Do I need to rough it out?

[syke]

I admit I got caught up with the gut/poly hybrid faze that has been popularized by the pros on the tour. I practically copied Federer's formula of gut mains, poly crosses. I have since jumped on the bandwagon and never looked back.

Just today, my local stringer ran out of ALU Power rough. Without much of a choice, I strung my racquet with the ALU Power.

As I was making my way back, it dawn on me. Why on earth did I string them with rough all these while. I couldn't come up with a decent explanation, other than the fact Federer uses it.

At impact, the ball gets brushed up with the mains. The more freeplay the mains are allowed, the more spin gets imparted. If the mains are rough textured or hexagonally shaped, it will acts as a form
of resistance, preventing the mains from sliding.

Wouldn't it make more sense to install a smooth poly for the mains? Why does Federer use the rough version? What is he trying to achieve?

 

[JTPROG]

I admit I got caught up with the gut/poly hybrid faze that has been popularized by the pros on the tour. I practically copied Federer's formula of gut mains, poly crosses. I have since jumped on the bandwagon and never looked back.

Just today, my local stringer ran out of ALU Power rough. Without much of a choice, I strung my racquet with the ALU Power.

As I was making my way back, it dawn on me. Why on earth did I string them with rough all these while. I couldn't come up with a decent explanation, other than the fact Federer uses it.

At impact, the ball gets brushed up with the mains. The more freeplay the mains are allowed, the more spin gets imparted. If the mains are rough textured or hexagonally shaped, it will acts as a form
of resistance, preventing the mains from sliding.

Wouldn't it make more sense to install a smooth poly for the mains? Why does Federer use the rough version? What is he trying to achieve?

First of all didn't you just say you had poly crosses? Yet you're talking about poly means? If one's goal with the poly is to impart spin and it isn't on the mains I have no idea why someone would do that.

Second of all, I'm pretty sure a hexagonal pattern will actually slide more since there should technically be less surface area if the edges are jutting out and the mains are resting on the edges of the poly. As for the ALU rough can't be sure. It might be the same concept since some of the string may be jutting out as well, but i doubt it makes much of a difference EITHER way, the rough texture is mostly for the ball and does not affect the sliding much IMO.

 

[arche3]

If one's goal with the poly is to impart spin and it isn't on the mains I have no idea why someone would do that.

According to a lot of people. Tw tennis professor included. Gut mains and poly crosses can have a higher spin potential than full poly. Its slipperier than all poly.

 

[Power Player]

The gut mains/poly cross is one of the most spin friendly setups you can get. The other way around is not nearly as good.

OP, ALU is a waste..I put some ALU power crossed with my gut and it was pretty lame after a few hours.

You want to use MSV CoFocus. Your wallet and gut will thank you.

 

[JTPROG]

I'm pretty much referring to the fact that these polys are textured - the reason being so that they can grip the ball better. If they are not on the mains then that aspect of the poly is lessened, so it seems somewhat counter intuitive. If the goal is just slipperiness I'm not denying that the other setup may be effective as well.

 

[Power Player]

It doesnt matter if they grip the ball better in the mains. What matters is the crosses sliding back. That is how the spin is actually maximized. There are tons of studies about this, and that is why gut with a slippery poly cross is the highest rated setup for spin in the TWU database.

 

[MambaT]

At impact, the ball gets brushed up with the mains. The more freeplay the mains are allowed, the more spin gets imparted. If the mains are rough textured or hexagonally shaped, it will acts as a form
of resistance, preventing the mains from sliding.

Wouldn't it make more sense to install a smooth poly for the mains?

I guess you meant to say crosses here??

My experience agrees with this. Gut mains and a good round poly is a fantastic setup for spin, and comfort, and power... well, pretty much everything.

I'm pretty sure a hexagonal pattern will actually slide more since there should technically be less surface area if the edges are jutting out and the mains are resting on the edges of the poly.

Try sliding an upright knife edge across a wooden table top. Then try a rounded bar of steel. Which slides easier?

Now pound down on the knife blade a few times and see if you can slide it at all.

That is what a sharp string edge does into Gut after hitting a few balls.

 

[JTPROG]

I guess you meant to say crosses here??

Try sliding an upright knife edge across a wooden table top. Then try a rounded bar of steel. Which slides easier?

Now pound down on the knife blade a few times and see if you can slide it at all.

That is what a sharp string edge does into Gut after hitting a few balls.

Pretty sure most hex "edges" are predominantly round and nowhere near as close to knife sharpness, but OK. Try sliding the edge of a penny on a piece of plastic =]. Not saying i'm right or wrong, just don't overgeneralize.

 

[MambaT]

Did you think I overgeneralized?? Sorry about that. You mentioned surface area, so I was using an example that was, while admittedly perhaps extreme, pertinent to the qualities that you mentioned as important.

