Shroud
G.O.A.T.
No mater the tension its going to lock at some point. But you can get some of the magic back with babalot electrocrosses and delay the inevitable. A whole pack should do it
In praise of Kevlar/ZX hybrid!!!
- Thread starter marsh
- Start date
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Nice report and glad you tried it and its working for you. What tensions did you use?I recently made the switch to Kev/Zx hybrid, coming from syn gut/poly (which I had been using for 2 plus years). I use a Babolat RDC to check dynamic tension coming off the stringer, then check it periodically. This way I figured out what DT reading was my "sweet spot". I felt I had the poor man's "Champion's Choice", with a string cost below $3/ and about 6 hours of playability.
I had actually been an early adopter of Kev/Zx when Ashaway first introduced it (I had experimented with Dynamite and Zx/poly hybrids as well). Having the string break when tying off the last knot may have been the deal breaker for me originally.
Earlier this year I was struggling with consistency on court and part of that was a feeling of hot spots on my racquet. I tried changing up the main (different syn guts, a multi, Dynamite). I liked the initial feel coming off the stringer but I was not happy with the consistency after 2 or 3 hours of play time.( I also tried Sergetti proportional tensions).
For the past 5 weeks I have been using Kev/Zx and it's been a game changer. I manually pre stretch both the Kevlar (minimal length gain) and the Zx (10% length gain). Stringing time is almost doubled as I let each pull on the crosses go for 60 secs before clamping off. There is a 5 or 6% drop in DT over night, then another 13 to 15% after hitting (which gets me in the same 47 to 49 range I considered my sweet spot on the syn gut/poly hybrid)
The solid, consistent feel this string bed yields is addicting. It's helped from all areas of the court, baseline, mid court approaches and volleys.
I am surprised by the range of DTs I find playable. I notice less power at 57 but it's not uncomfortable. Of my 4 racquets the oldest string job (4 weeks) is at 47 and playing just right. I have strung two of my racquets using the Sergetti pattern, I am interested to see if that yields any noticeable advantages (current DTs are mid 50s on both racquets)
For me there are two negatives with the Ashaway Kevlar/Zyex hybrid.The first is the cost of the string per string job ($9.40 per if you buy reels on sale). Anything over 18 hours of playability makes that a wash. I am currently at 20 hours on the 1st of my string jobs.
The second negative is the ugly tie offs of the crosses. Big, fat, ugly hand pulled knots
FWIW, the 4th racquet I just strung I had purchased used in June, the previous owner had used Champions Choice (Wilson Nat gut mains with Lux crosses). Normally I would cut out a string set up when buying a used racquet, but on this one I checked the DT, got a low 50s reading and put it in play.
It was nice, more consistent then my poor man's set up but I cut it out with out regret last week.
About the knots what are you tying? The only knot I can tie is the parnell and every racquet has 4 of them. Never would describe them as ugly or big.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Let the stringer prestretch them.
marco forehand
Semi-Pro
57# mains 41# crosses
This is in a mid size frame (90) 16 x 18 pattern
The tie off for the cross is on the 16th cross and very close to 8th main. Normally I use a starting clamp to give me a grip to pull knots. With Zyex, I can't do that. I'll try a parnell knot next time.
Any specific instructions? Like 10% prestretch or something like that?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just be aware that the Kevlar + in the crossfire packages is not the same as their regular kevlar.
Yup. Can’t get a set of regular Kevlar, I guess this is a good taster to start. If the experience is good I’ll consider buying a reel.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
therecanbeonlyone
Semi-Pro
TW sells half sets of regular kevlar (and many other strings). https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/se...t&opt_page=1&opt_sort=priceAcc&opt_perpage=20
That link seems to have not worked. Just search 1/2 set and you'll find it.
That link seems to have not worked. Just search 1/2 set and you'll find it.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Most stringers wont do it right
I’m based in the UK, and I can’t find half set Kevlar on TWE.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Should be good but find out what your options are.
