Isospeed Cream / Technifibre HDX Tour>= Gut / Poly [emoji848]

[Automatix]

Thanks, and sorry for the question... can't play, have to work etc. so my gear addicted brain is bombarding me with strange ideas about strings... yesterday it was kevlar mains and Origin crosses (not for comfort but for longevity - 2hrs of play, 3 weeks off, 2 hrs of play then a month without picking up a racquet and so on... ).

 

[ByeByePoly]

Thanks, and sorry for the question... can't play, have to work etc. so my gear addicted brain is bombarding me with strange ideas about strings... yesterday it was kevlar mains and Origin crosses (not for comfort but for longevity - 2hrs of play, 3 weeks off, 2 hrs of play then a month without picking up a racquet and so on... ).

I doubt you could find better tension maintenance than hdx and origin other than gut, and velocity is right there with them. I have approx 15 hours (all ball machine ... 5000+ baseline hits) on origin/velocity ... and DT 52 -> 47. FB hdx DT 53 -> 48.7 in 10 hours (not all ball machine).

I don't notice any break in with origin and v, but a couple of hours for hdx.

 

[Automatix]

I doubt you could find better tension maintenance than hdx and origin other than gut, and velocity is right there with them. I have approx 15 hours (all ball machine ... 5000+ baseline hits) on origin/velocity ... and DT 52 -> 47. FB hdx DT 53 -> 48.7 in 10 hours (not all ball machine).

I don't notice any break in with origin and v, but a couple of hours for hdx.

By longevity I meant steady performance over a long period of time with big intervals between play (2-4 hrs of hitting and a 2-4 week break, repeat cycle) which for me doesn't come down just to tension. Granted not superb performance, just acceptable in terms of string movement without the stringbed feeling like a board. I'd go with gut if it wasn't for the weather.

 

[ByeByePoly]

By longevity I meant steady performance over a long period of time with big intervals between play (2-4 hrs of hitting and a 2-4 week break, repeat cycle) which for me doesn't come down just to tension. Granted not superb performance, just acceptable in terms of string movement without the stringbed feeling like a board. I'd go with gut if it wasn't for the weather.

I don't have that data . I did hit xcel the other day that has been in my Yonex rdis 200 for over 2 years, and it still knocked the all back over the net.

Seems like any poly, including cream and hdx would be a non-starter given your criteria. Just try origin/velocity and thank @Dartagnan64.

 

[Automatix]

Seems like any poly, including cream and hdx would be a non-starter given your criteria.

Why?

 

[ByeByePoly]

Why?

I just assume plastic breaks down more than nylon sitting in the racquet over time. Maybe that is not true ... but that is how I would make that bet with a post TE elbow.

 

[Automatix]

I just assume plastic breaks down more than nylon sitting in the racquet over time. Maybe that is not true ... but that is how I would make that bet with a post TE elbow.

Thanks!

 

[liftordie]

1.28mm Cream 54 Lbs ($8 a pack)
1.30 mm HDX Tour 56 Lbs ($15 a pack on sale st TW)

An $11.50 string set up that stands up to Natural Gut/ Poly. This is the best hybrid I have found that actually had me cut out Wilson "Made in France" Natural Gut 1.30mm/ Head Hawk 1.25mm that wasn't ready to be cut out.

I have 40+ reels of string in my stringing armory. With over 20 packs of Lux, Wilson and Babolat Natural Gut. Now have 4.5 players asking for this setup with 1.35mm HDX Tour Crosses to get a little more durability.

Never expected this setup to be so darn soft and produce as much spin but it does. Love to see some of the TW playtesters put this combo in their favorite frames even if they don't video the results.

Did you compare these setup with Cream/HDX:

Gut/Cream
Gut/Velocity
Gut/HDX
Origin/Velocity
Origin/Cream
Origin/HDX

I'm searching for best comfort, tension maintenance, spin and control with minimum power...
Thank you

 

[g4driver]

Did you compare these setup with Cream/HDX:

Gut/Cream - Yes
Gut/Velocity - NO
Gut/HDX - NO
Origin/Velocity - NO
Origin/Cream - NO
Origin/HDX - No

I'm searching for best comfort, tension maintenance, spin and control with minimum power...
Thank you

"Hi, I am G4Driver. "
"I am a Cyclone Tour addict " [emoji47]

I answered Yes or NO - in your quote. Yes only to gut / cream.

If you are "searching for best comfort, tension maintenance, spin and control with minimum power..." have you tried 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour (VCT ) ?? If not, you might like it. Do not get 1.25 or 1.20mm as VCT only works in 1.30mm

I have a two reels of Origin. 1.30 mm, and have hit with black, red (pink) and natural. Not a fan personally. Exactly hated it the point I cut it out after one outing 3 different times. I have tried it in all three flavors.

