Luxilon ALU Power- does it live up to the hype?

Hi all,

Looking for feedback on the Luxilon ALU Power strings. It seems to be one of the premier poly strings on the market. For those that have played with this string, did it live up to its billing/reputation? I also noticed it has quite a high score on the TW review (92!). I am looking for the right poly string for my Head Extreme 2.0- will be using a full-bed poly set-up. Here's what I'm looking for in a string (from least important to most important):

-Spin
-Comfort
-Tension Maintenance
-Durability
-Control

Obviously there are other factors to consider as well, (such as price), but these are the factors that are most important to me. Based on this, would you recommend this string? Are there other similar/comparable strings?
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Alu Power isn't for your average Joe IMO. The string plays extremely well for the first few hours (5-6 hours I'd say), but then there is an extreme drop in playability. This makes the string hardly worth the price tag, which is the case for most Luxilon strings.

A good value string that offers all you are looking for is Kirschbaum Pro Line X.

If you really want to look into Luxilon though, based on your criteria, 4G would be their best string for you.
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
Alu Power is a fantastic string that does everything well. Although it may be a bit to powerful for the already powerful frame that you're using. I personally feel the frame that you're using performs best with a low powered string. Alu Power is a medium to high powered string. Just my opinion though. Everyone will have their own.
 
Alu Power isn't for your average Joe IMO. The string plays extremely well for the first few hours (5-6 hours I'd say), but then there is an extreme drop in playability. This makes the string hardly worth the price tag, which is the case for most Luxilon strings.

A good value string that offers all you are looking for is Kirschbaum Pro Line X.

If you really want to look into Luxilon though, based on your criteria, 4G would be their best string for you.

Awesome! Thank you so much for the feedback and the suggestion. I am definitely not a huge hitter so I don't need a top of the line poly, I'm just looking for a solid string at a fair price. The extreme demands a poly with low power and control, so I'll definitely look into the kirschbaum. Thanks again!
 
Alu Power is a fantastic string that does everything well. Although it may be a bit to powerful for the already powerful frame that you're using. I personally feel the frame that you're using performs best with a low powered string. Alu Power is a medium to high powered string. Just my opinion though. Everyone will have their own.


I really appreciate your input. What low powered poly would you recommend?
 

drgchen

Rookie
Alu power is the best poly that I have used to date. I've tried over 15 polys.
It isn't the best string for the price, so when I play recreational players, I use other stuff in my racquet.
 

bertrevert

Legend
You have to go poly if the most imptnt factor to you is spin.

Hyped? What where who? Slap 'em.

But yeah the first time you string Lux loose and low and enjoy the spin is a great thing. Up to you whether your elbow likes you for it thereafter...
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
It is worth the hype for the first two hours. After that, no poly is worth the hype in my opinion.

I've used poly for years, but I finally gave it up after I got feed up with it hitting differently every time I hit the courts.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
It is worth the hype for the first two hours. After that, no poly is worth the hype in my opinion.

I've used poly for years, but I finally gave it up after I got feed up with it hitting differently every time I hit the courts.

I agree it is the best thing going for about 2 hours and then it goes downhill fast.
 

Audiophile

Rookie
I played with ALU exclusively for about 2 years when it first came out. I really liked it, for the first few sets. Like others have said, when the playability drops off, it goes in a hurry.

The tension maintenance is pretty bad. I would have to cut it out and restring, and even with me stringing that gets a little costly.

When it first came out, it was great. If you can afford to have a fresh frame strung up for every couple of sets, it's still good. However, in today's world, there are better choices, IMO.
 

Audiophile

Rookie
Polys from Signum, MSV, Polyfibre, just to name a few, all have good offerings.

After the ALU, I played with Polyfibre TCS for several seasons. I liked the improved feel from that string. Unfortunately, I found the tension maintenance to not be much better than ALU.

The best string I have tried to date, is the current one I play with. YTex Quadro Twist. I like the touch, feel, access to spin, and tension maintenance a lot. I currently have it in the mains with YTex Pro Tour in the crosses.

Please keep in mind though, I'm a firm believer in what works for me, may not work well for you.
 
