In praise of Kevlar/ZX hybrid!!!

[travlerajm]

Now that I have my Kevlar reel here, I'm using prestretched Kevlar/poly and liking it. It is a poor-man's kevlar/zx to get me by while I'm away from home on the south american clay court circuit.

 

[TadDavis]

Hi, I’m interested in trying this setup. I’m currently using monogut zx full bed at 45 lbs. I like the feel but looking for a little more spin and control. Could someone recommend me suitable tensions for the mains and crosses? Thanks in advance.

 

[TypeRx]

Try 60 lbs on the Kevlar (pre-stretch it first of you can) and 40-45 on the crosses is fine. I like 62/42 in my current setup but have used up to 75/45.

The tension on the crosses appears to influence the string bed feel/behavior more than the mains with this setup.


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[AceyMan]

FNG here.

I just clipped out the old Tecnifibre NRG from my Austrian i.Prestige MP and had it strung with Ashaway Crossfire ZX at 45/50 lbs.

That choice was based on the manufacturers recommendations for each and considering I prefer a medium-firm string bed.

I'm looking for a really low power string that lets me swing away.

In my old age (= wisdom), as a former 5.0 player, I now realize the springy multis (and, likewise, nat gut) that I loved back in the day because they made a bigger (apparent) sweet spot in a 70 in² frame (yes, real wood) just serve now to fly the ball out of the court unless my strike elevation is abso-effing-lutely spot on. Like *that* ever happens anymore .

I just got it back from the stringer a couple of days ago and have only hit serves and backboard with it, but, so far, I see nothing to hate.

When I do it again, I might drop it a kg or two, but I don't want to give up that firm "swing away" power level.

Also, I've read that Zyex™ is resistant to notching which—beyond being the source of "feel" in the setup—is partly what makes it a good cross in a hybrid with aramid (this may have been mentioned before, but I haven't crawled the whole thread yet!).

Cheers,
/Acey

 

[hurworld]

FNG here.

I just clipped out the old Tecnifibre NRG from my Austrian i.Prestige MP and had it strung with Ashaway Crossfire ZX at 45/50 lbs.

That choice was based on the manufacturers recommendations for each and considering I prefer a medium-firm string bed.

I'm looking for a really low power string that lets me swing away.

In my old age (= wisdom), as a former 5.0 player, I now realize the springy multis (and, likewise, nat gut) that I loved back in the day because they made a bigger (apparent) sweet spot in a 70 in² frame (yes, real wood) just serve now to fly the ball out of the court unless my strike elevation is abso-effing-lutely spot on. Like *that* ever happens anymore .

I just got it back from the stringer a couple of days ago and have only hit serves and backboard with it, but, so far, I see nothing to hate.

When I do it again, I might drop it a kg or two, but I don't want to give up that firm "swing away" power level.

Also, I've read that Zyex™ is resistant to notching which—beyond being the source of "feel" in the setup—is partly what makes it a good cross in a hybrid with aramid (this may have been mentioned before, but I haven't crawled the whole thread yet!).

Cheers,
/Acey

Any more thoughts on the set up?

 

[whorng]

I have two packets of Kevlar / ZX.
Want to try 50 Kev / 30 ZX on a Yonex VCP 310.

But knowing the ZX will loosen up too much...
Should I string the ZX much higher and/or ask for pre-stretch?
What should I tell the stringer to do for pre-stretching the ZX?
Never asked for pre-stretch before.

 

[tennisbike]

Quoting Graycrait: "... string them about 65lbs for the Ash Kev and 58lbs for the Zyex."

If I remember correctly he used to string something like 58/58lbs and just play with it. My take on Ashaway Kevlar/ZX is that if you are not fussy about strings, you will have a stringer do it for you and then you will either like it or simply hate it. If you are fussy about strings, then you should get a stringer and mess with it.

If you are not fussy about strings then ignore what I am about to say. Just know that Kevlar is a very tough material and last a long time. And ZX has very slick surface that glides but think like glass in that it is brittle. ZX's elastic curve is closest to gut.

