Arm friendly-ish spin poly

B

BBender716

Professional
Transitioning from a prestige flexpoint to a 6.1 95S and looking for a poly with good access to spin, lower powered because of the transition away from my flexpoint, and relatively friendly on the arm, though I know we're looking at polys.

Thanks!
 
I'll throw in Tour Bite Soft 17g. I am a pretty firm and stubborn POSG user forever, and generally don't like the feel of polys but I like TBS 17.
 
I've been trying all the spinmeister strings but I keep coming back to Volkl V-Torque.

Very arm-friendly, has top-notch spin, and does everything well. No weakness at all. I play it at 40 lbs with a 16X15 pattern. That's comparable to 30 lbs on more regular patterns. So it plays exceptionally well on low tesion setup.

The best thing is I only paid about $2 a set when TW had the poly-bag specials.
 
scotus said:
I've been trying all the spinmeister strings but I keep coming back to Volkl V-Torque.

Very arm-friendly, has top-notch spin, and does everything well. No weakness at all. I play it at 40 lbs with a 16X15 pattern. That's comparable to 30 lbs on more regular patterns. So it plays exceptionally well on low tesion setup.

The best thing is I only paid about $2 a set when TW had the poly-bag specials.
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SCOTUS, what gauge V-Torque do you use? I got a couple of sets of 17-gauge in the Volkl poly trial pack, and they don't seem playable in the 16 x 15 pattern (I'm assuming you have a 99S). The first time, I strung it full bed and got about 30 minutes before a break. The second time I put it in the mains with Isospeed Baseline control in the crosses, hoping the smooth crosses wouldn't eat through the mains so quickly. I got about 45 minutes that time. Both times the string broke at the mains, right in the center of the string bed.

Is the 16-gauge significantly better? I feel like I need to get at least 5-8 hours out of a string job just to make it worth my time. I did love the bite of the V-Torque though.
 
TheWolverine said:
SCOTUS, what gauge V-Torque do you use? I got a couple of sets of 17-gauge in the Volkl poly trial pack, and they don't seem playable in the 16 x 15 pattern (I'm assuming you have a 99S). The first time, I strung it full bed and got about 30 minutes before a break. The second time I put it in the mains with Isospeed Baseline control in the crosses, hoping the smooth crosses wouldn't eat through the mains so quickly. I got about 45 minutes that time. Both times the string broke at the mains, right in the center of the string bed.

Is the 16-gauge significantly better? I feel like I need to get at least 5-8 hours out of a string job just to make it worth my time. I did love the bite of the V-Torque though.
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Those spin-effect racquets eat up strings like crazy.

The 17g V-Torque is not going to last in the mains in those spin-effect racquets. I use a heavily modified Pro Staff 100LS and use either a full bed of 16g, or 16g in the mains and 17g in the crossses.

Try the 16g. I think it would likely get you at least 4 hours.
 
If you're talking about the 6.1 95S with the 18 mains and 16 crosses, you might consider a look at some really skinny poly. I'm by no means a poly authority - I'm older and want to preserve my joints - but I've recently put a full bed of Isospeed Baseline 17L (1.20mm) into one of my Volkl C10's at 44 lbs. So far it feels softer than a semi-snug set of syn. gut and I'm getting significantly better spin potential. The syn. gut is probably more lively and this racquet is a bit of a battering ram compared with the 6.1 95S. With the extra mains, I'd bet that a thin poly could be a better fit than a 16 ga., but it also depends on how hard you're hitting the ball.
 
phanker said:
MSV Focus Hex.
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Nice string yes.... but if you have any concern of your elbow... you will use multi or gut crosses... I'm FOUR months into trying to recover from golfer's elbow thanks to MSV Hex. Or put it in a VERY arm friendly racquet. YMMV. Exercise caution .. I would wish this type of elbow injury on anyone.
 
WayCool said:
Nice string yes.... but if you have any concern of your elbow... you will use multi or gut crosses... I'm FOUR months into trying to recover from golfer's elbow thanks to MSV Hex. Or put it in a VERY arm friendly racquet. YMMV. Exercise caution .. I would wish this type of elbow injury on anyone.
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Sorry "WOULDN'T wish"
 
The lowest powered, spin friendly, arm friendly poly I have personally tried is Polyfibre Hexablade. You may want to look into the newer Black Code 4S in a thin gauge. Other than that there are the common strings like Cyclone Tour and Tour Bite Soft, and I'd throw in Big Hitter Black. Just up these a lb. or 2 to increase control.
 
