Mikeler's Polys

mikeler · Mar 30, 2013

mrmike said:
That is a good plan. This is the first poly I've tried in a while. Last time It was a full bed of B5E and a full bed of standard TB and they gradually started getting to my arm. TB soft is definitely a step in the right direction and easier on the arm but make no mistake, it's still a poly. I have a feeling If I stick with poly it will be some type of hybrid also.

Thanks, full poly won't agree with my arm anyways. I've got Ytex, B5E and Tour Bite Soft now and the previous two are clearly soft polys but they don't seem like they bend as much as TBS. TBS almost could pass for RIP Control in terms of stiffness compared to those 2 polys but yes it is still stiffer. I've only done fully poly once with Polystar Energy. It broke after 4 games on a shank and I was glad. It was not very comfy. Thanks again mrmike.

Ronaldo · Mar 30, 2013

mikeler said:
Thanks, full poly won't agree with my arm anyways. I've got Ytex, B5E and Tour Bite Soft now and the previous two are clearly soft polys but they don't seem like they bend as much as TBS. TBS almost could pass for RIP Control in terms of stiffness compared to those 2 polys but yes it is still stiffer. I've only done fully poly once with Polystar Energy. It broke after 4 games on a shank and I was glad. It was not very comfy. Thanks again mrmike.

Ever use Lux 4G?

mikeler · Mar 31, 2013

Ronaldo said:
Ever use Lux 4G?

After Lux BBO wrecked my arm, I'm afraid to try anything from them.

PigPen · Mar 31, 2013

mikeler said:
After Lux BBO wrecked my arm, I'm afraid to try anything from them.

Was it a hybrid the wrecked your arm?

mikeler · Apr 1, 2013

PigPen said:
Was it a hybrid the wrecked your arm?

Yes, I believe I had either Gamma synthetic gut 16 or PSGD 16 in the crosses.

polytheist · Apr 1, 2013

Let's not dismiss the 4G on principle. Gut/4G is the most controlled hybrid i've ever tried. Feel free to diss the price though!

Try Head Sonic Pro instead.

mikeler · Apr 1, 2013

polytheist said:
Let's not dismiss the 4G on principle. Gut/4G is the most controlled hybrid i've ever tried. Feel free to diss the price though!

Try Head Sonic Pro instead.

I'm done with gut/poly. I like poly shaped poly mains for spin but otherwise the additional stiffness is not worth it.

polytheist · Apr 1, 2013

mikeler said:
I'm done with gut/poly.

Bet you ain't.

mikeler · Apr 2, 2013

polytheist said:
Bet you ain't.

I think I really am. I think...

GlenK · Apr 3, 2013

I'm done with anything else.. lol.. Once I've gotten used to it nothing else even feels close.

The only reason I even try other set ups is to help my customer recommendations..

mikeler · Apr 3, 2013

GlenK said:
I'm done with anything else.. lol.. Once I've gotten used to it nothing else even feels close.

The only reason I even try other set ups is to help my customer recommendations..

Yeah, it just does not do it for me. The poly crosses don't seem to add any spin for it, just unwanted stiffness. BTW, I'll be up in your neck of the woods Sunday but just for lunch.

GlenK · Apr 4, 2013

Good deal. St Aug is a great small town. Grew up here and retired and moved back home in 2010.

As for the poly, once I found MSVCF and tried the 1.18mm in aqua blue, that was it..

mikeler · Apr 4, 2013

GlenK said:
Good deal. St Aug is a great small town. Grew up here and retired and moved back home in 2010.

As for the poly, once I found MSVCF and tried the 1.18mm in aqua blue, that was it..

Yep, great town to visit and I'm sure live in.

Boricua · Apr 5, 2013

Mikeler, when are you planning to try the TB soft hybrid? Have you tried Black Venom or Black Venim rough hybrid?

mikeler · Apr 6, 2013

Boricua said:
Mikeler, when are you planning to try the TB soft hybrid? Have you tried Black Venom or Black Venim rough hybrid?

Probably will try my last 2 multis and then test the TBS. Have not tried the other strings you mentioned.

Boricua · Apr 6, 2013

mikeler said:
Probably will try my last 2 multis and then test the TBS. Have not tried the other strings you mentioned.

