Breaking strings in 2h - advice needed from stringers

[McEncock]

havent used string savers before so really no idea. I really dont hit as hard and i can practice with good players but if i break it with 2 hours, itf level should break it with 30 mins so sth is not right i think as they dont do it that quickly.

i dont have racquet anymore but made this photo. Its just not the broken one as there are more notched ones ready to break.

Call me crazy but i also felt like 2x few days ago and once today “burning smell” after a hit. Thought its crazy the first time but had it again today. Maybe its this fire string on crosses as i have no idea how a hit could make this smell that had to come from the strings right?

I always smell burned plastic after a good swing, it's normal
IME luxilon Original is tougher than RPM blast 130, but I prefer the RPM blast feeling and I won't trade 30min more durability over feel.
2H before breaking is normal for your level and I think you don't want to focus too much on durability as once you've reached this level, everything will break pretty quickly. Just find a reel that you like and which is not too expensive, as long as it is 16g and poly.
Just a little list of what the players of your level I string for are using :
Rpm 130
Poly tour pro 130
Revolve 130
Lynx 130
Bing Bnager original 130
Alu Power 130
Rpm Rough 130
Poly Plasma 128

Take care!

Edited to add that a customer around your level strings his gravity pro (18x20) with rpm blast 135 / 15L at 25kg and brakes a lot of strings

 

[1HBHfanatic]

@Psi7 @McEncock
-string-burn, string-friction is real!
-in both stringing and/or snapback
-the more open the string pattern, the more string burn happens
-the more string burn, the weaker and weaker the string gets through out the shots
-hence the reason why a tighter stringbed racket lasts longer

 

[K1Y]

I always smell burned plastic after a good swing, it's normal
IME luxilon Original is tougher than RPM blast 130, but I prefer the RPM blast feeling and I won't trade 30min more durability over feel.
2H before breaking is normal for your level and I think you don't want to focus too much on durability as once you've reached this level, everything will break pretty quickly. Just find a reel that you like and which is not too expensive, as long as it is 16g and poly.
Just a little list of what the players of your level I string for are using :
Rpm 130
Poly tour pro 130
Revolve 130
Lynx 130
Bing Bnager original 130
Alu Power 130
Rpm Rough 130
Poly Plasma 128

Take care!

Edited to add that a customer around your level strings his gravity pro (18x20) with rpm blast 135 / 15L at 25kg and brakes a lot of strings

Thanks for sharing. Is this regular lynx and regular wilson revolve? Do you see preferences for color on these strings?

 

[McEncock]

Thanks for sharing. Is this regular lynx and regular wilson revolve? Do you see preferences for color on these strings?

I know it's strange but yes it's the regular Lynx and regular Revolve both black and white

Some big string breakers just use what they find at a good price, as long as it's a "serious" string.

 

[Psi7]

@Psi7 other options for cross strings you should try is Cream 16g and YPTAir 17g.

having thicker crosses will make the string bed feel boardy/stiff (great for control on flat shots)
If you want that PTP feel then perhaps you should try poly tour rev (similar roundish shaped 5 sided poly)

This. Lynx Tour is the most durable poly that I have played with other than possibly BBO Rough. Haven't been able to break either of those in 16g before the playability dropped to where I cut them out.

I always smell burned plastic after a good swing, it's normal
IME luxilon Original is tougher than RPM blast 130, but I prefer the RPM blast feeling and I won't trade 30min more durability over feel.
2H before breaking is normal for your level and I think you don't want to focus too much on durability as once you've reached this level, everything will break pretty quickly. Just find a reel that you like and which is not too expensive, as long as it is 16g and poly.
Just a little list of what the players of your level I string for are using :
Rpm 130
Poly tour pro 130
Revolve 130
Lynx 130
Bing Bnager original 130
Alu Power 130
Rpm Rough 130
Poly Plasma 128

Take care!

Edited to add that a customer around your level strings his gravity pro (18x20) with rpm blast 135 / 15L at 25kg and brakes a lot of strings

@Psi7 @McEncock
-string-burn, string-friction is real!
-in both stringing and/or snapback
-the more open the string pattern, the more string burn happens
-the more string burn, the weaker and weaker the string gets through out the shots
-hence the reason why a tighter stringbed racket lasts longer

If you mind i will answer to all of the recent posts in one reply. Big Thx guys for the input. I know there are more options, probably even some better but honestly i am really tired with all the testing and its a little bit of a rabbit hole. It affects my game as i keep having all racquets with different strings all the time, even during matches. So i have PTP 1.3, RPM Rough 1.3 and will give it a go to Lynx for sure, maybe that Black Widow and then Lynx Tour as well. Its based on recent feedback, prices i can get for 200m and a little bit of colours as i would really prefer to have it neon/black mix as long as its possible. The others i would keep for sidelines for now and will decide what to do after this round of testing. Like if i want to do it right away or maybe first pick one for me and then compare like 1 or 2 more to it. Just to keep getting closer to end of this madness.

I will definitely check full 1.3 PTP next and compare it to lynx shortly after with next racquet.

So far and i dont understand why(maybe you have a theory for that) my useless test of 1.3 PTP mains and 1.25 Spin on crosses increased durability to the point that i am not sure how the hell this one is still alive. I noticed quickly that it was really holding tension well. Strings werent moving that much and in comparison to 1.25 ptp or 1.3 ptp+1.25 poly fire crosses difference is just huge. I think it might break any time now but i am quite sure its getting close to 4 or evn a little bit more than hours. I am sure i will break it on monday on my next practice session but so far its ok for me(cant decide if its best) but i didint notice major difference between this and 1.3 PTP + 1.3 RPM Rough on crosses. Its like both are quite fine for me and i can play with both without issues.