Consider buying or trading someone
Hi everyone,
This is my first message and like @hurworld, I'm also curious after reading this thread
.
I just bought the crossfire ZX package to try with a Prince Warrior 100 EXO3 frame (2013). Usually, I play with fb Origin (55/53) or fb HDX (57/55) G15L. Once, I played with Gut/4G (55/51 G15L/G17, 15% machine prestretch for gut) with better feeling and spin but a little too powerful. I'm not a string breaker (20/30h with Origin or HDX).
I know that the crossfire ZX package comes with Kevlar + (PTFE) : it's just to try the hybrid before buying a reel.
I'm going to try a manual prestretch before taking them to my stringer. He can also do a machine prestretch (like 10%/15%/20%/25% prestretch). You recommend both ? Manual and machine prestretch (how much with machine) ?
Now the fateful question : tensions ? I'm a little afraid for my frame with 60/40. What do you think of 25kg/22kg (55/48.5) for the test ? I'm from France (sorry for my bad english), I've always been told maximum 3kg (6.5lbs) difference between mains and crosses (for the frame).
And to compare power and confort for my arm with fb Origin/HDX at 55 ? Rather 51/45 ? Or 60/53 ?
I'm looking for spin, confort and durability (Origin and HDX lack a little spin but good confort and durability. Gut/4G better spin and feeling but max 15/20h and it's a little expensive).
This is my first message and like @hurworld, I'm also curious after reading this thread
. I just bought the crossfire ZX package to try with a Prince Warrior 100 EXO3 frame (2013). Usually, I play with fb Origin (55/53) or fb HDX (57/55) G15L. Once, I played with Gut/4G (55/51 G15L/G17, 15% machine prestretch for gut) with better feeling and spin but a little too powerful. I'm not a string breaker (20/30h with Origin or HDX).
I know that the crossfire ZX package comes with Kevlar + (PTFE) : it's just to try the hybrid before buying a reel.
I'm going to try a manual prestretch before taking them to my stringer. He can also do a machine prestretch (like 10%/15%/20%/25% prestretch). You recommend both ? Manual and machine prestretch (how much with machine) ?
Now the fateful question : tensions ? I'm a little afraid for my frame with 60/40. What do you think of 25kg/22kg (55/48.5) for the test ? I'm from France (sorry for my bad english
), I've always been told maximum 3kg (6.5lbs) difference between mains and crosses (for the frame). And to compare power and confort for my arm with fb Origin/HDX at 55 ? Rather 51/45 ? Or 60/53 ?
I'm looking for spin, confort and durability (Origin and HDX lack a little spin but good confort and durability. Gut/4G better spin and feeling but max 15/20h and it's a little expensive
).
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
I do both manual and machine prestretch where possible. The more you do the longer the spin and tension maintence last.Hi everyone,
This is my first message and like @hurworld, I'm also curious after reading this thread
I just bought the crossfire ZX package to try with a Prince Warrior 100 EXO3 frame (2013). Usually, I play with fb Origin (55/53) or fb HDX (57/55) G15L. Once, I played with Gut/4G (55/51 G15L/G17, 15% machine prestretch for gut) with better feeling and spin but a little too powerful. I'm not a string breaker (20/30h with Origin or HDX).
I know that the crossfire ZX package comes with Kevlar + (PTFE) : it's just to try the hybrid before buying a reel.
I'm going to try a manual prestretch before taking them to my stringer. He can also do a machine prestretch (like 10%/15%/20%/25% prestretch). You recommend both ? Manual and machine prestretch (how much with machine) ?
Now the fateful question : tensions ? I'm a little afraid for my frame with 60/40. What do you think of 25kg/22kg (55/48.5) for the test ? I'm from France (sorry for my bad english
And to compare power and confort for my arm with fb Origin/HDX at 55 ? Rather 51/45 ? Or 60/53 ?
