Isospeed Cream:)

[MCstringer85]

I had a client today with a out of the norm request. Usually, he has been more of the mains stream strings when it comes to his string choice. Today he dropped off 2 racquet with a set of Pacific CLASSIC gut, Head FXP Tour and the odd ball Isospeed Cream.

My first thoughts on the Cream was the name. When I felt the string it was a smooth mono with a slick coat that reminds me of Savage White. He request 1 racquet Gut/Cream & the other FXP/Cream.

I thought it would be a stiff combo at least for the Head FXP Tour and Cream ( which it was according to him ). However, the one with gut/cream he explain it felt like "Butter" good butter

I figure it would with the slick coating on the Cream and the Pacific Classic having some sort or clear coating on the gut.

If you are looking for an out of the box cross strings and is smooth and comforting check out the Isospeed Cream.

BTW no response on durability and tension yet.

 

[Christian Olsson]

Cool! The cream is similar to origin? They are both monofilament and softer.


Völkl super g 10 295 (now 330 g with og and dampener) in search for string..

 

[Automatix]

Cream is closer to poly than Origin but is softer than any poly I've tried and is great in the comfort department - superiour to any poly on the market IMHO. Cream contains only 20% polyester. My only gripe is the gauge. Would love it at 1.23-1.25.

IMHO it bridges the gap between multis and mono polys better than anything on the market - Babolat Origin, Ashaway MonoGut ZX and so on.

 

[scotus]

Cream is closer to poly than Origin but is softer than any poly I've tried and is great in the comfort department - superiour to any poly on the market IMHO. Cream contains only 20% polyester. My only gripe is the gauge. Would love it at 1.23-1.25.

IMHO it bridges the gap between multis and mono polys better than anything on the market - Babolat Origin, Ashaway MonoGut ZX and so on.

Do you use this in a full bed or a hybrid?

Do you think it might work well in a hybrid with either gut or a poly?

 

[wabbit]

I've recently strung a hybrid of VS touch mains and Cream crosses. The Cream works very well to tame the liveliness of the gut while preserving the soft feel overall. Very nice pocketing. Cream plays softer than the other polys I've tried in a hybrid (VStar, Cyclone, Twice Shark, and others) all considered soft polys. Only played with it a couple times so far but is holding tension well. The composition of Cream is mostly elastomer according to the TW review and probably accounts for the soft yet controlled behavior. None of the harshness found in most polys. The TW review seems to be spot on.

 

[MCstringer85]

I was surprised because it felt like every other string but like the name it is surprisingly creamy

 

[Automatix]

Do you use this in a full bed or a hybrid?

I use it in full bed and honestly it is one of a few strings that allow me to play without a vibration dampener. It's just that comfortable.

Do you think it might work well in a hybrid with either gut or a poly?

Depends on what you're after if it's comfort and tension maintenance it should work great with gut. It's slippery coating and additives make it an ice-skating rink for gut.
It will be great for durability, comfort and the mentioned tension maintenance but it might be too soft for some tastes. Power shouldn't be an issue, Cream isn't powerful and should tame the power you get from gut nicely. Now I'm saying this to underline that if you're looking for a cross to noticeably crisp up the string bed you should choose a different string, but if you're after the above mentioned 3 qualities than you should be very happy.

Now as for a hybrid with another poly... I have my doubts.
This strings tension maintenance is up there so you'd have to find a cross with a similar feature which in the poly world which isn't common.
Also you'd loose some of the qualities of Cream by incorporating a stiffer poly, and if you need to stiffen up a string bed with Cream I think you're better off in finding a different crisper poly and stringing it in a full bed instead. Keep in mind that I'm not exactly a fan of mixing polys, though Cream isn't exactly a poly - more below.

 

[scotus]

I use it in full bed and honestly it is one of a few strings that allow me to play without a vibration dampener. It's just that comfortable.

Depends on what you're after if it's comfort and tension maintenance it should work great with gut. It's slippery coating and additives make it an ice-skating rink for gut.
It will be great for durability, comfort and the mentioned tension maintenance but it might be too soft for some tastes. Power shouldn't be an issue, Cream isn't powerful and should tame the power you get from gut nicely. Now I'm saying this to underline that if you're looking for a cross to noticeably crisp up the string bed you should choose a different string, but if you're after the above mentioned 3 qualities than you should be very happy.

