Head Lynx Tour - Official Thread
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jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Dennis Fabian mentioned on the TW podcast that 18 gauge is coming
Did he say when? 18 gauge would be perfect for me
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
He didn't give a date, but I would assume next year
lynx tour has been engineered to provide great snap back on contact, while controlling the launch angle and not biting into the ball or lifting it too much, and it really does that, particularly when tight and/or fresh. it doesn't even break like other strings, where crosses notch and saw into the mains then mains break.
LT actually totally slides over the crosses so much and so consistently that crosses become ultra thin and break, with almost no notching visible on the mains. and I string high tensions, my strings don't last much. I've never seen that with any other string. it then forces me to string it tighter only for it to play better when it loosens after an hour, because if after an hour it's too loose then I just have to cut it out.
string that displace so much so consistently need to be stiffer, because if made of softer more elastic material the ball would sink too much into the string bed, too much pocketing etc, and that would disturb the whole thing. same with low tensions. on the 1.25 LT it is already so pronounced, that it's not a surprise that Thiem played with 1.30 LT in mains and 1.25 Hawk in crosses, although he plays with a very boardy and light (317g) 18x20 frame. Musetti uses 1.25 LT but in crosses only.
it's also not a surprise that they make 1.25 LT slightly thicker than real 1.25, it's around 1.26 or so, to get extra stiffness. it's also not a surprise they first released it without pigment, in natural colour that they called "champagne", because the material is more resilient and stiffer than with pigment, I'm totally guessing of course.
so if they make a thinner 1.20 version, I don't think it's really because they think it's great, but because the market will buy it. or they'll make it slightly stiffer, to lessen the snap back and get a better result, but who knows.
if a player doesn't hit hard enough to make the strings displace on all shots, because of the stiffer material, they might feel that it's stiff and boardy. then lower the tension slightly, swing wider and hit harder more consistently. a player that hits hard and clean enough will totally feel a distinct "plop" with it, and it's nice.
LT actually totally slides over the crosses so much and so consistently that crosses become ultra thin and break, with almost no notching visible on the mains. and I string high tensions, my strings don't last much. I've never seen that with any other string. it then forces me to string it tighter only for it to play better when it loosens after an hour, because if after an hour it's too loose then I just have to cut it out.
string that displace so much so consistently need to be stiffer, because if made of softer more elastic material the ball would sink too much into the string bed, too much pocketing etc, and that would disturb the whole thing. same with low tensions. on the 1.25 LT it is already so pronounced, that it's not a surprise that Thiem played with 1.30 LT in mains and 1.25 Hawk in crosses, although he plays with a very boardy and light (317g) 18x20 frame. Musetti uses 1.25 LT but in crosses only.
it's also not a surprise that they make 1.25 LT slightly thicker than real 1.25, it's around 1.26 or so, to get extra stiffness. it's also not a surprise they first released it without pigment, in natural colour that they called "champagne", because the material is more resilient and stiffer than with pigment, I'm totally guessing of course.
so if they make a thinner 1.20 version, I don't think it's really because they think it's great, but because the market will buy it. or they'll make it slightly stiffer, to lessen the snap back and get a better result, but who knows.
if a player doesn't hit hard enough to make the strings displace on all shots, because of the stiffer material, they might feel that it's stiff and boardy. then lower the tension slightly, swing wider and hit harder more consistently. a player that hits hard and clean enough will totally feel a distinct "plop" with it, and it's nice.
So are you saying you likrle it or not? I'm confused by your feedback
Also how do you compare this to ALU power?
my impression of LT or of other good strings and racquets isn't "yes" or "no". strings go through long and detailed development, of course they will have their qualities, and some downsides. there is no black and white.
if you insist on the simplest possible answer: I like it in the right racquet at the right tension. for example I think it goes really well in RF97A at 26kg, or in ET and EMP at 24 and 26kg.
as for the comparison with alu, they are different, not really the same type of string. alu is a round string to get more power with control, and LT is a spin string. alu feels stiffer at the same tension, and asks to be strung lower, lasts less, and its best performance is the first hour when fresh then it's already kind of used. alu has more power when fresh, but it is strung lower so..
if you insist on the simplest possible answer: I like it in the right racquet at the right tension. for example I think it goes really well in RF97A at 26kg, or in ET and EMP at 24 and 26kg.
as for the comparison with alu, they are different, not really the same type of string. alu is a round string to get more power with control, and LT is a spin string. alu feels stiffer at the same tension, and asks to be strung lower, lasts less, and its best performance is the first hour when fresh then it's already kind of used. alu has more power when fresh, but it is strung lower so..