I'm looking for spin, confort and durability (Origin and HDX lack a little spin but good confort and durability. Gut/4G better spin and feeling but max 15/20h and it's a little expensive
As to the differential, the more you do the more comfort and spin you get. 60/40 is not a big deal. not doing it is like reading an escargot recipe but deciding to leave out the escargot...
Thanks for the "escargot" reference
So, I'll try to manual prestretch both strings and tell to my stringer to do 25% machine prestretch (the max) and tensions 27kg/18kg (60/40lbs). But what's the power compare to fb Origin or HDX @55lbs with my Warrior 100 EXO3 (especially with ZX @40lbs) ? And no danger with the differential for my favorite EXO3 frame ?
So, I'll try to manual prestretch both strings and tell to my stringer to do 25% machine prestretch (the max) and tensions 27kg/18kg (60/40lbs). But what's the power compare to fb Origin or HDX @55lbs with my Warrior 100 EXO3 (especially with ZX @40lbs) ? And no danger with the differential for my favorite EXO3 frame ?
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Iirc I did 86/66 in my prince warrior that had oports. Its was a spin racquet and I needed to go higher so I had to ditch the zx but no issues with the frame.Thanks for the "escargot" reference
So, I'll try to manual prestretch both strings and tell to my stringer to do 25% machine prestretch (the max) and tensions 27kg/18kg (60/40lbs). But what's the power compare to fb Origin or HDX @55lbs with my Warrior 100 EXO3 (especially with ZX @40lbs) ? And no danger with the differential for my favorite EXO3 frame ?
No idea about the power level since I havent used Origin or HDX but I bet its somewhat less even with the zx at 40. Remember the kevlar is at 60 and is a much stiffer string.
Maximus XXIV
Rookie
I am doing 75/35 in my 35 year old Prince frames. Nothing has broken yet and I really like the results.
I also prestretch on a drop weight rig I put together. I do both strings for a few days. Kevlar is easy, ZX gets manually stretched and then put on the rig.
I also prestretch on a drop weight rig I put together. I do both strings for a few days. Kevlar is easy, ZX gets manually stretched and then put on the rig.
tennisbike
Professional
My CrossFire ZX experiment ended today when I tried to re-tension the ZX cross (this is the 2nd time). It broke at 53 lb pulling tension and at either 3rd or 4th cross right at the grommet.
Started with no stretched 60/45 lbs. Then re-tensioned cross at 52lb. Attempted to re-tension to 53 lbs and it broke.
What I learned is that the tension continued to drop. I would hit a couple of hours then check with SM. I noticed when the center main went below about 42lb then the stringbed became too mushy for me. The center main would drop tension quicker. This time it was almost at 42 lbs lbs and I decided to ret-tension.
When I removed the cross strings the first time, the main were at 22~23 lbs. This time it was at around 18 lbs. I "walked" the strings and brought the centers tension up to just over 20 lbs and drops a bit going toward the two side. By pulling 52lbs with Prince Warrior Response 16G, the tensions are then raised to about 58/33 in the center.
One trick I learned though, I can change the string bed stiffness by adjusting only the cross string/tension. To make the main tighter use thicker cross string and tighter cross strings reference tension. To loosen stringbed, the use thinner cross string and lower cross string reference tension. While you have the main string only, you can equalize the tension across the mains by "walking" the tension from center out.
Started with no stretched 60/45 lbs. Then re-tensioned cross at 52lb. Attempted to re-tension to 53 lbs and it broke.
What I learned is that the tension continued to drop. I would hit a couple of hours then check with SM. I noticed when the center main went below about 42lb then the stringbed became too mushy for me. The center main would drop tension quicker. This time it was almost at 42 lbs lbs and I decided to ret-tension.
When I removed the cross strings the first time, the main were at 22~23 lbs. This time it was at around 18 lbs. I "walked" the strings and brought the centers tension up to just over 20 lbs and drops a bit going toward the two side. By pulling 52lbs with Prince Warrior Response 16G, the tensions are then raised to about 58/33 in the center.
