SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
I see that Alu hiding in the corner
J
Jolly's Polys
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
For awhile I thought I was the only one that didn't like Tour Bite. Tried it at various tensions and just didn't like it.
How does BBO compare to the more modern strings of today? Played it in a clash 98 at 54 (demo) for the first time, and though my arm was breaking, the performance was comically good. Spin much greater than most reviews and scores suggested, very controlled and low powered when going for placement, but power was actually very good when you go for it....
I've stayed away from Lux usually because my arm can't handle it, or it doesn't last long but I haven't tried all the offerings. Tried element in the Clash Tour and it extremely more jarring despite supposedly being a softer string... What is the most performant Lux string that doesn't die quick? (I know everyone is looking for long lasting alu lol)
I've stayed away from Lux usually because my arm can't handle it, or it doesn't last long but I haven't tried all the offerings. Tried element in the Clash Tour and it extremely more jarring despite supposedly being a softer string... What is the most performant Lux string that doesn't die quick? (I know everyone is looking for long lasting alu lol)
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J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
How's the playability duration of BBO compared to ALU?
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SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
It’s longer. Just cause it’s stiffer and a thicker gauge it holds a little longer.
Some dude named J that knows what he is talking about.
Good and BBO/Alu plays softer then full bed BBO.
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J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I have been using cyclone for a few years now.
Trying BK17 with Ghost Wire crosses (17) today.
Will get some feedback from a few others trying BK for the first time in the next few weeks or so.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Didn't get a chance to hit a lot of ground strokes because it was only doubles.
Wilson BPC 16x19 (Blade Pro, but my nickname for it is now BPC for Blade Paint Chip bc the paint chips so easily and in big chunks)
Main: BK17 @52 lbs
Cross: GW17 @52 lbs
Serves: decent spin & power.
Returns. I didn't get a lot of backhand serves, but on the forehand it really felt good and the ball stayed in as long as I hit some topspin.
Volleys: really good feel and predictable stringbed. Lunging, stab volleys were excellent.
I'll need more time with it, but my initial impressions are good. Decent feel and control despite feeling soft. I've had a hard time finding a string setup I like in the Blade Pro 16x19. So far I have tried Cyclone16 @52 lbs, Cyclone17 @52 and Cyclone18 @58 lbs. I like Cyclone18 at 58 lbs the most until BK17/GW17 tonight. My main complaint with Cyclone18 was that it just notched too quickly. About 1/3 of the way sawed thru in upper part of the sweet spot, which is where I hit a lot of my shots.
Can't wait to hit with BK/GW some more to see how it lasts and holds tension. I strung it right before I played, so I have a feeling I may need to go up in tension a little bit next time.
I do not consider myself a big hitter like @J011yroger. I rely more on variety, touch and the occasional more powerful shot.
Wilson BPC 16x19 (Blade Pro, but my nickname for it is now BPC for Blade Paint Chip bc the paint chips so easily and in big chunks)
Main: BK17 @52 lbs
Cross: GW17 @52 lbs
Serves: decent spin & power.
Returns. I didn't get a lot of backhand serves, but on the forehand it really felt good and the ball stayed in as long as I hit some topspin.
Volleys: really good feel and predictable stringbed. Lunging, stab volleys were excellent.
I'll need more time with it, but my initial impressions are good. Decent feel and control despite feeling soft. I've had a hard time finding a string setup I like in the Blade Pro 16x19. So far I have tried Cyclone16 @52 lbs, Cyclone17 @52 and Cyclone18 @58 lbs. I like Cyclone18 at 58 lbs the most until BK17/GW17 tonight. My main complaint with Cyclone18 was that it just notched too quickly. About 1/3 of the way sawed thru in upper part of the sweet spot, which is where I hit a lot of my shots.
Can't wait to hit with BK/GW some more to see how it lasts and holds tension. I strung it right before I played, so I have a feeling I may need to go up in tension a little bit next time.
I do not consider myself a big hitter like @J011yroger. I rely more on variety, touch and the occasional more powerful shot.
When you look across the room at Wilson shiny paint it just falls right off. Ultra tours and pros are the same for me
Haven't experienced this with the Wilson Blade Pro 16x19. Have three and play 5.0 tennis and they don't have a scratch or chip on them other than the bumper guard.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Could be that the courts I played on are very slow and gritty. Same surface I think as the Australian open. Super slow hardcourt that eats up balls, shoes and apparently Wilson glossy paint if your racquet even touches it on a low volley.
