Anyone playing 18g or 19g poly in an open pattern frame ?

[Happi]

I have been playing with Angell TC95 18x20 for quite a while, and have grown fond of thin poly strings. I like the comfort of a thin poly string strung low in the 18x20 frame.

I am now changing to TC95 16x19 and that frame is quite open, so I wonder if I should go up in gauges to 16 or I could still play with the 18g and 19g strings (I have a lot in stock).

I don't really break strings in the 18x20 but cut out after 8-10 hours.

Please share your experience playing with thin strings in an open pattern frame, pros/cons to 18g/19g vs 16g.

Cheers, H

 

[Booger]

I didn't like it. Nice for just dinking around, but felt like there wasn't elasticity at all on bigger shots. Felt so dead compared to 16g or 17g.

That said, a guy I play with likes 18g tour bite, so just give it a whirl.

 

[socallefty]

I played with a VS17/HyperG Soft 18 hybrid in a 16x19 Pure Strike Tour at 47/44 lbs. It has been my go-to hybrid for about an year now and lasts about 15-18 hours for me - less if I use for only singles.

 

[JackSockIsTheBest]

I am currently using Hyper G 19 in a Pure Aero & will continue to use that string to my next racket since I am decided between the blade & strike right now. I personally really like my setup.

 

[JackSockIsTheBest]

Pros for me are the amount of power I get on it & sometimes the touch is amazing but when I'm trying to pinpoint my shots more it tends to get wild but I hit them for the most part

 

[armandogomes]

I use 17/18 in my PA. I feel I like thicker in the mains more, but I'll try again the thicker in the crosses. I don't believe I can play with a full bed of 18.

 

[SteveI]

I am using Volkl Cyclone 19G in a 16 x 19. Head size is 102. Full disclosure, this is a Volkl model that is designed to have the strings closer together in the center of the frame for better control. The frame is a Volkl Quantrum Scorcher with mods. 11.6 oz, beam is 24 mm, 6-7 points HL. Flex is 60 and SW is about 315-320 with mods. Great frame for juniors, aging players (me) or a great frame for modifications (me). Think I picked up this pair for my daughter when she was a very young player in HS.. Never got into her bag (did not like it)... went in my bag. As I aged, this frame worked the best for me. Try to find a frame with a 60 RA in todays' market. There a few.. but not many.

 

[pjv]

I use a hybrid of solinco confidential 18 mains and solinco hyper-g soft 18 crosses in my 16x19 vcore pro 97's.

I like the feeling of more sensitivity / touch. Maybe I also get a bit more feeling of bite on the ball, though honestly I can't tell if I'm really feeling that or it's in my head.

I have never broken them, though I do tend to cut them out as soon as they are starting to feel tired, and I also have fairly flattish strokes.

 

[High Lama]

I would suggest using 17 gauge in an open pattern. A thin string will lack control and stability in your new racquet. The good news is there are way more string options for thickish strings. Only a few companies like Volkl, solinco, kirshbaum make good thin poly.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I just can’t handle the launch angle and tension loss with thin gauges in open patterns. The strings get unplayable too quickly. They are nice for ball grab and spin for about 3 hours and then its all I can do to keep control.

I prefer 15L mains and 16g crosses in a wide open pattern just for the durability and playability. I’ll accept the tradeoff in less spin just to have a more consistent experience longer.

 

[J D]

I use TB 18 in an open pattern 100 sq in frame. It does serve and volley better than thicker gauges, but it doesn’t have as much control on groundstrokes. There are only a few polys that I feel have enough control for me in a thinner gauge.

Thinner gauges do feel softer but, at times, I feel like I almost get too much spin. As in all other things, it’s a trade off.

I initially switched because I was trying to lighten the swing weight a bit, and it does help some with that.

 

[aarenes]

My main sticks are rf97ls. And I string mine with 1.10 or 1.15mm strings. Generally a full bed of cyclone 18, 18l or hybrid with 19.

I also use Genesis trionic 18 hybrid with synthetic gut
And the thickest I go is rs lyon 17 which is copoly strung at mid 30s

I play the best with 18 or 18l. But as with all volkl cyclones... either see the performance drop and it becomes a launcher at 6-7 hours or I break them in under 10 hours.

But since I string my own racquets and find the experience therapeutic, I don't mind cyclones at thin guage.