Volkl Cyclone causes arm pains?

Titan_X · Mar 12, 2014

I was wondering if it was just me or does everyone get some sort of pain from using Volkl Cyclone. I playtested a Babolat AeroPro Drive with Volkl Cyclone strung at 48 lbs. For the first few times I hit, I felt it was very powerful(obviously looking at the strung weight). After getting a few forehands and backhands in, I played a friendly set with a friend. What I'm trying to get to is that when I began to serve, after 2 or 3 service games, my arm started hurting every ball I get.

can anyone relate?

if so , what did you do to change it?

Korso · Mar 12, 2014

More than likely your hitting the ball a little late. If you do not have a good contact point out in front of you, most poly strings will feel uncomfortable. I would restring it with a hybrid of poly with a soft cross or use a full set of multifilament or a gut string.

liam1 · Mar 12, 2014

Have a full bed of Cyclone in my Speed Pro with no arm issues at all. On the other hand I also had Cyclone in a Bab PDR and then I did have arm issues.

parasailing · Mar 12, 2014

I also have a Speed Pro and didn't find any issues with using Cyclone. I think it's a combination of what OP suggest and the fact that you are using a stiffer racquet in the Pure Drive.

Sander001 · Mar 12, 2014

I forgot that Cyclone [18] is kind of a flimsy string. I'm using it now in my BLX90 and it's less stable and gives more vibration than it did when it was strung with Pro Line 1.20.
Anyway, felt some unpleasantness but no pain however the BLX is inherently a very comfortable racquet so I could imagine it causing pain elsewhere.

Titan_X · Mar 13, 2014

I understand that Babolat racquets are stiff, which is why the cyclone is strung low, would stringing it a little higher help? Like 53Lbs?

Jerme · Mar 13, 2014

Cyclone is a very stiff string so it is recommended to string it 10 lower than your other poly strings. Also Babolat rackets are very rigid so i would go to around 51-49 LBS. It may help .

Bundey · Mar 13, 2014

Korso said:
More than likely your hitting the ball a little late. If you do not have a good contact point out in front of you, most poly strings will feel uncomfortable. I would restring it with a hybrid of poly with a soft cross or use a full set of multifilament or a gut string.

This is your answer. Unfortunately, depending on how late the contact point is, this is much easier said than done. Moving the contact point of the forehand a significant distance often requires a complete restructuring of the stroke.

An extended elbow is the healthy position to strike the ball as this is the "closed-packed" position of the elbow. A bent elbow that absorbs an impulse receives a lot of ligmental strain. I'm studying to become a physical therapist. This is a topic of high interest for me.

To prove that the problem is the stroke, not the equipment- how often do the pros complain of tennis elbow compared to amateurs? Pros suffer from TE at a significantly far lower rate despite playing far more.

That said, you should probably consider a flexier frame and softer strings (gut, multifilament, synthetic gut, etc.)

JackB1 · Mar 13, 2014

Titan_X said:
I was wondering if it was just me or does everyone get some sort of pain from using Volkl Cyclone. I playtested a Babolat AeroPro Drive with Volkl Cyclone strung at 48 lbs. For the first few times I hit, I felt it was very powerful(obviously looking at the strung weight). After getting a few forehands and backhands in, I played a friendly set with a friend. What I'm trying to get to is that when I began to serve, after 2 or 3 service games, my arm started hurting every ball I get.

stiff racquet + poly string = strong potential for arm issues

Since you developed pain so quickly, you probably have some technique issues, such as has been suggested by others. I would suggest getting off the APD & poly immeditely before you do more damage and have a Pro examine your technique. There are similar racquets that are far safer for your arm and most importantly get off poly for now. Cyclone is just a typical poly.

scotus · Mar 13, 2014

Bundey said:
To prove that the problem is the stroke, not the equipment- how often do the pros complain of tennis elbow compared to amateurs? Pros suffer from TE at a significantly far lower rate despite playing far more.

Well stated in that you do acknowledge the fact that pros do suffer from TE.

However, you might be overlooking another fact--viz. pros are young, and their youth gives their bodies the abilities to adjust to and heal from all the pounding that their joints take.

The majority of recreational players who develop TE, I would venture to guess, are over 35 years of age when the body's healing ability has significantly decreased.