So is there a poly that offers all that I am looking for including tension maintenance and durability? Or does every poly die after 5-6 hours? I feel like I am searching for the holy grail of polys, even though I know it doesn't exist...
 

Lukhas

Legend
So is there a poly that offers all that I am looking for including tension maintenance and durability? Or does every poly die after 5-6 hours? I feel like I am searching for the holy grail of polys, even though I know it doesn't exist...
Poly dies quickly, period. It may go after 5 or 10 hours (for high level players that's already pushing), but it dies faster than the rest. That's why string breakers like it: they shred anything else faster so for them poly is advantageous.

If you want to play with co-poly, you'll have to stomach the cost. But first and foremost, I suggest investing in a stringing machine and a reel of your favourite string. Will cut you some costs big time.
EDIT: I can tell you that you're not the only one searching for said "holy grail". Believe me we would be quite a few to use it if it really existed.
 
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Poly dies quickly, period. It may go after 5 or 10 hours (for high level players that's already pushing), but it dies faster than the rest. That's why string breakers like it: they shred anything else faster so for them poly is advantageous.

If you want to play with co-poly, you'll have to stomach the cost. But first and foremost, I suggest investing in a stringing machine and a reel of your favourite string. Will cut you some costs big time.
EDIT: I can tell you that you're not the only one searching for said "holy grail". Believe me we would be quite a few to use it if it really existed.


Excellent info! I'm afraid this racquet demands a co-poly, so I'll have to eat the cost anyways. It definitely needs to be one of the more durable ones though, to sell me on it.
 

idono1301

Semi-Pro
Polys from Signum, MSV, Polyfibre, just to name a few, all have good offerings.

After the ALU, I played with Polyfibre TCS for several seasons. I liked the improved feel from that string. Unfortunately, I found the tension maintenance to not be much better than ALU.

The best string I have tried to date, is the current one I play with. YTex Quadro Twist. I like the touch, feel, access to spin, and tension maintenance a lot. I currently have it in the mains with YTex Pro Tour in the crosses.

Please keep in mind though, I'm a firm believer in what works for me, may not work well for you.

Thanks, I'll look more into those. Because I string my own rackets, I'm not too concerned with tension maintenance, mostly cost.
 
I agree with SpinToWin, when Alu Power just comes of the stringing machine there is nothing like it,(power,spin.control). However,after a couple of hours the standard drops by a lot. Get Pros pro cyber power or red devil. If you are in america BigT sells them and in Europe ******depotUK sells Pros Pro strings
 

Pete.Sampras.

Semi-Pro
When I tried alu power (rough) for the first time a few years back, I said "this is the string I've been looking for". It was better than any other string I've used before.

The magic doesn't last long and the price isn't low. If you play a lot it will be an expensive choice. I've looked for cheaper options myself, but I always keep coming back to alu - nothing beats it.

There's a new Kirschbaum string which is probably very similar to alu power. I think it's not out yet, but this could be a cheaper option. But we'll have to wait and see. Lots of companies try to come up with something like Luxilon's alu string but haven't managed to give you exactly the kind of "magic" alu gives you when it's strung fresh.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
When I tried alu power (rough) for the first time a few years back, I said "this is the string I've been looking for". It was better than any other string I've used before.

The magic doesn't last long and the price isn't low. If you play a lot it will be an expensive choice. I've looked for cheaper options myself, but I always keep coming back to alu - nothing beats it.

There's a new Kirschbaum string which is probably very similar to alu power. I think it's not out yet, but this could be a cheaper option. But we'll have to wait and see. Lots of companies try to come up with something like Luxilon's alu string but haven't managed to give you exactly the kind of "magic" alu gives you when it's strung fresh.

After my initial hit… This may be the one. Incredible string
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Hi all,

Looking for feedback on the Luxilon ALU Power strings. It seems to be one of the premier poly strings on the market. For those that have played with this string, did it live up to its billing/reputation? I also noticed it has quite a high score on the TW review (92!). I am looking for the right poly string for my Head Extreme 2.0- will be using a full-bed poly set-up. Here's what I'm looking for in a string (from least important to most important):

-Spin
-Comfort
-Tension Maintenance
-Durability
-Control

Obviously there are other factors to consider as well, (such as price), but these are the factors that are most important to me. Based on this, would you recommend this string? Are there other similar/comparable strings?


you can try the 4G also but it is not worth it. too Low of power
 

dknotty

Semi-Pro
In a word No.