One trick I learned though, I can change the string bed stiffness by adjusting only the cross string/tension. To make the main tighter use thicker cross string and tighter cross strings reference tension. To loosen stringbed, the use thinner cross string and lower cross string reference tension. While you have the main string only, you can equalize the tension across the mains by "walking" the tension from center out.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
“Started with no stretched 60/45 lbs“
That is where it went off the rails.
Prestretch the zx and you wont have to do any retensioning.
tennisbike
Professional
No argument there, Shroud.
My skeptical mind tells me that there is generally NOT all or nothing. I believe all strings gets stretched out eventually. After pre-stretch, the spring rate increased and you get less creep. The rate of loosing tension would be lower.
Now since you have been asking the same question, how to make your string bed stiffer. Well my suggestion is, after playing for some hours, remove ZX cross and pull to the highest reference tension again then tell me how that plays. Oh, before you started pulling the cross, push down on the mains from 2nd out to increase the center tension.
Come on people, show your data.
My skeptical mind tells me that there is generally NOT all or nothing. I believe all strings gets stretched out eventually. After pre-stretch, the spring rate increased and you get less creep. The rate of loosing tension would be lower.
Now since you have been asking the same question, how to make your string bed stiffer. Well my suggestion is, after playing for some hours, remove ZX cross and pull to the highest reference tension again then tell me how that plays. Oh, before you started pulling the cross, push down on the mains from 2nd out to increase the center tension.
Come on people, show your data.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Well zx is never stiff enough for me so I use poly where the issue is worse. I restring the crosses but dont retension them.
Talk about not being all or nothing, most say never restring the cross but start over with the whole bes using new string. Some are retensioning crosses. Shroud is in the middle. Restring the cross and use a new string.
Fwiw when I restring the crosses its always tighter than before I cut out the crosses.
You seem like a good fellow so I will waste my time using the SM. Its a terrible tool and well is soo inaccurate to be usesless but sure I will take same measurements.
What format do you want and what strings?? At least then you may see the futility of the endeavor and quit hazzling us
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
tennisbike
Professional
Shroud is in the middle. Restring the cross and use a new string.
Fwiw when I restring the crosses its always tighter than before I cut out the crosses.
You seem like a good fellow so I will waste my time using the SM. Its a terrible tool and well is soo inaccurate to be usesless but sure I will take same measurements.
What format do you want and what strings?? At least then you may see the futility of the endeavor and quit hazzling us
Thanks!
The idea is to record enough data to see the pattern. What I do is record all SM reading on 16 or 18 mains and 19 to 20 cross strings after every couple of hours of hitting or weeks. But you may want to just start with the 4 or 6 center mains and cross strings.
But here I have a specific question. What is the SM reading on only main after pulled 86 lbs? And what is the reading when you cut out the cross the first time and the next time. And if you happen to know how many hours the strings were used. This is just to know how the Ashaway's Kevlar's characteristics. So you have the 1) string and stretched method 2) original pulled tension 3) SM on mains + date 4) SM on mains + date 2 5)SM on mains + date3
My Ashaway + from CrossFire ZX, no stretch,
6-28 main pulled 60 lb on 6-28,
07-09 cut cross main: 22~23 lbs, retensioned to 51lbs
09-22 cut cross, main: 18 lbs, ZX broke pulled to 52 lbs w Prince Warrior Response 16
Off topic: Finding: Warrior response cross made the SB .. lower power/lower launch angle.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Dont hold your breath. I would have to redo a whole racquet and that will take some time for sure for things to need full restringing.
Do you mean SM reading with no crosses installed?
Très bien! Another person exprimenting with this.Hi everyone,
This is my first message and like @hurworld, I'm also curious after reading this thread
I just bought the crossfire ZX package to try with a Prince Warrior 100 EXO3 frame (2013). Usually, I play with fb Origin (55/53) or fb HDX (57/55) G15L. Once, I played with Gut/4G (55/51 G15L/G17, 15% machine prestretch for gut) with better feeling and spin but a little too powerful. I'm not a string breaker (20/30h with Origin or HDX).
