Mikeler's Polys

[mikeler]

Mikeler's Poly Hybrids

Original post:

First off, this may be a very short thread since I've not played with polys at all the last 18 months. I strung up a full bed today of PolyStar Energy (PE) 17 at 50 pounds and a hybrid of Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge (B5E) 17 at 50 pounds with Mantis Comfort Synthetic (MCS) 16 at 55 pounds.

Stringing the PE was not too bad on the mains. Knots are harder on polys, I forgot about that! The crosses were tough because the string is so slippery. The B5E mains were a breeze and MCS is the easiest string for me to work with, so the 2nd racket probably took half the time of the first.

I bounced some balls off both setups and compared them to my 3rd racket with the multifilament Babolat Addiction at 60 pounds. The PE felt the softest, followed by the B5E hybrid and then the Addiction. We'll see how they perform in battle. I plan on playing a set tomorrow with each poly setup.

All strings (except B5E/ThB) were put in my Babolat Pure Storm Tour Plus (non GT) with a leather grip. B5E/ThB was in my Pro Kennex 7Gs. I play with heavy spin on most shots at a 4.5 level and 95% of my matches are on Har-Tru. I string on a Gamma X-ST lockout machine. Rankings below:

Update, I'm now testing full poly setups in my new Prince Tour 100T ESP frames.

Full poly
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One of my favorite strings playability wise but it has broken on me 4 times on shank, 3 times in an hour:
Discho Iontec Salmon 16

Another string I really like but it broke on a shank also:
Tier One Firewire 16

Dishonorable Mention
Weiss Cannon Ultra Cable 16. I just make too many errors with this one, others like it though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Tier One Firewire Boost Hybrid (Firewire mains/Neos-2 crosses) 16
2. Volkl Cyclone 16
3. Tier One Black Knight 16
4. Volkl Cyclone Tour 16
5. Genesis Trionic 16
6. Genesis Typhoon 16L
7. Ytex Square X 16L
8. Ytex Quadro Twist Black 16L
9. Solinco Barb Wire 16
10. Golden Set Snake-Bite 16
11. Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Spin 16
12. Golden Set Power Chord 16
13. Head Lynx 16
14. Wilson Ripspin 15
15. Prince Tour XC 15
16. Tecnifibre Razor Code 16
17. Weiss Cannon Scorpion 15
18. Tourna Big Hitter Black 7, 16g
19. Kirschbaum Spiky Black Shark 16
20. Gamma Moto 16
21. Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17
22. Head Sonic Pro Edge 16
23. Laserfibre Vorso 16
24. Solinco Tour Bite Soft 16
25. Topspin Cyber Flash 15
26. Head Hawk 17
27. Signum Pro Poly Plasma 16
28. Dunlop Ice 16
29. Yonex Poly Tour Pro 16L
30. Prince Beast XP 15
31. Genesis True Grit 16
32. Prince Tour XS 15L
NR Tecnifibre X-Code 16

Poly main hybrids with multi crosses

1. Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 mains/Genesis Thunder Blast 16 crosses
2. Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 mains/Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16 crosses
3. Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 mains/Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 crosses
4. Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17 mains/Babolat NVY 16 crosses
5. Signum Pro Tornado 17 mains/Weiss Cannon Explosiv 16 crosses
6. Genesis Black Magic 17 mains/Weiss Cannon Explosiv 16 crosses
7. Dunlop Black Widow 17 mains/Mantis Comfort 16 crosses short discussion

I did try Signum Pro Hyperion as a main but it bugged my elbow.

Poly/poly hybrid
1. Tier One Firewire Boost Hybrid (Firewire mains/Neos-2 crosses) 16
2. Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 mains/Prince Tour XC black 15 crosses
3. Volkl Cyclone 16 mains/Wilson Ripspin 15 crosses

Other polys I've tried include Pro Supex Big Ace as a main string (used this for about a year) and Luxilon Big Banger Original which wrecked my arm.

 

[Jeepers]

Cant wait for the reviews :twisted:

 

[Torres]

I hope you're going to test strings for more than an hour before reviewing them this time.

 

[JackB1]

I have one of my racquets strung with full B5E.

