K90 and "mojo setup"
- Thread starter MrAWD
- Start date
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
Meaning???
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
Well, K90 and "mojo setup" has done its duty and as I type this they are being cut out by the stringer. The replacement will be poly/synthetic gut hybrid with lower tension from what I had last time. It will be strung at 56/58 for poly in the mains and synthetic gut in crosses (compared to 62/63 I had last time when my shoulder and elbow gave up after a little while).
Hopefully, this one will be welcomed more by my joints and spin will come back so I could start hitting that ball again instead of holding back!
The original "mojo setup" was definitely strung on the low side for the K90, but as Jolly mentioned even at 62/60 it was still too lively and he had to hold down with swings as well. At this time, I strongly believe that K90 needs at least one of the strings to be poly in order to handle this stick correctly. I might be off on this one, but unless I get proven wrong I will stick with it for a while
Fedja
Hopefully, this one will be welcomed more by my joints and spin will come back so I could start hitting that ball again instead of holding back!
The original "mojo setup" was definitely strung on the low side for the K90, but as Jolly mentioned even at 62/60 it was still too lively and he had to hold down with swings as well. At this time, I strongly believe that K90 needs at least one of the strings to be poly in order to handle this stick correctly. I might be off on this one, but unless I get proven wrong I will stick with it for a while
Fedja
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
Well, it has been a while since I updated this thread so here we go!
Since I put above mentioned Prince combo on K90 (17 poly mains#56 and 16 Duraflex for crosses@58 ) I realized after the first hit that this was too soft as well. Every time you hit the ball strings move way too much and you have a feel that something is broken. I was getting still more power that I like so this tension had to be raised a bit. But, last time I had it at 62/63 with the same strings (Duraflex was 17 gauge tough) it was too stiff at first at least.
After trying to figure out what to do here and which tension to use next, I decided to try new string combo that friend of mine was using before and he liked it a lot! The combo is KLIP poly 18 (Kboom I think is the name) in mains@61 and Excellerator 17 in crosses@64. To make things more even, I also put exactly the same setup to one of my Redondos! The other Redondo still has RAB Monoflex 16 at 61 lb and lately that was my racquet of choice and it played pretty nice! More on this one later. The third Redondo was strung with my old setup - GAMMA TNT2 17 at 64 lb which I know how it plays and I have hit with it for quite some time! Here are my impressions after on hitting session:
Redondo with RAB: after messing with different strings and tensions for couple of months (and loosing lot of games to br dropped into lower division) I started playing with this one and things got much better. Since it comes only in 16 gauge you can feel that it doesn't bite the ball as well as 17 or 18 one. But, since it is still a poly you get back some of it and overall compared to my previous setup with TNT2 it was producing much more spin! First time I hit with it after being strung it was a bit boardy, but after a little while it soften up and it was as comfortable as my previous setup, which is a great thing! I was able to swing at full speed and balls where staying in! But after a few matches I guess it loosen up a bit too much and things started to fly a bit more then I like and it was harder to keep them in! So, for about 4-6 sessions/matches it was pretty good and then it went down.
Redondo with TNT2: this was the next stick I took out of the bag and things just didn't feel right! I think this one needs to loosen up a bit more in order to start to work and then it would be better comparison with the others. The thing is that my regular setup is TNT2 at 63 lb which plays great right from the start, but after 4 weeks or so it gets so loose that you can't play with it no more. Starting with 64 lb instead kills it for first few tries but then it lasts way longer then the first one.
Redondo with KLIP combo: when I hit the first ball with this it felt like there was a sand paper on the strings that was pulling the ball so much higher then it was flying previously. Basically, beginning of the trajectory was way higher then any other tip spin hit that I did before. The strings where biting so hard that I had to do a small adjustment and then things got much better. The feel was great! Lots of spin (more then I ever had on the Redondo so far) and great precision! Decent power and overall excellent feel!! Loved it!! Every aspect was just great that I don't know how to describe it all! If this setup keeps playing like this for at least a month without hurting any of my joints, it will be a kipper for sure!! I guess after I hit with it for a bit longer I update this again!