For me, Kevlar/ZX has shown to be not a very stable string bed, meaning the tension definitely decreases and continues to decrease. That does not mean that it was not playable, just that it DOES change. Kevlar stretch little, which means very little slack would loosen Kevlar string Tremendously! This means the segment outside the frame and particular the section before the tie-up knot can lead to hug tension lose. I do measure the tension with SM without cross string while restringing cross and the Kevlar main decreases tension everytime. I would push the strings from center to side to raise the center main tension to at least 10 lbs. After I install the cross the main tension can go back to about 45 and above. Though there is a hot spot because the center 2 would be much lower than the other mains. I have no idea why this string is known to be stiff. Ashaway Kevlar is a woven string thus it is actually a multifilament string in nature. It is however relatively tension insensitive.
I do not consider ZX to be a strong string. If you have pulled ZX cross then you would have noticed it stretched, stretched and stretched some more. If you let go, the string does not go back to its original length. That simply means that ZX string has low elastic limit. (Imagine every time you hit a ball, it stretches and does not come back.) The brittle nature needs a bit care when installing. I read that many commercial stringers break this string. I personally broke this string at the third time installing. (Initial Kevlar/ZX stringing, re-pull, break during third install.)

On a different note, I might be labelled a heretic for saying so. My gut/poly, Global gut/Max power also drops tension but bottoms out at about 30/30 lbs. I guess the last thing to do is to string a fb gut string bed and measure the tension. I suspect that natural gut also drops tension but because it is so "elastic" it is not as noticeable. Gut does not go "dead"!

 

[tennisbike]

Want to try 50 Kev / 30 ZX on a Yonex VCP 310.

Suggest 50/50, even if pre-stretched.

 

[whorng]

Suggest 50/50, even if pre-stretched.

When my string breaks i'll try 50/45 and have them pre-stretch the ZX.

 

[2ndServe]

does kevlar have no snap back for you guys. I'm at 55lb kevlar mains and after the first 4 hours my mains are all over the place and not straight at all. If I hit a forehand the mains bend one way and stay like that. I'm having to adjust strings every point

Anyone tried poly mains and kevlar in the cross?

 

[tennisbike]

does kevlar have no snap back for you guys. I'm at 55lb kevlar mains and after the first 4 hours my mains are all over the place and not straight at all. If I hit a forehand the mains bend one way and stay like that. I'm having to adjust strings every point

Anyone tried poly mains and kevlar in the cross?

For spin, Kevlar sliding over poly easier than Poly sliding over Kevlar. Just an hypothesis!

You did not specify your cross string. But my gut feeling is that 55lb Kevlar is too low. Are you using Ashaway Kevlar? I assume you are. Even with 60/45 Kelvar/ZX w/o pre-stretch my mains were relatively straight. I would increase main tension and lower cross tension.

 

[2ndServe]

For spin, Kevlar sliding over poly easier than Poly sliding over Kevlar. Just an hypothesis!

You did not specify your cross string. But my gut feeling is that 55lb Kevlar is too low. Are you using Ashaway Kevlar? I assume you are. Even with 60/45 Kelvar/ZX w/o pre-stretch my mains were relatively straight. I would increase main tension and lower cross tension.

I try to prestretch it on a door knob but I also pull once, let go and pull again on the mains with 30 sec pull. Ashaway 16g or 17g main. But I'm not sure my pre stretch is good because when I cut out the cross to try a different cross. The mains are super super loose, such is the nature of kevlar? Like super loose, feels like 25 lbs or less.

 

[tennisbike]

Super loose! Not surprising! I redid the cross 4 times or so, imagine how loose it was. I think it went down to about 10 lbs, free string, at the end. I retension ZX to 51 lb, then Prince Warrior Response at 52 lb. I think I play the stick for like 6 months. Finally the Kevlar was so fuzzy and worn in the middle. I cut the Kevlar into two and reused/restrung it "inside out" with SG cross. Not enough Kevlar so I had to do some clamp gymnastic to fill the last main with SG. It was a bit of a Mickey mouse job but it plays.

 

[Furty]

Finally, I will test this hybrid. Ashaway Kevlar 16 + Monogut ZX Pro 17 black, both manual and machine prestretch. With 5kg differential (11lbs). Usually, play with Origin or multi at 26/25kg (57/55lbs). How much for equivalent gameplay sensations (same power and comfort) on a Prince Warrior 100 EXO3 frame ? 26/21kg ? 25/20kg ?
I don't want to hurt my arm with a board or the opposite of having a rocket launcher...
Thanks.

