Help me find my next reel of poly

[travlerajm]

Update on my 80/50 polylon 16g stringbed in my Solinco Pro 7 18x20:

It played great for an hour or so, then quickly went south. I brought this frame with me on my Europe trip with me, but I regret not bringing one of my kevlar/zx strung rax with better playability stability. The polylon has locked up and behind dead and lifeless. My racquet now feels like a shovel. I was having my way against the hitting pro I was playing against yesterday in London until the strings died halfway through my session. This is very different wear behavior to silverstring and sppp, which suffer instead to gradual tension loss.

 

[USPTARF97]

String that frame around 48-50 with Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 or Hyper G 1.25 and you will get around 6-8 hours of consistent play. There won’t be any great for an hour and completely lose your level of play. That frame was designed for the modern game.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I didn’t say he should do it. He could if he wants to. He’s already playing with Poly/Kevlar at 80lbs. That’s crazy. Nobody does that now.

Crazy is right. That’s asking for arm and shoulder issues IMO.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I've been in an experimentation mode lately. One of the things I've found is that regardless of my racquet specs and its weighting, stiffness, headsize, and length etc., when I really want to be sure that I will play well in an important singles match, there is no substitute for a firm stringbed that stays firm but doesn't lock up.

Stringing up a fresh poly job is one way to achieve this. But I really, really hate stringing. I want a string that plays the same for many hours if possible with minimal change to playing characteristics.

I recently bought a reel of 16g Polylon, but discovered that this stuff is not really what I'm looking for. It plays great at first, but it has several undesirable characteristics.
1) It has terrible tension maintenance. Despite the fact that I prestretch it (at least 6 extra inches on 20-ft segment), it doesn't seem capable of holding tension well.
2) It's surface is too soft and dentable.
3) It has a slick outer layer that wears off and leaves a higher-friction coating underneath.

The previous poly reel I had bought a few years ago was 17g Silverstring (after reading positve review from @pvaudio). I think I liked this one much better. It seemed to hold tension better than other poly's I've tried. And was a monofilament. It's dent resistance was ok, but could have been better.

The reel before that was Prince Tournament Poly 16g. This one was amazing for it's dent resistance (better than any other poly I've seen) and had exceptionally slippery surface that stayed slippery, but it seemed liked it had crummy tension maintenance.

I've tried many other poly's in single sets, but don't have enough experience to have fully characterized any, maybe with the exception of SPPP. This one didn't have as good tension maintenance as Silverstring, but was otherwise similar.

So here's what I want:

A. Excellent tension maintenance (I'm looking for one that actually has some improved anti-creep cross-linking chemistry, and not just a light factory prestretch). I will be prestretching manually.

B. Very good dent resistance, so it is unlikely to form any sort of notch in the crosses.

C. Probably looking for round profile, unless I can be convinced that the shape will stay more or less the same for 40h of play.

Color is not that important, but if it comes in a cool bright color that would be a bonus.
A decent price is not a requirement, but also a bonus.

This was the original topic. Just a reminder.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Shroud]

Those guys played with very heavy racquets and needed that tension to reign in the massive power those stocks had. That was a different time with different racquet technology. NOBODY strings gut in the 80s anymore - except Shroud.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Come on man. I dont do gut. It just breaks way too fast at any tension. I string kev/poly in the 80s. Sadly I get what trav is looking for. Kevlar at high tension is hard to beat for directional control. Being an old serve and volleyer he needs that on volleys. But also wants spin. So an unlocked stringbed is a must. So a poly is in order or something like zx.

But kevlar mains have enough friction that while staying unlocked they dont snapback as well as poly when its good. So he is looking to max the effect. 4g may be his goolden goose.

And his sticks are high swingweight so all the arm destruction talk is silly.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Come on man. I dont do gut. It just breaks way too fast at any tension. I string kev/poly in the 80s. Sadly I get what trav is looking for. Kevlar at high tension is hard to beat for directional control. Being an old serve and volleyer he needs that on volleys. But also wants spin. So an unlocked stringbed is a must. So a poly is in order or something like zx.