I get shoulder aggro from ALU power. There are much more comfortable great strings out there. Yonex Poly Tour Pro and Volkl Cyclone Tour being a couple of examples.
 
Hi all,

Looking for feedback on the Luxilon ALU Power strings. It seems to be one of the premier poly strings on the market. For those that have played with this string, did it live up to its billing/reputation? I also noticed it has quite a high score on the TW review (92!). I am looking for the right poly string for my Head Extreme 2.0- will be using a full-bed poly set-up. Here's what I'm looking for in a string (from least important to most important):

-Spin
-Comfort
-Tension Maintenance
-Durability
-Control

Obviously there are other factors to consider as well, (such as price), but these are the factors that are most important to me. Based on this, would you recommend this string? Are there other similar/comparable strings?

Alu Power is the most uncomfortable string I ever played with. Playability duration is also dreadful.
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
Alu Power is the most uncomfortable string I ever played with. Playability duration is also dreadful.

It must be either your racket or the tension at which you had it strung. It performs very well at low tensions. My experience has been just the opposite. After playing with over 20 different co-polys this summer I've decided that this string was in the top three for comfort and number one for control. It also provided excellent power and feel. I got about 10 hours out of it before it started feeling dead and lost some of it's magic. And 10 hours for me is really good for a co-poly. So I guess it just goes to show that what works for one person doesn't always work for another. Strings are very subjective.
 
Alu Power isn't for your average Joe IMO. The string plays extremely well for the first few hours (5-6 hours I'd say), but then there is an extreme drop in playability. This makes the string hardly worth the price tag, which is the case for most Luxilon strings.

A good value string that offers all you are looking for is Kirschbaum Pro Line X.

If you really want to look into Luxilon though, based on your criteria, 4G would be their best string for you.

If cost is the main point… Get Pro's Pro strings. Best value strings I have found.

Kirschbaum Max Power and Kirschbaum Max Power Rough.

Thanks for the suggestions SpinToWin. What is the best value string among all the ones you listed above? Seems like Luxilon is a bit overpriced. My previous full-bed copoly of choice was MSV Focus Hex Soft. How would you compare that string to your suggestions?
 

Chico

Banned
Alu Power isn't for your average Joe IMO. The string plays extremely well for the first few hours (5-6 hours I'd say), but then there is an extreme drop in playability. This makes the string hardly worth the price tag, which is the case for most Luxilon strings.

A good value string that offers all you are looking for is Kirschbaum Pro Line X.

If you really want to look into Luxilon though, based on your criteria, 4G would be their best string for you.

This. It is a fantastic string for the first several hours of play, but after that it is garbage. If you have money to restring that often and it does not bother your arm just go for it. However it is not for me because of both reasons I mentioned.

I use a bit more durable softer polys, Kirschbaum Pro Line being one of them or Tecnifibre Black Code for example.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Thanks for the suggestions SpinToWin. What is the best value string among all the ones you listed above? Seems like Luxilon is a bit overpriced. My previous full-bed copoly of choice was MSV Focus Hex Soft. How would you compare that string to your suggestions?

Kirschbaum Max Power (Rough) will be fairly expensive, according to pre-release prices around €130 for a reel (barely cheaper than RPM Blast). However, the string is very very good. I haven't hit MSV Focus Hex Soft so I cannot make a good comparison really...

Pro's Pro has several good offerings and has by far the best value for their strings. I can get a reel of a good co-poly for €24, which is ridiculous really. I recently bought 6 reels of poly strings for €141, which is only just more than what Max Power will cost and far from what Alu Power costs (€230).
 

idono1301

Semi-Pro
Kirschbaum Max Power (Rough) will be fairly expensive, according to pre-release prices around €130 for a reel (barely cheaper than RPM Blast). However, the string is very very good. I haven't hit MSV Focus Hex Soft so I cannot make a good comparison really...

Pro's Pro has several good offerings and has by far the best value for their strings. I can get a reel of a good co-poly for €24, which is ridiculous really. I recently bought 6 reels of poly strings for €141, which is only just more than what Max Power will cost and far from what Alu Power costs (€230).

That's unfortunate that Max Power will cost so much.

I'm currently playing with nano vendetta but miss Alu. Do you think cyber power plays close to it? (the US pros pro distributor says "compare to alu power")
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
That's unfortunate that Max Power will cost so much.

I'm currently playing with nano vendetta but miss Alu. Do you think cyber power plays close to it? (the US pros pro distributor says "compare to alu power")

I've heard that Cyber Power plays closer to Alu Power than any other of their strings.

I personally just buy thin gauges as I can enjoy the added playability without having to fear the added cost of stringing.
 
I just purchased a few sets of Pro's Pro string to do side-by-side comparisons for myself. One thing I'm curious about is how they (Big T) compare Cyber Power to ALU Power Rough AND Weis Cannon Silverstring. That doesn't add up to me. Silverstring doesn't play like Power Rough - that much I already know, so it doesn't make sense that Cyber Power can play like two strings that are quite dissimilar. I guess I'll know soon enough.

I will say that if CP does compare favorably to Power Rough I would think they'd have a hard time keeping it on the shelf.
 
It must be either your racket or the tension at which you had it strung. It performs very well at low tensions. My experience has been just the opposite. After playing with over 20 different co-polys this summer I've decided that this string was in the top three for comfort and number one for control. It also provided excellent power and feel. I got about 10 hours out of it before it started feeling dead and lost some of it's magic. And 10 hours for me is really good for a co-poly. So I guess it just goes to show that what works for one person doesn't always work for another. Strings are very subjective.

I played with my Prince graphite 93, which is a very comfortable racket. The tension was 54 lbs, which is my standard tension. I never experienced this much arm troubles with any other poly. Also, I had to cut out the string after 4 hours of very hard hitting with heavy top spin.

Playability duration depends on the person playing with the string, but comfort is very objective. So it really surprises me that you have alu power in your top three for comfort.
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
I played with my Prince graphite 93, which is a very comfortable racket. The tension was 54 lbs, which is my standard tension. I never experienced this much arm troubles with any other poly. Also, I had to cut out the string after 4 hours of very hard hitting with heavy top spin.

Playability duration depends on the person playing with the string, but comfort is very objective. So it really surprises me that you have alu power in your top three for comfort.

Alu Power at 54 in a 93" head sounds way to high to me. That would feel like a board. When I used Alu Power in my Tour 90's I couldn't go any higher than 46 without it starting to feel too stiff. Now I'm using the Prestige Pro's with a 98" head and still only go as high as 48. Like I said, it plays unbelievably well at low tensions. Without losing a bit of control. And yes, it's very comfortable compared to a lot of other poly's out there. "At low tensions."
 

idono1301

Semi-Pro
I've heard that Cyber Power plays closer to Alu Power than any other of their strings.

I personally just buy thin gauges as I can enjoy the added playability without having to fear the added cost of stringing.

You mean nano cyber power? cyber power is compared to Alu flouro

I just purchased a few sets of Pro's Pro string to do side-by-side comparisons for myself. One thing I'm curious about is how they (Big T) compare Cyber Power to ALU Power Rough AND Weis Cannon Silverstring. That doesn't add up to me. Silverstring doesn't play like Power Rough - that much I already know, so it doesn't make sense that Cyber Power can play like two strings that are quite dissimilar. I guess I'll know soon enough.

I will say that if CP does compare favorably to Power Rough I would think they'd have a hard time keeping it on the shelf.

They actually compare lethal 5 to Alu rough. As mentioned above, nano cyber power is compared to Alu smooth. Quite a difference between the rough/regular versions. Not sure if that makes a difference.
 
Alu Power at 54 in a 93" head sounds way to high to me. That would feel like a board. When I used Alu Power in my Tour 90's I couldn't go any higher than 46 without it starting to feel too stiff. Now I'm using the Prestige Pro's with a 98" head and still only go as high as 48. Like I said, it plays unbelievably well at low tensions. Without losing a bit of control. And yes, it's very comfortable compared to a lot of other poly's out there. "At low tensions."

You know what, I will give it another try at lower tension!!
 
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