There are plenty of rec players who have played 20-30 years without TE and develop it as they go into their 40's.

RogueFLIP · Mar 16, 2014

I did a month long playtest with Cyclones to compare to RPM Blasts.

First two weeks was strung @ 54#, last two weeks @ 50#.

While it has many pros vs RPM Blast IMO, one of main reasons I didn't make the switch was this sensation I'd get in my hand after playing. Wasn't pain....kinda of like a small tingling like I was holding a low buzzer....but even that makes it sound too much.....it was very subtle, but enough to notice it.

Never experienced that ever with my RPM Blasts, and after I resume playing with the Blast never experienced it again.

Just didn't feel like risking continuing to use the Cyclones.

phanker · Mar 16, 2014

I have the same experience as you with Cyclone 16. Decent when fresh but goes dead quick and becomes very jarring and extremely low power. Elbow and wrist killer for me as you have to swing harder. Excellent spin production as a result though.

Racer41c · Mar 18, 2014

Titan_X said:
I understand that Babolat racquets are stiff, which is why the cyclone is strung low, would stringing it a little higher help? Like 53Lbs?

You will never be able to compensate for any bab drive racquet unless you hit dead center every time, which no one actually does.

But if you need to use that stick, try Isospeed control or professional. It's the softest string I've ever tried.

The other thing you'll need is the biggest vibration damper you can get. Even then, the best recommendation is to get a racquet that doesn't do that to your arm.

Mac33 · Mar 18, 2014

I have not tried that many strings but the Volkl Cuclone was a revelation for me.

The grip/spin it produces is immense.

Have this string in a few different racquets at different tensions and I have to say it works much better at very low tension.

More than 45 ilbs it starts to feel hard and unforgiving. The sweet spot of the frame shrinks considerably.

I have my Wilson Six One strung at 45 but honestly it feels more like 40 which is what I'm going to get my next restring at.

zipplock · Mar 24, 2014

I used to string my racquets with a full bed of Cyclone 18g strung at 50, no arm problems.

g4driver · Mar 24, 2014

Jerme said:
Cyclone is a very stiff string so it is recommended to string it 10 lower than your other poly strings. Also Babolat rackets are very rigid so i would go to around 51-49 LBS. It may help .

Cyclone isn't a very stiff string compared to most polys. It is on the soft side for poly string.

It actually isn't that much stiffer than X1 Biphase accordingly to TW Tennis University if you look at their database on string stiffness.

As a guy who has a sensitive elbow, I would look to your Babolat as the culprit not the strings.

Cyclone Tour is softer, more powerful and produces more spin than regular Cyclone so that might be a option for the OP as well- but ditch the Babolat if you have arm problems.

When my arm hurts, I ditch poly altogether and go with a soft string until the TE goes away.

Why risk poly and a stiff frame if your elbow is hurting ?

bertrevert · Mar 24, 2014

Yeah but I don't think you can just point at Babs as culprit - don't all Babs now have measures to reduce shock?

And, honestly, aren't co-polys at the point where those with sensitive or older elbows can now survive and use them?

I've had a sensitive elbow for too long but recently while using Head Hawk it cleared up, came back agin for whatever reason, and while I am using Ripspin right now it is ok.

(I did put it in @ 48 though and it would be much looser than that now, although it's tension maintenance is v good.)

bertrevert · Mar 24, 2014

JackB1 said:
stiff racquet + poly string = strong potential for arm issues.

See I don't know that we can all say that now - quality stiff racquets have measures in place to reduce shock or vibration, and poly is co-poly these days with the express purpose of reducing stiffness and shock.

I have been experiencing arm issues and have altered racquets and strings throughout - yet here I am with a Blade 989S (light-stiff) and Ripspin in it. Am hitting the ball best ever and TE/GE while not completely gone away is yet manageable and ok...

That old equation needs an update now...

MayDay · Mar 25, 2014

Likely the racket feels good to you and allows you to relax and hit the ball cleaner with better timing and technique. With better contact point/timing/technique, TE is held at bay. However, having a too light and stiff racket (or even too heavy of a racket) makes some people over swing and overwork their hands/wrist/forearm/etc and "muscle" the ball which then also causes TE.