But kevlar mains have enough friction that while staying unlocked they dont snapback as well as poly when its good. So he is looking to max the effect. 4g may be his goolden goose.

And his sticks are high swingweight so all the arm destruction talk is silly.

"And his sticks are high swingweight so all the arm destruction talk is silly."

I hit 4g in my friends racquet for 30 miserable seconds.

To your point about high swingweight protecting you from ultra stiff strings ... what about all those strokes rec players are late on with little rhs? I guess it could be a teaching aid for avoiding weak tea swings.

 

[Shroud]

"And his sticks are high swingweight so all the arm destruction talk is silly."

I hit 4g in my friends racquet for 30 miserable seconds.

To your point about high swingweight protecting you from ultra stiff strings ... what about all those strokes rec players are late on with little rhs? I guess it could be a teaching aid for avoiding weak tea swings.

Sure it can help. And when one is late there is less shock.

Bet if you thought it was a syngut it would be glorious.

Anyhow the differential creates less tension than the big mains numbers indicate and the lower friction makes it more friendly

 

[ByeByePoly]

Sure it can help. And when one is late there is less shock.

Bet if you thought it was a syngut it would be glorious.

Anyhow the differential creates less tension than the big mains numbers indicate and the lower friction makes it more friendly

My simple logic is "too many weak swings or mishits with an ultra stiff string will lead to elbow trouble regardless of racquet." How much is " too much" is individual elbows dependent.

Here is my other question about the lower friction = more arm friendly. It makes total sense on topspin strokes, but what about flat/flatter swings? I would think 80/40 or 60/60 would feel about the same on a flat stroke. Have you found out otherwise? I guess it's possible more string splaying ... even on flat swings could offer less arm shock.

Things I discovered starting to have light hits with recovering TE with my 11.6 oz racquet (stock swing weight 317 ... all I add is tournagrip and dampener):

- fh full swings from baseline didn't hurt "much"
- volleys hurt like hell

My takeaway was the elbow gets hit with more force than we might think on the non-full momentum strokes in tennis. I could have tried to volley with any heavier racquet (higher swing weight) ... and my guess is volleys still would have hurt like hell. I think elastic strings are a line of defense for many of our non-full stroke tennis. I think the other offsetting factor is we mishit less on volleys, off pace slice, etc. If we hit every shot dead center, we could probably play with piano wire.

 

[travlerajm]

My simple logic is "too many weak swings or mishits with an ultra stiff string will lead to elbow trouble regardless of racquet." How much is " too much" is individual elbows dependent.

Here is my other question about the lower friction = more arm friendly. It makes total sense on topspin strokes, but what about flat/flatter swings? I would think 80/40 or 60/60 would feel about the same on a flat stroke. Have you found out otherwise? I guess it's possible more string splaying ... even on flat swings could offer less arm shock.

Things I discovered starting to have light hits with recovering TE with my 11.6 oz racquet (stock swing weight 317 ... all I add is tournagrip and dampener):

- fh full swings from baseline didn't hurt "much"
- volleys hurt like hell

My takeaway was the elbow gets hit with more force than we might think on the non-full momentum strokes in tennis. I could have tried to volley with any heavier racquet (higher swing weight) ... and my guess is volleys still would have hurt like hell. I think elastic strings are a line of defense for many of our non-full stroke tennis. I think the other offsetting factor is we mishit less on volleys, off pace slice, etc. If we hit every shot dead center, we could probably play with piano wire.

Interesting thing about my full polylon stringbed prestretched at 80/50 in my 18x20 Solinco;

At first the tension started dropping noticeably, but then when the coating wore off and surface got stickier (but not dented), the stringbed started to feel tighter again. The stickier surface is limiting travel of the mains, but they still snap back fully and realign straight due to the 30-lb differential. It feels tighter than when it was fresh. Still great control and decent spin, just lower powered than when it was fresh. This served me well this morning when I played with lively new balls on a warm day in Porto (and the teaching pro I was playing against complained about not being able to control the ball with his loose strings - he was used to hitting with his dead teaching balls).

