyAbs

Semi-Pro
No one has mentioned luxilon 4G. It is supposed to be engineered for tension maintenance. The 1.25 gauge (16L) would probably make the most sense, and the reviews on TW say its comfortable, so you might not even have to hybrid with a syn gut or multi cross.
 

Jqlevy

New User
How does this hybrid sound for the pdr?
Kirsch pro line x 17 @ 52 lbs / babolat xcel 16 @ 54 lbs

Thanks
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
How does this hybrid sound for the pdr?
Kirsch pro line x 17 @ 52 lbs / babolat xcel 16 @ 54 lbs

Thanks

Have you tried Pro Line X 17 before? I really like the way that string plays but I find it a bit on the firm/boardy/slightly harsh side. I had it in a hybrid @ 50lbs/Forten Sweet 17 crosses @ 53lbs in an APDGT. If the weather is still cold the next time I use it, I'll probably string it at 48lbs and adjust the crosses down 1-2lbs. With your frame playing noticeably stiffer than the APDGT, you might consider lowering the tension a bit unless you are into that level of firmness.
 
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Jqlevy

New User
Have you tried Pro Line X 17 before? I really like the way that string plays but I find it a bit on the firm/boardy/slightly harsh side. I had it in a hybrid @ 50lbs/Forten Sweet 17 crosses @ 53lbs in an APDGT. If the weather is still cold the next time I use it, I'll probably string it at 48lbs and adjust the crosses down 1-2lbs. With your frame playing noticeably stiffer than the APDGT, you might consider lowering the tension a bit unless you are into that level of firmness.

Yeah I definitely don't like it too stiff. I would go as low as 45lbs/48lbs but is it okay to go that low with the xcel?
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Yeah I definitely don't like it too stiff. I would go as low as 45lbs/48lbs but is it okay to go that low with the xcel?

When I tried poly/syn gut at 46lbs it played and felt terrible. I know the issue was w/the syn gut cross being strung too low because I've had good experiences with full poly in the mid 40's down to the mid 30's. The syn gut cross @ 46lbs was just so bad that I would never try it below 50lbs again. If I was going to string a PLX hybrid in the mid 40's, I would string the PLX 17 @ 46lbs and syn gut crosses at a minimum of 50lbs. A multi is more responsive than syn gut though and different enough that it might work well below 50lbs - You might want to ask mikeler or pvaudio in their threads for opinions on stringing multis below 50lbs.
 
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mongting

Rookie
In my opinion, the best string for PDR is full bed of Natural gut. If you are not a string breaker, you can use it for months.
 

Jqlevy

New User
I currently have pht/vs strung in my pdr and it plays pretty good. Would it be good to flip the hybrid and go vs in the mains?
 

scope

New User
$$

...I doubt that you play tennis for free in the United States :)

Considering all of these costs, should I really try to save money by playing with the same string for two months? :)

Obviously I can't speak to the OP's situation, who has chosen to ignore your points. I just needed to comment that indeed, playing tennis for free is quite typical in the states. Depends on region, but for instance here in Atlanta, I play for free most of the time.
 

Jqlevy

New User
I use Hybrid only cause I have existing arm issues. but if you want sweet control and don't have arm or shoulder issues then Proline X full bed should be really good at tension of 50-55 lbs. Proline X is not the most powerful poly like Alu Power but Control cannot be matched by any other. This works especially well on Pure drives which are fairly powerful rackets. And Spin you get from Proline X is 9 out of 10 and I don't know of any other better string for that.

Good review written and videoed by TW on their website.

Nostradamus, how long does a Proline X full bed last? I'm not worried about breaking it, I'm just worried about it going dead quickly. And which keeps playability longer, full bed PLX or hybrid with a multi in the crosses?
Do you think that the hybrid feels much different than the full bed besides a slightly softer feel?
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Nostradamus, how long does a Proline X full bed last? I'm not worried about breaking it, I'm just worried about it going dead quickly. And which keeps playability longer, full bed PLX or hybrid with a multi in the crosses?
Do you think that the hybrid feels much different than the full bed besides a slightly softer feel?

PLX/syn gut hybrid lasted about 8-10hrs for me. PLX is very low powered & firm - very different from syn gut. I would be surprised if you didn't notice a big difference. It remains playable when "dead" so when you feel the response getting a bit harsher its time to switch it out.
 

Jqlevy

New User
PLX/syn gut hybrid lasted about 8-10hrs for me. PLX is very low powered & firm - very different from syn gut. I would be surprised if you didn't notice a big difference. It remains playable when "dead" so when you feel the response getting a bit harsher its time to switch it out.

This sounds like a great string but I really can't restring every week. How does pro line evolution or pro line II compare (in the PDR)?
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
but I really can't restring every week.
You don't really have much choice in that if you play often and use poly. The typical lifespan of poly is about 6-10hrs of moderately hard hitting. You might be able to squeeze an extra 2hrs out of Cylone 16 or 4G. Silverstring 1.20 in a hybrid is the only poly I found comfortable enough to keep playing on after it "died"/stiffened up, which plateaued - it kept its other playing properties. Of course I wouldn't advise doing that, try at your own risk!

If you're not a string breaker then try a thick syn gut or multi, as they typically won't go dead before it breaks. Or get a stringer.
 
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Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
Are you a person who really notices a big drop in performance when a string loses tension/goes dead. It really bothers ok, but I know really solid 5.0 plus players that use polys till they break and have no issues. If your really looking for long term playability use gut and a non-textured poly. You will be fine even if the poly cross dies out.
 

Jqlevy

New User
Yeah I don't play very well with dead strings. Dead poly seems to be particularly harsh-feeling in the PDR, which also bothers me.
I guess I'll just have to accept that it's an expensive sport, although it's my parents who I'll have to convince.

I've actually never hit with full poly before, I've only used hybrids. How different does the hybrid feel from full bed?

And does a poly/multi hybrid keep playability longer than full poly?
 
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