WayCool said:
Nice string yes.... but if you have any concern of your elbow... you will use multi or gut crosses... I'm FOUR months into trying to recover from golfer's elbow thanks to MSV Hex. Or put it in a VERY arm friendly racquet. YMMV. Exercise caution .. I would wish this type of elbow injury on anyone.
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Agreed. I tried MSV Hex and my arm did not like it at all. It was strung in a hybrid with Gosen OG 18 at 48.

I'd recommend Tourna BHB7. I am using it in a hybrid and started off at 48. I'm up to 56 now with no ill effects. If you're a string breaker, definitely go with the 16. According to TWU, this string has great spin potential. I find my on court experience to bear this out and it's also very arm friendly. I might even try a full bed. It's also very reasonable from a price standpoint and reels are even cheaper per foot. It does lose tension, but upping the initial tension seems to really help.
 
Possibly stupid decision but put 4G S in my 6.1 95s. If it proves too hard on the arm I definitely want to check out black code 4s.
 
I've got a list of softer poly strings to try as soon as I'm done with Sectionals next weekend. The short list is Dunlop Black Widow 16, TBHB7 16, Solinco Tour Bite Soft 16, and Polyfibre Black Venom 16. I'm a string breaker so 16 gauge is a must. Just hoping it lasts longer than the PSGD that I've been using for many years. I'm going to string it at around the same tension I usually do at 61 lbs to start off.
 
fuzz nation said:
If you're talking about the 6.1 95S with the 18 mains and 16 crosses, you might consider a look at some really skinny poly. I'm by no means a poly authority - I'm older and want to preserve my joints - but I've recently put a full bed of Isospeed Baseline 17L (1.20mm) into one of my Volkl C10's at 44 lbs. So far it feels softer than a semi-snug set of syn. gut and I'm getting significantly better spin potential. The syn. gut is probably more lively and this racquet is a bit of a battering ram compared with the 6.1 95S. With the extra mains, I'd bet that a thin poly could be a better fit than a 16 ga., but it also depends on how hard you're hitting the ball.
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Thanks for the heads up. Probably will try the volkl cyclone 17 at 47 / 44 after this. Will update!
 
16g poly @ 61lbs. Wow, good luck to your elbow. Think you should drop it down to mid 50s at least.

brettatk said:
I've got a list of softer poly strings to try as soon as I'm done with Sectionals next weekend. The short list is Dunlop Black Widow 16, TBHB7 16, Solinco Tour Bite Soft 16, and Polyfibre Black Venom 16. I'm a string breaker so 16 gauge is a must. Just hoping it lasts longer than the PSGD that I've been using for many years. I'm going to string it at around the same tension I usually do at 61 lbs to start off.
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I would agree if these were stiff polys but I've read a number people saying softer polys at higher tensions work pretty well. I don't want to drop my tension to much. I figured I'd start out at 61 and then adjust.
 
I strung my racket up with Black Widow 16 @ 60 lbs this past weekend and went out last night and hit for about an hour and a half. This was my first time ever hitting with a poly and I could definitely tell the difference. I definitely had more spin. I hit some balls that I didn't think had a chance to land in but they did. My serve had more movement and more speed than normal. I typically use a 2HBH but found out my one handed backhand slice was much more effective last night. I had no arm pain whatsoever, but I might dial down the tension to around 57 next time and see how it plays. My next test string will be either STBS 16 or Cyclone Tour 16.
 
KenC said:
The lowest powered, spin friendly, arm friendly poly I have personally tried is Polyfibre Hexablade. You may want to look into the newer Black Code 4S in a thin gauge. Other than that there are the common strings like Cyclone Tour and Tour Bite Soft, and I'd throw in Big Hitter Black. Just up these a lb. or 2 to increase control.
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BBender716 said:
Possibly stupid decision but put 4G S in my 6.1 95s. If it proves too hard on the arm I definitely want to check out black code 4s.
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Whatever you do, steer clear of TF Black Code 4S. Spin friendly yes, but it is without contest the stiffest and most uncomfortable poly I have ever encountered. This was the 1.20 gauge in a Wilson 6.1 95 18x20.

YMMV, and others might find it less brassy and harsh than I did, but 4S shouldn't be considered arm friendly by anyone IMO.

My suggestion would be Wilson Revolve.
 
^Honestly, I felt the TF Black Code 4s to be terrible in tension maintenance too. Strung it (a 17) at 54 on the PDRGT, 1 week later with just a single 2 hour session and it felt like a trampoline, in the 30s or something. No control. Never had a single poly fall off tension that quick.

