Any poly better than Lxn 4G for tension maintenance?
- Thread starter Curious
- Start date
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
There are 3 popular manufacturers that make 'zombie' born dead polys. Lux 4G is one; Kirshbaum ProLine II and Signum Pro Poly Plasma. If you are using full beds in a spin effect frame, then go with one of these 3 in the thickest gauge you can tolerate. 16 Ga or thicker is what I would recommend. If you are planning to use these zombies as a cross, maybe. I would recommend a more lively poly unless you have monstrous groundstrokes.
Aside from those 3, any poly that is pre stretched will become a zombie, whether you control how much pre stretch via stringing or factory.
Aside from those 3, any poly that is pre stretched will become a zombie, whether you control how much pre stretch via stringing or factory.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Thanks. 'Dead' meaning low elasticity I suppose so lower power which is not an issue with my rf97. I used cyclone 18 and Kirschbaum pro line evolution at 36lb which felt great for about 15 hours then losing control. Thats why i wanted to go a bit stiffer in string.
anhboa2
Rookie
Probably not, they are exceptional. But if you didn't like the stiff feel you can use Babolat Origin @10-20lbs higher (than the 4G). The 4G doesn't have very very much spin so Origin will hold up well in that department
They will remain tension and playability just as long if not longer
They will remain tension and playability just as long if not longer
VoodooBoot
Semi-Pro
Kirschbaum Max Power, too (though I have only used it as a cross for gut)
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Curious
G.O.A.T.
Max Power seems to be softer than 4G in stiffness numbers.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Well if 4G is your standard for stiff I guess every other string is nat gut soft…
Curious
G.O.A.T.
How does it compare to Pro Line 2 evolution? Also gauge, tension, full bed?
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Haven't tried the Evolution, but I've used 17 and 18 gauge versions. I actually like the 17 G more, but only in the RF97A. 18G in my PS90.
Both are strung at 47 lbs with Topspin Cyber Flash crosses, also at 47 lbs. The PL2 appears to hold tension better so within a few hours, the tension in the crosses is a bit lower and playability is at its best.
Did I mention how nice a red string looks in a black racquet with a red butt cap?
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Nice. We have something in common: RF97A
. Why hybrid with two different poly strings, both apparently on the firm side?
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Nice. We have something in common: RF97A
I find that a full bed of full poly gets 'locked', whereas a slightly stiffer poly in the crosses keeps the mains playable for a lot longer.
I wouldn't call the PL2 firm...IMO it's an extremely comfortable string. Only Luxilon Element is softer (but I admit I don't experiment with strings). Cyber Flash OTOH becomes stiff fairly quickly but is softer when new, cheaper overall, and lasts longer than ALU, so it works well.
As for the RF97A...it's my doubles stick...favourite stick is still the 2014 PS90!
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Curious
G.O.A.T.
I am experimenting with very low tension due to my sensitive elbow. I really like tension around 35lb and trying to settle on a string among Alu power rough, 4G, cyclone 17-18, Pro line 2 evolution.
By the way I feel changing racket or strings, tensions all the time is a hindrance to improvement. So I have to find my string and not look at anything else any more.
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Bender
G.O.A.T.
Sorry to hear about your elbow issues. I have chronic rotator cuff issues so I can understand.
As far as polys go, PL2 is not a bad choice. I would also highly, highly recommend trying out Luxilon Element as well as they're even softer.
At low tensions, tension maintenance is less of a problem I find since the trampoline effect isn't substantially greater, and tension loss is more gradual.
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CopolyX
Hall of Fame
I do not choice a string based off one element alone. With poly-based strings tension loss is there period. It all a give and take. 4G, great string but for "me" there are better underdog strings that fit my game and don't reach down a dig into the bottom of my pocket...
Again in this black hole of string subjectivity / personal preference, I trust my hands and not the hype with heavy marketing...
To each his own (magic) ....
