How many restringing job can a modern racquet take?
- Thread starter kaissoz
- Start date
Usually it just spontaneously combusts.
But rally it will just feel too flexible and will be more likely to break during play. Most pros stop using rackets once they lose the desired feel. After that, I guess they are auctioned off with money going to a good cause.
thanks for the responses. I guess i'll see how it goes. I'm just getting back more seriously into the game, and just got 5 frames of the same racquet and a stringing machine. I'll be experiencing with strings/tension initially, so some string jobs might only last 10 min before i cut them. after that i'll be rotating 3 frames at a time in an effort to always keep fresh strings on (except for tournaments). i like this frame (now discontinued), so i was just wondering how many useable years i could get out of them.
I picked the LM instinct tour xl. I had the 28 inch version of the PT 280 for many years before switching to the the PS tour 95 (which i had lead up quite a bit). I liked the feel of it, though i hardly played these past couple of years, and now that i'm hitting regularly with 5.0's, i found it too demanding, the sweetspot was too small for me...
This can't be right. I string about once a week and sometimes twice just to experiment with strings. This would mean that I would have to get a new racquet every year?
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Tennis Magazine did a study once on frame degredation. They said that if you're a 3.0 or below, a frame should last you a lifetime. If you're 4.0 or so then you can get roughly 5 years or so out of one. 4.5 and above can go 3 years. Pros get roughly 6 months.
I also was told that some pros like brand new frames while others like their frames broken in. Lendl used to let his friends play with new frames for that reason. Sergi Bruguera liked his frames after about 50 stringings. It's kind of like shoes, some shoes feel best when you put them on and others feel best right before they wear out. I personally like my frames to be a little more flexible than new.
I also was told that some pros like brand new frames while others like their frames broken in. Lendl used to let his friends play with new frames for that reason. Sergi Bruguera liked his frames after about 50 stringings. It's kind of like shoes, some shoes feel best when you put them on and others feel best right before they wear out. I personally like my frames to be a little more flexible than new.
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In that study, did they specify the restringing frequency? Also, when you say a frame can go 3 years for example, does it assume that one is solely using that frame (without rotating it with others) for that period of time?
In any case, thanks for all the responses, it looks more than likely that despite fairly frequent planned restringning, my current set will last me more than 5 years, at which point I shouldn't have problems finding another frame I'll like (i try to avoid reading all these "searching for my holy grail threads
)...
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I really don't remember if restringing was mentioned or not. I would have to think that it was considered since in 3-years, one must certainly restring.
I think the real key here is that whatever feels best to you is what works. As I mentioned, some pros like new rackets (I think Agassi is one) and other pros like Bruguera like broken in rackets (50+ restrings). A frame that does "dead" to one pro may be just right to another. I think the same would apply to any player. It's just what you like best.
I think the real key here is that whatever feels best to you is what works. As I mentioned, some pros like new rackets (I think Agassi is one) and other pros like Bruguera like broken in rackets (50+ restrings). A frame that does "dead" to one pro may be just right to another. I think the same would apply to any player. It's just what you like best.
spectraflamed
New User
How long will they last if you keep blasting returns using the frame? it seems my strings last forever
it seems my strings last foreverit depends upon the frame, the string used, and a persons ability to even feel frame fatigue. if someone cant feel the differnce, then it really doesnt matter. the way to tell is to play an old frame along side a new identical frame. stringing puts the most stress on a frame, but many of the better quality frames and the newer frames last much longer than the older frames and frames of lesser quality.
a fatigued frame will be more flexy and also feel more dull and lifeless.
example: when i used pc's i got no more than 2 seasons out of them rotating 4-6 frames before they either fatigued or warped <was playing lots of tourneys back then> ps85's also quickly fatigued. fischer vacuum pros lasted a really long time...years
i would be curious if/how much using polys might reduce the life of a frame..poly being so stiff and nasty seems like they would put an incredible amount of stress on a frame
a fatigued frame will be more flexy and also feel more dull and lifeless.