Bllack Venom and Black Venom Rough are soft and give good spin. They are made by Piolyfibre. I would like to try the Rough at low tension with the Exo Tour. I will probably go full bed at 50. First Ill try Solinco Tour Bite 16 gauge at 53 string tension

mikeler · Apr 6, 2013

Boricua said:
Bllack Venom and Black Venom Rough are soft and give good spin. They are made by Piolyfibre. I would like to try the Rough at low tension with the Exo Tour. I will probably go full bed at 50. First Ill try Solinco Tour Bite 16 gauge at 53 string tension

I thought you were having elbow issues? Poly is only going to give you slight benefits over softer strings at the casual level.

Boricua · Apr 6, 2013

mikeler said:
I thought you were having elbow issues? Poly is only going to give you slight benefits over softer strings at the casual level.

Yes. You are right. But, arent you also having elbow issues and flirting with poly hybrid ideas recently?

Well, I like to get all the topspin I can get so that is why I am insisting with copoly. i should probably go the rational way and use Nvy crosses and use soft copolys at low tension.

Also, I was told by a TW representative that soft strings dont blend well with EXo Tour 3. That is, when I asked him about using full X1 Biphase with the Exo. What do you think about this? Is Biphase too soft for the EXo?

Something about X1 Biphase gets my attention, could be the name or fact that Djockovic used it for some time, lol.

Anyhow, I will be checking your review on TB soft and Nvy crosses.

And, who says I play at a casual level?

mikeler · Apr 6, 2013

Yes, I fell for the gut/poly is fine on the arm. It was, but there were a few shots each match where I felt it.

As for the Exo, you need power in this frame so full multi works great.

Nostradamus · Apr 6, 2013

What do you think is the better poly than RPM blast that is about the same price range ?

Boricua · Apr 6, 2013

I am going to revisit X 1 biphase with the Exo evenwhen it does not last long but what string does. I also have in mind polybibre tcs.

mikeler · Apr 7, 2013

Nostradamus said:
What do you think is the better poly than RPM blast that is about the same price range ?

Nothing is better than RPM Blast or Biphase. Nothing. I've never tried RPM Blast but I feel qualified to make that statement.

Boricua said:
I am going to revisit X 1 biphase with the Exo evenwhen it does not last long but what string does. I also have in mind polybibre tcs.

Go full multi for your arm. The Exo is soft put poly is still stiff.

Boricua · Apr 7, 2013

mikeler said:
Nothing is better than RPM Blast or Biphase. Nothing. I've never tried RPM Blast but I feel qualified to make that statement.

Go full multi for your arm. The Exo is soft put poly is still stiff.

Tcs is arm friendly. I will hybrid it wirh a multi and go low maybe 50. And xi biphase full bed wventhough i will get maybe 6 hours

mikeler · Apr 13, 2013

I put this in my multis thread but it really belongs here:

I put in Solinco Tour Bite Soft 1.20/Babolat NVY 1.30 at 52/56. Straight off the stringer I compared it head to head using the ball bounce test with a full job of X1 that I've used for 2 sets that was strung at 50. Yes, the X1 is softer but not by much. No tinny or stiff feel at all off the stringer. I'll test it again tonight side by side. I'm thinking once it loses some tension, the comfort will be about the same. Seems VERY spinny. Hitting with it a little bit today.

mikeler · Apr 13, 2013

Started out today with Gut/ThunderBlast but was having a terrible warm up so I took the Tour Bite Soft/NVY out for a spin. Easily the softest poly I've tried by a landslide. The comfort level was better than some full multis I've tried. Spin was definitely there but I was being run around like crazy so I spent too much time on defense to really dial in with the spin. The surprising part was how much power this setup has. It is a controllable power too. Both strings started moving after the first few shots which is the only negative I see. This could be my new setup.

Rozroz · Apr 22, 2013

mikeler said:
OK, here is my full review of WeissCannon Black5Edge (B5E) 17 Mains/Genesis Thunder Blast (ThB) 16 crosses.

hey there.
i recently used BHB7/ThnderB, both 16 at various tensions and i need your input on this, cause it's pretty close to your setup.
i had to give it up and go for the full poly for a while cause i felt i lose control pretty fast with those (especially when summer is near).

