In praise of Kevlar/ZX hybrid!!!

Re Asking the shop to pre-stretch - Good luck with that. I mean it.
I believe that the typical pro-shop stringer do not read TT and subscribe to the protocol developed on this thread. So I can see them punching a pre-stretch number into their electric stringer, but not how the disciples would pre-stretch Kevlar/ZX here.
Next.. do the Pre-stretch yourself and hand over the stretched string, you might get a stare.
The best way is to string for yourself, if you are serious about this.
When I was living abroad last year, I prestretched in my hotel room using the doorknob method, then coiled the prestretched string and brought it to the stringer.
 
Re Asking the shop to pre-stretch - Good luck with that. I mean it.
I believe that the typical pro-shop stringer do not read TT and subscribe to the protocol developed on this thread. So I can see them punching a pre-stretch number into their electric stringer, but not how the disciples would pre-stretch Kevlar/ZX here.
Next.. do the Pre-stretch yourself and hand over the stretched string, you might get a stare.
The best way is to string for yourself, if you are serious about this.

Depends on the shop and your relation with the stringer, I have known mine for years and this will be an ok task, some of my previous jobs were much more complicated ahahah he actually done the kevlar zx hybrid a few times and has no problems....
 
First time hitting with Crossfire ZX hybrid. Strung 52lbs Kevlar mains and 50 pounds ZX Crosses. 10% machine prestretch on both, in a 18x20 Six One Team.

Started off very tight, underpowered, and unpredictable. Opened up a little more as practice wore on, and at the end it was alright. I much preferred my other Six One with Ice Blue Adrenaline. Spin was alright, on par with Adrenaline, but Adrenaline gave me a bit more pop and depth. Control was decent, but that's mainly because there wasn't good ball feel on the stringbed. Volleys were really nice though. Point and shoot accuracy and power. I hope the strings continue to open up and settle in.

Next time I'll try something like 53/47.
 
FYI, Tennis Warehouse is now selling half-sets of Ashaway Kevlar again (they didn't appear to have it available for the past year or so). While the price has increased a bit, it is a tad cheaper to buy these half-sets than to buy a mini-reel (360'). I just ordered a bunch rather than buying a mini-reel. If we keep buying, perhaps they will keep stocking this!

Click below:
16g
17g
18g

PS: 16g seems to perform the best

Do they sell half sets of ZX too? I can't seem to find it, and have just been buying the Crossfire ZX combo package, but that comes with 17g "Kev Plus" and I'd rather try the regular 16g kevlar
 
Do they sell half sets of ZX too? I can't seem to find it, and have just been buying the Crossfire ZX combo package, but that comes with 17g "Kev Plus" and I'd rather try the regular 16g kevlar

No, buy a full set or a mini-reel of ZXP. Keep in mind that ZXP, once strung, can seemingly last forever and be reused over and over with fresh Kev mains (if you want.)

Also, as I advised earlier in this thread you can contact Steve at Ashaway and they might allow you to B1G1 on ZXP sets. When I did it shipping was free and no sales tax was charged. So, I paid $15.50 for 2 sets of ZXP. That is 4 rackets worth and I reused that string at least once, meaning ~$2/racket for ZXP ($7/racket including the Kevlar half-set from TW).
 
First time hitting with Crossfire ZX hybrid. Strung 52lbs Kevlar mains and 50 pounds ZX Crosses. 10% machine prestretch on both, in a 18x20 Six One Team.

Started off very tight, underpowered, and unpredictable. Opened up a little more as practice wore on, and at the end it was alright. I much preferred my other Six One with Ice Blue Adrenaline. Spin was alright, on par with Adrenaline, but Adrenaline gave me a bit more pop and depth. Control was decent, but that's mainly because there wasn't good ball feel on the stringbed. Volleys were really nice though. Point and shoot accuracy and power. I hope the strings continue to open up and settle in.

Next time I'll try something like 53/47.

Just follow the advice of many in this thread and use 60/40 as a baseline. It will still start off "tight" but after hitting for an hour, it will be very spin-friendly, comfortable, and powerful. Try to manually pre-stretch at least the ZX/ZXP rather than machine stretch. The machine stretch will not be as effective and the ZX will potentially experience significant tension drop with play as a result.
 