That could be, they just resurfaced our hard courts at the club and they are so rough and slow it’s ridiculous. Eats tennis shoes and I feel like I’m gonna catch a foot and tweak a knee at any minute. The clay courts are faster and staying on them.
Like @onehandbh I play on very rough surface hard courts that were just built. I also am guilty of digging out shots without a lot of regard for my equipment.
Been trying Black Knight 17 and 18 in my Kblade 18x20s and it's pretty nice! I've long been an ALU/ALU Rough devotee, though, and there just isn't quite enough pop/bite after the first day. I don't hit nearly as often now, so I'm looking for something reliable that doesn't have a big drop off over time. Worth adjusting the tension? Going 52 for the BK when I'm usually at 54 for ALU (up 10% on the outside mains to mitigate tension loss, so I could skip that maybe too). What are other peoples' experiences?
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
What do you play it at?
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
ALU at 44, BK and GF hybrid at 50 but might drop down a little in a modified current prestige mid.
J
Jeez. ALU down low...it's been awhile for me. Modded KBlade 98s for me. Got some blade pros too. Depends which feel I'm wanting. The purist in me loves the newest prestige mid but it's so hard to leave what I know as much as I appreciate the mid. Guess I have some experimenting to do.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
It's funny this new racquet responds better to lower tension than my previous Prestige MP.
J
ryushen21
Legend
Any suggestions on a slightly crisper alternative to BK? It had been playing well in my VCore 100 and 95 but now it's starting to feel a bit muted. I even ditched the dampener but I think the VCores have enough muting and could benefit from a crisp but not too stiff poly in them.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
@J011yroger Your review of Black Knight 16g was spot on. Strung it at 50 lbs in my Blade Pro 16x19. After the initial tension drop, it has surprisingly maintained performance. At about 12 hours of doubles now. Not spectacular in any one area except its predictability in how the ball reacts to it.
With Volkl Cyclone by the 10 hour mark it is already notched quite a bit and losing some control.
With Volkl Cyclone by the 10 hour mark it is already notched quite a bit and losing some control.
Have you tried Lynx Tour? Too stiff for me but thought it was an easier to use BK (better spin at slower swing speeds) with similar launch.
ryushen21
Legend
I have not. It's been on my list to try but I keep forgetting to pick some up.
TRU PRO Official
Rookie
you could give Tour Status a try.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
I use a hybrid of Isospeed Grey Fire and BK.
Kid who works for me uses the VCore 98 and initially used BK then I strung it with full GF and he liked that better.
J
ryushen21
Legend
Where can GF be acquired. So far I'm only seeing it on the global site for the point.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
ryushen21
Legend
So, you're selling?
J
J
Beautiful clay courts! Tennis was always more popular in NY than CA. The college courts in my town now have portables over the playing surface.. disgrace!!
ryushen21
Legend
@J011yroger so are you selling some of that Grey Fire? If not, can you tell me where you ordered because I've still only found the one place and I'd like to avoid international shipping etc. if possible.
n8dawg6
Legend
love a good fake clay court
J
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
I have been the head pro at this club for 3 years and I still haven't figured out how to make the courts suit my game the best.
J
Badmrfrosty
Rookie
I scoured the post, but it wasn’t clear to me. Would you mind giving your views on different tensions? I’ve always strung stuff at 54 or 52, but it seems that might be old school. Any insight into different tensions and how it affects different polys would be awesome. Thanks for all the great content.
megamind
Legend
Not jolly, but for most polys dropping the tension 5lbs below your multi/gut tensions should work well
ryushen21
Legend
My starting point for poly strings is 47/45 and then I adjust from there.
Badmrfrosty
Rookie
I'm so lost with strings haha.... so if I gave you two racquets one strung at 47lbs and another 47/45... would you be able to tell the difference? What would you notice that makes 47/45 better or different? Also is that cross/main or main/cross?
Thanks!
ryushen21
Legend
47 on the mains and 45 on the crosses.
Could I tell the difference? Maybe. I just no that one day I had some strung up with this tension difference and I liked it better. So I've stuck with with it.
karatekenneth
New User
Maybe I’m late to the party but I just had two of my IG Prestige Mids strung up with a blasphemous faux-JR2. BBO/RS Lyon at 23 kg (or 51#).
It’s really, really good but should I still try it with ALU? What difference could be expected?
It’s really, really good but should I still try it with ALU? What difference could be expected?
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
A little bit of that ALU feel and some more jump off the stringbed. An overall more crisp experience.
J
ryushen21
Legend
Did you try Tier One Tour status? I'm demoing some right now and liking it quite a bit compared to BK as it has a crisper feel.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
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