How arm friendly is LF supreme?

[dkim]

Hi all.

I have a sensitive shoulder and need some arm friendly strings that feel crispy. LF supreme seems to be a good candidate. I know it is very popular for its tension holding capability. How about its arm friendliness? At least one user under the user review on its string page complained discomfort after using it.

My racquet is Volkl Tour 10 midplus. I played with PSG original (16g) at 53lbs with no problem but didn't like the feel of it that much. Then, I switched to PSG w/ Duraflex (16g) at same tension. I loved the feel, but next day I experienced shoulder pain, which lasted 4 days. Currently I have Ashway Dynamite (17g) @ 47lbs, but I don't like the feel of it. However, I don't have any arm pain.

I know that Gut would be the best for any arm problem, but I cannot afford it. I don't string my racquet by myself. So, I don't think hybrid is a good option, either. I am looking for crispy arm-friendly synthetic string (if there is such a thing) that are suitable for a full sting job.

Thanks for your opinions in advance.

DK

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Supreme is a good candidate given what you are seeking. Go for it!

 

[NoBadMojo]

Maybe I am in the minority, but I dont find this string to be so great...it feels a bit boardy to me even at fairly low tension and for some reason seems to shrink the sweetspot <for me>....you may still wish to consider a hybrid because the string cost still shouldnt be much more than a premium multi and your body safety is worth it...i use klip legend/duraflex and that's nice and crisp..i find the duraflex to be about as crispy as the gut. for a high end multi, technifibre bi-phase is sweet IMO and should be easy on your shoulder..you are in a bit of a tough situation in that you want something crisp yet easy on your shoulder. some stringers allow you to provide the string and just charge for labour..most stringers would try and accomodate you in some way w. a hybrid..agree Jerry?

 

[Rabbit]

I really like Supreme. I've been going between that and Luxilon TIMO now for several months. Supreme is a firmer playing multi, but it holds tension really well and has great feel. If you want a softer playing multi, I'd opt for Tecnifibre XRC. In any case, Supreme is a great string.

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

I absolutely agree that most stringers will do whatever the customers ask. If experimenting with strings and they were being provided by the customer I would cut a break on the pricing, but I'm not sure everyone would do that. I view at it as a long term investment in gaining a new customer. If that is what it takes, I would definitely do it. If it was an existing customer I would treat her/him the same way, knowing that word of mouth will eventually pay off for me and I have deepened an already established relationship.

As for the Supreme, it fits the description. Some folks don't like the string, but most do. Like anything it's a matter of taste and preference. I wouldn't advise hybriding with Supreme simply because I have tried it and it hasn't been successful. A hybrid with a softer multi like Bi-Phase would be an option. The Unique Tournafiber Irradiated is also a very nice playing multi with some crispness, but doesn't hold tension as well as the LF. It is a gem of a string, though very underrated.

 

[Alley Cat]

I've had shoulder problems in the past and currently use and like LS Supreme 17. Its a great string that seems to have a good feel while holding its tension very well. I've had good luck with durability. I also like a relatively crisp string...and even at a higher tension (which I prefer) Supreme has been a great string for my shoulder. Currently using a LM Prestige MP, but also used it on my Tour 10MP last year without any shoulder pain. Good luck.

 

[dkim]

Thanks for the replies.

NoBadMojo, I will consider hybrid. I tried Biphase once @ 52lbs. Maybe it was too loose. It felt too mushy, nothing special. If I increase the tension, do you think it will be better? Also, if I increase the tension of dynamite, do you think it will feel crispier?


Jerry, do you have a shop in Suwanee? I live in Chamblee. I may visit your store sometime in the future (if you have one).


I didn't mention this at first, but I surprised that Duraflex makes that much difference (to me). Is it normal or just me?

Thanks.

DK

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

dkim,

I have an online tennis shop and do free racquet pickup and delivery within a 10 mile service area. I sometimes go outside of the service area and I have quite a few customers who actually deliver their racquets to my home, take advantage of the nearby shopping and then pick up the racquet within an hour. I'd be happy to talk with you, if you are interested. Just send me an email using cokebear5@yahoo.com and we can discuss further.

 

[NoBadMojo]

dkim...well yes, tighter tensions give you a firmer feel. also, technifbre recommends a pre-stretch on the bi-pgase which also makes for a firmer hit (do you know if the bi-phase you tried was pre-stretched?). i think the bi-phase would play a little softer than the Supreme. as for the dyamite, i've no experience w. it, so won;t comment. yes, prince sysnthetic dflex plays much more crisply than reg prince syn. a string i like from laserfibre but not durable is the lasertourXL..i dont even know if it is still in the line, but i thought that to be a nice crisp responsive string that might be easy on your shoulder.

 

[dkim]

I got my racquet from TW and Biphase was the string came with. So I don't know TW pre-stretched or not. I may try TF515 or Biphase at higher tension.
Thanks.

DK

 

[rich s]

Am I missing the boat?

I always thought (and I thought I read somewhere) that racquet weight needed to be considered primarily when dealing with shoulder issues not strings.

somebody help set me straight.

 

[Steve Huff]

I hybrid it a lot, with several customers. I've never had a bad comment about it, and have had several good comments. With Gosen OG Micro 17 or with Wilson Stamina or Prince Syn w/Dura, I just string the crosses around 3#'s lower. It is a little stiff a first, but not any worse than NRG2 or NXT when they're first strung. I think it holds tension better too.

 

[mctennis]

Dynamite strings are the closest string ( in stiffness gauge) to gut. That is probably why your arm feels good when you use it. I've been using the Dynamite 17 for some years now and have had no arm/shoulder/wrist pain. I have several racquets and I either have been using straight gut, gut hybrid ( gut/ TiMO) or the Dynamite strings.

 

[NoBadMojo]

rich i think in this case we are not implicating the frame or technique because the person has a problem w. one string and not the other. but the t10mp is a demanding frame to serve with and people seem to try and muscle the ball when they cant get enough work out of it on the serve..when people do that, things break down at times. Disclaimer: I'm not implying that DKim or any specific person has bad technique

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Am I missing the boat?

I always thought (and I thought I read somewhere) that racquet weight needed to be considered primarily when dealing with shoulder issues not strings.

somebody help set me straight.

Rich, it's a combination of things, including the string. Your are correct that the frames weight, balance and stiffness are major factors, but a soft string can help with arm problems and a stiff string can contribute to them. A soft string absorbs some of the shock load at impact. They also vibrate less.

 

[dkim]

I think I got injured my shoulder due to bad serving (kick serve) techinque in the past. After that, my shoulder becomes weak and sensitive. I don't use kick serve any more for that matter. I think my technique is not perfect, but I currently have pain only when I use PSG w/ Duraflex. That's why I suspect string types may worsen my pain.

I tried many other racquets that would ease my pain. I found Tour10 MP is exellent - not too heavy, not too light. So far current set up is no problem in pain department. However, I do not like the feel.

DK

 

[rich s]

Gaines-
all makes sense. but, why not just lower tension to remove the string stiffness issue?

 

[Steve Huff]

Dkim, there was an article in one of the last few TENNIS mags about hitting the kick serve. One of the big mistakes is arching your back. It shows how a proper knee bend eliminates the stress from arching your back. If you get a chance, look at it. Good illustrations too. One of the few articles they've had lately that was really good.