Head Rip Control question

[SteveI]

I used to use 17g Rip Control in my iPrestige mid & it would last 20-30 hours. Intellitour 17 would last 30-40 hours.

I tested the same string in a 5G and got about double the time over my M-fil400 The 5G has a much tighter pattern, even though it is 16 x 20 and the M-fil 400 is 16 x 19. The i.Prestige mid is one of tightest patterns out there. Not really a fair comparison...in this case.

 

[mikeler]

RIP and MCS do not work well together.

 

[achokshi99]

What is the immediate tension drop in RIP 17? I strung it at 55 or so and am using it after using BHBR at 50. I have heard that polys drop by about 10% tension relatively fast, so a 50 lb string job might really be 45 before even picking up the racquet. Does RIP drop tension as fast? Id like to match it as close to the poly tension (i know typically there is a 10lb difference but have some TE so am willing to go lower even w/RIP tension-wise).

 

[Maroon_Tenniskid]

Tried RIP 16 for the first time and broke it in a record 15 hours or so, and I NEVER break strings... it was very odd. Oh and it performed the best right at the end... I was popping some insane serves and getting more spin than normal somehow. Just very disappointing for string life...

 

[Ramon]

Tried RIP 16 for the first time and broke it in a record 15 hours or so, and I NEVER break strings... it was very odd. Oh and it performed the best right at the end... I was popping some insane serves and getting more spin than normal somehow. Just very disappointing for string life...

If you never break strings, my guess is that you've been using poly. It's either that or you just don't hit very hard. 15 hours is actually a lot of time for a multifilament string.

 

[TheLambsheadrep]

So RIP Control is a multi, what is the other string type in Intellitour?

 

[fortun8son]

The other string is Rip Feel, also used in Intellistring with RIP Power mains.
Multi is a catch-all term meaning that the string does not have a solid, monofilament core.
The RIP strings are fundamentally different from all other 'multis' in that they use braided polypropoline ribbons as the outer component.
This is an Isospeed invention and their strings are the only ones that use it.
Alas, Rip Feel is not available by itself.
Isospeed probably has something similar under their own name, but not quite the same as what they make for Head.

 

[Maroon_Tenniskid]

If you never break strings, my guess is that you've been using poly. It's either that or you just don't hit very hard. 15 hours is actually a lot of time for a multifilament string.

well I hit pretty hard, but don't hit the most spin, and recently I have been hitting more spin, so I think that might be why they snapped faster than normal. 15 hours just doesn't seem very long because I got it restrung about 2 weeks ago, hit with them for about 2 hours a day for 4 or 5 days, then barely played the next week, and all of the sudden when I play again, snap after an hour of hitting. I normally use some sort of hybrid, with OGSM crosses and poly mains, decided to give RIP a shot because I didn't think it would go dead like polys do sometimes in my hybrids. RIP Control was kind of muted and dead feeling from the start, but I really liked the comfort and control!

 

[Ramon]

well I hit pretty hard, but don't hit the most spin, and recently I have been hitting more spin, so I think that might be why they snapped faster than normal. 15 hours just doesn't seem very long because I got it restrung about 2 weeks ago, hit with them for about 2 hours a day for 4 or 5 days, then barely played the next week, and all of the sudden when I play again, snap after an hour of hitting. I normally use some sort of hybrid, with OGSM crosses and poly mains, decided to give RIP a shot because I didn't think it would go dead like polys do sometimes in my hybrids. RIP Control was kind of muted and dead feeling from the start, but I really liked the comfort and control!

Now it makes perfect sense to me. Poly mains with a monofilament cross will last a long time. The poly will go dead before it breaks, so you may have been just cutting the strings yourself when you felt it going dead. If you want the comfort of a multi in the mains, there's no way around the durability issue. With your tennis schedule, you can expect a multi to last 1-2 weeks. There are plenty of other multis out there that would have broken the first week.

 

[Maroon_Tenniskid]

Now it makes perfect sense to me. Poly mains with a monofilament cross will last a long time. The poly will go dead before it breaks, so you may have been just cutting the strings yourself when you felt it going dead. If you want the comfort of a multi in the mains, there's no way around the durability issue. With your tennis schedule, you can expect a multi to last 1-2 weeks. There are plenty of other multis out there that would have broken the first week.

Yeah, I was cutting my strings every month or so when they lost quite a bit of power and feel. So OGSM with Poly mains is actually a really durable hybrid and I'm not just hallucinating?

 

[JT_2eighty]

So RIP Control is a multi, what is the other string type in Intellitour?