I still think it is a valid point, though. At least for the 2 or 3 kinds of string that I have ever tried...

 

[syke]

Sorry guys for the confusion. I meant gut mains and poly crosses.
At ball impact, the racquet is parallel to the ground, and that translates in the mains being in parallel as well.

As the racquet is brushing up on the ball, the mains actually slide along the crosses, and they are the main proponent in spin production.

Since the crosses do not contribute as much spin compared to the mains. A smooth or slippery cross would ease the friction, allowing the mains to slide even more.

Am I right here?

 

[syke]

Try sliding an upright knife edge across a wooden table top. Then try a rounded bar of steel. Which slides easier?

Now pound down on the knife blade a few times and see if you can slide it at all.

That is what a sharp string edge does into Gut after hitting a few balls.

That's exactly how I see it as well.

 

[syke]

The gut mains/poly cross is one of the most spin friendly setups you can get. The other way around is not nearly as good.

OP, ALU is a waste..I put some ALU power crossed with my gut and it was pretty lame after a few hours.

You want to use MSV CoFocus. Your wallet and gut will thank you.

I will give that a shot in my next re-string.

Have you tried SPPP? Worth a try?

 

[Power Player]

I have not , but I heard it is a very good cross as well.

 

[netguy]

I admit I got caught up with the gut/poly hybrid faze that has been popularized by the pros on the tour. I practically copied Federer's formula of gut mains, poly crosses. I have since jumped on the bandwagon and never looked back.

Just today, my local stringer ran out of ALU Power rough. Without much of a choice, I strung my racquet with the ALU Power.

As I was making my way back, it dawn on me. Why on earth did I string them with rough all these while. I couldn't come up with a decent explanation, other than the fact Federer uses it.

At impact, the ball gets brushed up with the mains. The more freeplay the mains are allowed, the more spin gets imparted. If the mains are rough textured or hexagonally shaped, it will acts as a form
of resistance, preventing the mains from sliding.

Wouldn't it make more sense to install a smooth poly for the mains? Why does Federer use the rough version? What is he trying to achieve?

Different string set-ups for different skill levels, playing styles and personal goals.

 

[alidisperanza]

Second of all, I'm pretty sure a hexagonal pattern will actually slide more since there should technically be less surface area if the edges are jutting out and the mains are resting on the edges of the poly. As for the ALU rough can't be sure. It might be the same concept since some of the string may be jutting out as well, but i doubt it makes much of a difference EITHER way, the rough texture is mostly for the ball and does not affect the sliding much IMO.

I guess you meant to say crosses here??

My experience agrees with this. Gut mains and a good round poly is a fantastic setup for spin, and comfort, and power... well, pretty much everything.

Try sliding an upright knife edge across a wooden table top. Then try a rounded bar of steel. Which slides easier?

Now pound down on the knife blade a few times and see if you can slide it at all.

That is what a sharp string edge does into Gut after hitting a few balls.

A good response to the first quote

Sorry guys for the confusion. I meant gut mains and poly crosses.
At ball impact, the racquet is parallel to the ground, and that translates in the mains being in parallel as well.

As the racquet is brushing up on the ball, the mains actually slide along the crosses, and they are the main proponent in spin production.

Since the crosses do not contribute as much spin compared to the mains. A smooth or slippery cross would ease the friction, allowing the mains to slide even more.

Am I right here?

This is a huge debate in the tennis community but according to some research the ideal combination is to get the lowest coefficient of friction between the strings themselves and the highest coefficient of friction for ball to string contact. Hence the rough/smooth debate as well.

What you will find is that a smoother, elastic cross will allow your gut mains to slide back and forth and it will not damage the gut as much. Rough mains are ideal for a few hours of play (a la Fed) because they switch out racquets every so many games. For the average consumer who intends on using a frame for 10+ hours, durability and tension are concerns as well. What a lot of users have been finding is that it's both cost effective and pleasurable to play a lower powered tension favorable poly in the crosses to maximize their price/performance ratio. The gut not only can slide successfully but also creates a nice balance for the lower powered poly.

I will give that a shot in my next re-string.

Have you tried SPPP? Worth a try?

SPPP is a good example of what I mentioned above. WeissCannon Silverstring is another one I would recommend. I've played both but enjoyed the latter more.

 

[syke]

I am going get meself some MSV Co Focus for my next restring. Hopefully it's as good as the Alu power. Gut & Alu isn't the most economical combination out there.

Btw, I was looking at the string friction rankings, http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/COFreporter.php

The MSV Hepta Twist, a twisted shaped poly has the least friction with the gut string. Why is that?

The TW study is contradicting to what has been discussed above.

Main Babolat Tonic + Natural Gut 16 M—Gut
Cross MSV Hepta-Twist 17 X—Polyester