With the chilly weather we are recently experiencing (yeah yeah, I'm in SoCal but 55-60 with no sun is cold!) I've lost some of the free power from my Kev/ZXP stringbed (strung at 65/42). So, I just strung up a racket with 65/37. That is really low for the ZXP...hopefully not a complete rocket launcher. If it ends up being to low a tension, the great news is that I can just remount the racket in my stringer, carefully remove the crosses, and then reuse and retension to my normal 42 lbs.

Playing later this afternoon as well as tomorrow so will report back!

Quick update. Played with this setup (Wilson Blade 104v7 with Kev 17g 65lbs / ZXP 37 lbs) on Monday and it was real tight and boardy. Almost felt moreso than usual, but again the cold weather may have contributed to this. Same on Tuesday evening although it began to feel MUCH better. Monday/Tuesday put ~2 hours total on the stringbed. Played last night for 2 hours and everything was marvelous. Even though it was cooler out, the free power I was missing was back! I did notice the Kevlar seemed to require a bit more adjustment in between points/games than typical. But, control, spin, comfort were all as expected and I definitely had more pop than with my other racket strung at 65/42. I'll consider the low ZXP tension again next time I restring. I hit with a lot of spin -- if you are more of a flattish hitter this could be too powerful a setup, especially if temps are in the 65-80+ F range.

Will use in the finals of a 4.5 local tourney on Saturday -- will be 65-70 degrees and sunny when we play.
 
First time hitting with Crossfire ZX hybrid. Strung 52lbs Kevlar mains and 50 pounds ZX Crosses. 10% machine prestretch on both, in a 18x20 Six One Team.

Started off very tight, underpowered, and unpredictable. Opened up a little more as practice wore on, and at the end it was alright. I much preferred my other Six One with Ice Blue Adrenaline. Spin was alright, on par with Adrenaline, but Adrenaline gave me a bit more pop and depth. Control was decent, but that's mainly because there wasn't good ball feel on the stringbed. Volleys were really nice though. Point and shoot accuracy and power. I hope the strings continue to open up and settle in.

Next time I'll try something like 53/47.
did you add some lead to make up for the kevlar being lighter than other strings? I bet if you weigh it, the kev/zx is about 3g lighter than before.
 
did you add some lead to make up for the kevlar being lighter than other strings? I bet if you weigh it, the kev/zx is about 3g lighter than before.
No, and funny enough it's 3 grams lighter than the racquet with Adrenaline. The racquets aren't matched either, and the Adrenaline has a leather grip!

I think I'm ok at tennis, but not good enough to notice 3 grams difference.
 
No, and funny enough it's 3 grams lighter than the racquet with Adrenaline. The racquets aren't matched either, and the Adrenaline has a leather grip!

I think I'm ok at tennis, but not good enough to notice 3 grams difference.
you noticed it. 3g at 12pm and I bet you get the depth back. Thats about 9 swingweight points which IMHO is noticeable....

Give it a shot.
 
Quick update. Played with this setup (Wilson Blade 104v7 with Kev 17g 65lbs / ZXP 37 lbs) on Monday and it was real tight and boardy. Almost felt moreso than usual, but again the cold weather may have contributed to this. Same on Tuesday evening although it began to feel MUCH better. Monday/Tuesday put ~2 hours total on the stringbed. Played last night for 2 hours and everything was marvelous. Even though it was cooler out, the free power I was missing was back! I did notice the Kevlar seemed to require a bit more adjustment in between points/games than typical. But, control, spin, comfort were all as expected and I definitely had more pop than with my other racket strung at 65/42. I'll consider the low ZXP tension again next time I restring. I hit with a lot of spin -- if you are more of a flattish hitter this could be too powerful a setup, especially if temps are in the 65-80+ F range.

Will use in the finals of a 4.5 local tourney on Saturday -- will be 65-70 degrees and sunny when we play.


Another update. Played 2 sets earlier and everything ended up performing as expected. Typical control/softness of Kev/ZXP with just a touch of manageable free power when I swung out. My opponent remarked on the heaviness of the ball, especially to his 1HBH so I'd say that topspin was also maintained.