Now as for a hybrid with another poly... I have my doubts.
This strings tension maintenance is up there so you'd have to find a cross with a similar feature which in the poly world which isn't common.
Also you'd loose some of the qualities of Cream by incorporating a stiffer poly, and if you need to stiffen up a string bed with Cream I think you're better off in finding a different crisper poly and stringing it in a full bed instead. Keep in mind that I'm not exactly a fan of mixing polys, though Cream isn't exactly a poly - more below.

Thanks, I already got a set from TW. I will try a half with gut in the mains and the other half with a poly in the mains.

 

[Automatix]

Thanks, I already got a set from TW. I will try a half with gut in the mains and the other half with a poly in the mains.

If I may, I think you'd be better of with a Cream/poly hybrid if it's comfort you're after.
Below the promised info on Cream background.

Only played with it a couple times so far but is holding tension well. The composition of Cream is mostly elastomer according to the TW review and probably accounts for the soft yet controlled behavior. None of the harshness found in most polys. The TW review seems to be spot on.

About a year ago I've talked about this string with a guy from Isospeed central.
As I wrote earlier it contains only 20% poly, and as for the elastic polymer you're referencing, it makes up to about 60% of the string.
In lab tests Cream measured up to be softer than any monofilament poly produced by Isospeed while providing better tension maintenance.
Even more so elasticity (hysteresis) was higher than you find in Isospeed Classic (ribbon multi). Static stiffness was closer to polyamide strings of a similar gauge (and if I may I add based on my experience, while maintaining good spin which I havent's found in Babolat Origin, since we're on the polyamide string subject).


It is my opinion that with proper marketing, introducing a thinner gauge and maybe giving it a better name could make this string Isospeeds best seller which could success the well known and popular, some years ago, ribbon multis - Professional and Classic.

Please keep in mind that the fact I like the string doesn't mean you will, but this is one string that I'll never sell even though I love to test new string and I see a lot of uses for it, such as:
- great first monofilament (somewhat)poly for people changing from multis;
- fantastic string for those wanting the spin of a monofilament poly without the harshness;
- phenomenal cross for gut users wanting more durability & control without loosing comfort.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Please test this string and share you're thoughts.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

@Automatix

So how does Cream compare to Origin other than more spin? Are they close in stiffness or is Origin still softer?

 

[Mareqnyc]

@Automatix

So how does Cream compare to Origin other than more spin? Are they close in stiffness or is Origin still softer?

I am interested in this one as well. I really like Origin but it snapped very quickly, if they are similar I will probably give it a shot.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Cream is closer to poly than Origin but is softer than any poly I've tried and is great in the comfort department - superiour to any poly on the market IMHO. Cream contains only 20% polyester. My only gripe is the gauge. Would love it at 1.23-1.25.

IMHO it bridges the gap between multis and mono polys better than anything on the market - Babolat Origin, Ashaway MonoGut ZX and so on.

How durable is this stuff?

 

[Christian Olsson]

Origin seems to hold up well in hybrid with a slick poly. So far at least.


Völkl super g 10 295 (now 330 g with og and dampener) in search for string..

 

[Tao69]

I've been using Isospeed Cream as a Cross against Ashaway Monogut ZX Pro in the mains, first is my RF97 and now in my 6.1 95s, it's my set up of choice for the last 9 months. It's a great hybrid that's easy on the arm, awesome spin potential and I haven't had any durability issues, but then I'm not a string breaker.

 

[Automatix]

@Automatix

So how does Cream compare to Origin other than more spin? Are they close in stiffness or is Origin still softer?

Cream will be crisper but not in a way directly related to comfort/dampening, more in a "feel way" IMHO - by that I mean that if Cream is to harsh on your arm, Origin should also be too harsh.
When comparing the two it's more about how the accents are placed rather then what they are. Both are soft but behave differently in terms of stringbed response. As I wrote, for me Cream is a better balanced string of the two mentioned & is a better cross for gut.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Cream will be crisper but not in a way directly related to comfort/dampening, more in a "feel way" IMHO - by that I mean that if Cream is to harsh on your arm, Origin should also be too harsh.
When comparing the two it's more about how the accents are placed rather then what they are. Both are soft but behave differently in terms of stringbed response. As I wrote, for me Cream is a better balanced string of the two mentioned & is a better cross for gut.

So if i like Origin, I might as well play with Cream instead? It's less than half the cost of Origin. I'd probably string it as a cross with another poly like Big Hitter Blue as the mains.

 

[Automatix]

How durable is this stuff?

It's hard to say since technique & playing conditions vary greatly between players. I think that if you don't try to prestretch it you should get a noticeable amount of additional play.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Double post.