This is in contrast to silverstring and sppp strung with same formula - those polys just got looser and looser.

 

[ByeByePoly]

.

Interesting thing about my full polylon stringbed prestretched at 80/50 in my 18x20 Solinco;

At first the tension started dropping noticeably, but then when the coating wore off and surface got stickier (but not dented), the stringbed started to feel tighter again. The stickier surface is limiting travel of the mains, but they still snap back fully and realign straight due to the 30-lb differential. It feels tighter than when it was fresh. Still great control and decent spin, just lower powered than when it was fresh. This served me well this morning when I played with lively new balls on a warm day in Porto (and the teaching pro I was playing against complained about not being able to control the ball with his loose strings - he was used to hitting with his dead teaching balls).

This is in contrast to silverstring and sppp strung with same formula - those polys just got looser and looser.

On vacation? If so, hope you are enjoying your time.

I was going to second @esgee48 's hdx tour suggestion... then I decided I live in another string world then you and @Shroud. It's tension maintenance is outstanding (at least in ttw stats ... I only played 6 hours). It's not going to be full poly spin ... but it's one of the new hybrids that plays great. My elbow still noticed the portion of poly in it ... so moved on.

 

[travlerajm]

.


On vacation? If so, hope you are enjoying your time.

Spending a few days of vacation in Western Europe before my work-related meeting in Vienna later in the week.

 

[USPTARF97]

Spending a few days of vacation in Western Europe before my work-related meeting in Vienna later in the week.

That sounds awesome

 

[KG32]

In one thread you demonstrate how you attempt to measure every Planck length of your racquet, calculate MGR/I, take wristband material and color into consideration, trimming your racquets according to weather etc etc, and then... you keep your full bed poly for 40+ hours.

The more posts I read, the more confused I get. Literally everything you do makes no sense at all. Also, in my humble opinion, how you play and how you draw conclusions renders all these experiments pointless

 

[Shroud]

.


On vacation? If so, hope you are enjoying your time.

I was going to second @esgee48 's hdx tour suggestion... then I decided I live in another string world then you and @Shroud. It's tension maintenance is outstanding (at least in ttw stats ... I only played 6 hours). It's not going to be full poly spin ... but it's one of the new hybrids that plays great. My elbow still noticed the portion of poly in it ... so moved on.

Yes you live in another world but we have a few invitations we can give out every year and we stupidly wasted one on you... horse and water man.

 

[ionelneica]

In one thread you demonstrate how you attempt to measure every Planck length of your racquet, calculate MGR/I, take wristband material and color into consideration, trimming your racquets according to weather etc etc, and then... you keep your full bed poly for 40+ hours.

The more posts I read, the more confused I get. Literally everything you do makes no sense at all. Also, in my humble opinion, how you play and how you draw conclusions renders all these experiments pointless

I have the same impression. U seem to be very technical in your aproach. Maybe u lack some talent or skill and you take this aproach.

 

[Bender]

Top-rated Poly on Stringforum is Kirschbaum Proline Evolution. I think this smooth, playable, Poly meets all your needs. It is also priced very well.

It’s my string of choice for polys. I have tried dozens. Love this stuff.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The only downside to that string IMO is that its power and spin potential isn't that high compared to other polys that I use. It has excellent control, and tension maintenance and playability however, which makes it excellent as a cross.

Nat gut mains with Pro Line Evo btw is an awesome combo.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I can’t even get 40h of play from kevlar (15h max!).
but if longevity and poly were top priorities... isospeed baseline is probably the only thing i’d consider... but still a 10h string


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ByeByePoly]

Yes you live in another world but we have a few invitations we can give out every year and we stupidly wasted one on you... horse and water man.

It's always hard when you like someone you don't like.

I like Taylor Swift songs and think Omarosa is beautiful ... that my friend, hurts.