 

[mikeler]

I have one of my racquets strung with full B5E.

How does it play.

I hope you're going to test strings for more than an hour before reviewing them this time.

I'll take as much time as necessary to get a feel for the string and update if needed. If you don't like that approach then start your own thread.

 

[bad_call]

this player doesn't need more than 1 hour to make a reasonable playing assessment. optimal string tension plays a significant role during evaluation. unfavorable conditions (weather, etc) should be viewed as such. however assessing durability, tension maintenance and playability requires a greater amount of time.

mikeler - welcome to the poly hybrid hitters. good luck in your search.

 

[bad_call]

I have one of my racquets strung with full B5E.

whattt....:shock: you're living on the edge.

 

[mikeler]

The X1 review will be updated tonight.

 

[mikeler]

I reserve the right to cut out string when I darn well please. If that tarnishes the review, I don't care. I'm just trying to provide information. Use it at your own risk!

 

[JackB1]

How does it play.




I'll take as much time as necessary to get a feel for the string and update if needed. If you don't like that approach then start your own thread.

Just strung the B5E today

 

[mikeler]

Just strung the B5E today

Seemed relatively soft to me.

 

[SteveI]

I reserve the right to cut out string when I darn well please. If that tarnishes the review, I don't care. I'm just trying to provide information. Use it at your own risk!

Hey Mikeler,

Thanks for your efforts. I have found these reviews to be quite helpful. You have to look at Mikeler's playing style.. level.. frame and the fact that he plays a ton on clay.. and lives in a very southern state and adjust your insights due to those factors. There are so many strings.. so many frames.. tension.. and hybrid set-ups these days it can be quite crazy to select a set-up that will match your frame, swing speedswing length and skill set. All of these reviews help reduce the field and give you a nice place to start your quest. They are not intended guide you to the perfect set-up.. If you want that... pay a pro to watch you play.. and then have them chat with a very experienced MRT.. all at your cost.

Again...thanks Mike!! Keep up the good work!

Steve

 

[mikeler]

Hey Mikeler,

Thanks for your efforts. I have found these reviews to be quite helpful. You have to look at Mikeler's playing style.. level.. frame and the fact that he plays a ton on clay.. and lives in a very southern state and adjust your insights due to those factors. There are so many strings.. so many frames.. tension.. and hybrid set-ups these days it can be quite crazy to select a set-up that will match your frame, swing speedswing length and skill set. All of these reviews help reduce the field and give you a nice place to start your quest. They are not intended guide you to the perfect set-up.. If you want that... pay a pro to watch you play.. and then have them chat with a very experienced MRT.. all at your cost.

Again...thanks Mike!! Keep up the good work!

Steve

Thanks Steve. You really summed up my thoughts well. There are way too many variables involved to think a single review will help you find that perfect setup. I'm behind on the poly curve anyways, so anything I review in this thread you'll be able to compare in quite a few other threads. With the multifilament strings, in some cases there were no other reviews anywhere so my goal was to put something out there sooner rather than later to help the masses.

 

[Chace]

Hey Mikeler, I enjoyed your thread on multis and look forward to your review of polys Thanks for all your time and info.

 

[NLBwell]

Hooray for the Mikeler's polys thread!

 

[Power Player]

Mikeler, I am staring at some Solinco Outlast that I think you may need to try. It is inexpensive, soft, and apparently has incredible playability.

Also I would suggest Mosquito Bite by Weiscannon, since it is a real thin string in the lines of Big Ace. I am about to string up a full bed at 50#s myself and I will let you know how it hits.

Other string I am trying out again is Hyperion, this time the thinner gauge..all softer polys listed here..but I am going full poly and not hybriding.

 

[Doubles]

Power Player, have you used outlast? It's on my list of strings to try...

 

[bad_call]

Torres,

I'm sorry my experiences did not match yours exactly. You are right and I am wrong. I apologize to the thousands or maybe millions I've duped into buying awful strings. I'll confess at church tomorrow for my sins.

mikeler - my attorney doesn't think i have much of a case and suggests settling out of court for some DF 90. i tend to agree.

