Crosses bottom to top on babolat frames

[crabsclaws]

I have read a lot on here about crosses always top to bottom. However, what about Babolat rackets? - according to the stringing patterns on the Babolat website, the instructions suggest they go bottom to top!

 

[Irvin]

Actually they don't suggest it but they do allow it. If you look close at the Babolat pattern you will see their pattern drawings are for 1 or 2 piece.

 

[crabsclaws]

Babolat crosses

Hi thanks for the quick reply. I have seen a lot of your posts and learned a lot from them.
Yeah, I saw the two pattern option too.
Numbers 19, 20, 21 show the mains ending then starting at the bottom.
In your experienced opinion would bottom to top be ok or would you still go top to bottom?

 

[Irvin]

I just strung a Babolat one piece top to bottom but did not used their pattern. I string the center 14 mains and hold the short side with a starting clamp. Then string the crosses with the long side from the 2nd cross down until the string end on the long side and their are 1 or 2 bottom crosses nt strung. I then use the long side for the long side outside main and top cross. And the short side for the short side outside main and the bottom crosses. I always string top to bottom.

 

[crabsclaws]

Thanks. So these ATW patterns do not void the warranty and help keep the outer strings tighter too?

 

[Irvin]

Thanks. So these ATW patterns do not void the warranty and help keep the outer strings tighter too?

I don't consider these an ATW pattern even though it accomplishes the same thing. With most ATW patterns you use the long side to string one outside main, the bottom cross, the other outside then the top cross. This is where the term ATW comes from as you string all outside string right there around the racket. It is really simple enough but too many people have messed up their string my not weaving the top and bottom crosses right including your truly. Those types of ATW pattern also make for a lot of hard weaves sometimes depending on how many crosses you have.

No matter I don't think any of there patterns will void the warranty.

 

[bluegrass_stringer]

I don't consider these an ATW pattern even though it accomplishes the same thing. With most ATW patterns you use the long side to string one outside main, the bottom cross, the other outside then the top cross. This is where the term ATW comes from as you string all outside string right there around the racket. It is really simple enough but too many people have messed up their string my not weaving the top and bottom crosses right including your truly. Those types of ATW pattern also make for a lot of hard weaves sometimes depending on how many crosses you have.

No matter I don't think any of there patterns will void the warranty.

Yeah, ATW pattens can make the weaving "harder" since you have the bottom cross and top cross tensioned. I do everything two piece, unless specifically requested, which is rare.

 

[Irvin]

Yeah, ATW pattens can make the weaving "harder" since you have the bottom cross and top cross tensioned. I do everything two piece, unless specifically requested, which is rare.

I'm doing everything 1 piece lately unless requested and always string from the top down without having a bottom cross tensioned. And never tie off an outside main so the aren't loose. I could bump up the tension on the outside mains and tie offs but it feel too tight on the outside for me.

 

[bluegrass_stringer]

I'm doing everything 1 piece lately unless requested and always string from the top down without having a bottom cross tensioned. And never tie off an outside main so the aren't loose. I could bump up the tension on the outside mains and tie offs but it feel too tight on the outside for me.

I have never been too concerned about the outside strings being "loose". They will always be looser and easily moved no matter what. Theoretically it helps with off center hits too. Everyone has their preference.

 

[Steve Huff]

I use a true ATW pattern often. Irvin is right that it makes for hard weaves every other cross, but I've gotten used to it. I think it works well for Babolat rackets. I use the short side to string the top cross (after the 7th main). The long side is used for the bottom cross and the last cross on the short side, then the rest of the crosses. You do have to keep in mind which way to weave, or you could easily be starting the crosses over. I guess I've just done so many, it seems 2nd nature now.

 

[jjs891]

When you're doing the ATW pattern, how many feet of string do you allow on the short side ?

Does it make any difference if you do it the way Irvin does ?

Thanks

 

[Irvin]

On the short side just measure out the strings you'll be using. Let's say your using the short side to run in 7 mains and a cross. Measure out 7 head lengths and 1 head width and add 1' for tie off.

EDIT: The Wilson Steam might make a good racket.

EDIT: When you string the racket after replacing the grommets make darn sure you don't pull the grommet out of the frame when stringing it. I assume you know what I'm talking about.

 

[_skunk_]

Yeah, ATW pattens can make the weaving "harder" since you have the bottom cross and top cross tensioned. I do everything two piece, unless specifically requested, which is rare.

With Liam ATW there are no problems of hard=weaving the crosses.
No issues how to start the crosses just enter the second from top and go down, until the 1 before the last.

 

[Irvin]

With Liam ATW there are no problems of hard=weaving the crosses.
No issues how to start the crosses just enter the second from top and go down, until the 1 before the last.

I've been using that pattern for a while. I thought I'd never seen it before but I'm sure now I have. There are no hard weaves on the crosses but stringing the outside mains can present a problem.

This Liam pattern can surprise you with a few problems of its own now and then. By far the easiest pattern most of the time will be a two piece.

EDIT: When using an ATW pattern always string an even number of mains with (where you start from the top down) the long side. Sometimes this means you must skip the top cross and string it with the short side.

 

[_skunk_]

I've been using that pattern for a while. I thought I'd never seen it before but I'm sure now I have. There are no hard weaves on the crosses but stringing the outside mains can present a problem.

This Liam pattern can surprise you with a few problems of its own now and then. By far the easiest pattern most of the time will be a two piece.

EDIT: When using an ATW pattern always string an even number of mains with (where you start from the top down) the long side. Sometimes this means you must skip the top cross and string it with the short side.

That is what i usually do, small modification on the LIAM, I enter with the long side on the second cross from the top, I tie the knot on the cross before the last one then with the short side i complete the atw closing on the first top cross.
The outside mains takes a little more time than usual, because of the "hardwave", as you noticed, but still i prefer this atw to the others, i do not have to count the crosses and be carefull about the weavings of the first and the last.

 

[Irvin]

That is what i usually do, small modification on the LIAM, I enter with the long side on the second cross from the top, I tie the knot on the cross before the last one then with the short side i complete the atw closing on the first top cross.
The outside mains takes a little more time than usual, because of the "hardwave", as you noticed, but still i prefer this atw to the others, i do not have to count the crosses and be carefull about the weavings of the first and the last.

Using the Liam method you don't have to worry about the weaving method as there is never a bottom cross ran in. You always string top to bottom except for that very top cross which is last.

 

[bluegrass_stringer]

Some Baboloat racquets, like the Pure Storm, you will have to string it bottom to top, and Babolat allows this. Because the cross strings are tied off on crosses, you need a starting clamp to go top to bottom if you are doing 2 piece. So if you don't have a starting clamp, Babolat allows bottom to top. Stringing top to bottom is a golden rule in stringing, but nowadays, the racquets are stronger and it isn't as bad for them. You will get more deformation though.

 

[_skunk_]

Using the Liam method you don't have to worry about the weaving method as there is never a bottom cross ran in. You always string top to bottom except for that very top cross which is last.

Exactly. That's what makes it my favorite atw pattern.