I find that I tend to over swing and try too hard to pronate/snap when serving (instead of being loose and relaxed and "let it happen") - this typically happens after a short period of time away from tennis. I would feel the strain afterwards regardless of which tennis racket I'm using.

Any type of string/racket can cause TE. Some more likely than others. Find a racket that allows you to swing easy and smooth with proper contact point/timing would be priority. (Or customize the racket to your liking with some lead tape.) If you want to stick with the current racket, you'll have to change your timing and thus contact point to adapt.

Just my 2 cents.

bertrevert · Mar 25, 2014

All good points MDay however I am stressing that fact that I have a sensitive elbow, I have used other racquets and strung with (Klip) gut and syn-gut (Sweet) or multi (PPA), however atm I have found a congenial combination of racquet and string which should add up to arm pain - and yet however don't.

I have a Spin racquet with a wide open stringbed giving more forgiveness, my poly is a co-poly which adds comfort back in.

To say, oh stiff racquet + poly is... - is really retro, based on the knowledge of a first gen PD plus Big Banger Orig that could hurt your arm - that's what ten years ago now? Come on we've moved on. I would have not believed I could have been ok with a light stiff frame and co-poly but am hitting the ball better than ever...

See, I did use a PD swirly, with Lux in it, I did feel that hollow stiffness that felt like someone hit yr funny bone with an icepick. That has nothing to do with what's available now.

Ps. I do agree that a good racq-string combo is working for me. I just don't buy the view that the APD is a poor racq or that the OP cannot tune the Cyclone to a lower tension and get good results...

JackB1 - I do agree that arm health is paramount, but players perhaps can find a combo of recent racquet/string which are stiff+poly but a bit more playable now...

mirceam · Mar 25, 2014

it's stiff and low power. the answer is yer. i have cyclone in one babolat and pro's pro in the other. every time i play with cyclone i feel a little sore.

pjonesy · Aug 2, 2014

Mac33 said:
I have not tried that many strings but the Volkl Cuclone was a revelation for me.

The grip/spin it produces is immense.

Have this string in a few different racquets at different tensions and I have to say it works much better at very low tension.

More than 45 ilbs it starts to feel hard and unforgiving. The sweet spot of the frame shrinks considerably.

I have my Wilson Six One strung at 45 but honestly it feels more like 40 which is what I'm going to get my next restring at.

Deep down, we all know that Cyclone is the king of hybrid polys. In all honesty, I prefer Cyclone over Cyclone Tour. I am now in the process of testing Volkl V Torque. But I wouldn't bet on it coming out on top against Cyclone.

pjonesy · Aug 2, 2014

zipplock said:
I used to string my racquets with a full bed of Cyclone 18g strung at 50, no arm problems.

Yep. Full bed of Cyclone 18g is heaven. I string my own and Cyclone 18g is the only poly I've ever bought in a reel. Spin is outrageous, with excellent control and power. Comfortable as well.

hoodjem · Aug 2, 2014

Titan_X said:
I was wondering if it was just me or does everyone get some sort of pain from using Volkl Cyclone. I playtested a Babolat AeroPro Drive with Volkl Cyclone strung at 48 lbs. For the first few times I hit, I felt it was very powerful(obviously looking at the strung weight). After getting a few forehands and backhands in, I played a friendly set with a friend. What I'm trying to get to is that when I began to serve, after 2 or 3 service games, my arm started hurting every ball I get.

can anyone relate?

if so , what did you do to change it?

Volkl Cyclone is softer but not extremely soft for a poly.
Volkl Cyclone 18 Polyester 1.20 208

You might try Volkl Cyclone Tour. It is very, very soft for a poly.
Volkl Cyclone Tour 18 Polyester 1.19 186
Volkl Cyclone Tour 17 Polyester 1.24 193

tdhawks · Aug 2, 2014

Every string will differ per person.

I have used mainly Cyclone 17g, Zo Verve 17g, and Tour XC 16L in both my 95s and APD over the past year.

Cyclone gave me some fits with soreness in both frames and is softer than the other two strings I use.

Stiffness -

Zo Verve 17g - 231
Cyclone 17g - 191
Tour XC 16L - 206

g4driver · Aug 2, 2014

pjonesy said:
Deep down, we all know that Cyclone is the king of hybrid polys. In all honesty, I prefer Cyclone over Cyclone Tour. I am now in the process of testing Volkl V Torque. But I wouldn't bet on it coming out on top against Cyclone.