I know that the crossfire ZX package comes with Kevlar + (PTFE) : it's just to try the hybrid before buying a reel.
I'm going to try a manual prestretch before taking them to my stringer. He can also do a machine prestretch (like 10%/15%/20%/25% prestretch). You recommend both ? Manual and machine prestretch (how much with machine) ?
Now the fateful question : tensions ? I'm a little afraid for my frame with 60/40. What do you think of 25kg/22kg (55/48.5) for the test ? I'm from France (sorry for my bad english
And to compare power and confort for my arm with fb Origin/HDX at 55 ? Rather 51/45 ? Or 60/53 ?
I'm looking for spin, confort and durability (Origin and HDX lack a little spin but good confort and durability. Gut/4G better spin and feeling but max 15/20h and it's a little expensive
My Crossfire ZX pack arrived over the weekend. Curiosity got the better of me and I took out the ZX string and pre-stretched it manually. Tied one end to one leg of piano, and tied the other end to a wrench handle. Pulled it straight on the floor, and used measuring tape to indicate roughly 60cm from the wrench. The ZX string is supposed to be 6m long so that should be the 10% length. I stood with a foot stool behind and did kind of repeated lean-hold-relax motion until the wrench went pass the 60cm mark when relaxed. Hope that's enough pre-stretch for the ZX string. Did some manual stretching of the kevlar string for 5-10mins using my body weight too although wasn't too sure how well I did the pre-stretch.
Dropped the racquet and strings at my stringer's yesterday, asked for 75/40 tension, and had to listen to lecture of how terrible idea of stringing kevlar > 60lbs might be. I had to repeatedly tell him I was sure and wanted to experiment with it. Also asked him to do thorough pre-stretch on the kevlar. Hopefully his drop-weight stringer does a better job than my body-leaning.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Good job. Lets just hope this stringer actually does what you asked and uses the tensions you specified.Très bien! Another person exprimenting with this.
My Crossfire ZX pack arrived over the weekend. Curiosity got the better of me and I took out the ZX string and pre-stretched it manually. Tied one end to one leg of piano, and tied the other end to a wrench handle. Pulled it straight on the floor, and used measuring tape to indicate roughly 60cm from the wrench. The ZX string is supposed to be 6m long so that should be the 10% length. I stood with a foot stool behind and did kind of repeated lean-hold-relax motion until the wrench went pass the 60cm mark when relaxed. Hope that's enough pre-stretch for the ZX string. Did some manual stretching of the kevlar string for 5-10mins using my body weight too although wasn't too sure how well I did the pre-stretch.
Dropped the racquet and strings at my stringer's yesterday, asked for 75/40 tension, and had to listen to lecture of how terrible idea of stringing kevlar > 60lbs might be. I had to repeatedly tell him I was sure and wanted to experiment with it. Also asked him to do thorough pre-stretch on the kevlar. Hopefully his drop-weight stringer does a better job than my body-leaning.
I had a buddy I sent a racquet to that was strung with kevlar/poly. He had to get it restrung eventually and he took it in to the local club asking for kev/poly. Lol they strung it with what appeares to be some poly string. Def not kevlar...
Got the racquet back the day before yesterday. Stringer confirmed he strung them at 75/40.
I had a hit for 1 hour coached lesson yesterday out on hard court. Initially I played without dampener and the 'ping' sound on contact was very distracting. Installed a dampener and it was much better.
It felt a bit stiff on hits but nothing uncomfortable, even after playing. I did notice my 2HBH is a lot more consistent, and confirmed by my coach. For the lesson we just did forehand/backhand/footwork across baseline, so I can't comment on volley/touch shots just yet, but I'll be playing social doubles tomorrow and we will see how it performs.
I have a feeling the string bed would need a few hours of break-in period. Will report back after a few more hours of play time.