 

[Automatix]

So if i like Origin, I might as well play with Cream instead? It's less than half the cost of Origin. I'd probably string it as a cross with another poly like Big Hitter Blue as the mains.

Origin is more powerful. If you played with a hybrid of Origin & poly I'd go with a full set of Cream.

 

[Automatix]

Let me rephrase that. If power & gauge (the latter applying if you've used the 1.25mm version of Origin, because Origin 1.30mm should be noticeably less durable than Cream) aren't an issue the similar comfort, better spin and price make this string an excellent candidate to replace Origin in your racquet(s).
But you need to thoroughly check if the differences, sometimes as small as they are, still fit your preferences.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Let me rephrase that. If power & gauge (the latter applying if you've used the 1.25mm version of Origin, because Origin 1.30mm should be noticeably less durable than Cream) aren't an issue the similar comfort, better spin and price make this string an excellent candidate to replace Origin in your racquet(s).
But you need to thoroughly check if the differences, sometimes as small as they are, still fit your preferences.

I will be in Poland next week, didnt see Cream being available at any major retailers there?

 

[Automatix]

I will be in Poland next week, didnt see Cream being available at any major retailers there?

No. Cream is not available in Poland. Isospeed distributor doesn't carry it. I order mine from Tennis Warehouse Europe.

 

[scotus]

@Automatix

Just tried Natural Gut & Cream hybrid last night.

Excellent spin & comfort. Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Automatix]

@Automatix

Just tried Natural Gut & Cream hybrid last night.

Excellent spin & comfort. Thank you for the recommendation!

You're more than welcome. I think it's a great string, just under the radar of most.

 

[Christian Olsson]

Let me rephrase that. If power & gauge (the latter applying if you've used the 1.25mm version of Origin, because Origin 1.30mm should be noticeably less durable than Cream) aren't an issue the similar comfort, better spin and price make this string an excellent candidate to replace Origin in your racquet(s).
But you need to thoroughly check if the differences, sometimes as small as they are, still fit your preferences.

I've got origin/lux4g both 16 ga at 22/20. So next time I string, just in with a full bed of cream at 21 kg? (Volkl super G 10, 16/19)

I really enjoy this thread! Thanks for your advices, much appreciated!

 

[Automatix]

I've got origin/lux4g both 16 ga at 22/20. So next time I string, just in with a full bed of cream at 21 kg? (Volkl super G 10, 16/19)

What are you after in comparison to Origin/4G? By that I mean do you want it to be softer, more spinny, more powerful, as similar as it can be just longer lasting?

BTW not to exploit you guys but I'd appreciate if you could shoot an e-mail to Isospeed about making this string in a thinner gauge 1.23-1.25mm.
http://www.isospeed.com/en/contact

They are supposedly talking about the possibility but are happy with the current offering and are reluctant to release it in any other gauge. Thx in advance.

 

[Christian Olsson]

What are you after in comparison to Origin/4G? By that I mean do you want it to be softer, more spinny, more powerful, as similar as it can be just longer lasting?

BTW not to exploit you guys but I'd appreciate if you could shoot an e-mail to Isospeed about making this string in a thinner gauge 1.23-1.25mm.
http://www.isospeed.com/en/contact

They are supposedly talking about the possibility but are happy with the current offering and are reluctant to release it in any other gauge. Thx in advance.

Just hit one outing so far but I love the combo so far. A bit more spin could be helpful but now I'm nitpicking. Love the soft feel. I will email them! I want it in black as well!

 

[scotus]

Isospeed strings are so much cheaper in the US than in Europe.

 

[Automatix]

I will email them! I want it in black as well!

Much appreciated.

Just hit one outing so far but I love the combo so far. A bit more spin could be helpful but now I'm nitpicking. Love the soft feel.

Hmmm I'd go with 22/21kG, two piece although I have my doubts.

It isn't so easy to recommend you a specific tension because some things are contradictory.
You like the stringbed to be soft but eliminating a crisp string like 4G will make it a pillow regardless of tension unless you go way up.
Sooo it would be logical to bump up the tension on the cross.
However Origin is more powerful so in order to compensate for that you'd have to go with lower tension on the mains... still regardless of strings if you like a different main/cross tension due to preference you'd want to keep one at 1kG at the least.
If we're talking about a tension range of 20-24kG we can safely assume that full bed of Cream in comparison to your hybrid regardless of tension will be more comfortable and spiny.

Still 22/21kG IMHO looks like a good place to start.

 

[Frans Bleker]

Excited to try this one next week! Will post my experience next week.

 

[Christian Olsson]

Much appreciated.