Here's my feedback after a few months (25h of play to be precise). After both manual prestretch (body weight 5-10min) + machine prestrech by my stringer (10% kev, 20% ZX), I start at 64/48.5 (29kg/22kg). My stringer said that the frame had a little "crac" sound during machine prestrech but everything OK at the end (I have taken measures before and after : only 1-2 millimeters difference even after 25h).
So, the first hour it plays harsh and very different from my usual babolat Origin : need to adjust my swing (specially on short low balls) but after that first hour : WOW ! It's true : you can hit everything and the ball stays in ! Massive topspin, lovely slice : It really built my self-confidence for my baseline game ! Cons : volleys are more difficult than with Origin (due to lack of pop i guess but it's not my speciality ^^).
After these 5-6h of fantastic play, my arm starts to hurt a little and i noticed that the side mains drop a lot of tension (very loose) but I play this first 6-7h only on clay (snapback on center mains "scratch" a little also...).
So I move back with my other frame (still in Origin/Velocity) : ok, it's more confortable but spin/slice level is completely different and i've to hold my arm on regular shots... 2 sessions later and I broke this O/V setup so : time to go back to kev/zx

Since that moment (7h of play) until now (25h), the playability's very stable (not fantastic as the first hours but very very good especially with my powerful frame) and since I no longer playing on clay (only the first 11h) : snapback's back and no more pain with my arm

Cons : volleys still difficult and lack of power for winner shots...

Here I post 2 images to see the durability after 25h (clic to zoom) :


And 1 video to judge snapback still after 25h (not fantastic but no "scratch"/ friction noise at all) :

Next time, i will strung at 64/44 (29kg/20kg) to increase differential and a little more power. What do you think, it will increase power or just the comfort ?

 

[First3Shots]

Is 16g Kevlar available in reels only? If someone has any to trade please contact me. I have various polys, lux natural gut, etc.

 

[TypeRx]

Is 16g Kevlar available in reels only? If someone has any to trade please contact me. I have various polys, lux natural gut, etc.

Email the folks at TW - you can get a half set for $5.




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[Furty]

Next time, i will strung at 64/44 (29kg/20kg) to increase differential and a little more power. What do you think, it will increase power or just the comfort ?

I just broke the kevlar after 31h last WE. Good durability and playability for this setup on my frame with 16g/17g (except the last 2/3 hours when kevlar starts to fray).
For more comfort the first hours and "a little" more power (but just a little) : going from 64/48.5 to 64/44 (29kg/20kg) ? Or a little less : 64/46 (29kg/21kg) ?

The tension on the crosses appears to influence the string bed feel/behavior more than the mains with this setup.

That's why I ask

PS : Since I broke, I'm playing with my other new setup : Klip Legend 15L/Max Power 16G at 55/51 (prestretch 20% on gut). The control is.... different ^^

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I just broke the kevlar after 31h last WE. Good durability and playability for this setup on my frame with 16g/17g (except the last 2/3 hours when kevlar starts to fray).
For more comfort the first hours and "a little" more power (but just a little) : going from 64/48.5 to 64/44 (29kg/20kg) ? Or a little less : 64/46 (29kg/21kg) ?



That's why I ask

PS : Since I broke, I'm playing with my other new setup : Klip Legend 15L/Max Power 16G at 55/51 (prestretch 20% on gut). The control is.... different ^^

What's hard to understand: Kev needs a greater differential and Nat Gut needs less.

 

[welcome2petrkordaland]

After finding/reading this thread quite a bit, I started using Kev/Zyex high differential setups almost 3 years ago.

As a big topspin, heavy hitting 4.5 full poly/copoly user for almost 10 years with a Babolat APD, I developed some serious tennis elbow (due mainly to self-taught strokes & super funky ultra western almost hawaiian grips on both sides lol) and wisely took care of my elbow, modified my FH, got a flexy stick, and ditched poly/copolys. Since I’ve always been able to produce my own pace and am definitely a big hitter type, the low power, super comfy, spinny aspects of this setup were a perfect fit. (Just wanted to provide some background before I make up point here.)