Bottom line, I don't think I've found the bottom for ZXP tension in this setup but can say, at least for my game, 37lbs on the crosses worked out fine. No launches, no nonsense. Maybe at some point I'll see what happens when I go even lower while still maintaining the 65 lbs Kev tension. Another match tomorrow morning...let's see how it goes.
 
Another update. Played 2 sets earlier and everything ended up performing as expected. Typical control/softness of Kev/ZXP with just a touch of manageable free power when I swung out. My opponent remarked on the heaviness of the ball, especially to his 1HBH so I'd say that topspin was also maintained.

Bottom line, I don't think I've found the bottom for ZXP tension in this setup but can say, at least for my game, 37lbs on the crosses worked out fine. No launches, no nonsense. Maybe at some point I'll see what happens when I go even lower while still maintaining the 65 lbs Kev tension. Another match tomorrow morning...let's see how it goes.

Might be the lower temperatures though. I'm having no issues hitting with the 65/45 setup now, while the ball was just flying off when it was 90.

Unrelated question: anyone using stringsavers when the Kevlar strands start to break?
 
Might be the lower temperatures though. I'm having no issues hitting with the 65/45 setup now, while the ball was just flying off when it was 90.

Unrelated question: anyone using stringsavers when the Kevlar strands start to break?

I don't think it was temp...when I played today it was sunny at almost 70 degrees. When I was playing early in the week at night (50-55 degrees, no sun obviously) there was no free power from my 65/42 setup. But I get your point and agree...if it was 80+ out, would likely be a considerably livelier stringbed.

Never heard of anyone using stringsavers with Kev/ZXP, although I do recall someone (@Shroud?) maybe using it with Kev/syn gut with the intention of locking up the stringbed. I personally wouldn't even think about it. Let the Kevlar breaks when it breaks and until that point allow as much main movement and snapback as possible.
 
does anyone use the 18g ashaway kevlar? Do you think it holds tension better than the 16 or 17? I know that's counter intuitive but I haven't used the 18 in a while but I thought I remember it holding tension better or maybe the 16g lasted so long by the time I took it out it was more a function of time in the racket compared to the 18 which snaps after months vs the 16 which I've used for 6 months

Well, I ordered 8 half sets of Kev 16g from TW but they accidentally sent one in the 18 g thickness. A friend wanted me to string her racket with Kev/ZXP as she loves the way my Blade 98 plays, so I chose to use the 18g Kevlar (Kev/ZXP at 61/41). I played a set with it earlier today after a match and it played very similarly to other Kev gauges. It did feel like *maybe* it lost its boardy feel quicker? I don't know...but I really don't think it will hold tension longer than thicker gauges.
 
you noticed it. 3g at 12pm and I bet you get the depth back. Thats about 9 swingweight points which IMHO is noticeable....

Give it a shot.
This + taking a couple steps on the stringbed to loosen it up has solved my woes!

Some of the balls I hit today had NASTY spin. Jumped so far over my brother he had a hard time hitting his backhand, which is his best shot! Dove down quick too, and I was still able to get good flat rips when I felt like it. I actually really like the high ping sound.
 
This + taking a couple steps on the stringbed to loosen it up has solved my woes!

Some of the balls I hit today had NASTY spin. Jumped so far over my brother he had a hard time hitting his backhand, which is his best shot! Dove down quick too, and I was still able to get good flat rips when I felt like it. I actually really like the high ping sound.
Cool man! Glad it solved things for you! Imho its best to measure when changing strings and adjust the weight to match. Imho most of the “this string was great “ or “this string sucked” is probably changes in swingweight.
Sounds like you are getting that ESP experience!!
 
I don't think it was temp...when I played today it was sunny at almost 70 degrees. When I was playing early in the week at night (50-55 degrees, no sun obviously) there was no free power from my 65/42 setup. But I get your point and agree...if it was 80+ out, would likely be a considerably livelier stringbed.