Another question. I seem to recall @travlerajm mention something about Prince's O3 racquets resist squashing due to string plane rigidity? Does that mean this ESP effect work minimally on O3 racquets? This one is the Prince O3 Tour Mid (16x20, 95sq in head)/.
I have two more non-O ports candidates to try this out. APD2013 or Head Ti.Radical MP. I suppose the latter (18x20, 98in head) would work best? And would the main tension make short life of the grommet?
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Racquets that resist squashing provide an enhanced ESP effect because the tension differential is better preserved (to allow good combo of launch angle control and good spin).
In my experience, the biggest factor in whether a racquet resists squashing is the shape of the head. So racquets with smaller, narrower heads work best due to the stiffer geometry (the stiffness of a ring against buckling is proportional to the inverse of the cube power of its diameter). I would think an O3 Tour mid would work well. The only o3 racquet I tried a high differential on was an O3 Red, which in contrast has a very large and round head. It squashed quite a bit initially (almost a 1/4 inch), but curiously it also seemed to regain most of its original length faster than other racquets.
Thanks for the quick response.
Ok, I'll give it a few more hours of play time and see how it feels. At least it's not worse than before (cheap poly/syn gut job). Might even tempted to walk on the string bed a bit to speed up the breaking-in.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
You might appreciate the firmer response for doubles, where precision on volleys is more needed.
Agreed. Looking forward to it.
Hmm, just remembered, I should also probably put 2g lead tape at 12 or so to make up the loss in racquet head weight.
D
Deleted member 762530
Guest
So today I'll get my kevlar/zx racket. Unfortunately only at 58/53, since the stringer said he won't do more differential in fear of damaging his machine.. I'm afraid it will soon be an inverse ESP setup, since I prestretched the zx but not the kevlar Am I right with that assumption?
So I'm currently thinking about getting a stringing machine, since I really like to experiment with this stuff. My previous stringer even didn't want to string at 40/40 when I wanted to try low tensions and read aloud my rackets reccomendation, til I really insisted on these tensions. So I went with another one this time but still no luck - they're all not very eager to try out new things.
So can anybody recommend an affordable stringing machine?
Cheers, Lukas
Am I right with that assumption?So I'm currently thinking about getting a stringing machine, since I really like to experiment with this stuff. My previous stringer even didn't want to string at 40/40 when I wanted to try low tensions and read aloud my rackets reccomendation, til I really insisted on these tensions. So I went with another one this time but still no luck - they're all not very eager to try out new things.
So can anybody recommend an affordable stringing machine?
Cheers, Lukas
D
Deleted member 762530
Guest
And yeah, I know there are discussions about that - I don't want to start one here. Just a few recommendations please, because a lot of you guys string for yourself and use machines that also work well for this particular ESP-stringing.
Dang, where do you live? I've never heard of stringing high tension damaging machine. He could have gone 60/40 at least.So today I'll get my kevlar/zx racket. Unfortunately only at 58/53, since the stringer said he won't do more differential in fear of damaging his machine.. I'm afraid it will soon be an inverse ESP setup, since I prestretched the zx but not the kevlar
So I'm currently thinking about getting a stringing machine, since I really like to experiment with this stuff. My previous stringer even didn't want to string at 40/40 when I wanted to try low tensions and read aloud my rackets reccomendation, til I really insisted on these tensions. So I went with another one this time but still no luck - they're all not very eager to try out new things.
So can anybody recommend an affordable stringing machine?
Cheers, Lukas
D
Deleted member 762530
Guest
In munich. Yeah, I was wondering too. 60/40 was what I wanted for a start.
So an update on my O3 Tour Mid (95 sq in head, 16x20 pattern) strung at 75lbs/40lbs with Kevlar+/ZX respectively from the Ashaway Crossfire ZX.