 

[Shroud]

I can’t even get 40h of play from kevlar (15h max!).
but if longevity and poly were top priorities... isospeed baseline is probably the only thing i’d consider... but still a 10h string


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What kind are you using and what cross??

 

[Deleted member 23235]

What kind are you using and what cross??

i'm just using lux alu power (bb tech) 16L... at 55
while it breaks after ~8-10h (depending on wheterh i'm drilling baseline, or playing singles or dubs (drilling groundies i can break in 6h if that's all i'm doing)), it gives me the most satisfaction of gettting ridiculous spin... so my balls dives, and explodes off the court more..
i guess playing well is the tradeoff of stringing weekly.

 

[Shroud]

i'm just using lux alu power (bb tech) 16L... at 55
while it breaks after ~8-10h (depending on wheterh i'm drilling baseline, or playing singles or dubs (drilling groundies i can break in 6h if that's all i'm doing)), it gives me the most satisfaction of gettting ridiculous spin... so my balls dives, and explodes off the court more..
i guess playing well is the tradeoff of stringing weekly.

I meant kevlar if I understood your post

 

[ChaelAZ]

Try Ytex. I don’t have tension specs but I went from 4G to the Ytex Square X and found it had similar pop and tension maintenance over the same amount of play, but much less expensive. So not an amazing performance string, but really good play and value. Would be interested to hear your experience though if you try.


Probably posting from the court between sets.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

ah when i was playing with kevlar (I don’t anymore), it was kevlar mains, poly crosses... sometimes syngut or some monofilament cross... but honestly I could put anything in the cross, since it’s almost always the mains that brreak first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sean Sullivan]

For what its worth, Solinco Tour Bite had the best tension maintenance of all the polys I've played with (alu pwr, rpm, rpm dual, gamma ocho, head lynx, hyper-g). It seemed to resist notching for a decent amount of time, against itself at least. Not sure if that would be the case if you used it w Kevlar. As far as shape goes, it's technically "shaped" (4 sided) but it's got rounded edges, and was almost indistinguishable from a round poly when stringing.

It was not the best poly for me at providing feel or feedback (kind of on the stiffer side), but if tension maintenance and easy spin are what you want, it's worth buying a set to try it out. Also, I used the 16L, but the other gauges might have slightly different properties.

 

[USPTARF97]

For what its worth, Solinco Tour Bite had the best tension maintenance of all the polys I've played with (alu pwr, rpm, rpm dual, gamma ocho, head lynx, hyper-g). It seemed to resist notching for a decent amount of time, against itself at least. Not sure if that would be the case if you used it w Kevlar. As far as shape goes, it's technically "shaped" (4 sided) but it's got rounded edges, and was almost indistinguishable from a round poly when stringing.

It was not the best poly for me at providing feel or feedback (kind of on the stiffer side), but if tension maintenance and easy spin are what you want, it's worth buying a set to try it out. Also, I used the 16L, but the other gauges might have slightly different properties.

That was my experience with Solinco Tour Bite. From there went to Hyper G. Good tension maintenance and easy on the arm.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

The only downside to that string IMO is that its power and spin potential isn't that high compared to other polys that I use. It has excellent control, and tension maintenance and playability however, which makes it excellent as a cross.

Nat gut mains with Pro Line Evo btw is an awesome combo.

Plays fantastically. PLE is an wonderful cross string with VS Touch - and it lasts. I have over 30 hours on my current set and it still plays great (not even fraying yet)!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[travlerajm]

I pulled the trigger on a reel of 1.25mm Pro Line Evolution.

I also ordered a new reel of 16g ashaway kevlar, because nothing quite beats a kevlar main for versatility, feel, and longevity of playability.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I pulled the trigger on a reel of 1.25mm Pro Line Evolution.

I also ordered a new reel of 16g ashaway kevlar, because nothing quite beats a kevlar main for versatility, feel, and longevity of playability.