On Monday, even if this frame with 1.25 spin break quickly i will compare Rough + PTP and PTP + Rough just to see if there is any point for me to test full Rough. It will be expensive and out of this 3 i think i would rank the one with rough as mains as last out of recent tests.

Could be hilarious if i end up with just 1.3 PTP full or this Lynx 1.3 Full as i played best with 1.25 PTP then started this tests with hybrids to get better durability and get something more from the string and i started playing worse

On monday i will just focus on testing so whats left of 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Spin vs 1.3 PTP + 1.3 Rough vs 1.3 Rough + 1.3 PTP. 3 options. Then, going full bed PTP and full Lynx, both 1.3 obviously.

 

[McEncock]

My bet is that 130 PTP mains+ 125 poly tour spin cross will have the best durability
130 PTP black full bed is a fine setup btw. Some high level players I string for like it very much. He plays Ezone 100 with lead and silicone

 

[Psi7]

My bet is that 130 PTP mains+ 125 poly tour spin cross will have the best durability
130 PTP black full bed is a fine setup btw. Some high level players I string for like it very much. He plays Ezone 100 with lead and silicone

Any idea why? As mentioned, 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Spin is way above my expectations for durability and that fits criteria 100% because it survived 4 hours including 2 hours of very hard hitting session and still didint break. Basically could stop here. I idint expect 1.25 on crosses to hold it that well(tried it only because i had half of 1.25 spin left) with the same comfort i have, but looks like both are really working well with each other. I didint like spin on mains but i am perfectly fine with PTP on mains and spin on crosses.

I will make it as a new starting point and test both PTP+Rough/Rough+PTP hybrids vs PTP + 1.25 Spin on monday just in terms of my game(if i like those at all comparing to setup with 1.25 spin) and then just go with full PTP 1.3, Full Lynx 1.3 and maybe full Rough 1.3(as i have one left). Basically could also skip Rough as the most expensive option and the one that didint convince me so far even though i was biased on it so i might also go with just Full PTP 1.3 and Full Lynx 1.3 to compare them to each other and then decide if i want to keep one of this or hybrid ptp or lynx on mains + that 1.25 spin on crosses. That would make it quite easy as there will be just few more tests.

 

[McEncock]

First of all, I thought you just used 125 PTP in your previous experience with 130 PTP main. I didn't know you used PTSpin in the crosses...
And it's a great idea! It's a bit un-intuitive but it works great.

The reason why a shaped (octogonal, square, etc...) Adds durability to the hybrid if used as a cross is because the surface of the contact area between main and cross will be increased with shaped poly, as it's flat side will always be in contact with the main. If you increase the contact surface, the friction will lead to less heat. Less heat = less fraying (yes, it's heat that causes fraying as poly are made of plastic and have a relatively low melting temperature) = more durability

 

[McEncock]

I may add that in theory the PTSpin in the crosses will increase a bit the spin potential of the stringbed. More and more professional players are using this "reversed poly hybrid"
Also, I think you should try RPM Rough 130 main, PTSpin 125 cross.
It's a copy of Lorenzo Musetti set-up (hawk rough main, Lynx tour cross (lynx tour is octogonal))

 

[blai212]

I would argue that a shaped poly cross decreases the amount of surface area between mains and crosses because usually the edge creates less surface area. @Psi7 dont bother with lynx and instead just try lynx tour or 4G at mid 40s tension. They play really well at low tensions because of their stiffness and tension maintenance

 

[McEncock]

I would argue that a shaped poly cross decreases the amount of surface area between mains and crosses because usually the edge creates less surface area. @Psi7 dont bother with lynx and instead just try lynx tour or 4G at mid 40s tension. They play really well at low tensions because of their stiffness and tension maintenance

IME (and I string in a tennis shop, so I strung thousands of racquets) it's the other way around

 

[Psi7]

I would argue that a shaped poly cross decreases the amount of surface area between mains and crosses because usually the edge creates less surface area. @Psi7 dont bother with lynx and instead just try lynx tour or 4G at mid 40s tension. They play really well at low tensions because of their stiffness and tension maintenance

I dont think i can go lower than 23kg and that is 50 lbs. As things stand i dont have any pain in the elbow other than overload, but its not an issue right now. I have practice sessions pain free even though i serve way more 1st serves than before. I am working on it so thats why i am trying to stay away a bit from more stiff strings. Maybe that would do nothing as my body is in better shape and racquet change helped a lot but i just dont know. I have Blast 1.25 reel still and i dont want to go back to it again even though i liked it, but as mentioned in one of the posts before, once i started to play with PTP i tried blast on mains on one attempt, also poly tour Spin and didint like it that much. Felt i have more connection with ptp.

Thats why i am trying to find best option out of those i am familiar with now and when its done i can compare it to Lynx Tour for example, but still at 50 lbs. I just cant imagine being ok with lower than that. Its not like i dismiss it completely, maybe 4g only for now.

First of all, I thought you just used 125 PTP in your previous experience with 130 PTP main. I didn't know you used PTSpin in the crosses...
And it's a great idea! It's a bit un-intuitive but it works great.