It is also a multi, but with no core. RIP Control has a fiber core, with the polyolefin ribbon wrap. RIP Feel (the Intellitour cross), is polyolefin ribbons all the way through. It makes it more durable, as the string just frays and frays, almost like gut, and will break much later in the fraying process, because the entire string is essentially 'outer wrap'.

It also happens to be a similar construction as Isospeed Professional, Control and Classic.

I use Intellitour cross with Gut mains, and the strings always snap back into place, it does not notch like typical multis.

 

[Ramon]

Sometimes it helps to see pictures. They have nice cross-section photos in Stringforum.net. I think the Head Rip Feel is more like the Isospeed Control, but I don't have photos of that.

Head Rip Control

Isospeed Control

The unique polyolefin ribbon is the orange part, which is on one side in the Head string and in a circle in the Isospeed string. In the Head string, you can see the ribbon makes the string irregularly shaped, which explains how the string generates more spin. The ribbon is wrapped around the core in a helical pattern, like a DNA strand. This is almost like a spaghetti string with an outer wrap!

I think it may also explain why the Head string doesn't have the tension loss problems associated with the Isospeed string. Let's assume that the polyolefin is the material that stretches and loses tension. Since it is helically wrapped in the Head string, stretching it would be like stretching a coiled phone cord as opposed to a straight cord. On the other hand, the stiffness properties of the Head string would be more like that of a traditional multifilament.

 

[JT_2eighty]

Sometimes it helps to see pictures. They have nice cross-section photos in Stringforum.net. I think the Head Rip Feel is more like the Isospeed Control, but I don't have photos of that.

Head Rip Control

Isospeed Control

The unique polyolefin ribbon is the orange part, which is on one side in the Head string and in a circle in the Isospeed string. In the Head string, you can see the ribbon makes the string irregularly shaped, which explains how the string generates more spin. The ribbon is wrapped around the core in a helical pattern, like a DNA strand. This is almost like a spaghetti string with an outer wrap!

I think it may also explain why the Head string doesn't have the tension loss problems associated with the Isospeed string. Let's assume that the polyolefin is the material that stretches and loses tension. Since it is helically wrapped in the Head string, stretching it would be like stretching a coiled phone cord as opposed to a straight cord. On the other hand, the stiffness properties of the Head string would be more like that of a traditional multifilament.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[levy1]

There is really nothing like isospeed/head rip control... You should try the isospeed classic line and for less string movement you can put in string savers or hybrid with a poly

Isospeed is very soft compared to rip. To me rip is the closest feel to poly.

 

[Tmano]

I just bought a couple of sets of rip control to hybrid with Cyclone and unique big hitter silver and I was wondering if rip control is a low or median power string?

 

[mikeler]

I just bought a couple of sets of rip control to hybrid with Cyclone and unique big hitter silver and I was wondering if rip control is a low or median power string?

For a multifilament, it is very low powered. A truly unique string, nothing out on the market that plays anything like it. I loved the spin and volleys were great with it, just felt like I did not have the control I desired.

 

[Tmano]

For a multifilament, it is very low powered. A truly unique string, nothing out on the market that plays anything like it. I loved the spin and volleys were great with it, just felt like I did not have the control I desired.

thanks milker, so it lacks in control even though low powered and great for spin...interesting. I guess I will figure this out soon...unfortunately!

 

[mikeler]

thanks milker, so it lacks in control even though low powered and great for spin...interesting. I guess I will figure this out soon...unfortunately!

In a full bed, I was always hesitant to "hit out" with RIP Control or Intellitour (1/2 RIP). Strings are very different as a cross though. I will be interested to hear how it plays, so please let us know. Happy hitting.

 

[Ramon]

thanks milker, so it lacks in control even though low powered and great for spin...interesting. I guess I will figure this out soon...unfortunately!

Since you plan to use it with a poly, you might think the control is just fine. Right now, I'm experimenting with Rip Control mains and MSV Focus Hex cross. As you can guess, the spin is great (though I'm waiting for the Focus Hex texture to wear down and eventually lose some bite). I'm actually surrprised at how quickly I adjusted to the new setup. So far I don't notice much string movement, but then again I've only played with it for 2 hours. If it lasts long enough and doesn't hurt my arm, I might keep using this setup. It's definitely softer on my arm than poly mains. At $7 for the strings, it's tough to beat.

 

[fortun8son]

Just curious. Have any of you tried Rip Control 16 with a multi or syngut cross?
It seems like Head has the right idea with Intellitour but perhaps there are better performance options than RipFeel in the crosses? Other than poly.