Kevlar feel? Better than natural gut?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[travlerajm]

Kevlar feel? Better than natural gut?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like a firm but grippy feel.

 

[Shroud]

Kevlar feel? Better than natural gut?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not everyone likes a soft stringbed or ball pocketing...

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Not everyone likes a soft stringbed or ball pocketing...

Baseliner then?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Shroud]

Baseliner then?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nope. Sure I have worked on that but would much rather be at the net. Old and slow is not a great net rushing but I still attack even when its best to stay back

It seems like you are equating soft string beds with “feel” and probably touch, and concluding that anyone who likes a stiff stringbed must not use touch and must be a baseliner.

Its a myth. Have you seen Dustin Browns stringbed tension and string type? Have you seen his touch? Some of the best touch on the tour.

 

[WestboroChe]

Totally agree! Very, very few players actually NEED or BENEFIT from that set-up. Conventional thinking has shifted to full beds of Poly at LOW TENSIONS or - better yet - as a hybrid cross with a natural gut main string to soften the string bed and retain tension and improve feel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What do you consider low tensions? 45lbs? 25?

 

[The Big Kahuna]

What do you consider low tensions? 45lbs? 25?

Low tension for a full bed of Poly IMO is 35-45 lbs.

TW has some very good tips on their website at the following link:

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/improve/article.html?ccode=IPSASTRTEN


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Nope. Sure I have worked on that but would much rather be at the net. Old and slow is not a great net rushing but I still attack even when its best to stay back

It seems like you are equating soft string beds with “feel” and probably touch, and concluding that anyone who likes a stiff stringbed must not use touch and must be a baseliner.

Its a myth. Have you seen Dustin Browns stringbed tension and string type? Have you seen his touch? Some of the best touch on the tour.

Nothing about Dustin Brown is “typical”.

Fact is there are no racket manufacturers that are recommending string tensions on the rackets much over 60 pounds. Most of them have tension recommendations of 45 to 55 pounds or 50 to 60 pounds.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Doubles]

Nothing about Dustin Brown is “typical”.

Fact is there are no racket manufacturers that are recommending string tensions on the rackets much over 60 pounds. Most of them have tension recommendations of 45 to 55 pounds or 50 to 60 pounds.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Shroud thinks the industry is wrong. There's not much of a point in arguing because neither of you will likely believe the other. Better to let it go. If he enjoys very high tension differentials with kevlar, and you enjoy lower tension gut/poly, it's better to just agree to disagree.

At the amateur level, there's no wrong way to play tennis. Something might hold you back from advancing to the next UTR or NTRP scale, but almost none of us are playing for money, so it shouldn't matter much.

FWIW, I'm gonna test gut/poly with a prestreched wilson Revolve in the crosses once I work my way through hybrids of multi/pro hurricane. Maybe Revolve's coating would be what @travlerajm is looking for?

 

[travlerajm]

I’m happy so far with my Evolution purchase, so far I have only tried it as a cross with Kevlar. It seems stiffer than most poly, with fairly slippery surface and has not shown signs of denting, and my Kevlar mains are snapping back great. Spin potential is vicious. Using it in leaded-up and shortened Prestige Mid, prestretched 90/35 lbs.

 

[Shroud]

Shroud thinks the industry is wrong. There's not much of a point in arguing because neither of you will likely believe the other. Better to let it go. If he enjoys very high tension differentials with kevlar, and you enjoy lower tension gut/poly, it's better to just agree to disagree.

At the amateur level, there's no wrong way to play tennis. Something might hold you back from advancing to the next UTR or NTRP scale, but almost none of us are playing for money, so it shouldn't matter much.

FWIW, I'm gonna test gut/poly with a prestreched wilson Revolve in the crosses once I work my way through hybrids of multi/pro hurricane. Maybe Revolve's coating would be what @travlerajm is looking for?

Well said and well reasoned. You sure you are on the right forum??