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What tension would you string ALU and tour in a radical pro tour 2.0 and radical oversize?
djNEiGht
Legend
I don't know your age or ability level, but this is what I would do, for me: I don't think I'd go with LT in PT 2.0, I'd go with Hawk 1.25, low tension definitely. Hawk is very comparable to alu, so same thing, low tension
I've never played with Radical OS, so I don't know, don't even have a clue, since racquets I've always played are not at all similar, small racquet head, attacking frames
I've never played with Radical OS, so I don't know, don't even have a clue, since racquets I've always played are not at all similar, small racquet head, attacking frames
Thanks
I'm 35+ used to be 4.0 in my teens but haven't played for over 10 years and returning now
Have you tried the string in a blade? I have one with Alu power / ALU element hybrid, wonder how full lynx would behave
AceyMan
Professional
I haven't played Hawk but just got some Hawk Rough 1.25 mm.
Is this the same plastic blend as the og Hawk, would anyone know?
[edit: I just emailed HEAD USA with this exact question; I'll let y'all know here what they tell me.]
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1HBHfanatic
Legend
-seems to be !?!
-ive been stringing it for some one lately
-felt the same in my hands, same slippery feel
-it was a hybrid blend of h.h.rough.mains/h.h.touch.crosses
AceyMan
Professional
HEAD informed me the plastic in Hawk Rough is the same blend used in Hawk Touch.
Use that fact as you see fit.
(made by Isospeed, btw.)
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This is what I'd really like to know.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
So how long does Black Knight last for you before it bags out?
NRMM
Semi-Pro
i found the champagne less predictable, slightly more erratic, on an hybrid with gut mains
I found the grey one to be the best. It was the most predictable for me and my shots weren’t as erratic compared to the Champagne or Orange.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Have you ever played with Alu Power? If so, can you compare Lynx Tour and Alu Power in terms of feel and comfort?
jason n
Rookie
I have but not in the same racquet. But what I found is that lynx is a little muted compared to alu and alu to be firmer but not harsh. Obviously power and spin go to alu as well but lynx is a well rounded string. Lynx grey 17ga is my go to string. Hope that helps.
You didn't ask me, but I play both regularly. I grew up with ALU, went to tour bite in college, and back to ALU now. Though, been hitting Lynx Tour a lot lately. More comfort from ALU for me, but lynx tour will play better for longer if you're stringing low. Feel is better for my preference with ALU - it's crisper. But, Lynx Tour isn't too bad when it's strung low.
Here's a fuller comparison if you care:
ALU is crisper, feels awesome if you swing fast. Some of the stuff you feel like you can do with the ball when you're using the thicker gauges is stupid. It's magic when it's fresh. You feel like you can't miss. It's so responsive and does everything you ask it to with a little bit of extra pop when it's fresh. It loses elasticity and tension quickly and drops off, but I've been playing it for years and am used to the change in performance in that drop. I snap it quickly too. Using lower tensions helps. It's the most used string on the ATP tour for a reason.
Lynx Tour is firmer and deader, but if you swing fast, it's got plenty of pocketing. It drops less tension and is more controlled at lower tensions than ALU in the same gauge. I string it 3-4 pounds lower than ALU for similar performance - I like lower tensions too. It's a shaped string that plays like a round string. It doesn't have the crisp, responsive feel that ALU does, but there's lots of control and enough spin to be had if you swing fast. It's not so firm that it caused me wrist/hand pain, though it feels deader. Playability duration and tension maintenance is better than ALU, and I hit for myself so infrequently that I need that more. It also lasts about twice as long as ALU for me.
Summary: ALU is like a Ferrari or formula 1 car. In my opinion, it's the best on the market for a short period of time. If you're not replacing it frequently, expect a big drop in playability if you don't break it fast. Lynx Tour is more like a crossover SUV. It can do a few fun things and can be fun to use, especially if there's a turbo in it. It's slower in the performance decline and pretty durable while giving you what you need. Both strings need high swing speeds to get the most out of them...they're poly after all.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Thanks for all of your feedback. It's much appreciated. Yeah... I know all about Alu. I've been using it for 18 years.