 

[SteveI]

Just curious. Have any of you tried Rip Control 16 with a multi or syngut cross?
It seems like Head has the right idea with Intellitour but perhaps there are better performance options than RipFeel in the crosses? Other than poly.

Hi,

I have used the 17G (mains) and 16G Syn Gut Crosses. Was very happy with the performance of the set-up. Lower power, nice control, comfort was excellent, spin average but I was breaking the mains in less than 8 hours. I was using a pretty open 16 x 19 pattern. I also used the same set-up in a PK 5G and did not see the same breakage issue. The Rip Control/Syn Gut set-up is dirt cheap if you are doing our own stringing so it not really an issue for me. I am planning to string a frame this week end with this set-up and give it another go on Monday for some doubles. I will be happy to report my findings if they differ for my 1st impressions. Rip Control is not like a standard multi to be sure. I would say to plays more like one of the newer softer co-polys.. without the extra spin.

 

[maxply]

I am using 17g RIP mains with 16g Quasi gut crosses and I love the feel and control . I have also liked it with NRG crosses with similar results

 

[achokshi99]

For a multifilament, it is very low powered. A truly unique string, nothing out on the market that plays anything like it. I loved the spin and volleys were great with it, just felt like I did not have the control I desired.

Mikeler - How long does RC usually last you and what is the result of RC going dead. It won't damage your arm like dead poly would it? Thanks for the recommendation on RIP, I just started using it and so far, much much much lower discomfort. Amazing that I like it better than the X1.

I gave RC 17 a shot after 6 weeks of total avoidance of tennis to help deal with my TE. I strung it in my BB DCP raquet at about 55 and the first time I used it, it was pretty rough. Just very very low powered relative to the BHBR at 50 I used to use in a full bed. My slices were awful, lot of drop shots that popped up and lack of touch. Lot of that was prob from the long break but I was a little bummed out. The interesting thing is in the first hour I could not get a serve in, 1st or 2nd kept hitting the top of the net cord. But 2nd hour the strings seemed to liven up and I was bombing flat serves and gettin my kick serves going a bit. Fast forward a week and the strings seemed to loosen up maybe but it was definitely playing "poly-ish", lot of high loopers that drop in at the line and throw guys off, I was liking it. Also felt the control was a little less than what I wanted but again, I am just getting back into it after about a 5-6 week layoff. Even better monster serving with the RIP 17 the 2nd week I played. Will prob give it a shot 2x this week - once on har tru and next on hard.

 

[mikeler]

I never played with RIP until breakage. There are definitely softer multis out there I'd use if just coming back from a 6 week break.

 

[ben123]

I never played with RIP until breakage.

why not?
(i never played this string but with threads like this i guess i want to try it ^^)

 

[mikeler]

why not?
(i never played this string but with threads like this i guess i want to try it ^^)

Not enough control. Check out more of my thoughts here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048

 

[Ramon]

why not?
(i never played this string but with threads like this i guess i want to try it ^^)

I can already tell from my short experience with Rip Control that some people are going to cut it before it breaks. PSGD would have broken on me by now (about 6-7 hours) or at least would look like it's about to break, but Rip doesn't show any signs of breaking besides very minor notching at this point. The only decline I see is that the strings are starting to move (not a whole lot, but more than they did earlier), resulting in slightly less spin. This might be attributable to the coating on my poly crosses being worn out, so I'm wondering if a slick spray coating would bring back the spin. I might try that next.

 

[retrograde]

Nylon, Poly, and Rip Control Initial Tension Loss

What is the immediate tension drop in RIP 17? I strung it at 55 or so and am using it after using BHBR at 50. I have heard that polys drop by about 10% tension relatively fast, so a 50 lb string job might really be 45 before even picking up the racquet. Does RIP drop tension as fast?

RIP Control 17 has low initial tension loss based on the RSI's 2011 string database ... about 10 lbs after intitial tensioning to 62 lbs.

I made a spreadsheet out of the RSI database. The median initial tension loss for all the nylons tested (about 400 strings in all) was 13 lbs with a standard deviation of 2 lbs. If you're not into statistics, what that means is 68% of the 400 nylons had an initial tension loss between 11 lbs and 15 lbs.

So Rip Control 17's loss of 10 lbs is pretty good. Rip 16 tested at a little higher loss at 11 lbs, but still pretty good.

For comparison, the median initial tension loss for all the polys (about 300 strings in all) was 20 lbs with a standard deviation of about 3 lbs.

The RSI's test procedure is to string a racquet to 62 lbs, wait 200 seconds, then strike the stringbed 5-times with a force equivalent to a 120mph serve.