Good spin indeed, pretty decent power too. But everything else was just meh. The original Blackcode was actually better.
 
scotus said:
I play it at 40 lbs with a 16X15 pattern. That's comparable to 30 lbs on more regular patterns.
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with the racquet tune app I'm now learning that all of my soft polys are bottoming out at 30 lbs after several weeks of hitting avg 8 hrs a week or so. I start 'em at 50-55 and they just start going down from there, in the 40's after one hitting sesssion. Interesting in a couple of ways: 1. that they lose tension so fast and 2. that they're still playable when they're at 30 lbs. I think the ppl who are the big string breakers are hitting them enough before they have lost tension. I take long fairly easy strokes, so they just slowly peter out until they're spaghetti.
 
If you haven't played Ytex Square-X, you need to give it a try. It absolutely nails the poly spin/comfort/feel/power equation for me.
 
KenC said:
The lowest powered, spin friendly, arm friendly poly I have personally tried is Polyfibre Hexablade. You may want to look into the newer Black Code 4S in a thin gauge. Other than that there are the common strings like Cyclone Tour and Tour Bite Soft, and I'd throw in Big Hitter Black. Just up these a lb. or 2 to increase control.
Click to expand...

I tried the 4S black code in a Pro Staff 100LS and it felt pretty comfortable but I broke a main in 3-4 hours and I NEVER break strings. Maybe 1 or 2 sets in 6 years of playing. The square strings just chew into each other and notch really fast.
 
scotus said:
Those spin-effect racquets eat up strings like crazy.

The 17g V-Torque is not going to last in the mains in those spin-effect racquets. I use a heavily modified Pro Staff 100LS and use either a full bed of 16g, or 16g in the mains and 17g in the crossses.

Try the 16g. I think it would likely get you at least 4 hours.
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I was using V-Torque 16G Mains/ Head Hawk 17g Crosses in my 99S frames last year, but due to consistently snapping the V-Torque between 5 and 8 sets like clockwork, I switched to a full bed of Cyclone Tour 16g. I get about 12-14 hours from it. Read Mikeler's review on Cyclone Tour 16g. I had a feeling it would work for him, because I knew he had a 16x16 frame and getting 12-14 hours from a soft 16g poly in a very open pattern was very noteworthy. I mailed him two packs and he hasn't left CT left.;)

He might leave it a better string, but I am done searching for the string Holy Grail. I am on my second reel and went through 24 packs of CT (12 packs were a gift from Volkl) with a lot of friends requesting this string in their 99S frames.

The best thing about a 99S is the ability to string 6 frames with 5 packs of strings due to only needing 13' 4" for the crosses (cut a pack in to equal thirds for 13'4") or just cut six lengths off a reel. Both ways will easily do the crosses of a 99S. 5 Packs = Six 99S string jobs: 3 packs (cut in half) for six sets of mains, and 2 packs (cut into equal thirds) for six sets of crosses.

99S frames : Mains need 18' or 8 frame lengths // Crosses need 13'4 or just 6 frame lengths
 
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I went out last night and played with my racket strung with Black Widow for the second time. Wow, am I impressed with this string so far. The guy I played kept telling me practically all my shots had a lot of spin/movement on them. I checked my tension last night after playing and it was right around 55 lbs. Not too bad at all. I'm hoping to get around 5-6 playing times out of the string before they break or I need to cut them out. I'm going to cut the SG out of one of my other rackets and string it up with Cyclone Tour 16 this weekend. I want to make sure if I do need to change rackets during a match I can go to another poly instead of SG. I'll leave my 3rd racket strung with SG until I've decided on a setup that works for me.

Quick question. I've seen some of you string a full bed of poly with the mains a bit tighter than the crosses. What exactly does that do for you? I've searched on here but answers have been a bit contradictory. Thanks!
 
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@brettatk generally stringing the mains a bit higher than the crosses allows the mains to slide a bit more and therefore increase snapback.

Check out the ESP thread
 
I really like the Kirschbaum Pro Line II 1.25 (does have power). Or the Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.23. The first one is the most comfortable one of the two
 
Yonex Poly Tour pro 1.20 in the yellow if you can bear the colour. Tried this in a 16x18 Prince Tour and the spin for a rounded poly was ridiculous. At lower tensions this string is very soft and easy on the arm.
 
Really enjoyed full bed of Diadem Solstice Power 17, strung it 53/51 lbs. Nice soft spinny string. Got everything in there: spin, power, feel and comfort.
 
beepee1972 said:
I really like the Kirschbaum Pro Line II 1.25 (does have power). Or the Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.23. The first one is the most comfortable one of the two
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Yikes!!! :eek: You think Kirsh Pro Line II is comfy?

I found it to be one of the stiffest and harshest polys I've played with.
 
cknobman said:
Yikes!!! :eek: You think Kirsh Pro Line II is comfy?

I found it to be one of the stiffest and harshest polys I've played with.
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Harshest? Hell no, up until now it is the most comfortable poly I have tried. Very comfortable and powerful in my Prince tour 100 16x18
 
I second that Pro Line 2 being comfy, not stiff at all.