The reason why a shaped (octogonal, square, etc...) Adds durability to the hybrid if used as a cross is because the surface of the contact area between main and cross will be increased with shaped poly, as it's flat side will always be in contact with the main. If you increase the contact surface, the friction will lead to less heat. Less heat = less fraying (yes, it's heat that causes fraying as poly are made of plastic and have a relatively low melting temperature) = more durability

I may add that in theory the PTSpin in the crosses will increase a bit the spin potential of the stringbed. More and more professional players are using this "reversed poly hybrid"
Also, I think you should try RPM Rough 130 main, PTSpin 125 cross.
It's a copy of Lorenzo Musetti set-up (hawk rough main, Lynx tour cross (lynx tour is octogonal))

I had 2 attempts earlier with 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Fire, but both broke way quicker than this hybrid with 1.25 spin. 1st one was like 3 hours, which was good but 2nd one broke very quickly close or even below 2h mark so that was no difference to full 1.25 ptp. As mentioned hybrid with 1.25 spin is surely at 4h now including really 2h heavy hitting with very good jr player so that is really good and way more than i expected. So there is something with PTP + Spin that didint work with PTP + Fire when it comes to durability.

I will be smarter on monday(assuming my hybrid with spin wont break right away) and will test this PTP+Rough and Rough+Ptp to compare, but i tried it so far on short attempts only and i wasnt sold so most likely there is no big difference in play for me which means i wont really have to go with more expensive rough here. But i still have one string left so can either put it on full bed or just give it a go on 2 more hybrids.

@blai212 this is the reason i wanted to try Lynx as well as it looks like its very similar to PTP so i guess its worth trying it at least once, maybe against full bed PTP just to see which one of both i like more, assuming i will decide for PTP mains during monday tests where i will have this rough setups as well.

 

[ryohazuki222]

I dont think i can go lower than 23kg and that is 50 lbs. As things stand i dont have any pain in the elbow other than overload, but its not an issue right now. I have practice sessions pain free even though i serve way more 1st serves than before. I am working on it so thats why i am trying to stay away a bit from more stiff strings. Maybe that would do nothing as my body is in better shape and racquet change helped a lot but i just dont know. I have Blast 1.25 reel still and i dont want to go back to it again even though i liked it, but as mentioned in one of the posts before, once i started to play with PTP i tried blast on mains on one attempt, also poly tour Spin and didint like it that much. Felt i have more connection with ptp.

Thats why i am trying to find best option out of those i am familiar with now and when its done i can compare it to Lynx Tour for example, but still at 50 lbs. I just cant imagine being ok with lower than that. Its not like i dismiss it completely, maybe 4g only for now.




I had 2 attempts earlier with 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Fire, but both broke way quicker than this hybrid with 1.25 spin. 1st one was like 3 hours, which was good but 2nd one broke very quickly close or even below 2h mark so that was no difference to full 1.25 ptp. As mentioned hybrid with 1.25 spin is surely at 4h now including really 2h heavy hitting with very good jr player so that is really good and way more than i expected. So there is something with PTP + Spin that didint work with PTP + Fire when it comes to durability.

I will be smarter on monday(assuming my hybrid with spin wont break right away) and will test this PTP+Rough and Rough+Ptp to compare, but i tried it so far on short attempts only and i wasnt sold so most likely there is no big difference in play for me which means i wont really have to go with more expensive rough here. But i still have one string left so can either put it on full bed or just give it a go on 2 more hybrids.

@blai212 this is the reason i wanted to try Lynx as well as it looks like its very similar to PTP so i guess its worth trying it at least once, maybe against full bed PTP just to see which one of both i like more, assuming i will decide for PTP mains during monday tests where i will have this rough setups as well.

what you found with spin + ptp is why I’m a big fan for experimenting yourself. Fact is, there’s not much good research on poly poly hybrids out in the world right now. A lot of info is regurgitating others experiences. But I’ve found it’s very hard to accurately predict how different strings work TOGETHER. Happy for you that it sounds like you have one strong candidate from all the effort.

on the flip side, sounds like you’re stuck where I (even now) kind of am. There’s always “one more eureka idea” or “one more test” that lures you in.

fwiw, I like your approach to limit string selection to something manageable. Color, brand, weight, price etc… at the end of the day there are too many string options in the market and basically infinite combinations to try/test.

but it started turning into too much effort and pulling focus from playing better tennis sometimes, ya know?

In any case, I’m highly interested in your review comparing rough ptp in both directions in contrast with ptp and spin.

in my original list, I wanted spin and ptp… I liked rough so much with ptp I stopped there.

 

[Humbi_HTX]

Any idea why? As mentioned, 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Spin is way above my expectations for durability and that fits criteria 100% because it survived 4 hours including 2 hours of very hard hitting session and still didint break.

Can we get a picture of the strings when this combo breaks? I am intrigued.

IMHO is not so much about shape or texture of the string, but how 2 different polyester strings interact with each other in a high friction environment, both static & Kinetic.

 

[McEncock]

Can we get a picture of the strings when this combo breaks? I am intrigued.

IMHO is not so much about shape or texture of the string, but how 2 different polyester strings interact with each other in a high friction environment, both static & Kinetic.

Imo the flat side of a shaped poly creates less heat than a round poly because the friction area is bigger

 

[blai212]

@OP why not try PTP 1.30 mains w blast 1.25 cross since you have a reel of it…the ideal hybrid is to have whichever string you like the best as mains while the cross string provides good feel, tension maintenance and economical (since cross only provides about 30% of the feel)

 

[Psi7]

what you found with spin + ptp is why I’m a big fan for experimenting yourself. Fact is, there’s not much good research on poly poly hybrids out in the world right now. A lot of info is regurgitating others experiences. But I’ve found it’s very hard to accurately predict how different strings work TOGETHER. Happy for you that it sounds like you have one strong candidate from all the effort.

on the flip side, sounds like you’re stuck where I (even now) kind of am. There’s always “one more eureka idea” or “one more test” that lures you in.

fwiw, I like your approach to limit string selection to something manageable. Color, brand, weight, price etc… at the end of the day there are too many string options in the market and basically infinite combinations to try/test.

but it started turning into too much effort and pulling focus from playing better tennis sometimes, ya know?

