Head RIP Control & Durability

Apologies to start a new thread for this, I already found some helpful suggestions in other threads, but wanted to ask a specific question.

I really Head RIP Control, because of its durability (for a multi) and its spin potential, but with one particular racket (BLX PS 95 - more open string pattern) I'm going through a full bed much more quickly than I'd like (and I don't want to keep spending a fortune on restringing after every four matches).
It's the crosses that go every time.

What would you suggest?

- Try RIP Control in the mains, and another in the crosses? But what? Will a syn gut like OG Sheep Micro be more durable? Or would you take a softer poly like Topspin Cyber Blue? Or would that eat through the RIP Control in the mains?
- Or just something like a syn gut in mains & poly in crosses?

- Is full bed Isospeed Control Classic more durable?

Basically, this one racket also gives me some wrist pain, so I wouldn't want to go any stiffer than a full bed RIP Control.

What is important to me is:

- maintains tension (full bed RIP Control is very good in that, unlike any other syn gut or multi I've ever tried)
- soft on wrists/arms
- feel & some spin potential like a multi (RIP Control has some poly-like aspects in that spin-potential regard, I guess)

"Try RIP Control in the mains, and another in the crosses?" - Yes.
"Will a syn gut like OG Sheep Micro be more durable?" - No (IMO).
"Or would you take a softer poly like Topspin Cyber Blue? Or would that eat through the RIP Control in the mains?" - I've played with RIP/Poly and it was good, but my racquet is 18X20, so durability might be a concern.
"Or just something like a syn gut in mains & poly in crosses?" - I've played with that too, but again, even though it playes very nice, durability will be poor in open pattern racquet.
"Is full bed Isospeed Control Classic more durable?" - Currently I'm playing with RIP 17 / ISO Prof. combo and it playes very nice and have better durability, than full bed RIP. I suggest keep RIP in the mains and put ISO Control Classic in the crosses. 1 thing though - because of high initial tension loss of ISO classic/prof., I string ISO crosses 2-4 lbs higher than RIP mains. After 24 hours (I let the racquet sit in the bag meanwhile) the tension stabilizes and then playes great.
"What is important to me is:
- maintains tension (full bed RIP Control is very good in that, unlike any other syn gut or multi I've ever tried)
- soft on wrists/arms
- feel & some spin potential like a multi (RIP Control has some poly-like aspects in that spin-potential regard, I guess)" - I think this combo will meet all your expectations.

Hope that helps,
Irakli

May want to try Intellitour with the RIP Control portion as the main and the Isospeed (smooth) portion in the crosses.

Ashaway Monogut ZX mains RIP Control crosses. I like it better than full RIP Control.

when i tried rip control, it didnt last me for long. once the outer coating is wear off, the string is pretty much a goner

Thanks very much for all the help so far!

I'm still doubting a bit between:

- Isospeed Classic Control in crosses & RIP Control in mains

- full bed Isospeed Classic Control

- Topspin Cyber Blue in crosses & RIP Control in mains


I should probably go for the first option (as Irakli suggested - many thanks for the detailed reponse!), but might opt for the third if it's more durable, and not that much less soft?
(I guess the second is just as durable as the first option?)

Oh, and another - newbie - question: if I do a hybrid, hence I give two sets to the stringer, e.g. Isospeed in crosses, RIP in mains - can I ask for the same combo the néxt time I need a racket strung? Or do I need to switch then because of the remaining length of the string set (e.g. RIP in crosses, Isospeed in mains)? Or is there enough length in one set to do the mains twice or crosses twice?

fms said:

Thanks very much for all the help so far!

I'm still doubting a bit between:

- Isospeed Classic Control in crosses & RIP Control in mains

- full bed Isospeed Classic Control

- Topspin Cyber Blue in crosses & RIP Control in mains


I should probably go for the first option (as Irakli suggested - many thanks for the detailed reponse!), but might opt for the third if it's more durable, and not that much less soft?
(I guess the second is just as durable as the first option?)

Oh, and another - newbie - question: if I do a hybrid, hence I give two sets to the stringer, e.g. Isospeed in crosses, RIP in mains - can I ask for the same combo the néxt time I need a racket strung? Or do I need to switch then because of the remaining length of the string set (e.g. RIP in crosses, Isospeed in mains)? Or is there enough length in one set to do the mains twice or crosses twice?

Click to expand...

It will depend on your racket. With most rackets, you should be fine - but with large face rackets that require more than 20' on the mains, you won't be able to repeat the pattern.

I've tried to put RIP Control in the mains and poly in the crosses. Sawed through it in 2 hours (17g RIP Control - 16g is reputed to be more durable). Felt great, but I can't afford that... just my experience. I've done RIP mains and a multi cross without any problem.