HEAD strings closest to RPM Team 1.25?

[acheron350]

Playing with Rpm Team 1.25 couple of months. Really good string, maybe not so much spin but I find it is really balanced all rounder.

Recently switched to Speed MP legend 2025 and my ocd needs to put Head string in it. Only played shortly with lynx tour 1.25 but I found it really thick (increased SW) and stiff.

What would be closest to RPM Team?

I am also thinking of going thinnest possible since I am not a string breaker. Open 16x19 not a problem for thin string?

Maybe Hawk touch 1.15?

Should I increase tension if going thin?
Usually always around 22,23 kilos.

 

[thebigz]

The open pattern can definitely be a problem with thin strings. Tbh I found the thinner strings in Speed MP pattern can be a bit unpredictable.

Honest I find the Lynx Tour a good combo with the Speed MP. Maybe you just need to drop the tension by a few kilos.

Closest maybe hawk touch.

I’ve been testing the hawk tour recently and honestly that’s my 2nd favorite Head string after Lynx Tour. Much crisper feedback than hawk touch or RPM team. Don’t get put off by the fact that it’s recycled. Premium playability and feel for me

 

[happyandbob]

Here are the closest Head strings according to the TWU database.

String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	String to String Friction	String to Ball Friction	Spin Potential
Babolat RPM Team 17 (1.25)	Nylon/Polyester	1.25	245.2	23.2	92.4	0.082	0.433	5.3
Head Hawk 16 (1.30)	Polyester	1.3	230.3	28.5	88	0.071	0.454	6.4
Head Lynx Touch 16g (1.30)	Polyester	1.3	221.7	31.3	87.4	0.083	0.511	6.2
Head Lynx Tour 16 (1.30)	Polyester	1.3	228.6	30.5	87.6	0.085	0.519	6.1
Head Lynx Tour 17 (1.25)	Polyester	1.25	217.7	24.6	89.7	0.079	0.564	7.1

 

[acheron350]

@thebigz thanks. Will try lynx tour again but 1.20. Does color mater in you opinion? Everybody talking about champagne.
But first will try hawk tour, looks promising.

@happyandbob thanks. I find it strange rpm team is stiffest, while I find it really comfortable, lynx tour was much stiffer.

Either way, thanks for helping!

 

[happyandbob]

@happyandbob thanks. I find it strange rpm team is stiffest, while I find it really comfortable, lynx tour was much stiffer.

That's why one number doesn't tell the whole story, you have to try them out. It's possible the nylon coating on the RPM Team helps to dampen vibrations. Another factor might be its unusually high energy return (the highest among the super stiff poly strings).

 

[thebigz]

@thebigz thanks. Will try lynx tour again but 1.20. Does color mater in you opinion? Everybody talking about champagne.
But first will try hawk tour, looks promising.

@happyandbob thanks. I find it strange rpm team is stiffest, while I find it really comfortable, lynx tour was much stiffer.

Either way, thanks for helping!

I use champagne 1.25mm it should be one of the softer color. I also have champagne 1.20mm (had to get the reel from Asia) but it plays like a very different string, much more powerful imo. You might like it.

RPM Team is a lot more lively than Lynx Tour in the same gauge.

Hawk Tour will be much crisper than RPM Team as well

 

[pbb]

Lynx is the exact pendant to RPM Team, both used en masse by juniors. Not too stiff, generous power, durable enough. Main difference is Lynx is round, RPM Team is octogonal, but sameish kind of poly. Other Head strings are just different, stiffer mainly.

 

[ichaseballs]

lynx tour is like rpm blast being one of the more stiffer strings they offer.

so if rpm team is a softer version of rpm blast... then maybe regular lynx vs lynx tour

 

[happyandbob]

lynx tour is like rpm blast being one of the more stiffer strings they offer.

so if rpm team is a softer version of rpm blast... then maybe regular lynx vs lynx tour

RPM Team is stiffer than RPM Blast according to TW, but RPM Blast is a much deader string looking at energy return

String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	String to String Friction	String to Ball Friction	Spin Potential
Babolat RPM Team 17 (1.25)	Nylon/Polyester	1.25	245.2	23.2	92.4	0.082	0.433	5.3
Babolat RPM Blast 17/1.25	Polyester	1.25	233.7	33.3	86.7	0.088	0.406	4.6

 

[thebigz]

lynx tour is like rpm blast being one of the more stiffer strings they offer.

so if rpm team is a softer version of rpm blast... then maybe regular lynx vs lynx tour

Regular Lynx vs. Lynx Tour are completely different strings.

I tested RPM Team and Blast in matched racquets last year side by side and honestly they performed very similarly just with a different feel, I can switch between the 2 getting near identical results. blast when fresh has more crisp and responsive feedback while the team feels more dampened.

Despite what the labs # might say, subjective experiences while controlling variables is far more important for strings imo.