Again in this black hole of string subjectivity / personal preference, I trust my hands and not the hype with heavy marketing...
To each his own (magic) ....
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Thanks. The elbow is pretty good these days but because of previous history I'm quite wary of things that may aggravate it again. RF97 might be stiff but because it's heavy and solid it never affected my elbow and my shoulder seems to tolerate it as well on serve. Also trying polys under 40lb was a game changer for me and I'm not scared of them any more. I have just had 2 rackets strung with alu power rough and pro line 2 evo at 35lb today. Will see how they feel tomorrow.
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
Which are your underdogs?
STBite 16 lasts twice as long as Lux at mid 30's tension. And, it probably won't notch, because it's a smooth string with sharp sides.
CopolyX
Hall of Fame
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Thanks a lot. Lucky I have ordered some 4G 16L, seems to be one of the best at tension maintenance. I don't know how accurate/reliable the list is though. LeeD's suggestion is pretty close but others like max power, pro line 2 have very poor results apparently.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
Tension maintenance measured in lab setting may or may not reflect real world ball striking behavior. Read about the set ups and reflect on whether you hit that way. The string DB only provides guidance. The static numbers are a much better reflection of how a string behaves, e.g. stiffness, static tension losses when left alone; the usage figures depends on the player. My personal experience is that 4G > SPPP > Kirschbaum, but YMMV.
VoodooBoot
Semi-Pro
Strangely enough I would the strings in reverse order (used as crosses for gut).
As you said, YMMV [emoji6]
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CopolyX
Hall of Fame
I will follow up with a list for you....
WarrenMP
Professional
I use to play with 4G when I didn't string my own racquets. The 4G last long and the playability lasted until they break. In my opinion, 4G is greater than every stiff poly, but their are other strings at a better value. Dunlop Ice is an example. When it was available, it was super cheap. It is stiff, but the durability was as great. I don't have to worry about string durability since I string my racquets often.
naturallight
Semi-Pro
Per TWU, Hyper G and Yonex PTS tend to have very good tension maintenance figures.
anhboa2
Rookie
dct693
Semi-Pro
I tried the Rough version of Max Power at 16g in my DR98 and it lasted a really, really long time. In fact, I took it to get restrung only because I felt it HAD to be time to restring it given how long I played with it, yet it did not show obvious signs of being dead.
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
15 hour playable duration is pretty good for a string setup with that thin of a main.
rodrigoamaral
Hall of Fame
As mentioned by others in other threads, take a look at signum pro and genesis strings.. great in holding tension
I am a big fan of Tecnifibre HDX Tour.
This poly-multi mixture is as comfortable as a multi, offers control and spin of a poly, and--wait for it--holds tension better than even some natural gut!
Pricey but goes on sale every few months and lasts 5X as long as those typical polys that you'd want to cut out after a couple of hitting sessions.
It's a winner in my book.
This poly-multi mixture is as comfortable as a multi, offers control and spin of a poly, and--wait for it--holds tension better than even some natural gut!
Pricey but goes on sale every few months and lasts 5X as long as those typical polys that you'd want to cut out after a couple of hitting sessions.
It's a winner in my book.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I see no one mentioned Tourna Silver 7 Tour which has lower tension loss than Lux 4G and higher spin potential and an awesome string overall even being a full bed. I was looking at alternatives for 4G and read through the thread. Nice suggestions such as Max Power, definitely the one to try. I’m thinking of using stiff poly with great tension maintenance in the mains at high 40s coupled with soft possibly textured poly 3-4lbs tighter in crosses in my Wilson Shift 315s.
KungfuTennis
Semi-Pro
I find that GAMMA Moto has pretty good tension maintenance, surprised me
Curious
G.O.A.T.
I’ve tried quite a few over the years and settled on Solinco hyoerG 1.25, 48lb on my Pure Aero 98.
finalfantasy7
Semi-Pro
Restring zero and toroline wasabi