Never heard of anyone using stringsavers with Kev/ZXP, although I do recall someone (@Shroud?) maybe using it with Kev/syn gut with the intention of locking up the stringbed. I personally wouldn't even think about it. Let the Kevlar breaks when it breaks and until that point allow as much main movement and snapback as possible.
It was just the opposite. I did full kevlar. At 86lbs with 15g/ 17g kev there was zero snapback and the stringbed was super locked. Kevlar also destroys kevlar. So I put i a whole pack of string savers. However the side effect of doing that is I got MORE spin!! Sure with poly or gut/ poly the string savers limit snapback and spin, but relative to full kevlar, they allowed more snapback and increased spin.
@Slowtwitcher yes I have!
 
I got to hit with a freshly strung Crossfire ZX combo in a totally stock Blade 104 v7. I strung it at 60lb main and 40lb crosses using a drop weight stringer, and manually prestretched just the Zyex.
..
The biggest issue I am facing now is, I had just bought a stringer not long ago and this is one of the few first setups I have gotten to experiment with... But I am not sure I want to experiment much more. I went ahead and ordered 3 more sets of this to have on hand.

Yep, while going through the history of this forum, I think I saw enough evidence to try the 60lb main 40lb cross with a prestretch, and I am very glad I did.
..
What other sorts of crosses have people tried with this Ashaway Kevlar? I am really just trying to understand the magic of this setup. Surely there are other smooth strings at low tension that the Kevlar can slide on?

Wow, I just discovered this discussion on Ashaway Kevlar today. I'd also started stringing about a few months ago (with a kilppermate). And I'd already strung my ps85 (tw reissue) with Ashaway Crossfire II 16 , the aramid string, but did the cross with Solinco Tour Bite 16L at 70 / 65 , where I had no idea of the "differential" tip of this discussion until now. And then for one of my main pair of kps88's, I did the Ashaway Crossfire II 16 aramid for the mains with cross of Solinco Tour Bite 17 at 65 / 63. I hadn't been out with them much yet since, but I can at least say the ashaway kevlar string feels outstanding with its strong solid and unique feel, being the first times I've experienced it.
 
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Wow, I just discovered this discussion on Ashaway Kevlar today. I'd also started stringing about a few months ago (with a kilppermate). And I'd already strung my ps85 (tw reissue) with Ashaway Crossfire II 16 , the aramid string, but did the cross with Solinco Tour Bite 16L at 70 / 65 , where I had no idea of the "differential" tip of this discussion until now. And then for one of my main pair of kps88's, I did the Ashaway Crossfire II 16 aramid for the mains with cross of Solinco Tour Bite 17 at 65 / 63. I hadn't been out with them much yet since, but I can at least say the ashaway kevlar string feels outstanding with its strong solid and unique feel, being the first times I've experienced it.
The most Extra Spin Potential I got with kev/zx was at 60/40lbs in a ps85 reissue. It was like the strings would stretch and stretch and then BOOM it was like hitting a brick wall and the ball would catapult off the stringbed. Pretty sure that was the archer bow effect on that racquet. Stiffer racquets not so much.
 
For those of you looking to stock up during the sale, the buy 3 pay for 2 (33% off) is a really good deal. Works out to be better than buying reels (although you should be able to call TW and ask for buy 3 pay 2 on reels).

3 sets of Ashaway Crossfire ZX = $24, or $8 per set, $4 per half set.
720' Reel Kevlar Plus = $185, or $5.14 per half set (20 feet)
360' Reel Monogut ZX = $138, or $7.67 per half set.

Buying two hybrid sets of Crossfire ZX to get you a full set of Kevlar and full set of Monogut ZX is still cheaper than buying sets of Monogut ZX with the 3 for 2 and separate kevlar.

TLDR: Buy the Crossfire ZX hybrid sets. Save $$$. Hotel? Trivago.
 
For those of you looking to stock up during the sale, the buy 3 pay for 2 (33% off) is a really good deal. Works out to be better than buying reels (although you should be able to call TW and ask for buy 3 pay 2 on reels).

3 sets of Ashaway Crossfire ZX = $24, or $8 per set, $4 per half set.
720' Reel Kevlar Plus = $185, or $5.14 per half set (20 feet)
360' Reel Monogut ZX = $138, or $7.67 per half set.

Buying two hybrid sets of Crossfire ZX to get you a full set of Kevlar and full set of Monogut ZX is still cheaper than buying sets of Monogut ZX with the 3 for 2 and separate kevlar.