Had 2hours+ of rotating social doubles yesterday in my club. If I have to put a level on it...probably a range of 3.0-4.0 players. Bottom line: I love it for doubles. The feel is firm (I thought was a bit stiff from my previous 1 hour hit with my coach but now think it's firm rather than stiff) yet not harsh. Spin is noticeably better than my previous poly/syn gut job.
I did a bad big swing from NML on one of the shots that I thought would be long but the ball dipped in that caught the opposing baseliner by surprise.
Then on one of the shots I did baseline cross-court exchange with opposing baseliner. Think we went 8-9 shots rally before impatience got the better of me and I blasted one 2HBH DTL and caught the net player by surprise.
I felt pretty dialled in on forehand slice drive and backhand slice drop too. Won a few points with those. This was surprising because the O3 Tour mid does not give a lot of feedback (probably due to my string choices before), and my drop placements were usually hit and miss. Last night my confidence grew as I played more games and dared to swing out more with my slice shots and didn't have to worry about hitting long.
On service, most likely my technique is not great, but I didn't notice more spin on my top spin serves. Flat and slice serves are hits and misses but that's on me.
Now the down side. After the double games I thought I'd do a bit of free hitting singles rally. Maybe I was just tired after the 2 plus hours of doubles game (my fitness is pretty bad now compared to 5-6 years ago), plus control frame with low-powered string job, but I found I had to push extra hard to get ball depth.
Next time I might string this racquet at lower cross tension like 35 to boost power a little more, or I should try this combo on a tweener frame and see how that fare.
Overall, I love this combo for controlled play. Definitely recommended. For people who have more than 3-4 racquets, this might also be a good string set-up for those bench racquets that only see play once in a while like my O3 Tour Mid.
Had 2hours+ of rotating social doubles yesterday in my club. If I have to put a level on it...probably a range of 3.0-4.0 players. Bottom line: I love it for doubles. The feel is firm (I thought was a bit stiff from my previous 1 hour hit with my coach but now think it's firm rather than stiff) yet not harsh. Spin is noticeably better than my previous poly/syn gut job.
I did a bad big swing from NML on one of the shots that I thought would be long but the ball dipped in that caught the opposing baseliner by surprise.
Then on one of the shots I did baseline cross-court exchange with opposing baseliner. Think we went 8-9 shots rally before impatience got the better of me and I blasted one 2HBH DTL and caught the net player by surprise.
I felt pretty dialled in on forehand slice drive and backhand slice drop too. Won a few points with those. This was surprising because the O3 Tour mid does not give a lot of feedback (probably due to my string choices before), and my drop placements were usually hit and miss. Last night my confidence grew as I played more games and dared to swing out more with my slice shots and didn't have to worry about hitting long.
On service, most likely my technique is not great, but I didn't notice more spin on my top spin serves. Flat and slice serves are hits and misses but that's on me.
Now the down side. After the double games I thought I'd do a bit of free hitting singles rally. Maybe I was just tired after the 2 plus hours of doubles game (my fitness is pretty bad now compared to 5-6 years ago), plus control frame with low-powered string job, but I found I had to push extra hard to get ball depth.
Next time I might string this racquet at lower cross tension like 35 to boost power a little more, or I should try this combo on a tweener frame and see how that fare.
Overall, I love this combo for controlled play. Definitely recommended. For people who have more than 3-4 racquets, this might also be a good string set-up for those bench racquets that only see play once in a while like my O3 Tour Mid.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I think we could understand the stringer... When asking for such CRAZY tension...... LOL
I just bought one set of Crossfire ZX and will try it pretty soon. But I will not go so crazy in tension. I will follow the recommendations of the Ashaway support: 49/55lbs.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Glad you enjoyed the feel and control of an ESP stringbed (for me, this combo at high differential in a small head size remains my favorite for overall performance and long-lasting playability).