1- i never tried to string the cross so much tighter, as you did here (52/56!).
i wonder how it feel cause i thought that tighter cross prevents the mains from producing their best qualities. so am i wrong?

2- as i have the BHB7 16 reel, and i am definitely NOT a string breaker, i wonder what are your conclusions on using the 17 gauge. should i invest in a good 17 gauge reel? i need some input on that please.

thanks.

mikeler · Apr 22, 2013

Rozroz said:
hey there.
i recently used BHB7/ThnderB, both 16 at various tensions and i need your input on this, cause it's pretty close to your setup.
i had to give it up and go for the full poly for a while cause i felt i lose control pretty fast with those (especially when summer is near).

1- i never tried to string the cross so much tighter, as you did here (52/56!).
i wonder how it feel cause i thought that tighter cross prevents the mains from producing their best qualities. so am i wrong?

2- as i have the BHB7 16 reel, and i am definitely NOT a string breaker, i wonder what are your conclusions on using the 17 gauge. should i invest in a good 17 gauge reel? i need some input on that please.

thanks.

I don't notice a huge difference with tighter multi crosses versus having them at the same tension. I don't use 16g poly because even with 17g poly, the cross string always breaks first for me. Plus the 17g seems to give a little more feel and power.

Rozroz · Apr 22, 2013

mikeler said:
I don't notice a huge difference with tighter multi crosses versus having them at the same tension. I don't use 16g poly because even with 17g poly, the cross string always breaks first for me. Plus the 17g seems to give a little more feel and power.

so what would you recommend for an under 100$, let's say textured or shaped poly at 17 with as much "life" as possible (i hate short lived polys!!)

thanks.

mikeler · Apr 22, 2013

Rozroz said:
so what would you recommend for an under 100$, let's say textured or shaped poly at 17 with as much "life" as possible (i hate short lived polys!!)

thanks.

I have not tried very many shaped polys and I don't think any had reels under $100. For a little more money, you could try the Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge if by "life" you mean the string maintaining its play for a decent amount of time. If by "life" you mean power, then B5E is not the string for you.

Rozroz · Apr 22, 2013

mikeler said:
I have not tried very many shaped polys and I don't think any had reels under $100. For a little more money, you could try the Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge if by "life" you mean the string maintaining its play for a decent amount of time. If by "life" you mean power, then B5E is not the string for you.

thanks.
by life i mean before it goes dead..

Nostradamus · Apr 22, 2013

mikeler said:
Nothing is better than RPM Blast or Biphase. Nothing. I've never tried RPM Blast but I feel qualified to make that statement.

Go full multi for your arm. The Exo is soft put poly is still stiff.

I am just now realizing that RPM blast control is Poor or less than average. I tried it side by side with Pro hurr tour and it is like night and day. Pro Hurr tour's control is so much better. but RPM blast has slightly more power. I wonder if there is a poly that has just as much as power but just as good of control as PHT? Spin potential was about the same

Boricua · Apr 22, 2013

Mikeler, have you used Blavk Widow? How does it differ from B5E?

mikeler · Apr 22, 2013

Boricua said:
Mikeler, have you used Blavk Widow? How does it differ from B5E?

You can read my thoughts about it earlier in this thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5621863&postcount=453

mikeler · Apr 24, 2013

Solinco Tour Bite Soft is VERY soft

OK, here is my full review of Solinco Tour Bite Soft (TBS) 17 Mains/Babolat NVY 16 crosses.

Stringing the TBS in just the mains is pretty easy. This was my first time also working with NVY which is easy to install except blocked holes can be a little tough since the string is so soft.

Tension it is strung: 52# mains/56# crosses on a lockout machine
Your regular string set up: Not had one the last few months
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18 (Prince Exo Tour)
Power (or lack there of): Medium/High powered
Feel: Good feel considering it is partially a poly
Tension maintenance: Not bad, last RacquetTune reading had it at 16.5%
Price: $11.50/set or $155/reel for TBS and $7/set for ThB or $90/reel
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This setup worked well in the Exo Tour because it provided a good amount of power which is desirable is such a low powered frame.