TLDR: Buy the Crossfire ZX hybrid sets. Save $$$. Hotel? Trivago.

How long are the mains on 18x20 I need 21 feet to string mains
 
On this day I am thankful- among many other things, for the folks who discovered this string and did all the research so I could piggy back off of them. I haven't been playing tennis for a while, but I sort of felt like I hit a "soft cap" of development. I also hadn't felt like I found my ideal string setup and was bouncing around between different ideas. Now that I have settled on strings, it feels like I have been able to really focus on my game, which has definitely shown.
 
I still have a few racquets in my closet strung with zx crosses that can be harvested for kevlar/zx stringjobs. I figure these will last me a while before I have to buy zx again. I can get at least 3 or 4 jobs out of the same half-set of zx before I decide to toss it.
 
which zx is more durable the black or the natural? I remember one of them being very sensitive to higher tension 55lb and breaking?
 
On this day I am thankful- among many other things, for the folks who discovered this string and did all the research so I could piggy back off of them. I haven't been playing tennis for a while, but I sort of felt like I hit a "soft cap" of development. I also hadn't felt like I found my ideal string setup and was bouncing around between different ideas. Now that I have settled on strings, it feels like I have been able to really focus on my game, which has definitely shown.

Thanks be to @travlerajm !!

Hmm...I have plenty of Kev 16 lying around but maybe will buy some Crossfire ZX to finally try this combo and if nothing else...have more ZX available.

**EDIT -- BONUS! Monogut ZXP also on sale basically for $10.72/set or $0.27/foot. That compares favorably to their mini-reel and half-reel prices which are $0.35-$0.38/foot. Guess I'll stick with Ash Kev/ZXP**
 
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which zx is more durable the black or the natural? I remember one of them being very sensitive to higher tension 55lb and breaking?
zx in general doesn't like high tensions. IIRC the tan was deemed more durable than the red or black. I think red was the worst.
 
zx in general doesn't like high tensions. IIRC the tan was deemed more durable than the red or black. I think red was the worst.

I'm buying the ashaway black friday deals,

What the difference between the crossfire 17 that comes with the monogut zx pro and why is the monogut zx more expensive
 
I'm buying the ashaway black friday deals,

What the difference between the crossfire 17 that comes with the monogut zx pro and why is the monogut zx more expensive
Crossfire 17 has kev+ mains wIth zx 17 crosses. Monogut zx is a full pack of monogut zx 16 and 17g for the pro
 
I typically string Ash Kev 16g x ZX Pro 17g at 65/58. I have not liked ZX fullbed in any racket I have tried it in. I am going to start trying Ash Kev x ZX Pro at lower tensions now that I have an electronic constant pull machine that I can replicate the string job a bit more precisely. I did string my Prince 107G with Ash Kev x ZXP at 65/50. I have an untried theory that the tension of the ZX cross string is somewhat irrelevant and that maybe prestretching ZX is not worth the effort either. But ZX is necessary as a cross for Ash Kev due to its hard slick nature that prevents locked Ash Kev mains. Nothing I have tried with Ash Kev mains works as well for a cross as ZX does. I am hoping I can get a settled Ash Kev/ZX stringbed that comes in at 50/50 for a particular racket I am liking right now

As an aside: some weeks ago I gave a an oversize Prince Triple Threat Warrior to a gal who is a fit 3.0 - 3.5 strung with Ash Kev x ZX at 65/58. She stopped me today and told me she would buy more of that string so that I would have some to restring her racket when necessary. She said she loved that string. I assured her I had plenty of both strings.

It isn't the "right" feeling string for everyone. I have zero interest in poly these days. I am trying to get Ash Kev/ZX to "feel" like some of the lower powered multis like Multifeel, Velocity, PPC...
 