K90: finally I had to try this one and I had my hopes quite high after such a great experience with the same setup on Redondo. And it was even better!! Since my Redondos have identical balance as the K90 (all of them are 9 points HL) and being only 0.2 - 0.3 oz lighter they are easy to switch back and forth. Power wise they where pretty close, but K90 was way ahead in spin department that is not even funny to compare them! The 18 gauge poly has some bite on that more open string pattern that my opponent was having hard time handling the spin. The balls where coming to him much heavier then before and he was often late with his strokes. The precision was still better with Redondo, but extra spin gave you easier access to the angle shots which was a blast! I will see later today and tomorrow how my body is going to enjoy hitting with this setup for two sets. If there are no issues, I am going to have hard time deciding which frame to use next time! This KLIP combo is definitely great choice and I would recommend it highly at this time. I think KLIP sells it as combo as well which is a bit cheaper then getting two separate strings.
Fedja
Since I put above mentioned Prince combo on K90 (17 poly mains#56 and 16 Duraflex for crosses@58 ) I realized after the first hit that this was too soft as well. Every time you hit the ball strings move way too much and you have a feel that something is broken. I was getting still more power that I like so this tension had to be raised a bit. But, last time I had it at 62/63 with the same strings (Duraflex was 17 gauge tough) it was too stiff at first at least.
After trying to figure out what to do here and which tension to use next, I decided to try new string combo that friend of mine was using before and he liked it a lot! The combo is KLIP poly 18 (Kboom I think is the name) in mains@61 and Excellerator 17 in crosses@64. To make things more even, I also put exactly the same setup to one of my Redondos! The other Redondo still has RAB Monoflex 16 at 61 lb and lately that was my racquet of choice and it played pretty nice! More on this one later. The third Redondo was strung with my old setup - GAMMA TNT2 17 at 64 lb which I know how it plays and I have hit with it for quite some time! Here are my impressions after on hitting session:
Redondo with RAB: after messing with different strings and tensions for couple of months (and loosing lot of games to br dropped into lower division) I started playing with this one and things got much better. Since it comes only in 16 gauge you can feel that it doesn't bite the ball as well as 17 or 18 one. But, since it is still a poly you get back some of it and overall compared to my previous setup with TNT2 it was producing much more spin! First time I hit with it after being strung it was a bit boardy, but after a little while it soften up and it was as comfortable as my previous setup, which is a great thing! I was able to swing at full speed and balls where staying in! But after a few matches I guess it loosen up a bit too much and things started to fly a bit more then I like and it was harder to keep them in! So, for about 4-6 sessions/matches it was pretty good and then it went down.
Redondo with TNT2: this was the next stick I took out of the bag and things just didn't feel right! I think this one needs to loosen up a bit more in order to start to work and then it would be better comparison with the others. The thing is that my regular setup is TNT2 at 63 lb which plays great right from the start, but after 4 weeks or so it gets so loose that you can't play with it no more. Starting with 64 lb instead kills it for first few tries but then it lasts way longer then the first one.
Redondo with KLIP combo: when I hit the first ball with this it felt like there was a sand paper on the strings that was pulling the ball so much higher then it was flying previously. Basically, beginning of the trajectory was way higher then any other tip spin hit that I did before. The strings where biting so hard that I had to do a small adjustment and then things got much better. The feel was great! Lots of spin (more then I ever had on the Redondo so far) and great precision! Decent power and overall excellent feel!! Loved it!! Every aspect was just great that I don't know how to describe it all! If this setup keeps playing like this for at least a month without hurting any of my joints, it will be a kipper for sure!! I guess after I hit with it for a bit longer I update this again!
