Hybrid help

[Arafel]

Just looking to get some recommendations. I am making a pretty big change in my setup. For the last 8 years, I've been playing with my old 80s mid, the Wilson Ultra 2, which has a high swingweight and great feel, but over the last few months, I've been thinking that I need something I can get around a little quicker as I continue to play Open events. I used to use a full on multi setup in my Ultra 2s of Xcel Power strung between 60 and 65 pounds, depending on the season.

I've decided on the Blade 98 18-20, which I demoed and really liked. I demoed it in both a full mutli and full poly, and found I liked what poly did, but I want to hybrid so I get a slightly better feel. My multi of choice is Xcel Power 17, and I am going to hybrid it with RPM Blast 17 for starters. The question: poly in the mains or multi in the mains? What are the benefits/drawbacks of each setup. Also, what would you recommend for tensions on each?

Any help appreciated!!

 

[torpantennis]

Multi in the mains definitely. This will give you even more spin than full poly. And the feel is superior compared to poly in the mains.

Recent studies have indicated that the friction free movement of the mains and the resulting snap-back increases spin. Poly crosses are perfect low friction rails for the multi mains to move on. Poly mains on the multi crosses however cannot move at all, effectively minimizing spin if this setup were used.

 

[Brocolt]

My 2.cents, would be Poly mains 48lbs. and the multi cross at 52 lbs. If you like the play of the full bed poly go poly mains. I would also recommend trying nv.y as a cross for the poly mains. you will get a little better spin do to lower friction of the syn versus multi but you will also get a diffrent feel.

 

[Lukhas]

Multi cross or the poly will most likely shred it. Multi isn't gut.

 

[BlueB]

I recently like multi mains at 57 and poly crosses at 45, in a MP frame.
Multi will notch a lot and eventually brake, but it plays well.

 

[Vlad_C]

Definitely multi mains and poly crosses.
This setup gives a better feel and a little more power.
In terms of spin, it seemed to me that I was actually getting more spin with a full bed of poly, but the hybrid setup feels a lot better and gives me more power.

As for tension, It depends on what combination of power/spin/comfort/control you want.
From what I've seen posted on these forums, most pros string crosses at 2-3lb less than the mains. I tried the same thing, and it works well. I guess this allows the mains to slide more easily over the crosses, and produces more spin.

 

[NLBwell]

Since you are coming from a small-headed racket, I'd recommend going with poly in the mains. It will give you more control on the flat balls and give you more spin on the heavily-spun balls. Even though the 98 has 18 mains, you might play better with a higher-control setup (less string deflection) than with the more powerful multi-main setup.
Also, I've found that with a multi-main setup, as soon as the poly crosses lose some tension, the ball will start flying.

 

[anubis]

I prefer poly mains and multi cross. String the multi 4 lbs tighter. Only time poly should go in crosses is if gut is in the mains.

With multi in the mains and poly in the crosses, the poly isn't really adding anything to the party. It's not providing much more spin than stringing a full bed of multi. I would guess that the multi would snap pretty quickly too, but I've never performed long term tests of that setup.

With poly in the mains, you're adding extra spin potential and taming the power of the multi. With multi in the crosses, you are increasing the softness, power and feel of the string bed.

 

[Rabbit]

My 2.cents, would be Poly mains 48lbs. and the multi cross at 52 lbs. If you like the play of the full bed poly go poly mains. I would also recommend trying nv.y as a cross for the poly mains. you will get a little better spin do to lower friction of the syn versus multi but you will also get a diffrent feel.

Yeah, when I used that setup, I had Lux Ace mains at 48 and Tecnifibre NRG 17 crosses at just the tension you list, 48/52

 

[torpantennis]

I prefer poly mains and multi cross. String the multi 4 lbs tighter. Only time poly should go in crosses is if gut is in the mains.

With multi in the mains and poly in the crosses, the poly isn't really adding anything to the party. It's not providing much more spin than stringing a full bed of multi. I would guess that the multi would snap pretty quickly too, but I've never performed long term tests of that setup.

With poly in the mains, you're adding extra spin potential and taming the power of the multi. With multi in the crosses, you are increasing the softness, power and feel of the string bed.

Have you even tried both combos? I have and I can tell you that multi/poly clearly gives more spin than poly/multi. Poly mains give lower power, that can fool you to think that they give more spin.

Actually multi is close to how gut behaves in hybrids. Coefficient of friction of multi/poly set Biphase 18/Hepta-twist 17 is lowish 0.075, on par with gut/polys. However, poly/multi combo of Poly-plasma 16L/Biphase 18 gives four times higher friction at 0.299, which explains my feelings: Poly/multi gives no spin at all.

And poly crosses add a lot to multi mains. They give the low friction rails for the multis to slide on and snap-back, maximising the spin. Full bed Biphase 18 has high friction value 0.224!

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/COFreporter.php

 

[Arafel]

Have you even tried both combos? I have and I can tell you that multi/poly clearly gives more spin than poly/multi. Poly mains give lower power, that can fool you to think that they give more spin.

Actually multi is close to how gut behaves in hybrids. Coefficient of friction of multi/poly set Biphase 18/Hepta-twist 17 is lowish 0.075, on par with gut/polys. However, poly/multi combo of Poly-plasma 16L/Biphase 18 gives four times higher friction at 0.299, which explains my feelings: Poly/multi gives no spin at all.

And poly crosses add a lot to multi mains. They give the low friction rails for the multis to slide on and snap-back, maximising the spin. Full bed Biphase 18 has high friction value 0.224!

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/COFreporter.php

I haven't tried either yet, but since I do my own stringing, I guess I will do one of each and see which I like better. Thanks for the info.

 

[EP1998]

Another option is full poly at a low tension.

 

[coolschreiber]

Have you even tried both combos? I have and I can tell you that multi/poly clearly gives more spin than poly/multi. Poly mains give lower power, that can fool you to think that they give more spin.

Actually multi is close to how gut behaves in hybrids. Coefficient of friction of multi/poly set Biphase 18/Hepta-twist 17 is lowish 0.075, on par with gut/polys. However, poly/multi combo of Poly-plasma 16L/Biphase 18 gives four times higher friction at 0.299, which explains my feelings: Poly/multi gives no spin at all.

And poly crosses add a lot to multi mains. They give the low friction rails for the multis to slide on and snap-back, maximising the spin. Full bed Biphase 18 has high friction value 0.224!

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/COFreporter.php

+1...wait +100 . I completely agree. I usually use full poly. But tried technifibre biphase 16g mains and some cheap poly in crosses, don't know what my stringer used for poly . 52/48 on a k90, it was pure nirvana the feel and spin were amazing. Didn't even use a vibration dampner. Mains snap back beautifully over a smooth poly crosses to provide great spin. Ball pocketing was sensational.
I am a convert to this set up now . I'm going to use natural gut in mains and poly crosses next time.