Though “wrong” is harsh. Unimaginative, conservative and dogmatic describe it better imho

Revolve is a great string but not sure trav would like it

 

[ron schaap]

I swing a variety of 16x19 and 16x18s, and a few 14x18s. I really like Solinco Outlast in the mains and Prince Sun Gut w/Duraflex in the crosses.

I vote for Outlast too, which in 1.20 gauge and not strung tightly, is very durable in 18x20 stringbed.
I think stringing too tight or prestreching contributes to the going dead fenomene. Folks think that they have to string poly as tight as multi or sgut, which is definitely not wise.

 

[ron schaap]

Those guys played with very heavy racquets and needed that tension to reign in the massive power those stocks had. That was a different time with different racquet technology. NOBODY strings gut in the 80s anymore - except Shroud.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

However not durable at all. Some of Borgs strings broke already in his hotelroom. Sampras brought shiploads of rackets to the court, because his strings broke that often.
I say, if you have deep pockets than by any means use gut otherwise some modern durable other string.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I’m happy so far with my Evolution purchase, so far I have only tried it as a cross with Kevlar. It seems stiffer than most poly, with fairly slippery surface and has not shown signs of denting, and my Kevlar mains are snapping back great. Spin potential is vicious. Using it in leaded-up and shortened Prestige Mid, prestretched 90/35 lbs.

Kevlar is the stiffest string you can buy. Period.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[The Big Kahuna]

According to Jeff Rothstein of TENNIS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE:

About 80 percent of the players at Wimbledon had their cross strings strung 2 to 4 pounds lower than their main strings. However, most American players used the same string tension for their mains and crosses. Some players requested that their racquets always be strung the morning of their match.

Lowest tension: One male singles player had his midsize racquets strung at 31 to 33 pounds.

Highest tension: The highest I saw was 68 pounds.

As the temperature increased, some players slightly increased their string tension 1 to 2 pounds. Grass courts play faster as the tournament progresses because the courts get worn down and become firmer.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ron schaap]

My simple logic is "too many weak swings or mishits with an ultra stiff string will lead to elbow trouble regardless of racquet." How much is " too much" is individual elbows dependent.

Here is my other question about the lower friction = more arm friendly. It makes total sense on topspin strokes, but what about flat/flatter swings? I would think 80/40 or 60/60 would feel about the same on a flat stroke. Have you found out otherwise? I guess it's possible more string splaying ... even on flat swings could offer less arm shock.

Things I discovered starting to have light hits with recovering TE with my 11.6 oz racquet (stock swing weight 317 ... all I add is tournagrip and dampener):

- fh full swings from baseline didn't hurt "much"
- volleys hurt like hell

My takeaway was the elbow gets hit with more force than we might think on the non-full momentum strokes in tennis. I could have tried to volley with any heavier racquet (higher swing weight) ... and my guess is volleys still would have hurt like hell. I think elastic strings are a line of defense for many of our non-full stroke tennis. I think the other offsetting factor is we mishit less on volleys, off pace slice, etc. If we hit every shot dead center, we could probably play with piano wire.

Kevlar is the stiffest string you can buy. Period.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/QUOTE
Evidently!
These players are better of using a frying pan. Then no dwell time, no strings to straighten or to break.
Really. Besides i think mutilating your racquet is crazy too. With less costs and effort he could play junior racquets which are shorter lenght already.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Here is me a few weeks ago

Nice serving

 

[travlerajm]

Ok - next test. Just strung up my leaded-up Solinco Pro 7 (Prestige MP mold) with full bed Pro Line Evolution 17, prestretched @ 80/50 lbs.
I notice a slight bit of denting in the crosses already - haven't hit with it yet. But stringbed feels really grabby when bouncing ball in lining room.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Ok - next test. Just strung up my leaded-up Solinco Pro 7 (Prestige MP mold) with full bed Pro Line Evolution 17, prestretched @ 80/50 lbs.
I notice a slight bit of denting in the crosses already - haven't hit with it yet. But stringbed feels really grabby when bouncing ball in lining room.

Full bed of Poly at 80 lbs!?

Crosses are 30 lbs lower!?