Serve/Return of Serve: My first serve is pretty good with this setup due to the high power. The 2nd serve was not getting as much kick as I was expecting with a poly main. Returns were a little easier to control than with full multi setups.

Strokes: Decent spin on both wings but I was expecting more. The edges on this string are not very pronounced. Depth control was hard to dial in at first but then I got used to hitting with poly again. Slices seemed easy to control.

Volleys: Seemed about average at the net.

Touch shots: My drop shots were good but not great.

Softness: This setup is very soft. I'll admit this sounds crazy, but the power level and softness were on par with my Wilson gut/multi setups that I've been tinkering with lately. For those who are overcoming arm injuries, this would be the first poly I'd recommend trying.

Tension: Seemed about ideal.

Durability: I broke the TBS on a shank about 5 sets into the playtest.

Movement: The mains and crosses do move almost immediately. Not good for people who do not like that.

Conclusion: The softness of this setup really sticks out in my mind. I definitely am looking forward to trying the other half set of TBS perhaps with a different cross next time.

mikeler · Apr 24, 2013

Up next is Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 (B5E) mains with Babolat NVY 16 crosses at 48/52.

polytheist · Apr 24, 2013

gonna be low power, but i think that tension sounds right

mikeler · Apr 24, 2013

polytheist said:
gonna be low power, but i think that tension sounds right

Hopefully the lower tension and the stretch NVY gives enough pop. If not, that is what scissors are for.

wrxinsc · Apr 24, 2013

mikeler said:
Up next is Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 (B5E) mains with Babolat NVY 16 crosses at 48/52.

i enjoyed that combo in a more powerful racquet than my current volkl c10.

that's a really nice hybrid and the tension seems good.

the only real issues i have with nv.y is the damn fuzz building up. otherwise it is a stellar cross string at 16 with its thick coating.

mikeler · Apr 25, 2013

wrxinsc said:
i enjoyed that combo in a more powerful racquet than my current volkl c10.

that's a really nice hybrid and the tension seems good.

the only real issues i have with nv.y is the damn fuzz building up. otherwise it is a stellar cross string at 16 with its thick coating.

That's funny you mentioned the fuzz. I noticed that on the TBS/NVY setup but even more so last night on the B5E/NVY setup. It would seem like the fuzz would stick to the edged poly, but nope it is all on the NVY.

As to to the hybrid and tension in the Exo I played with it last night in fairly warm temps (mid or maybe upper 80s) with low humidity on a dry clay court. So the conditions were very fast.

The power level was great. Everything was working well except it took me a set and a half to dial in my forehand. The spin is just so much more than any other poly I've tried. I'm still thinking of ordering some white Thunder Blast to use as a cross so that I'll have my true Excalibur setup.

wrxinsc · Apr 25, 2013

mikeler said:
That's funny you mentioned the fuzz. I noticed that on the TBS/NVY setup but even more so last night on the B5E/NVY setup. It would seem like the fuzz would stick to the edged poly, but nope it is all on the NVY.

As to to the hybrid and tension in the Exo I played with it last night in fairly warm temps (mid or maybe upper 80s) with low humidity on a dry clay court. So the conditions were very fast.

The power level was great. Everything was working well except it took me a set and a half to dial in my forehand. The spin is just so much more than any other poly I've tried. I'm still thinking of ordering some white Thunder Blast to use as a cross so that I'll have my true Excalibur setup.

B5E was like a razor ripping the fuzz off, and then the nv.y collected it all up. goat string combo for about 6-8 hours in a relatively powerful open pattern stick and very eco friendly.

~ it just simply ripped the cover off the ball but somehow with great control and precision. not exactly arm friendly stiffness from what I remember. the nv.y made it tolerable.

mikeler · Apr 25, 2013

wrxinsc said:
B5E was like a razor ripping the fuzz off, and then the nv.y collected it all up. goat string combo for about 6-8 hours in a relatively powerful open pattern stick and very eco friendly. ~ it just simply ripped the cover off the ball but somehow with great control and precision. not exactly arm friendly stiffness from what I remember. the nv.y made it tolerable.