VCT 1.30mm has been in my frames for 5+ years (summer of 2013) . I have one frame with Lux Gut 1.30mm / Head Hawk 1.25mm my favorite gut setup.

Cream 1.28mm / HDX Tour 1.30mm is a very nice setup also but ultimately breaks before the 15 hour mark and doesn't have the spin capability of Cyclone Tour. One day I will likely go back to a hybrid setup but Cyclone Tour just works for me and a dozen other guys I string for.

 

[Nick777]

"Hi, I am G4Driver. "
"I am a Cyclone Tour addict " [emoji47]

I answered Yes or NO - in your quote. Yes only to gut / cream.

If you are "searching for best comfort, tension maintenance, spin and control with minimum power..." have you tried 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour (VCT ) ?? If not, you might like it. Do not get 1.25 or 1.20mm as VCT only works in 1.30mm

I have a two reels of Origin. 1.30 mm, and have hit with black, red (pink) and natural. Not a fan personally. Exactly hated it the point I cut it out after one outing 3 different times. I have tried it in all three flavors.

VCT 1.30mm has been in my frames for 5+ years (summer of 2013) . I have one frame with Lux Gut 1.30mm / Head Hawk 1.25mm my favorite gut setup.

Cream 1.28mm / HDX Tour 1.30mm is a very nice setup also but ultimately breaks before the 15 hour mark and doesn't have the spin capability of Cyclone Tour. One day I will likely go back to a hybrid setup but Cyclone Tour just works for me and a dozen other guys I string for.

Have you ever tried cream/isospeed control classic ? Really a nice multi

 

[g4driver]

Have you ever tried cream/isospeed control classic ? Really a nice multi

No.

I only keep one frame with Gut/Hawk, everything else is Volkl Cyclone Tour(VCT) 1.30mm It is a softer poly that last me about 5 to 6 weeks given I only play 2-4 hours a week these days.

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Vo...tring_Anthracite/descpageACVOLKL-VCTBK16.html

 

[Nick777]

No.

I only keep one frame with Gut/Hawk, everything else is Volkl Cyclone Tour(VCT) 1.30mm It is a softer poly that last me about 5 to 6 weeks given I only play 2-4 hours a week these days.

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Vo...tring_Anthracite/descpageACVOLKL-VCTBK16.html

I really wanted to like vct, i even bought a reel 1.30 but too much pop for me even though i strung 1 kg higher that i am used to, not enough control, ended up with a reel of yptp 1.25 which i like better at 48-50 pounds on my dr98, a friend of mine loves it(vct) playing with dr also

 

[ByeByePoly]

"Hi, I am G4Driver. "
"I am a Cyclone Tour addict " [emoji47]

I answered Yes or NO - in your quote. Yes only to gut / cream.

If you are "searching for best comfort, tension maintenance, spin and control with minimum power..." have you tried 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour (VCT ) ?? If not, you might like it. Do not get 1.25 or 1.20mm as VCT only works in 1.30mm

I have a two reels of Origin. 1.30 mm, and have hit with black, red (pink) and natural. Not a fan personally. Exactly hated it the point I cut it out after one outing 3 different times. I have tried it in all three flavors.

VCT 1.30mm has been in my frames for 5+ years (summer of 2013) . I have one frame with Lux Gut 1.30mm / Head Hawk 1.25mm my favorite gut setup.

Cream 1.28mm / HDX Tour 1.30mm is a very nice setup also but ultimately breaks before the 15 hour mark and doesn't have the spin capability of Cyclone Tour. One day I will likely go back to a hybrid setup but Cyclone Tour just works for me and a dozen other guys I string for.

Send me the origin

Question ... what did you not like about origin? Spin? Feel? Power?

 

[g4driver]

1kg is 2.2 lbs

TW recommendation is to string 4-5 lbs higher than normal. I string a lot of Pure Drives, Pure Aeros and Aero Pro Drives at 57Lbs Mains / 55 crosses. Most 4.5 guys prefer the higher tension. Only one 4.5 guy uses VCT at 50 lbs.

My personal frames are 56M/54X.

 

[g4driver]

Send me the origin

Question ... what did you not like about origin? Spin? Feel? Power?

Do you know the feeling you get when someone gives you a limp handshake ? That is what Origin feels like.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Do you know the feeling you get when someone gives you a limp handshake ? That is what Origin feels like.

lol ... that is why there are so many strings ... one guy 's "best feeling string ever" is another's "ewww". fyi ... no handshakes for me ... of any variety ... except the babe handshake.

So send me the "ewww".

CT ?:

Have you hit isospeed baseline control 16g ... and if so, how does it compare. I tried it (baseline) in my V1 Pro @45 ... felt decent but my elbow whispered "don't do it".