Good luck.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[The Big Kahuna]

A recent study at the UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD in the UK compared two identical tennis racquets, one strung at 40 pounds and one strung at 70 pounds (the same tensions as in our previously mentioned spin study). The impact apparatus can be set up to simulate a player hitting a topspin groundstroke, and we can measure the ball rebound spin using a high speed video camera operating at 240 frames/sec. As in previous testing, it was found that the measured rebound spin for both racquets was identical. So have the players’ perceptions been proven wrong?

Not necessarily. Because tighter strings produce less velocity, the ball will land shorter in the court. To make up for this, the player might swing harder generating more spin. In this case, it is not tighter strings that produce more spin, but the player’s response to tighter strings. In any case, the player is likely to notice the greater spin without realizing that he is swinging faster.

Similarly, even if the player does not swing harder, he may think there is more spin with higher tensions. That is because, although the spin is not greater at higher tensions, the ball speed will be lower, so the ratio of spin to speed will be greater. The ball will then appear to land shorter in the court at slightly steeper angles and to bounce higher — in reality just consequences of less velocity.
If string tension doesn’t influence spin, it can’t influence control through spin. So we are forced to look elsewhere for our connection between string tension and control.

Fortunately, we find three variables that do vary with string tension — string movement, dwell time, and ball travel across the stringbed — that might influence control.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Shroud]

A recent study at the UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD in the UK compared two identical tennis racquets, one strung at 40 pounds and one strung at 70 pounds (the same tensions as in our previously mentioned spin study). The impact apparatus can be set up to simulate a player hitting a topspin groundstroke, and we can measure the ball rebound spin using a high speed video camera operating at 240 frames/sec. As in previous testing, it was found that the measured rebound spin for both racquets was identical. So have the players’ perceptions been proven wrong?

Not necessarily. Because tighter strings produce less velocity, the ball will land shorter in the court. To make up for this, the player might swing harder generating more spin. In this case, it is not tighter strings that produce more spin, but the player’s response to tighter strings. In any case, the player is likely to notice the greater spin without realizing that he is swinging faster.

Similarly, even if the player does not swing harder, he may think there is more spin with higher tensions. That is because, although the spin is not greater at higher tensions, the ball speed will be lower, so the ratio of spin to speed will be greater. The ball will then appear to land shorter in the court at slightly steeper angles and to bounce higher — in reality just consequences of less velocity.
If string tension doesn’t influence spin, it can’t influence control through spin. So we are forced to look elsewhere for our connection between string tension and control.

Fortunately, we find three variables that do vary with string tension — string movement, dwell time, and ball travel across the stringbed — that might influence control.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Full bed of Poly at 80 lbs!?

Crosses are 30 lbs lower!?

Good luck.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Again that study is just tension related and we are talking about differentials which you clearly have never tried. Have you??

 

[travlerajm]

Full bed of Poly at 80 lbs!?

Crosses are 30 lbs lower!?

Good luck.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The higher the difference in tension between crosses and mains, the softer the feel. My 80/50 stringbed feels just as soft as if I had strung it at 50/50, except that it is spinnier and it’s performance will likely last a lot longer.

 

[KG32]

Watching your videos only one thing comes to mind - all these "experiments" actually decrease your performance. And I'm not talking about your delusional (sorry to use that word) peaks in performance. You switch racquets varying in length, weight (like 20g?) and tensions (varying in ... god, doesn't even matter) and you think you gain 20% of something? Sorry for being honest, but I'm pretty sure most of the time your shots are 50% worse in whatever aspect you analyze (or the same), just feel different. Not for long, since after a week you switch to something exactly opposite. The only difference is that you can barely hit a clean shot - no idea if it's a result of these "experiments" or you never even tried to learn how to actually play and only focused on gear. Whatever the reason, you'd do yourself a favor by shifting your focus a little bit.. Don't get me wrong, I admire your commitment and love for tennis, but I don't know if it's just me, but seems like you got it all wrong...