Hmmm I'd go with 22/21kG, two piece although I have my doubts.

It isn't so easy to recommend you a specific tension because some things are contradictory.
You like the stringbed to be soft but eliminating a crisp string like 4G will make it a pillow regardless of tension unless you go way up.
Sooo it would be logical to bump up the tension on the cross.
However Origin is more powerful so in order to compensate for that you'd have to go with lower tension on the mains... still regardless of strings if you like a different main/cross tension due to preference you'd want to keep one at 1kG at the least.
If we're talking about a tension range of 20-24kG we can safely assume that full bed of Cream in comparison to your hybrid regardless of tension will be more comfortable and spiny.

Still 22/21kG IMHO looks like a good place to start.

Thank you! You explain it very good!
Lower power isn't necessarily a bad thing. I can impart more spin that way with higher RHS. I will definitely try Cream next time either as a hybrid or on its own.

 

[zalive]

Depends on what you're after if it's comfort and tension maintenance it should work great with gut. It's slippery coating and additives make it an ice-skating rink for gut.
It will be great for durability, comfort and the mentioned tension maintenance but it might be too soft for some tastes. Power shouldn't be an issue, Cream isn't powerful and should tame the power you get from gut nicely. Now I'm saying this to underline that if you're looking for a cross to noticeably crisp up the string bed you should choose a different string, but if you're after the above mentioned 3 qualities than you should be very happy.

Now as for a hybrid with another poly... I have my doubts.
This strings tension maintenance is up there so you'd have to find a cross with a similar feature which in the poly world which isn't common.
Also you'd loose some of the qualities of Cream by incorporating a stiffer poly, and if you need to stiffen up a string bed with Cream I think you're better off in finding a different crisper poly and stringing it in a full bed instead. Keep in mind that I'm not exactly a fan of mixing polys, though Cream isn't exactly a poly - more below.

You mention Cream at mains, if I understand. What do you think about Cream at crosses in combo with some co-poly mains (preferrably softer ones)?
Also I don't understand about tension maintenance, I thought there were some co-poly strings that were great for tension maintenance - at least, you don't feel much when they drop the tension.

Also, what about Cream's durability when it comes to retaining its playability?

 

[Christian Olsson]

Origin mains / cream crosses... Mmmm...


Völkl super g 10 295 (now 330 g with og and dampener) in search for string..

 

[zalive]

Yeah, but what about spin you look for?

 

[Mareqnyc]

What are you after in comparison to Origin/4G? By that I mean do you want it to be softer, more spinny, more powerful, as similar as it can be just longer lasting?

BTW not to exploit you guys but I'd appreciate if you could shoot an e-mail to Isospeed about making this string in a thinner gauge 1.23-1.25mm.
http://www.isospeed.com/en/contact

They are supposedly talking about the possibility but are happy with the current offering and are reluctant to release it in any other gauge. Thx in advance.

They actually responded that they are taking a note of the request

 

[Deleted member 120290]

@Automatix

Just tried Natural Gut & Cream hybrid last night.

Excellent spin & comfort. Thank you for the recommendation!

How would you compare gut/cream to gut/poly esp gut/yptp if you have used it?

 

[scotus]

How would you compare gut/cream to gut/poly esp gut/yptp if you have used it?

Never used Yonex Poly, but it's very comfortable.

Similar spin level to gut and Isospeed Black Fire but much more comfort. Cream is very good at taming the power of gut. There is a slight plasticky feel but it's negligible.

I have Wilson Revolve and Prince Tour XT I will be testing in gut-poly hybrid, but so far, Cream looks very promising.

 

[Automatix]

You mention Cream at mains, if I understand. What do you think about Cream at crosses in combo with some co-poly mains (preferrably softer ones)?
Also I don't understand about tension maintenance, I thought there were some co-poly strings that were great for tension maintenance - at least, you don't feel much when they drop the tension.

Usually softer polys tend to lose more tension, there are exceptions like 4G for example.
I'm not really a fan of poly/poly hybrids though Cream isn't exactly a poly, it contains some poly though...

I think that crossing Cream with a soft poly is overthinking it. IMHO it's better to go with a full bed of Cream.
Though I have to underline that most soft polys aren't in the same league of comfort as Cream soooo if you really know what you want...

Also, what about Cream's durability when it comes to retaining its playability?

For me it's until it breaks or I cut it out (I like to experiment and I do get strings to testdrive from time to time, not from Isospeed though! Which is a bummer.)