In any case, I’m highly interested in your review comparing rough ptp in both directions in contrast with ptp and spin.

in my original list, I wanted spin and ptp… I liked rough so much with ptp I stopped there.

Can we get a picture of the strings when this combo breaks? I am intrigued.

IMHO is not so much about shape or texture of the string, but how 2 different polyester strings interact with each other in a high friction environment, both static & Kinetic.

@OP why not try PTP 1.30 mains w blast 1.25 cross since you have a reel of it…the ideal hybrid is to have whichever string you like the best as mains while the cross string provides good feel, tension maintenance and economical (since cross only provides about 30% of the feel)

I may add that in theory the PTSpin in the crosses will increase a bit the spin potential of the stringbed. More and more professional players are using this "reversed poly hybrid"
Also, I think you should try RPM Rough 130 main, PTSpin 125 cross.
It's a copy of Lorenzo Musetti set-up (hawk rough main, Lynx tour cross (lynx tour is octogonal))

Again will reply to all in one post if you dont mind. Had over 2 hour practice session today and few thoughts. @Humbi_HTX will send pic of the PTP 1.3 + 1.25 Spin the next post.

So i decided to test Rough + PTP and PTP + Rough first, just to pick the better one because i knew PTP + 1.25 spin can break very quickly. I was a little bit surprised here because somehow i felt Rough mains/Ptp crosses is overall better for me. Not sure why exactly but clearly when doing exact play scenarios and testings strings early in the practice i picked Rough+Ptp. At the end i played 2 tiebreaks and somehow played better with Ptp+rough but its hard to judge really based on that. During proper tests i picked Rough+PTP.

Then i picked my 4h old Ptp 1.3 + 1.25 spin and call me crazy but i can feel that the frame with Rough feels heavier. I feel a little bit better connection with PTP + spin, it feels like my balls are flying faster and have to take less effort into shots. With Rough+PTP i felt that i am actually getting control, once used to it i was playing well also and what is strange my opponent says that with Rough my balls feel heavier due to more spin. So even though i am hitting faster with Ptp/spin those are easier for him than the ones with Rough.

So i could say that with Rough+Ptp, i was getting more spin(based on opponent opinion) and more control, while with PTP+Spin i was hitting faster but also was making easier mistakes.
I have to mention here that at the end of PTP+Spin time i felt its about to die so lack of control and hitting longer balls were probably caused by dead poly here. I basically wanted to leave it and just cut it later but actually started serving with it and broke it. It lasted easily 4.5 hours if not 5 which is just so strange.

Anyway its still main contender, just because it plays nice and i can easily cut it close to 4 hours as this would be 100% better than previous 2h anyway. Its hard for me to pick one of those at this moment. I personally felt better with PTP + Spin, but noticed i was hitting good balls with great control on Rough+PTP as well. It just felt more heavy, like i had to give more effort to get that in exchange. PTP + 1.25 feels light and smooth for me not as heavy as Rough 1.3 + ptp 1.3. Maybe that 1.3/1.25 on crosses making that feel.

Maybe i need a mix of both combinations somehow, but yet again i definitely need fresh PTP + Spin to check it. Maybe what @blai212 said with PTP 1.3 + 1.25 Blast is also worth trying here. I didint want to go back to blast at all but maybe?

I also feel a little bit more stress on the elbow now, maybe caused by playing more with rough than with PTP so will have to see how it is.

As advised i got new racquet ready with Rough 1.3 + 1.25 Spin. Will try it right away on wednesday during match just to see if it clicks right away. - If its great i will obviously check it later vs PTP + 1.25 just to have both at the same time.

If not, i will probably have to give a try to full beds of PTP, Rough and Lynx. So far i only had hybrids and that 1.3 PTP + 1.25 PTP that broke too quickly.

 

[McEncock]

@Psi7
Amazing! I have very high expectations of Rough 130 + PTSpin 125. I'm sure you do too...
Looking forward to read your impressions!
Cheers

 

[Psi7]

Can we get a picture of the strings when this combo breaks? I am intrigued.

IMHO is not so much about shape or texture of the string, but how 2 different polyester strings interact with each other in a high friction environment, both static & Kinetic.

 

[ryohazuki222]

@Psi7
Amazing! I have very high expectations of Rough 130 + PTSpin 125. I'm sure you do too...
Looking forward to read your impressions!
Cheers

For my sake I hope it sucks. Hahaha. Otherwise it’ll be in the back of my mind to try it at some point even though I really need to get through my existing reels and strings first before messing around with new string combos .

 

[ChrisJR3264]

Poly tour pro 1.30
Kirschbaum max power 1.25
Solinco outlast 1.25

All worked for me. Poly tour pro is pricey so I moved off.

 

[Psi7]

Poly tour pro 1.30
Kirschbaum max power 1.25
Solinco outlast 1.25

All worked for me. Poly tour pro is pricey so I moved off.

I dont know about prices in different areas, but Poly Tour Pro here in EU is the cheapest string, at least from those that i tried. Only Lynx at the same level

@Psi7
Amazing! I have very high expectations of Rough 130 + PTSpin 125. I'm sure you do too...
Looking forward to read your impressions!
Cheers

For my sake I hope it sucks. Hahaha. Otherwise it’ll be in the back of my mind to try it at some point even though I really need to get through my existing reels and strings first before messing around with new string combos .

Yes i am very tempted to try it, simply because the feedback i recieved today, that rough was creating better spin and more difficult ball for my opponent. So even though i would pick PTP+Spin myself just because it feels more smooth and less heavy for me i think i cant ignore it and give it a proper tests. As mentioned i will come back with first opinion about it on wednesday. I will try it right away first time during league match against good opponent that is very regular, i wont be a fav so will have to hit heavy balls from start to end to win it and if i win, this setup will be on pole position of course.