I really love V-Torque 16g so much I bought the equivalent of 2.5 reels of it from TW at $5 a pack. The problem is it snaps it 8-10 sets in a Steam 99S-

Going back to CT 16g and will try the CT/Head Lynx combo when I get back home.

Going to send the V-Torque back to TW and swap it for more Cyclone Tour most likely.

g4driver · Aug 2, 2014

bertrevert said:
Yeah but I don't think you can just point at Babs as culprit - don't all Babs now have measures to reduce shock?

And, honestly, aren't co-polys at the point where those with sensitive or older elbows can now survive and use them?

I owned Pure Drive+ frames in 2010, and I can feel the difference today like then. So for me, I can clearly point an unbiased finger solely at the Babolat frame, because when I string my Steam 99S with CT at 57/54 and my buddies 2012 Pure Drive with CT at 52/48, my arm feels the harsh stiffness of the Pure Drive .

The Pure Drive is a great frame and I wish my arm could deal with it, but it is the frame, not the strings or the stringer.

RetroSpin · Aug 3, 2014

I don't know if Cyclone will hurt your arm more than other polys, but why would anyone use it in the first place? Pay the extra $2 and get something playable.

g4driver · Aug 4, 2014

RetroSpin said:
I don't know if Cyclone will hurt your arm more than other polys, but why would anyone use it in the first place? Pay the extra $2 and get something playable.

To each his own - Cyclone works for me and many other players. It got me a lot of Wins this spring , but I do prefer CT.

Maximagq · Aug 4, 2014

This is my first post on the strings section and I use full Volkl Cyclone. It is an amazing string and I've never had problems with it.

RetroSpin · Aug 5, 2014

"Amazing" and Cyclone should not be used in the same sentence, except maybe it's "amazing" how much worse Cyclone is than TB or Blast.

Just kidding with you guys, please no more lectures about how rude I am.

Seriously, I don't see how any good player could hit with Blast or TB and prefer Cyclone, except that it's a lot cheaper.

hoodjem · Aug 5, 2014

Try Volkl Cyclone Tour, not Volkl Cyclone regular.
It's softer. Easier on the arm.

Volkl Cyclone 18 Polyester 1.20 208
Volkl Cyclone Tour 16 Polyester 1.32 200
Volkl Cyclone Tour 17 Polyester 1.24 193
Volkl Cyclone Tour 18 Polyester 1.19 186

pjonesy · Aug 5, 2014

g4driver said:
I really love V-Torque 16g so much I bought the equivalent of 2.5 reels of it from TW at $5 a pack. The problem is it snaps it 8-10 sets in a Steam 99S-

Going back to CT 16g and will try the CT/Head Lynx combo when I get back home.

Going to send the V-Torque back to TW and swap it for more Cyclone Tour most likely.

My go to hybrid in the past was Volkl Cyclone 18g in mains and Isospeed Control+ 1.30 in crosses. I've been testing V Torque 17g in mains and still using the Isospeed Control+ in crosses.

The V torque felt stiffer to me, but I think it might produce even more spin than Cyclone or Cyclone Tour. But I did lose control of some shots, when i hit flatter.

COPEY · Aug 6, 2014

RetroSpin said:
Seriously, I don't see how any good player could hit with Blast or TB and prefer Cyclone, except that it's a lot cheaper.

It's called personal preference. Somewhere out there someone who isn't a member of this forum is thinking/saying to someone else, "Seriously, I don't see how any good player could hit with Cyclone and prefer Blast or TB.

asifallasleep · Aug 6, 2014

Cyclone in my K90 and PS88 didn't give me any arm problems at all. In my APD and Blade 93, i definitely felt arm pain. Same stroke but different frame construction, so it may not be your strokes. Try a different, softer string.

hoodjem · Aug 6, 2014

mirceam said:
it's stiff and low power. the answer is yer.

Good answer.

g4driver · Aug 7, 2014

RetroSpin said:
"Amazing" and Cyclone should not be used in the same sentence, except maybe it's "amazing" how much worse Cyclone is than TB or Blast.

Just kidding with you guys, please no more lectures about how rude I am.

Seriously, I don't see how any good player could hit with Blast or TB and prefer Cyclone, except that it's a lot cheaper.