 

[BigT]

What did you use 18 months ago?

 

[mctennis]

Hey Mikeler,

Thanks for your efforts. I have found these reviews to be quite helpful. You have to look at Mikeler's playing style.. level.. frame and the fact that he plays a ton on clay.. and lives in a very southern state and adjust your insights due to those factors. There are so many strings.. so many frames.. tension.. and hybrid set-ups these days it can be quite crazy to select a set-up that will match your frame, swing speedswing length and skill set. All of these reviews help reduce the field and give you a nice place to start your quest. They are not intended guide you to the perfect set-up.. If you want that... pay a pro to watch you play.. and then have them chat with a very experienced MRT.. all at your cost.

Again...thanks Mike!! Keep up the good work!

Steve

Excellent statement and I ditto your remarks Steve.

 

[JT_2eighty]

Yea, if B5e and PE work out for you, SP Hyperion and WC mosquito bite are two definite comfy polys to go for next.

 

[Lambsscroll]

Reviews based on the first hour or two of play are useless. His review of X-1 for example was nonsensical because it gives a completely inaccurate representation of that string.

It is sensical because he reviewed all the others the same way. No where in his multifilament thread did he say all strings will be tested for true performance after 2 hours of hitting. By the way if a club player or even a PRO for that matter has their racket strung wouldn't that person want all the good attributes from that string right from the get go? Further more many string testers find X-one holds tension well. Look at year 2010 and 2009 from this link. The 2009 poll is under Polls in the upper left portion of the page. http://www.stringforum.net/string2010.php

 

[Torres]

Look at year 2010 and 2009 from this link. The 2009 poll is under Polls in the upper left portion of the page. http://www.stringforum.net/string2010.php

You REALLY are slow on the update. The flaws with the polling methodology on Joe's has been answered time and time again on this forum. Just for your benefit - since you obviously have trouble reading and understanding the difference between good and bad testing methodology - they send out an email with a poll of 5 different string under different categories. Some idiot who has only played 1 or 2 of those strings, votes for the 1 or 2 even though they haven't played with the other 3 or 4. Joe's polling favors whatever string is most common or well known, not necessarily what offers the best performance.

ANYONE who has played with X1 knows that it turns into a trampolining catapult after a couple of hours. Its crisp, its soft, but it becomes far too elastic and too powerful too quickly. ANYONE who hits hard, has alot of racquet head speed, or hits through the court will not favor that string. It's a string for players who can't generate their own power, have short or compact stroke, or low swing speeds. Those are typically lower level players or older players.

 

[Torres]

You cant possibly know if the string testers wrote reviews before testing all five. Your also assuming the play testers aren't giving their true depiction of the strings. The biggest problem I find with your argument against X-one is your experience is from 18g x-one NOT x-one 16g that Mike used.

Its funny you should say that because only last night I hit with my friends T-Fight 320 strung with....16g. So that's the 1.18 and 1.24 that I've played to destruction, and now the 1.30 that played with at 3-4 hours in. Unless you're old, have weak arms, have slow or compact swings, and don't hit through the court, it's a rocket launching trampoline after a couple of hours. It will probably suit you very well.

 

[Lambsscroll]

Unless you're old, have weak arms, have slow or compact swings, and don't hit through the court, it's a rocket launching trampoline after a couple of hours. It will probably suit you very well.

Lol, you keep going back to poor playability after 2 hours. Mike's reviews weren't about string performance after 2 hours.

 

[Torres]

Lol, you keep going back to poor playability after 2 hours. Mike's reviews weren't about string performance after 2 hours.

Which is why those reviews - particularly the X-1 review - are flawed.

 

[Lambsscroll]

Which is why those reviews - particularly the X-1 review - are flawed.

He stated in his first paragraph he wasn't taking into account price or durability only playability to him. There for the reviews weren't flawed. http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048

 

[JackB1]

Which is why those reviews - particularly the X-1 review - are flawed.

Mikeler...this guy is obviously hell bent on disproving your string reviews, when ALL THE REST OF US understand what you are doing and find it all very helpful. I am not sure why he just doesn't let it rest...he made his point? If I were you, I would just ignore his points from here on out since he isn't saying anything new. Don't get involved in a pointless argument that just goes around and around.

