Flexy racquet with stiff string or vice versa for you?

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Those of you who don't like/use a stiff racquet with a stiff string for comfort reasons, which combo do you prefer, a flexy racquet with a stiffer string or the other way around, that is, a stiffer racquet with a softer string? And why?

Personally I get arm issues from stiff racquets with no matter what kind of (poly) string, but love using flexy racquets with stiff strings. That combo has never caused any trouble.

 

[Dartagnan64]

A stiff racket with a softer string is a rocket launcher for me as I don't have enough skill to control it.

A flexible racket with stiff strings is a nerf bat. No power.

So for me, a flexible frame with a medium powered string bed is best. Gut hybrid or muted multi.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Tension matters, I guess I use a soft string with a soft racquet, hyper g is pretty soft and thinner gauge = more power. Soft, powerful poly counteracts the soft, low power of a soft racquet and a stiff, low powered poly counteracts a stiff, high powered racquet. In my opinion it is better in the long run to use a soft frame + soft string.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Tension matters, I guess I use a soft string with a soft racquet, hyper g is pretty soft and thinner gauge = more power. Soft, powerful poly counteracts the soft, low power of a soft racquet and a stiff, low powered poly counteracts a stiff, high powered racquet. In my opinion it is better in the long run to use a soft frame + soft string.

My problem with soft + soft is that the ball tends to fly and I have to hold back or alter my swing. With a stiffer, low powered poly I don't have this problem. Of course tension matters as well. I just tried Black Code 4S in my leaded Prestige MP (SW at 340) at 45 lbs and I couldn't control it at all. I hit the fence all the time. After switching to Tourbite 18 at the same tension everything works like a charm. Next time I'll string a bit higher to tame the power even more.

 

[zipplock]

Whichever combo gives the most control without hurting my arm. I don't like stiff frames or stiff strings.

 

[travlerajm]

A stiff racket with a softer string is a rocket launcher for me as I don't have enough skill to control it.

A flexible racket with stiff strings is a nerf bat. No power.

So for me, a flexible frame with a medium powered string bed is best. Gut hybrid or muted multi.

Try adding more weight to the end of your nerf bat. Or not. But that’s what I do.

 

[eah123]

I am concerned about arm health, so flexible racquet with soft co-poly is the perfect combination for me. ProKennex Black Ace 315 + Volkl Cyclone Tour 16.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Try adding more weight to the end of your nerf bat. Or not. But that’s what I do.

That's my recipe as well. A rather heavy (340-345 g strung) and flexy racquet with a SW of 335-340 and a stiffer control string. You get what you put into it. And I do have sensitive wrists.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Try adding more weight to the end of your nerf bat. Or not. But that’s what I do.

yes that’s the other solution. I have a few nerf bats with weight at 12 o’clock including my current Phantom 107G

 

[Villain]

A stiff racket with a softer string is a rocket launcher for me as I don't have enough skill to control it.

It can be done. An 18x20 string pattern is a must for this recipe though IMO. Something like a 6.1 or Pure Strike 18x20 with Gut comes to mind. Powerful, but still very controllable.

To me, a 70 RA racquet with a soft string feels more comfortable than a 55 RA racquet with Gut/Poly. YMMV.

 

[joness82]

I prefer a flexible racquet, because I find I can string it up with just about anything, even a really stiff polyester. What I have found with a flexible frame, is that you can make a difference going to thicker gauges as well, without having to up the tension.

 

[Dartagnan64]

It can be done. An 18x20 string pattern is a must for this recipe though IMO. Something like a 6.1 or Pure Strike 18x20 with Gut comes to mind. Powerful, but still very controllable.

To me, a 70 RA racquet with a soft string feels more comfortable than a 55 RA racquet with Gut/Poly. YMMV.

Agree I can control an 18x20 no matter the RA rating. But as joness82 said, I like flexible frames because it opens more options in stringing for me. I can use gut/multis in mid tensions and poly in low tensions and various hybrids. With a wide beam 16x19 I'm kind of stuck with firmer strings all the time. I don't have the technique to avoid injury in that setting.

 

[topspn]

Flexy racquet more crisp string or feel is just to springy and too much catapult feel

 

[joah310]

I like flexy racket with stiff string. But I'm not much of an extremist as many others on the forum. When I say flexy racket stiff string, I mean my black max with rpm blast at 58#. To me that's a stiff string at a high tension. Anything in the 60s for RA though, I enjoy lower 50# tension generally with a stiffer string, but with softer copolys or hybrids tension goes up to 55-57#.

 

[SinneGOAT]

My problem with soft + soft is that the ball tends to fly and I have to hold back or alter my swing. With a stiffer, low powered poly I don't have this problem. Of course tension matters as well. I just tried Black Code 4S in my leaded Prestige MP (SW at 340) at 45 lbs and I couldn't control it at all. I hit the fence all the time. After switching to Tourbite 18 at the same tension everything works like a charm. Next time I'll string a bit higher to tame the power even more.

It’s almost comedic how easy it is for some to just say “I want syn gut at 55/60” no matter what racquet and then live with that forever. It makes me think how much we overthink the gear and string setups here, but it’s fun to try and find that perfect setup when in reality most can live with simple bread and butter. But it’s cool reading things like this and comparing against others and your own experience, also what are the specs for your prestige and what version?

 

[aaron_h27]

I like flexy for spin and 18x20 for control. Flexy 16x19 is too powerful for me

 

[Maverick13]

I use a flexyish racquet with softer string strung super tight. I think it’s a really good combo.

 

[Crocodile]

For me it’s flexy racquet with soft string.

 

[movdqa]

I have flexible racquets with stiff string. One thing about this combination is that I can always go softer on the strings.

 

[GravitysElbow]

Flexy racquet and soft string: the softer string compensates for the lower power, and the combination is the most arm friendly

 

[movdqa]

You can add lead tape to ameliorate the stiff strings too. Probably why a lot of folks like 13+ ounce racquets here.

 

[socallefty]

Neither. I like both the racquet and strings to be in the middle on flexibility/softness strung at relatively low tension. I mostly have liked thin-beam racquets with mid-sixties RA in the last two decades and play currently with gut/soft poly hybrids. Current combo is Pure Strike Tour G3 with VS17/HyperG18 strung at 47/44 lbs.

 

[Boubi]

Stiff frame with stiff string at low tension e.g. luxilon 4G on PAVS or prestige mid with Lynx tour

 

[Simplicius]

.
soft frame + soft string + high tension for me...

 

[travlerajm]

.
soft frame + soft string + high tension for me...

This!

 

[BumElbow]

Flexy racquet with a stiff string.