RPM Blast ?

- for a minute I thought you were serious -

sainttom · Aug 22, 2014

Yes I have been having a small amount of arm pain, nothing too major. I haven't had the cyclone 18 in for too long, it's probably just me being lazy with my contact point. I strung it at 48. However I've never ever had any pain with RPM Blast so idk... I just wanted a cheaper alternative but guess I'll be going back to RPM.

arche3 · Aug 22, 2014

I prefer rpm blast over cyclone.

hoodjem · Aug 22, 2014

Titan_X said:
I was wondering if it was just me or does everyone get some sort of pain from using Volkl Cyclone. I playtested a Babolat AeroPro Drive with Volkl Cyclone strung at 48 lbs. For the first few times I hit, I felt it was very powerful(obviously looking at the strung weight). After getting a few forehands and backhands in, I played a friendly set with a friend. What I'm trying to get to is that when I began to serve, after 2 or 3 service games, my arm started hurting every ball I get.

can anyone relate?

if so , what did you do to change it?

What gauge was the Cyclone? Was it Cyclone Tour?

In one of my racquets I have a hybrid of Cyclone Tour 18g mains and Gripper 17g crosses: nice feel (for a poly) and good spin.

I do have lingering TE, so arm pain is something I am careful of. Stick with softer poly and thinner gauges. (Avoid stiffer racquets.)

Volkl Cyclone Tour 18 Polyester 1.19 186
Babolat RPM Team 17 Polyester 1.27 224
Volkl Cyclone 17 .......Polyester 1.26 228

John Z. · Aug 22, 2014

Titan_X said:
Volkl Cyclone causes arm pains?

First - This is a case by case topic, everyone has different sensitivity to stiff(er) strings and sticks. If you are lucky none of this will matter, for most it will matter to some extent and past ~30y/o will have to be careful about not playing with too stiff poly and/or stick, and to some other less lucky peeps (such as myself) poly strings are guaranteed to cause arm issues, even with the softest ones such as DBW (which is much softer than cyclone btw). It's a case by case thing - don't look for universal answers to your very own arm pain - if it persist get rid of polys altogether.

Second - if you really have to put poly on your mains even now that you know that your arm is sensitive to such things, do it at very low tension (lower than 50 lbs mains) and preferably using a "softer poly" (cyclone is not one of them).

My 2 cents. Good luck.

AHJS · Aug 24, 2014

Welp sounds like the poly gotcha. Cyclone isnt a particularly harsh poly, but all poly is harsh to some extent

hoodjem · Aug 24, 2014

Go soft, or go home.

JustTennis76 · Aug 26, 2014

I use cyclone 18 on my blade 98 in a hybrid setup. No issues what so ever. But one thing you have to remember is to cut out the strings and restring if they go dead. I rotate my rackets and restring them once or twice a month depending on my volume of play. Don't leave those polys too long in your racket and string them low(I string cyclone at 45 lbs)

cartel · Aug 26, 2014

i use cyclone-- right now at 50 mains - no issues thus far.. some other polys have really bothered me.. cyclone hasnt..
currently have cyclone in 2 rackets and prince XC tour in third-- the tour hybrid is really nice..

petetennis54 · Aug 27, 2014

String characteristics

Here is what I don't understand. Numbers for Bab Origin vs Volkyl Cyclone Tour. Both have stiffness ratings if 171. Spin potential is 6.4 / 6.1. TW review gives a 57 spin grade for Origin and "exceptional" for VCT. I have played both in a PSGT and the Origin doesn't provide nearly the spin of the VCT. So the review bears out but of what value is "spin potential"?

Also, to me, the Origin at 58# is very comfortable while the VCT causes elbow discomfort, even strung at 42#. The answer may be in "energy return" 94 v 83. If this is an elasticity measure, is it more relevant than stiffness with regard to comfort?

LHM · Sep 1, 2014

I had cyclone 17g at 48lbs strung in my pure strike on saturday. I played doubles for two hours appx 2 hours after being strung and it felt stiff and hurt my arm. I played again 24 hours later and the string felt better but still a little stiff. Monday evening i played and it felt really really nice. Comfy, pocketing well, loads of control and no arm pain.

Volkl Cyclone causes arm pains?

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