Here is what I am considering ... putting CT in my old Yonex RDIS 200 lite (11ish oz ... even balance ... 60ish RA ...low powered ... open 16x19). I used to play some of my best baseline tennis with it using rpm blast @52. That setup never felt great ... but played great. I was thinking it would be fun to have one "spinish" racquet ... even if elbow said no to all the time. I forgot how much I liked the Yonex grip ... also a little longer which feels great with 2hbh. So I am thinking CT (black or red) @50-52. I expect ... and want it to have more pop than the rpm blast @52. How does CT hit as it loses tension ... go deader?

 

[liftordie]

Why no one tried HDX/Cream??
HDX has great string to ball friction rate and the snapback could be great with Cream.
HDX/Cream could provide more spin, no?

 

[Doubles]

Strung up a racquet with cream and HDX. I'll report back in the next few days.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'm using Legend/Cream and have hit the 15 hr mark (mostly doubles) and still going strong. I think having them in a Phantom 93P vs a Pure Aero enhances longevity considerably.

Control is superb still as witnessed by my serving in today's men's doubles. I was painting corners so easily.

 

[liftordie]

I think having them in a Phantom 93P vs a Pure Aero enhances longevity considerably.

And not playing on clay...

 

[Doubles]

Initially hit with my Cream HDX racquet yesterday, but not for long. It has a nice feel to it but not the level of spin I was expecting. I'm hoping that was just a part of the break in period (only had the chance to hit with it for 30ish minutes yesterday after breaking a string). I'll warm up for my combo match today with it, and if it feels right, I'll play with it, otherwise I'll use my recent setup and find a groove with the this hybrid in practice .

 

[liftordie]

Initially hit with my Cream HDX racquet yesterday, but not for long. It has a nice feel to it but not the level of spin I was expecting. I'm hoping that was just a part of the break in period (only had the chance to hit with it for 30ish minutes yesterday after breaking a string). I'll warm up for my combo match today with it, and if it feels right, I'll play with it, otherwise I'll use my recent setup and find a groove with the this hybrid in practice .

Cream/HDX or HDX/Cream??

 

[Doubles]

Cream/HDX or HDX/Cream??

Cream/HDX, as that was the hybrid that was supposed to play like gut/poly. HDX/Cream would be a waste for me, personally, as I've never had a multi main last in my Blade very long. I tried X-Code 15L mains once and it broke in 1.5 sets of doubles. I don't know if HDX is more durable than X-Code, but for $20 a set, I don't want to risk it.

 

[liftordie]

Cream/HDX, as that was the hybrid that was supposed to play like gut/poly.

That's wrong...

 

[Dartagnan64]

And not playing on clay...

Actually I play 90% on clay.

 

[liftordie]

Actually I play 90% on clay.

Ok so you don't spin like me... I broke VS Touch 16 in 3 hours with Max Power Rough 17 as cross. I play only on clay. I also broke HDX 15L in 3 hours...

 

[Doubles]

That's wrong...

Did you not read what OP said initially?

 

[liftordie]

Did you not read what OP said initially?

OP?
Anyway... Poly/multi could never play similar as gut/poly.... It is a nonsense...

 

[Doubles]

OP?
Anyway... Poly/multi could never play similar as gut/poly.... It is a nonsense...

OP= original poster
Read the first few posts. Note how they say they played with Cream in the mains; note how they said they said it "stands up to Natural Gut/ Poly."
The thread is even titled "Isospeed Cream/Tecnifibre HDX Tour>= Gut/Poly". I really do not care whether traditional poly/multi hybrids play like gut/poly because Cream is not a traditional poly, and HDX is not a traditional multi. If OP says that it "stands up" to a hybrid with gut mains, I figure it's worth a try as a cheaper option;
both feel slick and in hand appear to snap back far better than a traditional poly/multi hybrid.

 

[liftordie]

OP= original poster
Read the first few posts. Note how they say they played with Cream in the mains; note how they said they said it "stands up to Natural Gut/ Poly."
The thread is even titled "Isospeed Cream/Tecnifibre HDX Tour>= Gut/Poly". I really do not care whether traditional poly/multi hybrids play like gut/poly because Cream is not a traditional poly, and HDX is not a traditional multi. If OP says that it "stands up" to a hybrid with gut mains, I figure it's worth a try as a cheaper option;
both feel slick and in hand appear to snap back far better than a traditional poly/multi hybrid.

Cream is still a poly. It cannot play similar to gut. Really not. And HDX is really not slick at all!! It is a really bad cross as Cream is a really bad main! Cream is a really good cross with gut main !! And HDX is better fullbed.
If you want great multi cross : Velocity natural.
Cheers

 

[Dartagnan64]

Ok so you don't spin like me... I broke VS Touch 16 in 3 hours with Max Power Rough 17 as cross. I play only on clay. I also broke HDX 15L in 3 hours...