Having said all that, I just wanted to report back on what seems to be my perfect tension with my Prince Tour 16 x 18 (old Ferrer stick). So after doing the obligatory and crucial manual prestretching I always do, I went with 60/36, and it is awesome!

This setup, which is often questioned by some here, seems to fit the build for a very specific player profile: players who can’t use copoly (often due to injuries), produce their own pace, and use spin to a large degree.

Happy hunting.

 

[sleepyeg]

Could someone suggest a good tension for me? Just bought a brand new Clash 98 and reading the reviews about the racket, it is a string eater which is why I am interested in the Kev/Zyex combo. I currently use a DR98 with Hyper G 17 @48/46. 4.0 rating but TTW 2.0 if I'm lucky. Thanks in advance!

 

[tennisbike]

Could someone suggest a good tension for me? Just bought a brand new Clash 98 and reading the reviews about the racket, it is a string eater which is why I am interested in the Kev/Zyex combo. I currently use a DR98 with Hyper G 17 @48/46. 4.0 rating but TTW 2.0 if I'm lucky. Thanks in advance!

Have you broken Hyper G 17 @48/46 lb?
A logical way to approach a change is to make change one step at a time, meaning use Hyper G 17 @48/46 on the Clash98. But if you are adventurous, try Kev/Zyex. If you have sensitive hands, you might need a bit of adjustment to find a good setting for Kev/Zyex. If you are not finicky Kev is relatively stretch free, so not too sensitive to tension differences. Plus you can always use cross tension to increase or decrease the tension. If you do not prestretch, I think someone just do 58/58 and it was fine. If you pre-stretch, then the standard way in this thread is high differential such as 60/35 in the previous post. If you are not so adventurous try a 20 lb differential such as 60/40. It will play stiff for a little bit then play pretty comfortable for a long time.

 

[graycrait]

@sleepyeg , why did you dump the DR98? I hit with a variety of Yonex rackets this past year, giving one away, trading another and demoing the latest greatest. I also demoed the 4 98-100" Clashes. I sort of liked them all but thought the Clashes were too soft for me but most of the Yonexes had too much power. I typicall play with 95" rackets 18x20 at 27.5. I have 30+ rackets strung with Ash Kev x Zyex. I have another 40 or so strung with something else from Nat Gut to poly to syn gut and multis.

Are you stringing your own rackets? If so it makes the Ash Kev x Zyex experience more practical. If you have to pay retail stringing prices it might be better to stay with what your are used to, maybe just go up to 16, 16L or 15L, 15 and drop a couple of pounds of tension.

 

[sleepyeg]

@sleepyeg , why did you dump the DR98? I hit with a variety of Yonex rackets this past year, giving one away, trading another and demoing the latest greatest. I also demoed the 4 98-100" Clashes. I sort of liked them all but thought the Clashes were too soft for me but most of the Yonexes had too much power. I typicall play with 95" rackets 18x20 at 27.5. I have 30+ rackets strung with Ash Kev x Zyex. I have another 40 or so strung with something else from Nat Gut to poly to syn gut and multis.

Are you stringing your own rackets? If so it makes the Ash Kev x Zyex experience more practical. If you have to pay retail stringing prices it might be better to stay with what your are used to, maybe just go up to 16, 16L or 15L, 15 and drop a couple of pounds of tension.

I still have 3 DR98 in the bag along with 3 other Yonex frames (Vcore 310, Vcore and Vcore +). Bought the Clash 98 out of curiosity and the discounted price. Looking through the packs of strings I realize I still have a pack of the Kev/Zyex combo and thought it would go great in the Clash 98 since a lot of ppl are saying that it eats strings. I am not stringer but the stringer I go to is one of the stringers at indian wells.

 

[graycrait]

@sleepyeg , Ash Kev can be a pain to string. It is much easier to cut a sharp point and dip 1-2" into super glue, wipe off immediately with a cloth, so that you can string it more or less "normal." If you don't the ends will fray and it will be more time consuming. You can do that for your stringer. Tell the stringer to pull tension 3 times on the ash kev. This will take him about 2-3 minutes more on 8 mains. If your stringer has experience stringing Zyex then good. If not then suggest that they pull tension slower and clamp off 1 main inside the frame rather than snug to the frame. On tie off do not pull up quick on the knot. It is better to tie off using a double half hitch pulling by hand gently.