Here's the data: http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2011/01/3_string_selector_2011.html

 

[retrograde]

I also used the same set-up in a PK 5G and did not see the same breakage issue.

I use Rip 17 in a PK7g with the same 16x20 pattern and don't have breakage issues either, although I'm more of a flat hitter.

 

[retrograde]

Isospeed is very soft compared to rip. To me rip is the closest feel to poly.

I think it depends on which Isospeed is compared to Rip Control (and whether the test data translates into on-court experiences).

According to the RSI data, all the nylon/polyolefin strings from Isospeed and Head are, as a group, relatively soft. And the all-polyolefin strings are among the softest of all the nylons!

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2011/01/3_string_selector_2011.html

As a reference point, the mean/average string stiffness for all 400 or so nylons is 195 (measured in lbs per inch). The standard deviation is 18, so anything around 195 - 18 = 177 or below can be considered relatively soft from a statistics viewpoint.

 

[Chesnokov]

I can't add any highly technical info, just a few casual observations of playing with Rip Control 17 in various setups. Generally stringing RC17 @ 55 lbs. in a HEAD MP 18x20 frame.

I've tried Poly/Rip, Multi/Rip, Zyex/Rip and finally Rip/Multi. All 17 gauge.

Though fresh poly (used BHSR and Tour Bite) is great for the first few hours IF AND ONLY IF your arm can handle it (mine cannot) and Rip Control does soften the bed slightly, Poly/Rip gets very, very dead feeling before long. Broke the Rip Control cross after 20-24 hours.

I found Multi/Rip to be rather blah - Rip Control didn't really add any attributes that made it worth hybriding together. Maybe tempered the Multi's power slightly (used XOne Biphase 17) but still too much trampoline effect and not too much bite. Broke multi mains after 18 hours.

Zyex/Rip was also kind of blah. The Zyex mains moved all over the place and the Rip Control didn't really seem to be locking the mains in place like some have mentioned with other setups. Felt too muted/dead from the get go. Broke Zyex after 12 hours.

Most recently tried Rip Control in the mains for the first time in a Head MP 16x19 frame with FXP 17 crosses. After first 3 hours, I am liking this setup the best compared to all of the above setups. Minimal string movement, very comfortable on the arm, reliable spin (not fresh poly level - but pretty darn good although I know my switch to a 16x19 pattern is part of the equation) and very responsive and predictable string bed.

Next I will try full bed of RC17, but my thought is the FXP 17 cross lends the overall string bed just a tad more power. Very happy that I think I've finally found my long term setup and one that won't force me to sit out for 6 weeks rehabbing my shoulder like the poly setups did.

 

[Smasher08]

I can't add any highly technical info, just a few casual observations of playing with Rip Control 17 in various setups. Generally stringing RC17 @ 55 lbs. in a HEAD MP 18x20 frame.

I've tried Poly/Rip, Multi/Rip, Zyex/Rip and finally Rip/Multi. All 17 gauge.

Though fresh poly (used BHSR and Tour Bite) is great for the first few hours IF AND ONLY IF your arm can handle it (mine cannot) and Rip Control does soften the bed slightly, Poly/Rip gets very, very dead feeling before long. Broke the Rip Control cross after 20-24 hours.

I found Multi/Rip to be rather blah - Rip Control didn't really add any attributes that made it worth hybriding together. Maybe tempered the Multi's power slightly (used XOne Biphase 17) but still too much trampoline effect and not too much bite. Broke multi mains after 18 hours.

Zyex/Rip was also kind of blah. The Zyex mains moved all over the place and the Rip Control didn't really seem to be locking the mains in place like some have mentioned with other setups. Felt too muted/dead from the get go. Broke Zyex after 12 hours.

Most recently tried Rip Control in the mains for the first time in a Head MP 16x19 frame with FXP 17 crosses. After first 3 hours, I am liking this setup the best compared to all of the above setups. Minimal string movement, very comfortable on the arm, reliable spin (not fresh poly level - but pretty darn good although I know my switch to a 16x19 pattern is part of the equation) and very responsive and predictable string bed.

Next I will try full bed of RC17, but my thought is the FXP 17 cross lends the overall string bed just a tad more power. Very happy that I think I've finally found my long term setup and one that won't force me to sit out for 6 weeks rehabbing my shoulder like the poly setups did.

You might also want to try RIP/Poly with a very smooth or elastic copoly. I tried RIP 1.20 x Co-Focus 1.18 and thought it played decently albeit stiffly. If you do try this combo I'd suggest dropping the tension on your mains and crosses about 10% from your usual multi stringjob tensions.

