I've tried using 18g poly as a main with nat gut or syn gut crosses. I just don't seem to get any bite on the ball (eg. on a topspin forehand) vs. 16 or 17g poly mains. I'm thinking it is too thin to use as a main. Most recent attempt was at 56lbs with a nat gut cross at 56lbs. Any recommendations or am I stuck with using my two 18g poly reels ina full poly set up?
Hybriding with 18g poly -- too thin?
- Thread starter southend
- Start date
Unless you're using a 100+ sq frame... 56lbs seems to be a bit too high for such kinda hybrid combo.
As a 1.10/1.15 18g poly main/17g syn (on true 93 or 95 frames) user myself, I do 40-46 lbs depends on weather.
It also depends on which poly string you're using, some are spinnier than others, like Tour Bite or Tour Bite Soft 18/19.
Chotobaka
Hall of Fame
I have been using Big Ace Micro mains and Gosen OG crosses on one of my racquets for the past 2-3 months -- both 1.15. The bite is impressive, as is the power and feel. Big Ace Micro has more spin than any of its thicker Big Ace siblings whether in a hybrid or a full bed. Whatever problems you are having are not the product of the gauge itself. Also, uber thin poly plays great in a full bed. What string is the 18g mystery poly you are referring to? BTW, I prefer low tension set ups with poly these days.
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I use 18g all the way. Nxt tour 18 mains at 48 and Head Hawk poly at 52 on crosses. I've been experimenting with strings for years and this is the best setup for a good balance of power, control feel. Spin comes mostly from proper technique and this setup produced plenty while still being able to hit monster flat shots when needed. To me that's gold.
maxpotapov
Hall of Fame
What's the deal with using nat gut as the cross strings with poly mains?
Everybody does vice versa which makes sense: good spin (slide/snap back) with good durability.
Everybody does vice versa which makes sense: good spin (slide/snap back) with good durability.
colowhisper
Semi-Pro
18g Mosquito Bite is my favorite cross with gut mains. I also use it full bed in a MG Prestige Pro and it is awesome.
I often use nat gut mains with a poly cross. But sometimes like the reverse set up. Carry multiple racquets.
BTW, plenty of pros play poly main with a nat gut cross (Tennis.com Jan/Feb 2010). Bob and Mike Bryan Lux BB/Prince Nat Gut; Roddick Hurricane/VS Gut; Stosur Big Banger/VS Gut; Sharpova Lux M2/Prince Nat Gut; Wozniacki Hurricane/VS Gut
BTW, plenty of pros play poly main with a nat gut cross (Tennis.com Jan/Feb 2010). Bob and Mike Bryan Lux BB/Prince Nat Gut; Roddick Hurricane/VS Gut; Stosur Big Banger/VS Gut; Sharpova Lux M2/Prince Nat Gut; Wozniacki Hurricane/VS Gut
maxpotapov
Hall of Fame
^^Well, yes, because they can afford it. Tough Gut mains / Mosquito Bite crosses can last 40+ hours, unless you mishit badly or play at 5.0+ level
Some polys just don't have enough bite.
In my quest to find the most comfortable polys, I tried many of those "soft" polys and thin polys.
The problem is that when polys get too soft, some of them lose the killer spin that we look for in polys. Might be better off using synthetic gut in some cases.
The ones that are thin and comfy but still have plenty of bite include the aforementioned Pro Supex Big Ace Micro, Luxilon Ace, your very own Pro Hurricane 18 (although I found it to be utterly useless after 1 hitting session), WC Mosquito Bite, etc.
I have never used the particular poly you are having trouble with. If you string your own racquets, why don't you try a full bed to see if the string is just a dud.
In my quest to find the most comfortable polys, I tried many of those "soft" polys and thin polys.
The problem is that when polys get too soft, some of them lose the killer spin that we look for in polys. Might be better off using synthetic gut in some cases.
The ones that are thin and comfy but still have plenty of bite include the aforementioned Pro Supex Big Ace Micro, Luxilon Ace, your very own Pro Hurricane 18 (although I found it to be utterly useless after 1 hitting session), WC Mosquito Bite, etc.
I have never used the particular poly you are having trouble with. If you string your own racquets, why don't you try a full bed to see if the string is just a dud.
ShahofTennis
Hall of Fame
I mostly play with racquets less than 95sq inches, I play with a PS95 because it has a box beam. My preferences are based on a headsize between 88-90 square inches.
I don't see an 18g being anything more than a cross unless its in a full bed. I don't think its viable to have main's that are stiffer than your crosses in a hybrid, I mean what kind of sense would that make?
If I am hybriding a 16x19 pattern, then I put whatever synthetic gut in whatever gauge I have it in into the main, and an 18g poly in the cross.
If I am playing a 18x20 pattern, then I don't hybrid. I would if I had an 18g synthetic, but that wouldn't be cost effective when considering the life of a synth/poly hybrid, particularly for synthetic mains. On 18x20's I opt for the full bed of 18g poly.
I don't see an 18g being anything more than a cross unless its in a full bed. I don't think its viable to have main's that are stiffer than your crosses in a hybrid, I mean what kind of sense would that make?
If I am hybriding a 16x19 pattern, then I put whatever synthetic gut in whatever gauge I have it in into the main, and an 18g poly in the cross.
If I am playing a 18x20 pattern, then I don't hybrid. I would if I had an 18g synthetic, but that wouldn't be cost effective when considering the life of a synth/poly hybrid, particularly for synthetic mains. On 18x20's I opt for the full bed of 18g poly.
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Thanks for the input. So perhaps it is the nature of the 18g rather than all 18g polys. Again, thanks.
FYI, some pros playing with poly main/gut cross:
Murray
Nishikori
Dolgo
Lu
Pospisil
Benneteau
Baghdatis
Wozniacki
Radwanska
Lisicki
Zverev
........
Former Pros
Ginepri
Hingis
Roddick
It's because main dictates the feel, and these folks happen to prefer a firmer feel on the main (some prefer mains that don't move out of place) YET want to tame the harsh feel a little.
Now speaking of strange combo... syn main on poly cross on a 16X19 is like putting noodles on poly cross, and people expect it can snap back like gut??
Not even if it's strung over 60lbs and/or maybe the user hit flat shots only.
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maxpotapov
Hall of Fame
Syn gut mains work well on poly cross. Better than smooth poly on syn gut cross, believe it or not.
I only use sharp/shaped poly in mains with syn gut cross.
I only use sharp/shaped poly in mains with syn gut cross.
At least not for me... as I refuse to string ANYTHING higher than 45 lbs nowadays. :mrgreen:
maxpotapov
Hall of Fame
Same here, 44 lbs and below. Works just fine with syn gut mains and smooth poly crosses
I tried POSG 17 main and MSV Co-Focus 17 cross at 45lbs once. Mains moved out of place like crazy, way worse than gut main on poly cross.
But I'm a notorious main string abuser... so ANY soft strings on the main is not for me anyway. :mrgreen:
