Low-powered shaped poly with good tension maintenance

[Tennisspieler]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a low-powered shaped (or rough) poly with good tension maintenance. Particularly one that gives excellent ball bite.

Some background: I used a full bed of Völkl Cyclone or MSV Focus Hex over many years. At some point, I switched to Kirschbaum Max Power in the crosses for reduced string friction and better durability, which has worked very well so far. For me, this set-up provides a very good blend of control, spin and longevity.

However, as I had become used to playing with a full bed of shaped polys, I'm now sometimes missing the extra ball bite. My current shaped/round hybrid set-up feels noticeably smoother. I feel like the stringbed doesn't grab the ball as well as I wish it would.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep Kirschbaum Max Power in the crosses, but hoping to find an alternative string for the mains.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

(I'm a 5.0 league player, mid 40s, counter-puncher. I use a leaded-up Völkl Super G 8.)

 

[smithie]

Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour or Solinco Tour Bite would both work well. They are also both silver which will match the Max Power (if you're into that kinda thing).

 

[Tennisspieler]

Thanks for your suggestions! Tried Tour Bite years ago and prefered the feel of Cyclone and Focus Hex, but that was in a full bed. Maybe I should give it another try as a main. Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour sounds interesting as well.

And yes, matching colors would definitely be an extra benefit, haha! (The silver and black hybrid I'm currently using looks somewhat cool as well.)

 

[GummiiBear]

Oooh, I too would like to hear what shaped polys have good tension maintenance. I think the Solinco Confidential I use is supposed to have good tension maintenance but I can’t speak to its power, as I’m relatively new to polys. One full bed I actually like is Dunlop Explosive Bite, but I think the tension maintenance is... actually I don’t really know (yet). I like it in black.

 

[happyandbob]

here are the strings in the TWU db most similar to Focus Hex 16. many of these are shaped strings, might be worth trying some of these. Focus Hex and Cyclone 17 are the top two in the list for reference.

String	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	Spin Potential
MSV Focus-Hex 16 (1.23)	1.23	218.9	29.1	89.1	7.5
Volkl Cyclone 17	1.25	191.5	48.1	84.5	5.8
Babolat RPM Blast Rough 16	1.3	209.7	29.5	90.1	8.2
Boris Becker Bomber NYC 16 (1.28)	1.28	208	28.2	89.3	5.3
Diadem Solstice Power 15L (1.35)	1.35	228.6	29.6	88.9	7.1
Diadem Solstice Power 16L (1.25)	1.25	209.2	27.1	88.5	7.3
Dunlop Black Widow 17	1.26	216.6	31.6	87.6	5.4
Gamma Moto 16	1.29	226.9	30.8	88.7	5.8
Gosen Polylon Premium 16 (1.32)	1.32	217.7	31	88.9	5.8
Head Lynx Tour 16 (1.30)	1.3	228.6	30.5	87.6	6.1
Kirschbaum Max Power Rough 17 (1.25)	1.25	223.5	26.4	89.7	5.6
Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution 17 (1.25)	1.25	208	28.9	88.9	4.9
MSV Focus Hex 17L (1.18)	1.18	224	27.5	88.2	6.5
MSV Focus-Hex 16 (1.23)	1.23	218.9	29.1	89.1	7.5
Pacific XCite 16 (1.30)	1.3	220	26.7	87.6	6.6
Polyfibre Panthera 16 (1.30)	1.3	212.6	28.7	88	5.3
Solinco Hyper-G 16	1.3	219.5	26.3	89.3	7
Solinco Outlast 16L (1.25)	1.25	208	28.8	88.7	6.5
Solinco Revolution 16L (1.25)	1.25	212.6	28.4	88.5	8
Tecnifibre Black Code 15L (1.32)	1.32	210.3	29.5	87.6	6.1
Tecnifibre Black Code 4S 17 (1.25)	1.25	209.2	28.3	88.9	9.8
Tecnifibre Razor Code 17 (1.25)	1.25	229.2	29.6	88.7	5.6
Tecnifibre Razor Code 18 (1.20)	1.2	216.6	28.3	88.7	6.1
Tourna Big HItter Silver 16	1.25	209.2	26.3	88	6.8
Weiss Cannon Blue Rock N Power	1.2	224	27	88.7	11.1
Yonex Poly Tour HS 16 (1.30)	1.3	213.7	28.1	88.4	5
Yonex Poly Tour Spin 16L (1.25)	1.25	213.7	27.2	88.5	6.3

 

[Injured Again]

Another strong recommendation for Silver 7 Tour here, in the 17 gauge. Excellent playability up until the last hour or two before it breaks, and great tension maintenance so you can string it low if that's what you like, and know that it won't get loose and start trampolining balls on you.

 

[Tennisspieler]

here are the strings in the TWU db most similar to Focus Hex 16. many of these are shaped strings, might be worth trying some of these. Focus Hex and Cyclone 17 are the top two in the list for reference.

String	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	Spin Potential
MSV Focus-Hex 16 (1.23)	1.23	218.9	29.1	89.1	7.5
Volkl Cyclone 17	1.25	191.5	48.1	84.5	5.8
Babolat RPM Blast Rough 16	1.3	209.7	29.5	90.1	8.2
Boris Becker Bomber NYC 16 (1.28)	1.28	208	28.2	89.3	5.3
Diadem Solstice Power 15L (1.35)	1.35	228.6	29.6	88.9	7.1
Diadem Solstice Power 16L (1.25)	1.25	209.2	27.1	88.5	7.3
Dunlop Black Widow 17	1.26	216.6	31.6	87.6	5.4
Gamma Moto 16	1.29	226.9	30.8	88.7	5.8
Gosen Polylon Premium 16 (1.32)	1.32	217.7	31	88.9	5.8
Head Lynx Tour 16 (1.30)	1.3	228.6	30.5	87.6	6.1
Kirschbaum Max Power Rough 17 (1.25)	1.25	223.5	26.4	89.7	5.6
Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution 17 (1.25)	1.25	208	28.9	88.9	4.9
MSV Focus Hex 17L (1.18)	1.18	224	27.5	88.2	6.5
MSV Focus-Hex 16 (1.23)	1.23	218.9	29.1	89.1	7.5
Pacific XCite 16 (1.30)	1.3	220	26.7	87.6	6.6
Polyfibre Panthera 16 (1.30)	1.3	212.6	28.7	88	5.3
Solinco Hyper-G 16	1.3	219.5	26.3	89.3	7
Solinco Outlast 16L (1.25)	1.25	208	28.8	88.7	6.5
Solinco Revolution 16L (1.25)	1.25	212.6	28.4	88.5	8
Tecnifibre Black Code 15L (1.32)	1.32	210.3	29.5	87.6	6.1
Tecnifibre Black Code 4S 17 (1.25)	1.25	209.2	28.3	88.9	9.8
Tecnifibre Razor Code 17 (1.25)	1.25	229.2	29.6	88.7	5.6
Tecnifibre Razor Code 18 (1.20)	1.2	216.6	28.3	88.7	6.1
Tourna Big HItter Silver 16	1.25	209.2	26.3	88	6.8
Weiss Cannon Blue Rock N Power	1.2	224	27	88.7	11.1
Yonex Poly Tour HS 16 (1.30)	1.3	213.7	28.1	88.4	5
Yonex Poly Tour Spin 16L (1.25)	1.25	213.7	27.2	88.5	6.3

That’s very helpful! Thanks so much for the effort!

 

[Tennisspieler]

Another strong recommendation for Silver 7 Tour here, in the 17 gauge. Excellent playability up until the last hour or two before it breaks, and great tension maintenance so you can string it low if that's what you like, and know that it won't get loose and start trampolining balls on you.

Actually that’s pretty much what I wanted to hear. Sounds interesting. I think I‘m looking for a string which is similar to the smooth Kirschbaum Max Power that I’m using as a cross string, but with more ball bite. Looks like Tournament Silver 7 Tour could tick that box.

 

[happyandbob]

That’s very helpful! Thanks so much for the effort!

given your desire for sharp edges, from that list Black Code 4S, Hyper G, and Poly Tour Spin are very sharp and will hold tension better than Cyclone.

 

[happyandbob]

here are two other strings mentioned above. The TWU db only has the 1.3 mm Silver 7 Tour, but it looks like a thinner gauge would put it right near Focus-Hex for stiffness.

String	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	Spin Potential
Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 16 (1.30)	1.3	238.3	18.7	90.1	NA
Solinco Tour Bite 16L (1.25)	1.25	237.7	25.2	88.4	5.9
Solinco Tour Bite 17	1.2	181.2	48.6	85.2	6.3

 

[Tennisspieler]

given your desire for sharp edges, from that list Black Code 4S, Hyper G, and Poly Tour Spin are very sharp and will hold tension better than Cyclone.

Already had my eyes on Black Code 4S, given the TWU data and the good reviews.

 

[Tennisspieler]

here are two other strings mentioned above. The TWU db only has the 1.3 mm Silver 7 Tour, but it looks like a thinner gauge would put it right near Focus-Hex for stiffness.

String	Gauge	Stiffness	Tension Loss Pct	Energy Return Pct	Spin Potential
Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 16 (1.30)	1.3	238.3	18.7	90.1	NA
Solinco Tour Bite 16L (1.25)	1.25	237.7	25.2	88.4	5.9
Solinco Tour Bite 17	1.2	181.2	48.6	85.2	6.3

Again, very helpful. Thanks!

 

[Injured Again]

Actually that’s pretty much what I wanted to hear. Sounds interesting. I think I‘m looking for a string which is similar to the smooth Kirschbaum Max Power that I’m using as a cross string, but with more ball bite. Looks like Tournament Silver 7 Tour could tick that box.

I've tried Silver 7 Tour in a hybrid with a smooth poly cross a couple of times and each time I thought the more elastic cross diluted the crisp and controlled nature of a full bed of S7T. I eventually came to realize that at least for my game, lowering the tension overall worked as well for putting some cush into the stringbed as using a softer cross so that's the route I've gone. Using lower tensions overall in a full bed of S7T still results in a more stable stringbed than using a softer poly cross in my experience.

 

[JOSHL]

Already had my eyes on Black Code 4S, given the TWU data and the good reviews.

Black code 4s is not sharp at all.

 

[WYK]

It will be difficult to beat HyperG and Confidential. Confidential plays more dead, so it tends to not bring any surprises as it goes deader. The ball bite is excellent(I was easily able to kick balls halfway up the fence on second serves using a Clash 100). But HyperG in the thicker gauges is fairly dead and controlled as well. I have it in 1.30 as a test in my Phantom and in a Prince 98, and the launch angle is rather tame compared to it's 1.20 counterpart, with noticeably less liveliness and more control.

 

[Martves613]

Many users here have high praise for Mayami Tour Hex as perfect middle ground between good control, above average spin potential, tension maintenance a playability. That said, this only works in full bed.
If you want some rly ultra high spin potential with OK tension maintenance, there is Mayami Big Spin. Comes with few problems of its own (see Mayami thread)

T1 firewire works quite perfect in hybrid. It gives you that extra bite, good tension maintenance and low power.

If you want to go all out into ball territory Grapplesnake Cube Extra Sharp is the string. But this time, you don´t need to worry about tension maintenance cause it will saw through your cross in few sets...

I would also advice to consider, that square shaped polys come with noticable change in weight of your racquet and balance. Check this post for more info: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ring-shape-on-diameter-gauge-and-area.561786/

 

[happyandbob]

Black code 4s is not sharp at all.

I found Black Code 4S to be very grippy

 

[JOSHL]

I found Black Code 4S to be very grippy

It has good snap back for sure, it’s slick and square in shape but the edges are rounded off not sharp.

 

[EggSalad]

Can someone link me the TW string database.

Although I’m not sure if Tier One strings are included. I’m mainly curious to compare FireWire Boost with Hyper G.

 

[happyandbob]

Can someone link me the TW string database.

Although I’m not sure if Tier One strings are included. I’m mainly curious to compare FireWire Boost with Hyper G.

String Performance Database

A tennis string comparison tool allowing the user to design reports on string stiffness, energy return, tension loss, peak impact force, impact tension increase, dwell time, deflection, etc., for user-defined impact conditions including string tension and swing speed.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

only contains strings that TW sells or used to sell

 

[EggSalad]

String Performance Database

A tennis string comparison tool allowing the user to design reports on string stiffness, energy return, tension loss, peak impact force, impact tension increase, dwell time, deflection, etc., for user-defined impact conditions including string tension and swing speed.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

only contains strings that TW sells or used to sell

thank you!

 

[Tennisspieler]

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful and much appreciated.

Tried Tier One Firewire years ago and thought it was an interesting string. Excellent ball bite and spin, great tension maintenance, and good all around playability. In a full bed it didn’t last long for me though. A hybrid with a smooth round poly fixed that issue and still felt very grippy. My only only gripe was the sometimes unpredictable launch angle which I attributed to the triangular shape of Firewire. A negligible trade-off during practicing sessions, but distracting during tight league matches.

Maybe I should give it another go as I’ve switched racquets since I last used this set-up.

Or use Black Code 4S instead? At least on paper it looks like its 4 edges might give a slightly more uniform response.

 

[Tennisspieler]

I've tried Silver 7 Tour in a hybrid with a smooth poly cross a couple of times and each time I thought the more elastic cross diluted the crisp and controlled nature of a full bed of S7T. I eventually came to realize that at least for my game, lowering the tension overall worked as well for putting some cush into the stringbed as using a softer cross so that's the route I've gone. Using lower tensions overall in a full bed of S7T still results in a more stable stringbed than using a softer poly cross in my experience.

Thanks for sharing that experience. Sounds like you went on a similar quest like I do now. So maybe I’m looking at the wrong direction and should rather also reconsider a full bed of shaped poly strings, at the right tension.

And I guess I should put Silver Tour 7 on my demo list.

 

[blai212]

tier one black knight is the answer. Plays like a softer spinnier/grippier more powerful RPM blast. (ive noticed all black strings play deadish, BK is no different but at low tension it shines) I found great success with BK/cream setup. HG is also a good option as a slightly more lively version of cyclone.

 

[Mischko]

Tourna Silver 7 Tour is the answer. you can string it really low. but just a side note - s7t 1.25 is ~1.23 and 1.30 is more like 1.28. but I'm sure that for most racquets 1.25 is much better, maybe only for 100 sq in with open 16x19 pattern I'd try the 1.30 version. I break strings quickly, and s7t 1.25 lasts a lot, both in full bed or in mains with head lynx tour in crosses

 

[blai212]

i found tourna s7t to be quite jarring on off center shots and not comfortable enough for my arm…for whatever reason, my arm does not agree with the crispness of silver colored strings

 

[Tennisspieler]

Interesting to see that the strings suggested so far are mostly those I had been considering. Black Code 4S, Tour Bite, Confidential, Black Night.

Tourna 7 Tour Silver wasn’t on my list though. Excited to give it a try.

 

[ron schaap]

i say Weisscanon ultra cable. The most durable and sharp edged string i know, but also not enough power even for poly.

 

[Injured Again]

i say Weisscanon ultra cable. The most durable and sharp edged string i know, but also not enough power even for poly.

Ultra Cable is durable and very sharply edged, but the tension maintenance on it is pretty terrible.

 

[Tennisspieler]

Ultra Cable is durable and very sharply edged, but the tension maintenance on it is pretty terrible.

Always wanted to try Ultra Cable just for fun. I guess in terms of tension maintenance Tier One Firewire is the better deal.

 

[KaiserW]

I would give Hyper G a try. It’s a great string, has pretty good tension maintenance and nice spin and control.

 

[blai212]

poly tour spin G felt low powered to me

 

[ragingbull1980]

Yonex poly tour spin, way more grabby than the G version. Also very low power and good tension maintenance. Revolution is pretty good too, just crisper.

 

[blai212]

i have seen multiple negative reviews on both poly tour spin and revolution. I did not care for Revolution…felt too dead to me. Havent tried poly tour spin but havent found much to like about yonex poly strings, not sure what all the buzz is about

 

[socallefty]

HyperG Soft.

 

[ron schaap]

pts is very durable and holds tension. So i dont know of other shaped strings that have these properties.

i have seen multiple negative reviews on both poly tour spin and revolution. I did not care for Revolution…felt too dead to me. Havent tried poly tour spin but havent found much to like about yonex poly strings, not sure what all the buzz is about

 

[Tennisspieler]

Ordered a set of 7 Tour Silver, racquet is at my stringer. Excited to see how it plays! Will report back.

Open to further suggestions if anyone wants to share their experiences. Thanks again to everyone for your ideas!

 

[408tennisguy]

Genesis Typhoon has great tension maintenance

 

[Dillon4787]

@Tennisspieler I would 100% recommend Weiss Cannon Blue Rock N Power for what you're after.

 

[Injured Again]

@Tennisspieler I would 100% recommend Weiss Cannon Blue Rock N Power for what you're after.

I tested a full bed of Rock N Power and it was one of the worst strings I've ever used.

Weiss Cannon Blue Rock'n Power/Hybrid

Seems like it has been three years since there's been significant mention of this string, and while it was pretty polarized at that time, there were quite a few who felt this string was pretty decent. I'm looking at it as a (hopefully) slightly lighter version of Ultra Cable, which I enjoyed...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Dillon4787]

I tested a full bed of Rock N Power and it was one of the worst strings I've ever used.

Weiss Cannon Blue Rock'n Power/Hybrid

Seems like it has been three years since there's been significant mention of this string, and while it was pretty polarized at that time, there were quite a few who felt this string was pretty decent. I'm looking at it as a (hopefully) slightly lighter version of Ultra Cable, which I enjoyed...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

LOL. Maybe you’re not after what OP is after. Lower the tension and with a slippery round cross, you can’t get better bite.

 

[beepee1972]

I would advise Focus Hex or KB Black Shark as low powered, affordable, shaped polys. A bit more power (and comfort) would be Focus Hex Soft. More durabillity would be Focus Hex Ultra ;-)
PS: I used KB Black shark mains with Pro Line II crosses for a lot of my customers. None ever complained. 1 had issues with durabillity, but he was a national player at high level with a rather open pattern.

 

[BPlain]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a low-powered shaped (or rough) poly with good tension maintenance. Particularly one that gives excellent ball bite.

Some background: I used a full bed of Völkl Cyclone or MSV Focus Hex over many years. At some point, I switched to Kirschbaum Max Power in the crosses for reduced string friction and better durability, which has worked very well so far. For me, this set-up provides a very good blend of control, spin and longevity.

However, as I had become used to playing with a full bed of shaped polys, I'm now sometimes missing the extra ball bite. My current shaped/round hybrid set-up feels noticeably smoother. I feel like the stringbed doesn't grab the ball as well as I wish it would.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep Kirschbaum Max Power in the crosses, but hoping to find an alternative string for the mains.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

(I'm a 5.0 league player, mid 40s, counter-puncher. I use a leaded-up Völkl Super G 8.)

I’ve also played with Cyclone and MSV Focus Hex in the past and like the idea, if not always the execution, of full bed poly shaped strings. And similar profile to you - 4.5, early 40s, PK Q+Tour at 345g all in.

While I liked T1 FireWire Boost hybrid, I’ve now switched to T1 Black Knight / Ghostwire hybrid and it’s excellent. You still get that grip and ball pocketing without the launch angle issues - at least on my frame.

I believe the Tourna mentioned is much stiffer than your go-to strings so just something to be aware of. Have to look out for my fellow tennis nerd’s elbows!

 

[Tennisspieler]

I would advise Focus Hex or KB Black Shark as low powered, affordable, shaped polys. A bit more power (and comfort) would be Focus Hex Soft. More durabillity would be Focus Hex Ultra ;-)
PS: I used KB Black shark mains with Pro Line II crosses for a lot of my customers. None ever complained. 1 had issues with durabillity, but he was a national player at high level with a rather open pattern.

I tried Kirschbaum Pro Line a few years ago and really liked it. Excellent round poly with good playability that lasts long. I feel in general Kirschbaum produces quality strings that hold tension well. Particularly true for Max Power of course.

Thanks for bringing up Focus Hex Ultra. Maybe I should consider this one too. A full bed of regular Focus Hex has felt a bit lively to me (in the very powerful open pattern Völkl Super G 8 I’m using, so YMMV). This was one of the reasons I started using Max Power as a cross. For more predictability, longevity, and lower power as well.

I have yet to try Black Knight. Lots of positive reviews.

 

[Tennisspieler]

I’ve also played with Cyclone and MSV Focus Hex in the past and like the idea, if not always the execution, of full bed poly shaped strings. And similar profile to you - 4.5, early 40s, PK Q+Tour at 345g all in.

While I liked T1 FireWire Boost hybrid, I’ve now switched to T1 Black Knight / Ghostwire hybrid and it’s excellent. You still get that grip and ball pocketing without the launch angle issues - at least on my frame.

I believe the Tourna mentioned is much stiffer than your go-to strings so just something to be aware of. Have to look out for my fellow tennis nerd’s elbows!

Thanks for the heads up! I’ve asked my stringer to string Tourna Silver 7 Tour a bit lower than my usual go-to set-up Focus Hex/Max Power, to compensate for the stiffer main string. First I was thinking of keeping the same tension, for a better apple-to-apple comparison. However, as I am planning to string Silver 7 Tour lower anyways if I am to use it as my new setup, I decided to go down in tension right away.

 

[Tennisspieler]

Thanks again everyone for your insights and ideas! It’s already been very helpful.

 

[SeeItHitIt]

interesting read. I never thought that crosses lent a lot to the spin equation, and in fact, still think smooth crosses allow greater main movement/loading than shaped crosses. I’m not a 5.0 player and the OP obviously knows what he’s looking for.

 

[Mischko]

smooth crosses doesn't mean round. crosses can be shaped and have super low friction. in fact, most shaped strings have been engineered exactly like that

 

[MoxMonkey]

You mentioned your racquet was leaded up.

After going through a month of having frankly to much lead on my racquet(rf97), I took it off yesterday.

I think the SW was around 360-370 "look mom I'm pete sampras!", which although had some benefits(net stability, ability to return rockets on occasion, being able to hammer away from deep, and I'm pretty sure my arm got physically bigger) overall it was an expirement that went on to far.

What i noticed after removing said lead was how much more spin I was generating, how much easier it was to want to swing out fully, while still having confidence it would not go long.

So I guess what I am saying here is that adjusting the amount and/or position of the lead on your racquet could very well affect how much spin you end up generating as well.

 

[Tennisspieler]

Good point. Lead increases stability and power, but of course makes it more challenging to swing the racquet and thus to produce spin.

My current racquet, the Völkl Super G 8 (300), has a low swing weight in stock form. I added moderate amounts of lead at the 6/9 and 12 o’clock position to fix this. Works well for me. Super stable and solid (as most Völkls feel, I guess thanks to the dampening system in the handle.).