 

[tennisbike]

If your stringer does not has experience stringing Zyex then suggest that they pull tension slower and clamp off 1 main inside the frame rather than snug to the frame.

Can you please describe this "clamp off 1 main inside the frame rather than snug to the frame" in more detail?

Are you saying put the clamp some distance away from the frame, rather than right at the frame? If that is the case, I think I broke a string or two pulling, I think cross. Broke right in the grommet, not ZX I do not think, not sure. My theory is that after clamping off, when pulling the next string, the frame got pushed, perhaps I was pulling so fast, the sudden tension spike when the string/clamp hit the frame exceeded the strength of the string.

 

[graycrait]

A couple of years ago when I had an issue with breaking Zyex stringing crosses I looked at what I was doing and changed it.
Since I have not broken one cross stringing Zyex slower, and not clamping up next to the fram. Magic? Maybe. Practical, probably.

 

[joah310]

I recently strung up my racket with this at 60/50 and it feels great. not as boardy as expected and good power.

 

[Titochop77]

Is it worth stringing it’s 10 or 20 pounds difference?

 

[tennisbike]

Is it worth stringing it’s 10 or 20 pounds difference?

Is that right, you are asking if there is enough difference between 10 or 20 lbs differential?

I do wish people ask more clearly. 50/40 vs 60/40 or 60/50 vs 60/40? Unlike the norm in this thread, I do not believe in setting a differential before choosing main tension. I instead would advocate pick a main tension and use cross tension to adjust the feel. In the past, I strung 60/45. And I had to readjust the cross multiple times, since I string for myself.

For my next Kev/ZX or Kev/?? I would pre-stretch and/or pull Kevlar multiple times, and start probably between 60 to 65 lbs. I might even leave the tails so that I can pull it tighter. Depending on the cross string material, I might start from 45 to 50 lbs.

 

[DaylightBlue]

Is it worth stringing it’s 10 or 20 pounds difference?

tennisbike makes good points.

I tried this crossfire zx twice and both times I cut them before it broke. There is immense tension loss for not only the zyex but also the kevlar albeit not as much. Also high tension exacerbates the tension loss. It might be that kevlar plus is different. Regardless, I think prestretching is worth doing more than high differential. It makes the zx and kevlar string more ike a stiff but durable poly without the tension loss.

 

[graycrait]

@DaylightBlue , call TW and ask for 1/2 sets of plain Ash Kev 16g and see if they still sell it like that, they used to. Then buy a set of ZX Pro 17g. Prestretch manually both Ash Kev and ZX, then string around 62/58lbs. The tension drop 48 hrs off the stringer will be large and even more after 2hrs of hitting and then it settles in for the ride. I think it finally settles at around 48lbs or so and plays very comfy until the Ash Kev saws itself through against the ZX.

 

[DaylightBlue]

@greycrait
Will do. I'm always afraid the string snapping while manual prestretching.

 

[graycrait]

Will do. I'm always afraid the string snapping while manual prestretching.

The likelihood of breaking the Ash Kev while prestretching is small. You can go too far with the Zyex. On a 20' piece of ZX I try to get around 15" permanent elongation. When you string it you will end up with a surprising amount leftover to cut off.

 

[tennisbike]

The likelihood of breaking the Ash Kev while prestretching is small. You can go too far with the Zyex. On a 20' piece of ZX I try to get around 15" permanent elongation. When you string it you will end up with a surprising amount leftover to cut off.

Question: After 15" was pulled out of the ZX during pre-stretch, if you cut it to length, does ZX still end up getting stretched so much that you end up with a lot of leftover?

If a string can easily be permanently elongated it means it has low yield strength. If its break at low force, it has low ultimate tensile strength. Though strength is defined as force/cross section area, such as in psi or KPa. Interestingly, after stretched out, exceeding yield strength, the material gets thinner and generally reaches higher strength, but the overall tensile force, lbs or kg (actually N) it can support actually decreases. What it means to me is that ZX has low strength. Pre-stretch increases its "strength", but repeated pounding probably still pushes it over its limit and it stretches out more. I do not think ZX ever stop loosening when played, like some poly.

