Head Velocity MLT gauge (in full bed & hybrid)

[crutchie]

I started home stringing and was going to pick up a reel of MLT. First- most people other than myself I'll be stringing for are in the 3.0-4.0 range. I myself am around 3.5 and for reference- break Babolat Xcel 17 in about 3-5hours.

When I hit with poly I use 1.20mm typically- so my question is what gauge to get for the MLT that will have okay durability for my needs but also be reasonable to string for others in a full bed or hybrid setup. Is it normal to go 16g MLT with 17g poly in hybrids? Will 17g break too quickly?

TIA

 

[talynen]

I think 16g MLT is 1.30, but even so multi are softer material. I'd be shocked if the poly broke first.

The one racquet Ive tried with a full bed of MLT 1.30 had a somewhat dense string spacing but I felt like I struggled with launch angle more than I expected. I've tried MLT 1.25 in a more open pattern and didn't have the same issue.

 

[crutchie]

I think 16g MLT is 1.30, but even so multi are softer material. I'd be shocked if the poly broke first.

The one racquet Ive tried with a full bed of MLT 1.30 had a somewhat dense string spacing but I felt like I struggled with launch angle more than I expected. I've tried MLT 1.25 in a more open pattern and didn't have the same issue.

Definitely not concerned with the poly breaking- more so wondering if I should match the gauge of my poly reel (1.20mm), or if better to go with a higher gauge multi. That being said- with the expectation that I'll use the MLT in full beds for some people.

 

[talynen]

Some people specifically use larger gauge mains even with poly (e.g., Fonseca uses 1.25 mains and 1.20 cross of poly tour strike). There isn't any reason to worry about matching the gauge of the main and the crosses like that.

 

[Louis33]

I started home stringing and was going to pick up a reel of MLT. First- most people other than myself I'll be stringing for are in the 3.0-4.0 range. I myself am around 3.5 and for reference- break Babolat Xcel 17 in about 3-5hours.

When I hit with poly I use 1.20mm typically- so my question is what gauge to get for the MLT that will have okay durability for my needs but also be reasonable to string for others in a full bed or hybrid setup. Is it normal to go 16g MLT with 17g poly in hybrids? Will 17g break too quickly?

TIA

I personally would try a pack of 16g and a pack of 17g to see what you like before buying a reel. I haven’t played with Xcel to know how it compares in durability to MLT but if you are stringing for others with open string patterns 16g would be the safer option to suit a wide variety of players.

16g MLT with 17g poly is a good setup. It’s also fine to use 16g MLT with 18g poly.

 

[crutchie]

I personally would try a pack of 16g and a pack of 17g to see what you like before buying a reel. I haven’t played with Xcel to know how it compares in durability to MLT but if you are stringing for others with open string patterns 16g would be the safer option to suit a wide variety of players.

16g MLT with 17g poly is a good setup. It’s also fine to use 16g MLT with 18g poly.

Thanks Louis this is helpful. I'll definitely try a few packs out before committing to a reel.

 

[crutchie]

Bumping this thread to ask a separate question. Simply- how fast are you all breaking this string? In what gauge and color.

Testing the black 17g right now, full bed in Ezone 98. 3 hours in and the coating is already noticeably wearing in the sweet spot. Thinking will try the natural next, but even aside from my own playability, trying to get an idea of how long this string lasts for people and if there is a preference in colors/gauges for hybrids too.

 

[phazis]

Got the 16g in natural - about 1.5h played but can already feel suuuper slight notching when I tweak the mains a bit. I don't expect to break the string but will be interesting to see when it loses its life.

 

[40Footwork]

I dont break 1.25 multi until 12 hrs, but the coating wears out on velocity around 6hrs and strings stick. Prefer the tecnifibre multis for a full bed setup- black NRG is pretty slick... more crisp/lively though.