I typically string Ash Kev 16g x ZX Pro 17g at 65/58. I have not liked ZX fullbed in any racket I have tried it in. I am going to start trying Ash Kev x ZX Pro at lower tensions now that I have an electronic constant pull machine that I can replicate the string job a bit more precisely. I did string my Prince 107G with Ash Kev x ZXP at 65/50. I have an untried theory that the tension of the ZX cross string is somewhat irrelevant and that maybe prestretching ZX is not worth the effort either. But ZX is necessary as a cross for Ash Kev due to its hard slick nature that prevents locked Ash Kev mains. Nothing I have tried with Ash Kev mains works as well for a cross as ZX does. I am hoping I can get a settled Ash Kev/ZX stringbed that comes in at 50/50 for a particular racket I am liking right now

As an aside: some weeks ago I gave a an oversize Prince Triple Threat Warrior to a gal who is a fit 3.0 - 3.5 strung with Ash Kev x ZX at 65/58. She stopped me today and told me she would buy more of that string so that I would have some to restring her racket when necessary. She said she loved that string. I assured her I had plenty of both strings.

It isn't the "right" feeling string for everyone. I have zero interest in poly these days. I am trying to get Ash Kev/ZX to "feel" like some of the lower powered multis like Multifeel, Velocity, PPC...

I'm trying zx mains and a soft multi in the cross just for fun. It's been awhile but man is zx a powerful string.
 
It's been awhile but man is zx a powerful string.
Frankly I don't think ZX plays any differently at 50 or 60lbs reference tension. It is a crazy string. You can prestretch and get 2' extra when you get done stringing it or not prestretch it and still get 2' when done stringing it. Personally I think the only thing it is useful for is as a cross for Ashaway Kevlar. In that role, Ash Kev x ZX, it is a special thing, and most of us advocates still haven't quite figured it out. I personally think it is the best alternative of both poly and multifilaments for most high level rec players who want long lasting somewhat like poly play with comfort. It covers all the bases. I still marvel that a former Russian junior national champ that I strung her rackets for during her last year of D1 play went 17-3 in singles, 12-2 in doubles and told me when she moved away, "How will I get my rackets strung with the magic string?"
 
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I strayed for a bit, and was having success with kevlar/poly. But the truth is that kevlar/poly is just poor man’s kevlar/zx.

Orher stringbeds can give me certain elements of control, spin, comfort, longevity, stability, pop when needed. But only kevlar/zx gives me the complete package of all of the above.
 
I think in a crank lockout it is necessary to physically prestretch the Ash Kev. If you have a constant pull machine I don't think it is quite as necessary. If I had to pick reference tensions out of the air for an ECP machine with Ash Kev 16 x ZX 17 I would say 58/54.
 
I'm trying zx mains and a soft multi in the cross just for fun. It's been awhile but man is zx a powerful string.

Interested to hear your feedback but my guess is that this will result in a sub-par string bed, both in terms of durability as well as playability. It will be SO comfortable though! Multi in general is just horrible if you want any level of durability. It will gum up against the ZX mains and begin to fray very quickly. Not to mention it will only add more power to the equation - you will likely experience a ton of trampoline effect.

Test it and see. But when the multi breaks, CAREFULLY remove the ZX, preserving as much of the string as possible. This means basically cutting out all the crosses and pulling them out then removing or snipping near one of the main tie offs and then un-stringing the main. Why do this? Because you can use that ZX again where it belongs -- in the crosses!

ZX as a main can work when crossed with itself. But, it is finicky and probably too powerful for most folks in full bed. I never found another suitable cross for it so to me it is relegated to full time cross duty or as a full bed. There is no other option for using ZX -- it is just too unusual a string.
 
Any thoughts on how Crossfire ZX is different from Kevlar/ZX in terms of tensions?
I would like to know this as well.

I am sort of tired of buying reels, half and mini reels of ZXP and Ash Kev (plain). I find it odd that you can only get Ash Kev+ x ZX in a set, but can't get plain Ash Kev x ZX in a set. I am sure there must be a supply and demand market force behind this but I just never see much evidence that Ash Kev+ is sought after.
 
I strayed for a bit, and was having success with kevlar/poly. But the truth is that kevlar/poly is just poor man’s kevlar/zx.

Orher stringbeds can give me certain elements of control, spin, comfort, longevity, stability, pop when needed. But only kevlar/zx gives me the complete package of all of the above.
Can't get the dt I need with zx. My list is basically:

1. Does it feel like a board
2. Does it last.

Both of those are knocks against zx as a cross IME.

Jealous of all you guys who can play with normal soft stringbeds...
 
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