To be perfectly honest i have 2nd thoughts about testing full beds. So much time trying all this combinations that i am not sure if i even want to try full rough or full ptp and just cut it with this 1.3 + 1.25 setup with spin. It increased durability heavily and with what i understand so far this setup can give a little bit more than just full rough or full ptp. Also if i get enough durability with that 4 hours with 1.3+1.25 in that combos' i dont see any logic in going full 1.3. Maybe i should stop with crosses combinations, keep 1.25 Spin there and just go with different mains. PTP/Rough or Lynx(might try it only if i pick PTP) And if i go with PTP mains i can give one try to 1.25 blast crosses as well. Dont think i will go with it but i have reel so if PTP + 1.25 spin is final decision i can just do final test like that.

I still had that Black Widow on the list and not sure what to do with it, but Lynx Tour doesnt make much sense i think as its more stiff and i found durability with 1.3+1.25 spin.

 

[blai212]

@Psi7 you are not crazy for thinking 1.30 Rough/PTP feels heavier and hits heavier ball than 1.30+1.25spin because the thinner gauge string has less material, thus less weight (imagine a lighter racquet). I would suggest this combo of 1.30 mains with 1.25 cross if you don’t like the extra weight of 1.30 full bed. FYI lynx tour and 4G are also quite heavy too. I was very much enjoying 1.30 VCT/1.18 SPPP in dense 16x19 when I was using poly hybrids cuz fullbed 1.30 was much too heavy for me. If you want to try light weight strings, try hyperG.

 

[Psi7]

@Psi7 you are not crazy for thinking 1.30 Rough/PTP feels heavier and hits heavier ball than 1.30+1.25spin because the thinner gauge string has less material, thus less weight (imagine a lighter racquet). I would suggest this combo of 1.30 mains with 1.25 cross if you don’t like the extra weight of 1.30 full bed. FYI lynx tour and 4G are also quite heavy too. I was very much enjoying 1.30 VCT/1.18 SPPP in dense 16x19 when I was using poly hybrids cuz fullbed 1.30 was much too heavy for me. If you want to try light weight strings, try hyperG.

Yep, that explains different feel with 1.3+1.3 and i also think i can stop searching for more when i found enough durability in that ptp 1.3 + 1.25 spin, so no point i guess in checking full rough anyway as it would be most expensive one as well.

I think i will do this: IF i love this new setup of 1.3 Rough + 1.25 Spin i will get next racquet again with 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Spin and compare. Can even get another set of both just to be sure. If i like Rough + Spin more(and assuming it will also hold tension similar to PTP + spin) then its over. I will get reels of rough and spin and stop.

If i pick PTP+ spin over Rough+ Spin then i will still try full bed of PTP and Lynx just to see the difference between two and then will go with either PTP 1.3 +1.25 Spin or Lynx 1.3 + 1.25 Spin

Could still try Lynx Tour instead of Spin as both are similar, priced same but would it really matter? Dont think lynx tour has any big advantage here and as was mentioned, its heavier, grey not black and better durability doesnt matter anymore as with spin i get enough of it so dont think there is any point in checking it.

Every other string will create more testing of testing

 

[blai212]

yep at some point, it simply becomes exhausting…just figure out which strings you like and at what tension and just focus on getting better in tennis. Figuring out the right tension will go a long way too. Different temperature will mean different tension if you want same reference tension.

 

[KYHacker]

I dont think i can go lower than 23kg and that is 50 lbs. As things stand i dont have any pain in the elbow other than overload, but its not an issue right now. I have practice sessions pain free even though i serve way more 1st serves than before. I am working on it so thats why i am trying to stay away a bit from more stiff strings. Maybe that would do nothing as my body is in better shape and racquet change helped a lot but i just dont know. I have Blast 1.25 reel still and i dont want to go back to it again even though i liked it, but as mentioned in one of the posts before, once i started to play with PTP i tried blast on mains on one attempt, also poly tour Spin and didint like it that much. Felt i have more connection with ptp.

Thats why i am trying to find best option out of those i am familiar with now and when its done i can compare it to Lynx Tour for example, but still at 50 lbs. I just cant imagine being ok with lower than that. Its not like i dismiss it completely, maybe 4g only for now.




I had 2 attempts earlier with 1.3 PTP + 1.25 Fire, but both broke way quicker than this hybrid with 1.25 spin. 1st one was like 3 hours, which was good but 2nd one broke very quickly close or even below 2h mark so that was no difference to full 1.25 ptp. As mentioned hybrid with 1.25 spin is surely at 4h now including really 2h heavy hitting with very good jr player so that is really good and way more than i expected. So there is something with PTP + Spin that didint work with PTP + Fire when it comes to durability.

I will be smarter on monday(assuming my hybrid with spin wont break right away) and will test this PTP+Rough and Rough+Ptp to compare, but i tried it so far on short attempts only and i wasnt sold so most likely there is no big difference in play for me which means i wont really have to go with more expensive rough here. But i still have one string left so can either put it on full bed or just give it a go on 2 more hybrids.

@blai212 this is the reason i wanted to try Lynx as well as it looks like its very similar to PTP so i guess its worth trying it at least once, maybe against full bed PTP just to see which one of both i like more, assuming i will decide for PTP mains during monday tests where i will have this rough setups as well.

Don't worry about going low with Lynx Tour. I go as low as 44#. I haven't seen much in the way of a change in playability for Lynx Tour at different tensions. That string is so stiff and low-powered that it just doesn't make as much difference. The difference in tension does change the feel of the stringbed quite a bit however. You may find that it feels to soft to suit you at 44# as opposed to 48#. I will also note that I much prefer the feel of the champagne color Lynx Tour over the orange color. The orange is just a tad softer and launchier and I didn't feel like it offered as much control as the champagne color.

 

[Psi7]

No big news after today session but only because i played match in my league with very good player and game that were decided by single points so i couldnt test my strings.

However i played today with that Rpm Rough 1.3 + 1.25 Spin for the first time. I would say i was very satisfied with how it played. It clicked from the start even though i played it for the first time ever. Obviously i cant really say if better or worse than Ptp + spin, but i won this match so i would say it was more than good. And i wasnt fav.

We played for nearly 2:30h and its holding tension really well. String was moving, i had to put it in right place quite often, maybe even more than with PTP+Spin but i think i found enough durability here with both setups so quite sure there is no point in trying full 1.30's.

On Friday, i will test this Rough 1.3 + Spin 1.25 vs 2 others that i still have and that is full 1.3 of Rough + PTP and PTP + Rough and most likely will cut one of the 1.3's(the worst one) and will get that PTP + Spin again for monday. So will have both Rough + Spin and PTP + Spin and the 3rd one just because i will have it anyway.

Then, depending on my feel with this stings on monday i will decide next step. If Rough + Spin is the best one then its over. If not, then it will probably take few more sessions or i will simply say no to lynx as well as PTP replacement and stay with PTP+Spin and stop testing as well.

Think its either Rough + Spin or PTP + Spin. I didint feel any discomfort playing today with rough so i dont think there is any issue at all. I am also quite convinced it will hold 4 hours as well so i should just pick the better one for me out of this two. I still got my comfort and i found durability.

I have still full 1.3 PTP in mind, but i think it cant play better than 1.3 + 1.25 spin and also when i had 1.3 PTP + 1.25 PTP i also broke it very quickly, like 2 hours similar to full 1.25 PTP.

 

[blai212]

1.30 rough or PTP mains with 1.25 spin will provide easier power, spin, and comfort than full bed 1.30 which would provide more durability but also feel a bit more boardy. Personally, I much prefer thinner cross partly because it’s easier to weave crosses (thick crosses are a PAIN especially with blocked holes) but also it’s just easier on the arm with more power + spin

 

[Psi7]

1.30 rough or PTP mains with 1.25 spin will provide easier power, spin, and comfort than full bed 1.30 which would provide more durability but also feel a bit more boardy. Personally, I much prefer thinner cross partly because it’s easier to weave crosses (thick crosses are a PAIN especially with blocked holes) but also it’s just easier on the arm with more power + spin

You are right, i will stay with 1.3+1.25 and just compare that mains combinations with 1.25 spin on the crosses(unless...)

 

[ryohazuki222]

@Psi7 —dang it… now I’m going to order the set of spin I never got around to ordering and it’s all your fault.

fwiw, if you like hitting with topspin, I think you’ll like full ptp less. I like full ptp, but I always had to hit flatter because the strings didn’t give that extra bite. (I used to hit with full ptp… the only reason I considered other mains was to get more spin but retain the aspects of ptp I liked)

also… different rackets and I rebuilt my swing after the pandemic but I wasn’t really breaking ptp 1.25 or 1.30 strung at 45 on the old heavy vcore pro.

with my new setup, rough plus ptp is breaking every 5.5 hours like I said. Literally always in the exact same spot (gotta love that consistency ).

I’ve been really hesitant to try 1.30 rough mains because I love where I landed on racket specs. And 1.30 doesn’t seem worth it. Also… already have reels of rough to go through.

BUT NOW I see someone that seems like like similar string setups breaking strings faster (Ie… fast swinger with some heavy shots) and you got double durability out of rough + spin?? I have to try this now….

 

[Psi7]

@Psi7 —dang it… now I’m going to order the set of spin I never got around to ordering and it’s all your fault.

fwiw, if you like hitting with topspin, I think you’ll like full ptp less. I like full ptp, but I always had to hit flatter because the strings didn’t give that extra bite. (I used to hit with full ptp… the only reason I considered other mains was to get more spin but retain the aspects of ptp I liked)

also… different rackets and I rebuilt my swing after the pandemic but I wasn’t really breaking ptp 1.25 or 1.30 strung at 45 on the old heavy vcore pro.

with my new setup, rough plus ptp is breaking every 5.5 hours like I said. Literally always in the exact same spot (gotta love that consistency ).

I’ve been really hesitant to try 1.30 rough mains because I love where I landed on racket specs. And 1.30 doesn’t seem worth it. Also… already have reels of rough to go through.

BUT NOW I see someone that seems like like similar string setups breaking strings faster (Ie… fast swinger with some heavy shots) and you got double durability out of rough + spin?? I have to try this now….

Well, to be perfecly honest i only played with Rough + Spin for about 2:30h so far, but its really holding tension well so i can tell you that it wont break right away during next session for sure. If you want to get it guaranteed, wait till tomorrow. I will play first hour with it and the 2nd one will just switch between that 1.30 rough+ptp two setups just to use those. Dont want to cut it just like that.

But yea i wont even try full1.3 ptp or rough, will keep 1.25 spin on the crosses(case closed) and just play a bit with Rough mains and PTP mains. Will just switch between both for 2-3 sessions and then make a decision and get reels. There is a big difference in price between Rough and PTP so i want it to play significantly better.

Ryo, i am a little bit confused what setup you are using, is it 1.25 + 1.25 Rough mains/Ptp crosses?