 

[junk]

Which is why those reviews - particularly the X-1 review - are flawed.

torres, we get your point - x1 sux, and mikeler's review's are flawed and meaningless. no need to repeat this over and over again. many followers of mikeler's thread(s) are smart enough to realize that there many factors to take into consideration before buying reels of whatever string just because mikeler reviewed them. give the guy some credit - he's doing a great job and many of us are enjoying reading his observations. btw, i don't like x1 either - it doesn't play nearly as well as the price would suggest but so what - i don't put my bitter comments 100 times so everybody knows that x1 is not my favorite string

 

[mikeler]

Well I hit the PolyStar Energy 17 first this morning. It was a little stiffer than I had hoped but no arm problems. At 2-2 in the first set, I hit a forehand off the bottom of the racket and snapped it. A few other guys who are stringers looked at it and told me the grommets looked fine. I thought the same thing. Guess I'll see if I can get a replacement set but I'm probably out of luck. All I can say is that I hit a decent drop shot on the one I tried. This did seem to have a lot of spin.

So I used the B5E/MCS hybrid the rest of the 2.5 sets I played. I lost the first 4 games I played with that string. Definitely a different feeling than a full multi job. Once I got it dialed in, I played fairly well with it. Spin did not seem overwhelming but it was pretty nice in all areas of the game. I'll post a full review after I've hit with it some more.

Thanks everyone for the soft poly suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

 

[bad_call]

^ reads like the PE might be too fragile for your game. agree that the B5E is solid all around. the MCS cross didn't work as well for this player with B5E tho a stiffer cross does.

 

[mikeler]

^ reads like the PE might be too fragile for your game. agree that the B5E is solid all around. the MCS cross didn't work as well for this player with B5E tho a stiffer cross does.

I'm more concerned about arm health in my first foray back. Maybe in a few more months I can graduate to your preferred setup.

 

[JackB1]

Well I hit the PolyStar Energy 17 first this morning. It was a little stiffer than I had hoped but no arm problems. At 2-2 in the first set, I hit a forehand off the bottom of the racket and snapped it. A few other guys who are stringers looked at it and told me the grommets looked fine. I thought the same thing. Guess I'll see if I can get a replacement set but I'm probably out of luck. All I can say is that I hit a decent drop shot on the one I tried. This did seem to have a lot of spin.

So I used the B5E/MCS hybrid the rest of the 2.5 sets I played. I lost the first 4 games I played with that string. Definitely a different feeling than a full multi job. Once I got it dialed in, I played fairly well with it. Spin did not seem overwhelming but it was pretty nice in all areas of the game. I'll post a full review after I've hit with it some more.

Thanks everyone for the soft poly suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

Poly does definitely feel quite different from multi. Is your B5E hybrided with the poly in the mains or the crosses? I also agree that spin isn't "overwhelming" compared to multi's, but don't expect miracles. Spin is about 85% technique and 15% string. The poly will assist u a bit. I notice the difference in the last few feet of a groundstroke. With a poly, it seems to dive a little more at the end of it's arc. A multi seems to have a more "even" arc....if that makes any sense. Do u have a kick serve? You might notice a difference there as well.

 

[mikeler]

Poly does definitely feel quite different from multi. Is your B5E hybrided with the poly in the mains or the crosses? I also agree that spin isn't "overwhelming" compared to multi's, but don't expect miracles. Spin is about 85% technique and 15% string. The poly will assist u a bit. I notice the difference in the last few feet of a groundstroke. With a poly, it seems to dive a little more at the end of it's arc. A multi seems to have a more "even" arc....if that makes any sense. Do u have a kick serve? You might notice a difference there as well.

I have a kick serve but it is awkward for my shoulder at the moment to hit, so it is not a great shot at the moment.

 

[mikeler]

What did you use 18 months ago?

Big Ace 16 mains with Gamma synthetic gut 16 crosses.