I've always used it in a 95 or 97 inch head with a 16x19 string pattern strung between 44 and 46 depending on temperature and humidity. I'm moving to a 100 inch head with an 18x20 string pattern this season and was considering a shaped string for a bit more grip on the ball as well as longer playability duration. It's going to be hard to give up the pop and comfort I've become so addicted too. But it would be nice to find a string that I could learn to love that was a bit cheaper than Alu. For what it's worth, I string for myself. And I restring as soon as I can tell the string is dropping off. Which is typically about 2 or 3 hours with Alu. I've been considering Lynx Tour, Tour Status and Black Knight.Lynx tour has some nice pop. It's just not ALU when it comes to feel. It's a nice string, though. Give it a try. Good performance for me, and I catch a great deal on it. I like it because it's more durable and maintains tension and playability much better than ALU. When I'm coaching, I don't hit a whole lot. Using ALU is a waste at that point. Lynx Tour not so much.Thanks for all of your feedback. It's much appreciated. Yeah... I know all about Alu. I've been using it for 18 years.
I reallt like HLT, but as many others I assume, I feel that the 1.25 feels more like a 1.30 both in terms of weight and feel. Has anyone tested the 1.20 yet? I saw it being available now at one European retailer, it would be interesting to know if the 1.20 feels same but just lighter and thinner, maintaining the integrity and feel of 1.25
soulfree914
Rookie
Lynx tour in champagne color was too stiff and uncomfortable (too crisp) at my normal tension 52 lbs. It was strung on a comfortable racquet, Blade v7. I cut it out after hitting once. Reading through reviews and all, it looks like a lot of people like this string. I play with a lot of different strings and this was one of the worst from what I have tried. Could it be some quality control issue? I have another set in champagne and will try it out on a Prestige MP to see if it feels any different. The grey color sounds like what I might like better though.
It's strange really and I don't fully understand it, but it's very specific to the racquet, in Gravity Pro, this string is a dream, in other racquets I have tested it, mainly being 2019 gen Prestige MP it feels very stiff and I've cut it out four times and tested with different tensions. This is why I am keen on a 1.20 version, perhaps being a bit less stiff.
I recently got my racket strung with Head Lynx tour in my mains and Gosen OGSM in the crosses. My stringer said that there wasn't enough string left in the set for another string job for a racket with 18 mains. Has anyone else had a similar experience with the lynx tour sets ?
beltsman
G.O.A.T.
Hmm I haven't strung with Lynx Tour OR 18 mains, but as long as he can reach the last grommet he should be able to tie it off? Idk
djNEiGht
Legend
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Played twice with Lynx Tour strung full bed in my Speed Pro at 45 lbs. It was really low powered compared to Alu Power. I was pretty disappointed in it actually. Not my cup of tea. Like everything else in life... you get what you pay for.
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
He would have measured from the set rather than just cut it in half. Depending on the machine, you may have to bridge the last main, but there would still be enough to do 2 x mains. If you measure more than 1/2 set then clearly you wont have enough for a 2nd rqt's mains
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Can anyone compare this to Grapplesnake M8?
AceyMan
Professional
stringer ran out of skill, not LT.
any semi-experienced stringer can use a 12m packaged set to string a FB of any legal frame available today.
/Acey
You're probably correct. He may've had a bad day as he's a good stringer and it was the first time that something such as this happened.
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Where are you able to get LT 1.20? I've been waiting on that forever but haven't seen it available to purchase yet. I do use a GP
JanoMucha
New User
Im from Poland and i see LT is availble in some shop with 3 different gauges 1.30, 1.25, 1.20. I alredy have reel of 1.25 and wonder if will be big different. Definitely i will give it a try when im done with 1.25or maybe next string up.
djNEiGht
Legend
What string do you normally use and is 50 your regular tension for a MP racquet?
janelgreo
Professional
My main string is Mayami Tour Hex (Full bed) @ 50/46
smithie
Semi-Pro
1.20 gauge (only in the champagne colour) is available with the big yellow competitor to TW (hint - advantage you).