Tour Bite Soft is not as firm but the B5E was not giving me any problems last night. The Exo Tour definitely helps.

mikeler · Apr 25, 2013

Measured the B5E/NVY setup with RacquetTune at lunch. After 1 match, it went from 8.2% down to 16.7%. Hopefully it stabilizes for the most part from there.

parasailing · Apr 28, 2013

mikeler said:
Nothing is better than RPM Blast or Biphase. Nothing. I've never tried RPM Blast but I feel qualified to make that statement.
.

I agree with your suggestion of Biphase for multis but RPM Blast is just average in my books. Tension maintenance isn't the best and I prefer Ltec 4S which I think is a great poly due to great tension maintenance.

Based on you review of Tour Bite Soft, I just need to string it up.

mikeler · Apr 29, 2013

parasailing said:
I agree with your suggestion of Biphase for multis but RPM Blast is just average in my books. Tension maintenance isn't the best and I prefer Ltec 4S which I think is a great poly due to great tension maintenance.

Based on you review of Tour Bite Soft, I just need to string it up.

That post was a joke about FedAce/NotreDamus. The Tour Bite Soft truly lives up to the name. Good job by Solinco on that string. It just does not have enough spin for me. If I'm going to use poly, I want that crazy B5E like action on the ball.

Speaking of B5E/NVY, I measured it again Saturday and the tension was down over 20%. I played again yesterday but have not measured it yet with RacquetTune.

mikeler · Dec 6, 2013

Head Hawk 17 TW Playtest

Tension used for playtest
50 pounds on a lockout machine

Regular string set up
Weiss Cannon Black5Edge 17/Genesis ThunderBlast 16 (white) @ 52#/56#

Racquet brand and model used for test
Prince Tour 100T ESP (16 x 16)

Power of test string
Low to Medium

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Stiff and crisp.

Spin
I have not played with too many full poly setups but compared to other polys the spin seemed about on par.

Comfort
Out of the package I could tell this was a stiffer poly. I went below the recommended tension range on the racket of 55-65 because of this. I'm glad I did. My elbow was slightly sore after each hitting session.

Durability
I played 6 sets of singles and 3 sets of doubles before breakage. Since I use a 16x16 pattern, that is acceptable to me. This 17g string held up as long as the 15g Prince Tour XC that came with my new frames.

Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
The string seemed to soften up and get a little more powerful over time. It was not a huge difference but I did notice it.

Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth?
performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
The trajectory was predictable. Depth control was good the first few sets but then I noticed more balls going long.

Compare to the string you use most often
Stiffer, less feel, similar spin, similar control.

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I would probably drop the tension a few pounds if I tried it again just to soften up the string bed.

List any additional thoughts (optional)
This is a good string but the price would make me shy away from going back to it.

SCRAP IRON · Dec 6, 2013

Hey Mikeler- Thanks for the write ups. I did not have time to see if you tried what I think to be one the best co-poly strings on the market today- Tourna BHB7. I have used many multi/poly hybrids as well as full beds of both. There is something about the spin potential and relative softness of BHBR7 that can't be overlooked. Let me know your thoughts, and once again, thanks for all your informative posts.

mikeler · Dec 6, 2013

SCRAP IRON said:
Hey Mikeler- Thanks for the write ups. I did not have time to see if you tried what I think to be one the best co-poly strings on the market today- Tourna BHB7. I have used many multi/poly hybrids as well as full beds of both. There is something about the spin potential and relative softness of BHBR7 that can't be overlooked. Let me know your thoughts, and once again, thanks for all your informative posts.

I may try it at some point.

SCRAP IRON · Dec 6, 2013

You will find it better than Solinco Tour Bite Soft. Take care man and thanks for the quick response.

Torres · Dec 6, 2013

Still evaluating it across different racquets and different tensions / gauge setups, but Gamma Moto is just fantastic based on initial impressions. Blows everything else I've tried recently out of the water.

Marcin · Dec 6, 2013

mikeler said:
5. Signum Pro Tornado 17 mains/Weiss Cannon Explosiv 16 crosses http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5573199&postcount=320

I really would like you to check one day Signum Pro Tornado 17 mains/Rip Control 16 crosses...both popular around the world.

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