 

[ryohazuki222]

Well, to be perfecly honest i only played with Rough + Spin for about 2:30h so far, but its really holding tension well so i can tell you that it wont break right away during next session for sure. If you want to get it guaranteed, wait till tomorrow. I will play first hour with it and the 2nd one will just switch between that 1.30 rough+ptp two setups just to use those. Dont want to cut it just like that.

But yea i wont even try full1.3 ptp or rough, will keep 1.25 spin on the crosses(case closed) and just play a bit with Rough mains and PTP mains. Will just switch between both for 2-3 sessions and then make a decision and get reels. There is a big difference in price between Rough and PTP so i want it to play significantly better.

Ryo, i am a little bit confused what setup you are using, is it 1.25 + 1.25 Rough mains/Ptp crosses?

Yes. I landed on rough 1.25 mains and ptp 1.25 crosses.

a lot of correlation between your experiences and mine though.

for example: I liked full 1.25 rough, but not as much as the hybrid…AND it costs more. So bad choice. As mentioned, I also liked full ptp a lot, but was looking for more spin from the strings and a little bit lower power so I could feel more comfortable swinging through.

 

[Humbi_HTX]

@Psi7 where do you live?

I have done experiments with a "test" subject who is the most consistent clean hitter that we string for (this guy doesnt even play matches he just goes to rally and hit that ball for 2hrs 3 times a week) and using a "softer" cross string that erodes with the abrasion of the main, you can get a longer lifespan of the string Bed.

 

[Psi7]

@Psi7 where do you live?

I have done experiments with a "test" subject who is the most consistent clean hitter that we string for (this guy doesnt even play matches he just goes to rally and hit that ball for 2hrs 3 times a week) and using a "softer" cross string that erodes with the abrasion of the main, you can get a longer lifespan of the string Bed.

of course this is just one case and one attempt so can be coincidence but spin on crosses with ptp mains lasted more than spin with rough as mains. Is it how it should be or result is opposite to "theory"?


So i broke Rough + Spin today. Lasted hour so overall it was about 3:20h. Ptp + spin was surely 4h+, but cant say exactly, but think 1h+ more than ptp+spin

So... I am quite sure i will go with this 1.3+1.25 Rough/PTP + Spin crosses. I got both fresh ready and will test it for 1h each on monday, see the difference for me and then unless i like one over another by a lot i will also switch both during match on wednesday. Just to feel it during practice and match and also to keep both at same play time.

I said earlier that 3h is enough i guess but if i compare 3h vs 4h, obv i would prefer 4, especially when rough is just way more expensive than ptp

I had to cut one string to get this 2 setups fresh so picked rough+ptp instead of ptp+rough. I couldnt really decide so this was 50/50 but ptp+rough played a bit better for me today when i broke the spin setup. I remember my opponent said that my spin was best with rough+ptp during one session, but i remember i didint like the feel of it as it was heavy and i had more comfort with other options. I think that 1.3+1.25 felt just way better for me when it comes to comfort and touch and i also lost any track of how much i played with this 1.3+1.3 setups.

 

[McEncock]

of course this is just one case and one attempt so can be coincidence but spin on crosses with ptp mains lasted more than spin with rough as mains. Is it how it should be or result is opposite to "theory"?


So i broke Rough + Spin today. Lasted hour so overall it was about 3:20h. Ptp + spin was surely 4h+, but cant say exactly, but think 1h+ more than ptp+spin

So... I am quite sure i will go with this 1.3+1.25 Rough/PTP + Spin crosses. I got both fresh ready and will test it for 1h each on monday, see the difference for me and then unless i like one over another by a lot i will also switch both during match on wednesday. Just to feel it during practice and match and also to keep both at same play time.

I said earlier that 3h is enough i guess but if i compare 3h vs 4h, obv i would prefer 4, especially when rough is just way more expensive than ptp

I had to cut one string to get this 2 setups fresh so picked rough+ptp instead of ptp+rough. I couldnt really decide so this was 50/50 but ptp+rough played a bit better for me today when i broke the spin setup. I remember my opponent said that my spin was best with rough+ptp during one session, but i remember i didint like the feel of it as it was heavy and i had more comfort with other options. I think that 1.3+1.25 felt just way better for me when it comes to comfort and touch and i also lost any track of how much i played with this 1.3+1.3 setups.

I told you the theory about why 125 PTSpin preserves the mains,
Read my previous posts =)

 

[Psi7]

I told you the theory about why 125 PTSpin preserves the mains,
Read my previous posts =)

Y i am aware and thats why i will stay with 1.25 spin on the crosses, but i dont understand why PTP survived longer with it than RPM Rough(unless conicidence based on just one attempt)

 

[McEncock]

Y i am aware and thats why i will stay with 1.25 spin on the crosses, but i dont understand why PTP survived longer with it than RPM Rough(unless conicidence based on just one attempt)

My guess is that the rough texture alters the integrity of the string and make it more fragile and soft
My advice is if you're good with 3 hours, keep the rough mains if you like it better performance wise

 

[Psi7]

My guess is that the rough texture alters the integrity of the string and make it more fragile and soft
My advice is if you're good with 3 hours, keep the rough mains if you like it better performance wise

Well i dont know. Both played well for me but I didint have both at the same time until now. Will test it on monday and wednesday but i will expect rough+spin to perform significantly better. If not and it will be very similar + durability will repeat with ptp+spin surviving longer, i will go with ptp+spin

 

[ryohazuki222]

My theory is that rough is slicker so it moves more. Basically rough is traveling back and forth further than ptp. But who knows.

FYI—- ordered a set of ptp spin. Should arrive today and looking forward to testing out Sunday. As a cross instead of my usual ptp.