example: when i used pc's i got no more than 2 seasons out of them rotating 4-6 frames before they either fatigued or warped <was playing lots of tourneys back then> ps85's also quickly fatigued. fischer vacuum pros lasted a really long time...years
i would be curious if/how much using polys might reduce the life of a frame..poly being so stiff and nasty seems like they would put an incredible amount of stress on a frame
Rafa's best friend
Banned
Interesting comment about poly, I'll be curious to find out as well since 2 of my frames currently have a full job of cyberflash 17, and for now it is my preferred setup (at least the one giving me the best results in competitive situations while providing with a feel i do not dislike). the discovery of poly for me this year is actually what prompted me to get my own machine, as I plan to restring after 10 to 15 hours.
Also, assuming the frame does not warp or crack, I would guess that the increase in flex is gradulal/linear over time, correct?
True, perhaps the majority (even including myself) might not be bothered by the increasing flex, as pointed out, i might even like it better. As is, I can feel differences in swingweights/static weight between each of my 5 frames, but i guess it's not dramatic enough to let myself be bothered by it (even though i now know there's a 9 gramm difference between my lightest and heaviest frame...).
Also, assuming the frame does not warp or crack, I would guess that the increase in flex is gradulal/linear over time, correct?
True, perhaps the majority (even including myself) might not be bothered by the increasing flex, as pointed out, i might even like it better. As is, I can feel differences in swingweights/static weight between each of my 5 frames, but i guess it's not dramatic enough to let myself be bothered by it (even though i now know there's a 9 gramm difference between my lightest and heaviest frame...).
V
Vitaly Evchenkov
Guest
I think polys are better for frame longevity because of the lower tensions needed to string them. When I string them at 55lbs instead of a multi at 66lbs, the frame does not distort as much.
Might be better for your frame but worse for your arm... dunno.
I just tried using nat. gut hybrid and my arm has definitely enjoyed the plush ride ... like driving grandma's Caddy!
Might be better for your frame but worse for your arm... dunno.
I just tried using nat. gut hybrid and my arm has definitely enjoyed the plush ride ... like driving grandma's Caddy!
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Look at Connor's old t2000, which he kept using well after Wilson quit making them. I'd bet some of his rackets had over 200 stringjobs.
D
Dunlopkid
Guest
I heard the opposite--that Agassi likes his frames after about 50 restringings.
D
Dunlopkid
Guest
Gotta agree, Ripper. I too think the racket companies spread this. But then again it gives all us racket junkies on TW an excuse to get a new frame every other week. j/k. LOL.
eunjam
Rookie
isn't there proof somewhere that the amount of 'deterioration' of internal graphite fibers......is something that a human can't detect anyways?
this is ridiculous.
i think that in the selling/trade section, if someone's selling a racket, they need to disclose how many times the racket has been strung.
.....or i'll set up a website called 'racquetfax.com'. a comprehensive report on used racquets.
this thread is ridiculous.
this is ridiculous.
i think that in the selling/trade section, if someone's selling a racket, they need to disclose how many times the racket has been strung.
.....or i'll set up a website called 'racquetfax.com'. a comprehensive report on used racquets.
this thread is ridiculous.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
The graphite fibers are bound together by resin. While degredation may be slow to really slow for weekenders, there is probably some truth to the fact that rackets wear out. I know I can tell the difference in some older frames compared to newer ones. At some point, the racket will breakdown to the point that it breaks.
Really? I stand corrected.
I can empirically attest that racquets do weaken and become more flexible over time. Don't believe me? Get two matched racquets and string one of them 60+ times. Then freshly string them both with the same string and tension and take them out to the courts to compare. I'd be shocked if an avid racquet head like most here could not tell the difference between them.
DownTheLineWith90
Rookie
^ :idea: i like.
I am not a scientist but I don't think stainless steel would break down like graphite/fiberglass/carbon fibers. Connor's could just clean his t2000 rackets with some steel wool and restring them forever.