On the low power level, it's likely that the swingweight is significantly lower (i.e., 6-8 kg-cm^2 lower) than you are used to; the slightly squashed hoop might drop the swingweight by 3-4 kg-cm^2, and the kevlar mains are lighter, which drops it by another 3-4 kg-cm^2. A gram or two at 10 and 2 might help, and maybe some counterbalance, but I always recommend testing out new racquet weighting and tuning with trial and error against a wall first before trying it out in competititve situation, since small tweaks in weighting can affect timing and control more than most people realize. Depending on how much the strings were prestretched, it's also possible that the tensions will drop a bit more before the stringbed stabilizes.
I was in London for a few days last week - too bad I missed you. Got in some hitting at Paddington Sports Club (beautiful courts) and at Bodyswot (crappy courts) in Chelsea.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Steve might sell a lot more string if he had enough curiosity to overcome his fear.Sorry but some here are really mad and dangerous.....!!!
liftordie
Hall of Fame
This thread is a sect... Shroud the guru and you the disciple....... HAHAHA!!!!!
Agreed. Due to work and family I didn't have time to put those lead tape on as I mentioned in my other post. All I did was moved my Kimony Quake Buster dampener from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock while on court and hoped for the best.
Ahh yeah I saw your post about your stay in London. I'm family-bound with young children, so can't really head out to play whenever I wanted to. But do let me know when you come around next time! Hope you had an enjoyable Euro trip!
dude. you have NO idea. TJ started it all.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
W
yep. Trav is the man and knows more about strings and racquets than everyone here (ok maybe one or two others) what is awesome about trav is that he is open minded and experiment driven.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
No worries. I played 5 times in Europe over the course of a week, which is much more tennis than my usual ~1x per week at home. By the end of my trip my game was razor sharp! Alas, I spent the week after I returned recovering from jetlag and haven't gotten a court since, so any gains in my form are now dissipated.
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Ashaway doesn't quit understand the brilliance of the braided multi design of it's Kevlar, and that it performs/feels better at higher tensions.Sorry but some here are really mad and dangerous.....!!!
Ashaway just puts out the same stringing guidelines that all the other companies do with Mono Kev, even though it's product is fundamentally different.
Knowing how many lawyers play tennis, I can respect the cautious approach, though!
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Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Ha thats a pillow. I would happily play with full kevlar at 86lbs if i could get a kevlar that would snap back like a poly. Though I think I may have a solution to that.With 70/60, yeah, some here could need a lawyer. And doctor/psy too....
And fwiw kev/zx with a big differential is surprisingly arm friendly. You simply dont understand what happens in that combo. Try reading the whole thread before making assumptions
Have you played kevlar with a slick cross?
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Ok you're at least a nice/funny troll in the Nostradomus vein. Although you maybe aren't offering much that is illuminating.With 70/60, yeah, some here could need a lawyer. And doctor/psy too....
The problem with doing Ash Kev in the low 50s is that it is such a limp string, that a lowish tension causes the mains to stay out of alignment similar to syngut on its last legs. This results in a small sweet spot and not much spin potential or control.
Raise the tension up and you get poly- like spin with a gut-like sweet spot and feel. The power level honestly isn't much changed from 50 to 70, although the trajectory does lower with a higher tension. The choice of crosses does effect the playability, as it is easy to lockup the Kev mains with a sticky cross or too high a cross tension.
I've used poly crosses in the past, which raised the trajectory and offered tremdous spin, but poly even as a cross is still tension loss sensitive and a bit of a shock on my arm.
ZX on the cross has been the answer for me in my game but others have used different and it is really up to the user. But I can assure you that your game is not maximized if the Kev mains aren't snapping back well, and honestly I think for a mid racket, that starts at about 60.
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OldschoolKIaus
Hall of Fame
I'm very happy with my Kev+/ZX (with basic 2 lbs diff), but recently tried some cheaper multi/poly with high diff (55/40) in one of my spare racquets. It played very nice.
Maybe it's time to finally try Kev+/ZX with a high diff. Ordering new strings right now
Maybe it's time to finally try Kev+/ZX with a high diff. Ordering new strings right now