 

[blai212]

also rough has that dimpled texture which makes it more brittle

 

[Psi7]

Basically rough is traveling back and forth further than ptp

also rough has that dimpled texture which makes it more brittle

Yep possible, can quote myself here from the first test with Rough+Spin so yea, thats it probably : String was moving, i had to put it in right place quite often, maybe even more than with PTP+Spin

Cant wait for monday to get the feeling of both. To be honest, i hope that PTP+Spin will be better

 

[Psi7]

@Trip @TennisJrDad - Can any of you share this data you posted in the past for both characteristics Radar and Column of this strings is possible please? :

Poly Tour Pro Yellow 1.3, RPM Rough 1.3 yellow(black if no yellow), MSV Focus Hex Black 1.27 Head Lynx Tour 1.3 grey, Lynx 1.3 Yellow and Black Widow 1.31 black? If not possible to have 6 in one, then PTP + Lynx + Msv Hex on one and Rough , Lynx Tour and Black widow in the other

And the other one with Poly Tour Spin 1.25 black, MSV Hex Ultra 1.25(neon or black) and RPM Blast 1.25 black?

Big thx.

 

[Pumpkin]

I'd describe someone who moves from 1.25 to 1.3 strings and thinks the SW is adversely affecting their game as a major league weirdo.

 

[TennisJrDad]

@Trip @TennisJrDad - Can any of you share this data you posted in the past for both characteristics Radar and Column of this strings is possible please? :

Poly Tour Pro Yellow 1.3, RPM Rough 1.3 yellow(black if no yellow), MSV Focus Hex Black 1.27 Head Lynx Tour 1.3 grey, Lynx 1.3 Yellow and Black Widow 1.31 black? If not possible to have 6 in one, then PTP + Lynx + Msv Hex on one and Rough , Lynx Tour and Black widow in the other

And the other one with Poly Tour Spin 1.25 black, MSV Hex Ultra 1.25(neon or black) and RPM Blast 1.25 black?

Big thx.

 

[Psi7]

One more thing. I found old reel, probably about 60m of Babolat Pro Hurricane. Its from 2006...

From what i read including Babolat account, new RPM Power is similar to that string as RPM Hurricane is actually old Hurricane Pro Tour.

Any of you know that string? Based on some reviews of RPM Power it should be comfortable one, powered and durable, but still 1.35. Of course i am not planning to think about it long term, but Blast reel i will sell, this one no so i can just figure a way to use it.

Worth trying it at mains with 1.25 spin? So 1.35 + 1.25 just to soften it a little bit more and actually get close feel to the setup i will use or 1.35 + 1.25 is too big of a difference?

 

[blai212]

1.35/1.25 will be fine

 

[McEncock]

One more thing. I found old reel, probably about 60m of Babolat Pro Hurricane. Its from 2006...

From what i read including Babolat account, new RPM Power is similar to that string as RPM Hurricane is actually old Hurricane Pro Tour.

Any of you know that string? Based on some reviews of RPM Power it should be comfortable one, powered and durable, but still 1.35. Of course i am not planning to think about it long term, but Blast reel i will sell, this one no so i can just figure a way to use it.

Worth trying it at mains with 1.25 spin? So 1.35 + 1.25 just to soften it a little bit more and actually get close feel to the setup i will use or 1.35 + 1.25 is too big of a difference?

Try it!
A very big string breaker at the shop used full bed 135 rpm blast in his gravity pros.
One day I told him to try Lynx Tour (hexagonal like PTSpin) 125 in the crosses, and he liked it very much

 

[ryohazuki222]

What’s this data?

@Psi7 — I tried out yonex spin and bab rough today. Had one setup on each stick alternating which is mains and which is crosses.

spin in cross is super stiff compared to what I’m used to. It hits well but didn’t like the feel. If you liked that feel my guess is you’d prefer the stiffer string in the crosses. Feels like with ptp or rough mains with spin crosses could work well for you.

but I just got yet another data point that I had stiff poly crosses. Turns out spin mains and rough crosses is even more incredible than the previous setup I loved. (Rough mains. Ptp crosses.)

what’s weird is it looks like I definitely like a stiffness difference between my mains and crosses.

will report back on durability… which is what even got me interested in trying this out even though I was happy already.

 

[Psi7]

What’s this data?

@Psi7 — I tried out yonex spin and bab rough today. Had one setup on each stick alternating which is mains and which is crosses.

spin in cross is super stiff compared to what I’m used to. It hits well but didn’t like the feel. If you liked that feel my guess is you’d prefer the stiffer string in the crosses. Feels like with ptp or rough mains with spin crosses could work well for you.

but I just got yet another data point that I had stiff poly crosses. Turns out spin mains and rough crosses is even more incredible than the previous setup I loved. (Rough mains. Ptp crosses.)

what’s weird is it looks like I definitely like a stiffness difference between my mains and crosses.

will report back on durability… which is what even got me interested in trying this out even though I was happy already.

Thats weird but yeah, ptp that i started playing with during summer was the softest one i ever tried. 15 years ago i was using luxilon big banger original and that hurricane pro until the end, then blast for whole year when i picked up racquets again.

I missed a little bit touch and didint feel enough connection when i had that spin or blast mains setups with ptp crosses, but somehow it felt really good with that spin on the crosses. I cant explain it. That ptp+spin with 4h+ was really nice taking in mind that full 1.25 ptp was just 2h, same with 1.3+1.25 of full ptp.

i am ready for final tests tomorrow for rough vs ptp mains 1.3 and 1.25 spin crosses, but think somehow that ptp+spin will be the winner…

 

[blai212]

@ryohazuki222 I also preferred stiffer main w softer cross, usually shsped main w round good tension maintenance cross