 

[graycrait]

@tennisbike , see posts 982 and 963 in this thread. I seem to remember getting nearly 4' of stretch in a 20' piece of ZX using the winch. I quit the winch and just pull Ash Kev 3x each main when I string the mains. ZX I just hand pull 12-15" and install it. Yes it still amazes me how I end up with a bunch at the end. I suppose I could be more fruggle but I have busted ZX enough while stringing I just don't try to economize. And yes when you string it and prestretch ZX the diameter does decrease.

 

[travlerajm]

Question: After 15" was pulled out of the ZX during pre-stretch, if you cut it to length, does ZX still end up getting stretched so much that you end up with a lot of leftover?

If a string can easily be permanently elongated it means it has low yield strength. If its break at low force, it has low ultimate tensile strength. Though strength is defined as force/cross section area, such as in psi or KPa. Interestingly, after stretched out, exceeding yield strength, the material gets thinner and generally reaches higher strength, but the overall tensile force, lbs or kg (actually N) it can support actually decreases. What it means to me is that ZX has low strength. Pre-stretch increases its "strength", but repeated pounding probably still pushes it over its limit and it stretches out more. I do not think ZX ever stop loosening when played, like some poly.

In my experience, both zx and some poly’s, but not all, become extremely resistant to tension loss (i.e., almost negligible until breakage) when ‘fully’ prestretched.

Zx is fully prestretched at about 22” extension for 18- foot starting length. Poly is fully prestretched at about 7” prestretched for 20-foot starting length.

 

[tennisbike]

@graycrait , thanks for the clarification.

I probably should not add more post to this already very rich, yet over-extended thread, though not spawning as incredibly long as the $50 Rustoleum paint job on the original Mopar forum, for I do not have much to contribute. It is probably vastly more useful to have an one page or handful of web page to summarize all that has been discussed here, like a WiKi.. ah, there is an idea.

 

[jumper67]

has anyone figured out an easy way to pre-stretch these things? tying it to a door knob and pulling with winter gloves is such a pain

 

[tennisbike]

has anyone figured out an easy way to pre-stretch these things? tying it to a door knob and pulling with winter gloves is such a pain

Have you tried wrapping the other end on your racket over grip. or you can tie it to the grip.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

has anyone figured out an easy way to pre-stretch these things? tying it to a door knob and pulling with winter gloves is such a pain

I can tell you that ashaway kevlar resists linear stretching super well that only actual playing will cause it to lengthen out.

 

[jumper67]

Have you tried wrapping the other end on your racket over grip. or you can tie it to the grip.

I've tied it to a broomstick.. its a bit easier now.

Yes we know that Kevlar strings stretch very little, but my experience tells me that.. because it stretches so little. Very little slack leads to a lot of tension lost, meaning the section of string outside the grommet and the little slack on the tie-off can give us tension loss, and that is for new, old, pre-stretched, no pre-stretched. Most experience people will tell you the "break-in" period, well, that is a bit of tension loss right there. Kevlar string is not immune to "break-in", A.K.A. tension loss.

The Kevlar could lose tension because the knot could slowly slip in the racket. I was just now trying to pre-stretch the kevlar and the knot slipped off of the broomstick and I went flying. I don't think the string stretched at all.

I can tell you that ashaway kevlar resists linear stretching super well that only actual playing will cause it to lengthen out.

Then what are you supposed to do? String it, play a few hours, and then string it again?

 

[graycrait]

Then what are you supposed to do? String it, play a few hours, and then string it again?

On my NEOS 1000 crank lockout I found that if I pull tension 3X on each main that works nearly as effectively as prestretching using my winch set up. As far as prestretching ZX I clamp one end in a wood vice with some folded bits of sandpaper to hold it in place, put the other end in a C clamp using bits of sandpaper to hold the string, walk across the hallway and pull 15" or so of permanent elongation.

