What's the difference using poly on crosses?

Hi,
I usually string my Babolat Aeropro Drive with Alu Power Rough on Mains and Babolat xcel on crosses both at 53 lbs. I was thinking about putting Alu Power rough on crosses and babolat xcel on mains. What effect should I experience? Am I going to get more feel, spin? or should I go back to my original setting? What tension do you guys recommend? Thanks.

IMO more spin, less feel. Xcel on the crosses is softer than polys. Try Ashaway ZX monogut to give some poly-like slipperyness while still being comfortable. That's what I've found.

Good luck in the quest

v-verb, am I reading this wrong, or do you have this backwards?

dolphinsrus said:

Hi,
I usually string my Babolat Aeropro Drive with Alu Power Rough on Mains and Babolat xcel on crosses both at 53 lbs. I was thinking about putting Alu Power rough on crosses and babolat xcel on mains. What effect should I experience? Am I going to get more feel, spin? or should I go back to my original setting? What tension do you guys recommend? Thanks.

Click to expand...

You will get less spin.

Spin potential = grippy mains (high ball COF)/slippery crosses (low string COF).

Look this up:
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter2.php

Apologies I think Ricardo may have this right. I misread your original post and thought you were just talking of a multi cross vs a poly cross - poly cross would have more spin if the mains were the same.

Anyhow apologies again and carry on;<)

I'd expect a softer feel with poly in the crosses instead of poly mains and a multi cross, but I'd recommend using a smooth poly in the crosses if you go this route. A rough poly cross will likely tear up the multi mains even more quickly than a smooth cross.

I'm pretty sure that the upside of using a rough poly main, at least in theory, is to get a better grip or "bite" on the ball for more spin potential. Not so helpful to have one string biting into another though. That will just eat them up more quickly.