That being said, did I read correctly that the OP was unit recently using a Prestige Flex point?
 
Another vote for Wislon Revolve.

I'm using it right now and it feels really good. No pain at all and great spin.
I convinced my gf that didn't even want to try a poly and she now uses it and loves it.

Only thing I noticed (and my gf too) is that for the first 30min, the string felt weird. It was mostly inconsistent. Don't know if it was me or the strings or the guy that stringed it... After about 30min everything was right. 4hours now and they play real nice.
 
rodrigoamaral said:
signum pro tornado
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AMGF said:
Another vote for Wislon Revolve.

I'm using it right now and it feels really good. No pain at all and great spin.
I convinced my gf that didn't even want to try a poly and she now uses it and loves it.

Only thing I noticed (and my gf too) is that for the first 30min, the string felt weird. It was mostly inconsistent. Don't know if it was me or the strings or the guy that stringed it... After about 30min everything was right. 4hours now and they play real nice.
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Full beds of both?

Using 4G 15g right now and at 49 / 47 and anything hit off center is very harsh.
 
competition said:
I second that Pro Line 2 being comfy, not stiff at all.

That being said, did I read correctly that the OP was unit recently using a Prestige Flex point?
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Actually just purchased a pack of kirschbaum proline ii, 17g.

I was disappointed with the 4G 15g that was "made for spin effect racquets". I should have realized that the 6.1 S is still an 18x16 pattern so it really doesn't need a ridiculously thick string like the Burn S might.

For a heavy topspin guy like myself I'm hoping the pro line ii adds a SMALL amount of pop, slight boost in comfort, back to normal poly spin quality.
 
Rabbit said:
Agreed. I tried MSV Hex and my arm did not like it at all. It was strung in a hybrid with Gosen OG 18 at 48.

I'd recommend Tourna BHB7. I am using it in a hybrid and started off at 48. I'm up to 56 now with no ill effects. If you're a string breaker, definitely go with the 16. According to TWU, this string has great spin potential. I find my on court experience to bear this out and it's also very arm friendly. I might even try a full bed. It's also very reasonable from a price standpoint and reels are even cheaper per foot. It does lose tension, but upping the initial tension seems to really help.
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I just ordered a half set of Babo VTouch NG and a set of Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 16 ga. for a hybrid lashup on my beloved, arm-saving, oh so soft Vokyl V-1 Classic racquet. I have one racquet which I am going to leave strung with Babo Excel French Open Black 17 ga. full bed for bad weather days and use the hybrid Gut/TBHB7 racquet for everyday use. The thing is, I am getting over a severe case of epicondylitis/small tears in my racquet arm. Did not play at all for 7 months resting and dealing with cardiac issues instead! My arm is 88% healed/scarred up now so that I have been able to play three times a week with at least a day's rest between and religeous icing for 20 minutes after I play....EVERYTIME. So far, so good. The reason I am going to take a chance on a hybrid job including arm killer poly is for two reasons: I want more spin than I can produce with my full bed multi racquet AND the ratings of the TournaBHB7 string are the highest of any rated poly that is rated by the TW staff re: comfort. Unfortunately, most of the poly strings are NOT rated by the TW staff. I fervently wish that ALL the strings as well as ALL the racquets were rated which would be incredibly helpful when you trust your shopping to the internet. From what I can gather from these "string blogs", I should probably string the gut in the mains at around 50 and the poly in the crosses at around 40 lbs. This is supposed to allow the gut to dominate the feel of the racquet and take advantage of the poly charecteristics as far as being able to produce more spin than a full multi bed. Am I correct in this assumption, fellow tennis aficionados? Does this sound like the right ballpark tension to save the arm, get the spin, and take advantage of the pliable V. V-1 Classic racquet? I am a 3.5-4.0 old man doubles player that likes to hit it hard so I need the spin to keep it in.
 
TheWolverine said:
SCOTUS, what gauge V-Torque do you use? I got a couple of sets of 17-gauge in the Volkl poly trial pack, and they don't seem playable in the 16 x 15 pattern (I'm assuming you have a 99S). The first time, I strung it full bed and got about 30 minutes before a break. The second time I put it in the mains with Isospeed Baseline control in the crosses, hoping the smooth crosses wouldn't eat through the mains so quickly. I got about 45 minutes that time. Both times the string broke at the mains, right in the center of the string bed.

Is the 16-gauge significantly better? I feel like I need to get at least 5-8 hours out of a string job just to make it worth my time. I did love the bite of the V-Torque though.
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with that open of a string pattern you need to use a 15 or 15L gauge or you will get very early string breakage. IMO, plus what the stringers I have talked with have said.
 
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