 

[Automatix]

They actually responded that they are taking a note of the request

Great news! Thanks. If they do release a thinner version I'm getting a reel. Love the stuff but 1.23-1.25mm is in my wheelhouse.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Great news! Thanks. If they do release a thinner version I'm getting a reel. Love the stuff but 1.23-1.25mm is in my wheelhouse.

I like my strings close to 1.20mm and play with closed patterns mostly

 

[zalive]

Thanx Automatix

Actually I was thinking in pairing it up with some profiled 'spin friendly' string (which are typically among stiffer; but those are still not equally stiff when compared one to another), but to have some comfort benefit from it on crosses, at least compared to full bed of 'spin friendly' strings. Having the most comfortable but slick co-poly crosses might be helpful in this respect. So this is the idea, spinny string bed, yet as much arm friendly as possible.

Great news! Thanks. If they do release a thinner version I'm getting a reel. Love the stuff but 1.23-1.25mm is in my wheelhouse.

But having only a 20% of polyester, a thicker gauge of this string might be more similar to 1.23-1.25 typical co-poly string. I'm thinking that manufacturers had a good reason why issuing exactly this gauge only, instead of 1.23-1.25 mm.

 

[Automatix]

Actually I was thinking in pairing it up with some profiled 'spin friendly' string (which are typically among stiffer; but those are still not equally stiff when compared one to another), but to have some comfort benefit from it on crosses, at least compared to full bed of 'spin friendly' strings. Having the most comfortable but slick co-poly crosses might be helpful in this respect. So this is the idea, spinny string bed, yet as much arm friendly as possible.

Agreed, and contrary to a multi (regardless how slick it is) it should provide tons of spin more as well as longer playability without nothing.

But having only a 20% of polyester, a thicker gauge of this string might be more similar to 1.23-1.25 typical co-poly string. I'm thinking that manufacturers had a good reason why issuing exactly this gauge only, instead of 1.23-1.25 mm.

I think the reason for the gauge was durability reasons. Keep in mind that 1.27mm is after stringing. IIRC TWU data showed that out of the box this string is around 1.30mm. This shows how elastic it is.

It's just my preference to use 1.23-1.25mm. I'm most comfortable with such strings and the fact that I love Cream makes me want to buy a reel of it in my preferred gauge. I'm just made that way... I like extended length racquets and try to use such or make the ones I like longer.

 

[cknobman]

Surprised no one posted the TW video review.

Andy and Chris seem to really like this stuff.

 

[zalive]

@Automatix :
That's interesting. Durability is typically not the first thing on string manufacturers' mind. Unless for making it short enough to promote the sales

Cream is still quite an expensive string. If I order a set through another web site (with popular shipping prices to Europe), it still costs me almost 23$ for a set. Not a cheap string. However, having a good tension maintenance, being comfortable, durable and slick, yet low powered, hard to imagine anything wrong with it for this purpose...should be just as made for such combos...

 

[scotus]

Surprised no one posted the TW video review.

Because we've seen it in a different thread on the string.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

@Automatix :
That's interesting. Durability is typically not the first thing on string manufacturers' mind. Unless for making it short enough to promote the sales

Cream is still quite an expensive string. If I order a set through another web site (with popular shipping prices to Europe), it still costs me almost 23$ for a set. Not a cheap string. However, having a good tension maintenance, being comfortable, durable and slick, yet low powered, hard to imagine anything wrong with it for this purpose...should be just as made for such combos...

Shipping is approximately $14?

At $8.99 a pack, that's a pretty fair price for a good poly.

 

[scotus]

Shipping is approximately $14?

At $8.99 a pack, that's a pretty fair price for a good poly.

$6.99 a pack if you buy 10 packs in the US.

 

[zalive]

Im in Croatia, EU. At stringersworld the pack is around 10 GBP, with 6 GBP shipping if I recall, I don't find them anywhere cheaper.

US prices mean little to me, US to EU shipping is typically at disasterous prices. TW USA charges 42 USD for a set of strings lol for that I'd need to pay customs tax too.

TW EU has different prices. I don't see they have Cream sets currently. But they charge 15 EUR for shipping to Croatia, and a Cream set should cost 11-14 EUR per set according to other Isospeed sets prices. That's significantly more than stringersworld.

All that is pretty bad, because you can send one or couple of string sets in a letter. How expensive should it be?

 

[scotus]

US prices mean little to me, US to EU shipping is typically at disasterous prices. TW USA charges 42 USD for a set of strings lol for that I'd need to pay customs tax too.

Don't you have any family or friends in the US?

 

[zalive]

No, unfortunately no family or friends in the US.