 

[canadad]

I am getting about 3-4 hours out of this string. To me that is a little annoying. I usually put in in the crosses with a poly in the mains. Anyone else having durability issues? I like the way it plays though.

 

[tlm]

I am getting about 3-4 hours out of this string. To me that is a little annoying. I usually put in in the crosses with a poly in the mains. Anyone else having durability issues? I like the way it plays though.

It plays great as a cross with a poly main. It also plays good as a main with a poly cross. I like either of those set ups much better than a full bed of rip control. It does break but I get much longer than 3-4 hours out of it you must be hitting big.
When it’s hot and windy and the ball is hard to control I use a Kevlar main with rip control cross and the control is better than anything I’ve played with. I much prefer the 17 gauge, the 16 feels too dead to me.

 

[JustTennis76]

I have been playing RC 17 mains and gosen polygon comfort 17 cross in my youtek prestige pro. Really liking the setup, very easy on the arm. Thinking about buying a reel of rip control 17. It offers unique control like no other string for me.

 

[tlm]

I have been playing RC 17 mains and gosen polygon comfort 17 cross in my youtek prestige pro. Really liking the setup, very easy on the arm. Thinking about buying a reel of rip control 17. It offers unique control like no other string for me.

I agree RC does give better control than most strings and using it with poly is a great set up.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Lol this string is literally caramel vanilla swirl... I couldn't believe what I was looking at when I pulled my racquet out of the box like what is this!?

 

[Cowboy]

I have a full bed of RC 16 strung at 55lbs on a lockout that I'm playing with now. First few times pulling out the racquet I hated it. As others have said, it was VERY muted and felt like it had no power at all. I've continued playing with it and like it more each time out.

I'm not a string breaker. Probably at a 3.0 level and generally play 2 times a week for about 2 hours each time. I'm loving the control provided by the string and will probably try it a little lower next time (maybe 50lbs). The jury is still out for me, but I think I'm in the love it camp...though there is a fine line between love and hate.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

I have a full bed of RC 16 strung at 55lbs on a lockout that I'm playing with now. First few times pulling out the racquet I hated it. As others have said, it was VERY muted and felt like it had no power at all. I've continued playing with it and like it more each time out.

I'm not a string breaker. Probably at a 3.0 level and generally play 2 times a week for about 2 hours each time. I'm loving the control provided by the string and will probably try it a little lower next time (maybe 50lbs). The jury is still out for me, but I think I'm in the love it camp...though there is a fine line between love and hate.

I have it 35 lbs in prince phantom 97p it has serious easy power with very good control and good spin, doesn't trampoline can hit as hard as I want. Hits nice high speed lasers. Grabs the ball really well which makes the control and spin and ability to rip it very good

 

[Cowboy]

I have it 35 lbs in prince phantom 97p it has serious easy power with very good control and good spin, doesn't trampoline can hit as hard as I want. Hits nice high speed lasers. Grabs the ball really well which makes the control and spin and ability to rip it very good

Interesting. I probably won't go that low, but sounds like I will definitely be trying it lower than 55lbs next go round.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Interesting. I probably won't go that low, but sounds like I will definitely be trying it lower than 55lbs next go round.

35 lbs is nothing crazy its not extremely loose like you might imagine I've always been surprised how tight 35 still feels. The rip control phantom feels just about right down there imo. The tricky thing is it might not work with all racquet/string combinations

 

[pete101]

In my opinion, there's no other string that plays similar to RIP Control. It's a unique string. Soft as a pillow with borderline polyester durability.

And it's cheap, and they still make them.

Head rip control pound for pound the beat string ever made

 

[Sontheim]

Can somebody compare RIP Control AS Cross with thin Poly in mains to Babolat rpm soft as cross?

Spin? Stiftness? Durablity? Control? ...

 

[veelium]

Can somebody compare RIP Control AS Cross with thin Poly in mains to Babolat rpm soft as cross?

Spin? Stiftness? Durablity? Control? ...

Rip control not that great as a cross like that imo. It's so soft that the poly mains get stuck.
Felt better with rpm soft although Ive only tried such a hybrid once with each.

So better spin with rpm soft cross, rip slightly softer. Don't recall a big difference with durability or control.

While I prefer rip in a full bed, Id go rpm soft for the crosses.

 

[Sontheim]

OK thanks a lot. Helps a lot.

And what about RIP Control in Mains and poly Like ghostwire 19 in crosses?

 

[veelium]

OK thanks a lot. Helps a lot.

And what about RIP Control in Mains and poly Like ghostwire 19 in crosses?

That I liked, dont remember what poly I used.
Iirc it broke quicker than a full bed of rip.