K90: finally I had to try this one and I had my hopes quite high after such a great experience with the same setup on Redondo. And it was even better!! Since my Redondos have identical balance as the K90 (all of them are 9 points HL) and being only 0.2 - 0.3 oz lighter they are easy to switch back and forth. Power wise they where pretty close, but K90 was way ahead in spin department that is not even funny to compare them! The 18 gauge poly has some bite on that more open string pattern that my opponent was having hard time handling the spin. The balls where coming to him much heavier then before and he was often late with his strokes. The precision was still better with Redondo, but extra spin gave you easier access to the angle shots which was a blast! I will see later today and tomorrow how my body is going to enjoy hitting with this setup for two sets. If there are no issues, I am going to have hard time deciding which frame to use next time! This KLIP combo is definitely great choice and I would recommend it highly at this time. I think KLIP sells it as combo as well which is a bit cheaper then getting two separate strings.
Fedja
Last edited:
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I remember the transition from the Redondo to the K90 and it took me several months - but it involved a change in forehand grip. The K90 took some time to get used to in terms of weight (TW lists a 0.4 oz difference) and I had to add spin to control the power. I do find a fair power difference between the two.
I'm using the KPS88 now which didn't require much of an adjustment other than a general improvement in fitness.
I'm using the KPS88 now which didn't require much of an adjustment other than a general improvement in fitness.
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
They are different for sure! But, thanks to some led at 3&9 on Redondo, specs got much closer. If it wasn't for a different string pattern, they would be much more alike. Of course, there is that stiffness thing too!
For me, K90 is still a bit more hefty which is result of higher swing weight, but not that much any more! I didn't find it that difficult to switch from one to another...
Fedja
For me, K90 is still a bit more hefty which is result of higher swing weight, but not that much any more! I didn't find it that difficult to switch from one to another...
Fedja
slider2828
Rookie
Has any tried Polyfibre TCS? So far that is my most fav string at 57 all around...
(K)evin
Rookie
hey you might want to try weiss cannon silverstring in a 1.20 gauge.
I have it on my K90 and I'm testing it and in the beginning I didn't like it probably because I strung it higher than I usually do ( I normally string around 48 ) but after I hit with it for awhile and it settled which btw it settles and hold tension unlike any other poly and does not go dead. It has control, controllable pop, feel and great spin.
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
So, what tension did you string it if not your regular 48#?
Your signature shows: "Strings: weiss cannon explosiv! @ 55 X luxilon alu rough @ 57" so is that what you did there? Mains at 55 and crosses with Lux at 57?
Fedja
MrAWD
Semi-Pro
Yesterday I played another match and this was second time I played with the above mentioned setup (both Redondo and K90). Since summer arrival was late we finally had a day that fits the calendar season for around here - hot and humid!!!
Unfortunately, I left my tennis bag in the car with all of my sticks and when I got to hit the first ball in the late afternoon, strings have loosen up pretty bad! I started with K90 but pinging sound that I have got from the first fit was concerning to say the least! Balls started to fly again and I wasn't happy! Few games into the first set I switched to the Redondo with K-boom and it was the same - way too loose!! I ended up finishing the match with K90 and got a bit better closer to the end, but still not good enough!
It looks like I will have to string them a bit higher to compensate for the heat and humidity that is gone be around here for at least 6 weeks to come! I might bump things up a pound or even two for mains and probably another pound for crosses!
Also, I have a set of Luxilon Timo 17 (almost the same thickness as the K-boom 18 - 1.20 vs. 1.22) and I might try this one as well with the same crosses!
Any comments are welcome!
Fedja
Unfortunately, I left my tennis bag in the car with all of my sticks and when I got to hit the first ball in the late afternoon, strings have loosen up pretty bad! I started with K90 but pinging sound that I have got from the first fit was concerning to say the least! Balls started to fly again and I wasn't happy! Few games into the first set I switched to the Redondo with K-boom and it was the same - way too loose!! I ended up finishing the match with K90 and got a bit better closer to the end, but still not good enough!
It looks like I will have to string them a bit higher to compensate for the heat and humidity that is gone be around here for at least 6 weeks to come! I might bump things up a pound or even two for mains and probably another pound for crosses!
Also, I have a set of Luxilon Timo 17 (almost the same thickness as the K-boom 18 - 1.20 vs. 1.22) and I might try this one as well with the same crosses!
Any comments are welcome!
Fedja