Yes using a Phantom 93P with an 18 x 20 string bed has definitely helped the longevity of my strings. Its not a spin frame but an attackers frame.

Back in the old days with a PD I used to break VS 16 in 5 hrs so I switched to Tonic to get more longevity. Back then I was baseline grinding with topspin. Now I'm finishing points quicker with flatter shots and better control.

No idea how you broke HDX 15 in 3 hours. Wondering if it was a stringing error or bad batch. It's a pretty sturdy string compared to most multis and gut.

 

[liftordie]

No idea how you broke HDX 15 in 3 hours. Wondering if it was a stringing error or bad batch. It's a pretty sturdy string compared to most multis and gut.

I spin (and slice) really heavy and play only on clay. Multi and gut HATE spin and clay. And it is exactly the same main as with VS that break...
No stringing error. And bad batch? Maybe but really not sure....!

 

[Doubles]

Two hours of play today and it feels similar to my racquet with Lux gut and Revolve. Not as much spin, but more than most multi/poly hybrids I've tried, and durability appears ok, clearly more so than had I put HDX in the mains--after just two hours the crosses are already fuzzing up. Cream in the crosses seems like a horrible waste because it doesn't have nearly the crisp feel that a poly crossed with gut needs to emphasize the spin. It dents very easily, and I could see it locking up gut mains causing more friction burn than more resilient poly strings. Rather, in the mains, it grabs the ball better than a multi or synth gut would, while still being a reasonably soft string. HDX has enough give to it to allow the cream to move, although it obviously doesn't snap back the way full poly or gut poly would. I'm pretty satisfied with how it plays, though I wouldn't use it regularly unless I could get HDX for a decent price. Still, a pretty nice setup, and a much better substitute for gut/poly than most multi/poly hybrids.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Cream is fine as a poly cross with gut. Just run the tension a bit higher. Gut doesn’t really dent it like a poly main would. My stringbed of Legend/cream is 15+ hrs and still spinning fine.

 

[Doubles]

Cream is fine as a poly cross with gut. Just run the tension a bit higher. Gut doesn’t really dent it like a poly main would. My stringbed of Legend/cream is 15+ hrs and still spinning fine.

I find that very surprising, but I’ll take your word for it as I strung both halfsets of cream in the mains. I played with it again last night and the stringbed is fully broken in at this point. It feels incredibly soft but still grabs at the ball better than and poly/multi hybrid I’ve tried before, and even better than some full beds of poly I’ve been playing recently.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I find that very surprising, but I’ll take your word for it as I strung both halfsets of cream in the mains. I played with it again last night and the stringbed is fully broken in at this point. It feels incredibly soft but still grabs at the ball better than and poly/multi hybrid I’ve tried before, and even better than some full beds of poly I’ve been playing recently.

fyi ... I cut out tonic 16/cream 1.28 @55/50 at 21 hours, and both tonic and cream had little wear (no dents in cream). I only play hard court.

 

[Polytones]

deleted

 

[g4driver]

Update March 2019:

I have so much demand for HDX Tour from several 4.0 guys, and one junior that use it as crosses with Lux Alu Power, I ordered two 20 pack boxes for 1.35mm. (yep 40 sets of 1.35mm).

Here are a few of the HDX Tour setups I am stringing for guys:

Cream 1.28mm 55M / HDX Tour 1.35mm 57X in a 2015 Pure Aero (x2) USTA 4.0C guy (He has had a history of TE and loves this setup as it doesn't hurt his elbow)
HDX Tour 1.35mm 58M / Lux Natural Gut 1.30mm 58X in a 2018 Pure Drive (x2) USTA 4.0C rated 55+ year old (not my recommendation but client loves the setup and breaks the 1.30mm too quickly)
Lux Alu Power 1.25mm 48M / HDX Tour 1.35mm 50X in a 2015 Pure Drive (x4) USTA 4.0C guy
Lux Alu Power 1.25mm 53M / HDX Tour 1.35mm 55X in a 2015 Pure Drive (x2) 14 year old male junior (last time I strung his frames he had broken the Lux mains in one frame and the HDX Tour crosses in the other.) *This means this junior is getting an almost perfect balance in mains and crosses from duration/playability.

Another stringer is using this setup now:
HDX Tour 1.35mm / Head Hawk Touch 1.25mm (4.5C 40+ year old & USTA rated former college player who breaks cheaper 1.30 mm gut in less than 3 hours in a 16/19 95 square inch frame)

Hope this helps gives some of you folks some ideas