Frankly, I am a bit ambivalent about prestretching ZX as it pulls like taffy on my crank lockout regardless of a manual prestretch and I don't notice a big change one way or the other. I pull tension on ZX with a moderately slow pull on the crank. Ash Kev is quite the opposite. If it is not pulled 3X or adequately prestretched the tension drop is so big it is nearly unplayable for me. I suppose a one pull protocol could be used on Ash Kev if the reference tension was considerably higher, say like 70+lbs. However, my method and tensions work well enough for me.

Make sure you dip the ends of Ash Kev in super glue, wipe off and let dry, so you can string more or less normally. I also use a cam pliers and awl to tension and assist in tie off of the Ash Kev mains. This seems to mitigate tension loss at tie off.

 

[tlm]

Now that I have my Kevlar reel here, I'm using prestretched Kevlar/poly and liking it. It is a poor-man's kevlar/zx to get me by while I'm away from home on the south american clay court circuit.

I prefer Kevlar with a poly cross, it has better control than with a ZX cross.

 

[graycrait]

I prefer Kevlar with a poly cross, it has better control than with a ZX cross.

As many rackets I have strung with Ash Kev in the mains and "something" in the crosses I have never tried a poly cross. I'll string up a C10 Pro today with an Ash Kev x poly hybrid.

 

[travlerajm]

I’ve been enjoying kevlar/poly with pro xtreme crosses.

I string on the tight side without any differential. It is lower powered than kev/Zx, but more control due to the stiffer feel. And i think more spin without needing the differential. I like it a lot as someone who craves control and likes a fire-and-forget stringbed that plays great for a really long time. but it is probably not for everyone, as the lower power level might be a turnoff for some.

Two important things when using kevlar/poly:

1. prestretch both strings well. Otherwise the tension loss will be significant.

2.Choose a poly with good dent resistance. I stumbled into pro xtreme which has excellent dent resistance for a poly. Prince tournament poly is another with excellent dent resistance. If you use a more typical poly, the feel can be harsher and uncomfortable.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I've tied it to a broomstick.. its a bit easier now.





Then what are you supposed to do? String it, play a few hours, and then string it again?

I would play it for about 8 hours and then cut out the crosses. The kev mains would be super loose, but when the new crosses went in they added back plenty of tension to the mains and snapback was excellent.

From that point, cross restrings were about every 25 hours with about an 85 hour total life for the kev mains.

 

[tlm]

I’ve been enjoying kevlar/poly with pro xtreme crosses.

I string on the tight side without any differential. It is lower powered than kev/Zx, but more control due to the stiffer feel. And i think more spin without needing the differential. I like it a lot as someone who craves control and likes a fire-and-forget stringbed that plays great for a really long time. but it is probably not for everyone, as the lower power level might be a turnoff for some.

Two important things when using kevlar/poly:

1. prestretch both strings well. Otherwise the tension loss will be significant.

2.Choose a poly with good dent resistance. I stumbled into pro xtreme which has excellent dent resistance for a poly. Prince tournament poly is another with excellent dent resistance. If you use a more typical poly, the feel can be harsher and uncomfortable.

Ya it’s a stiffer feeling string bed but I like the added control and spin that I get from this set up.

 

[2ndServe]

I like zyex but it's a fragile string imo. Strung it at 48lbs on the cross and and I hit a hard overhead in the sweetspot and it snapped right in the center, and it's happened to me twice in the sweetspot, and twice while stringing it over 50lbs hence why I did 48lbs this time (it's the only string to break 2x on me while stringing).

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I like zyex but it's a fragile string imo. Strung it at 48lbs on the cross and and I hit a hard overhead in the sweetspot and it snapped right in the center, and it's happened to me twice in the sweetspot, and twice while stringing it over 50lbs hence why I did 48lbs this time.

Amen my brother on ZX fragility.

Best advice is to stick with 16 natural and absolutely avoid any kinking or nicking when installing it.

 

[graycrait]

So what exactly are you getting in your opinion besides the durability?

For your average 4.0 or older 4.5 it is sort of like poly before it dies. It ain't perfect, but it works pretty good for a long time. For instance, if I could afford/had the time or desire to string Tour Bite every 4-6 hrs I would. But Ash Kev x ZX is good enough for this 65 yr old for a month or more.