 

[mikeler]

Torres must have left me the 1 star on my thread. Kind of stupid that you can vote for your own thread, but I just did to get it up to 3. I'll post a full review of my 4 games with PolyStar Energy just to **** him off. :twisted:

 

[bad_call]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5522126&postcount=15

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5523263&postcount=38

^reads to be facing in the wind...

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Well I hit the PolyStar Energy 17 first this morning. It was a little stiffer than I had hoped...

If you found PS Energy stiff, might as well forget the rest of the polys. Energy is as soft and forgiving poly as you are gonna find.

 

[bad_call]

If you found PS Energy stiff, might as well forget the rest of the polys. Energy is as soft and forgiving poly as you are gonna find.

but didn't post issues with B5E...hmmm.

 

[Doubles]

Well I hit the PolyStar Energy 17 first this morning. It was a little stiffer than I had hoped but no arm problems. At 2-2 in the first set, I hit a forehand off the bottom of the racket and snapped it. A few other guys who are stringers looked at it and told me the grommets looked fine. I thought the same thing. Guess I'll see if I can get a replacement set but I'm probably out of luck. All I can say is that I hit a decent drop shot on the one I tried. This did seem to have a lot of spin.

So I used the B5E/MCS hybrid the rest of the 2.5 sets I played. I lost the first 4 games I played with that string. Definitely a different feeling than a full multi job. Once I got it dialed in, I played fairly well with it. Spin did not seem overwhelming but it was pretty nice in all areas of the game. I'll post a full review after I've hit with it some more.

Thanks everyone for the soft poly suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

Good review of the PE. I thought that it was a comfortable feeling string, but it was a bit too fragile...

 

[mikeler]

but didn't post issues with B5E...hmmm.

I think the MCS crosses help a lot. If I try PE again, I would probably lower the tension.

 

[JackB1]

Well I had bad luck today too. I went for a hit with my newly strung b5e and I broke it after 10 mins. Hit a ball at the very top of the hoop just under the frame and it broke right at the grommet. Felt OK for the brief time I had with it. Power was on the low side with nice spin. No "wow" factor so far though. Not sure how soon I'll get to try it again?

 

[mikeler]

Well I had bad luck today too. I went for a hit with my newly strung b5e and I broke it after 10 mins. Hit a ball at the very top of the hoop just under the frame and it broke right at the grommet. Felt OK for the brief time I had with it. Power was on the low side with nice spin. No "wow" factor so far though. Not sure how soon I'll get to try it again?

That is the nature of poly strings. Shanks will snap them. No more full poly beds for me...for now.

 

[Power Player]

I am really loving this set of black Magic in my prestige. It has an amazing pocketing feel that the mosquito bit does not give me. If you do ever go full poly, Black Magic is incredible in certain sticks in the high 40s/low 50s.

 

[FedererBestTennis]

Well I hit the PolyStar Energy 17 first this morning. It was a little stiffer than I had hoped but no arm problems. At 2-2 in the first set, I hit a forehand off the bottom of the racket and snapped it. A few other guys who are stringers looked at it and told me the grommets looked fine. I thought the same thing. Guess I'll see if I can get a replacement set but I'm probably out of luck. All I can say is that I hit a decent drop shot on the one I tried. This did seem to have a lot of spin.

So I used the B5E/MCS hybrid the rest of the 2.5 sets I played. I lost the first 4 games I played with that string. Definitely a different feeling than a full multi job. Once I got it dialed in, I played fairly well with it. Spin did not seem overwhelming but it was pretty nice in all areas of the game. I'll post a full review after I've hit with it some more.

Thanks everyone for the soft poly suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

I am really loving this set of black Magic in my prestige. It has an amazing pocketing feel that the mosquito bit does not give me. If you do ever go full poly, Black Magic is incredible in certain sticks in the high 40s/low 50s.

Would Black Magic be good in a BLX 6.1 16x18? What tension do you suggest? I normally string poly at 57.5/56.5.

 

[Agent Orynge]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Some people are just so sure of themselves that they're unwilling to concede other points of view. Reminds me of this guy who swore up and down that Ashaway Dynamite was god's gift to tennis players...

 

[mikeler]

I am really loving this set of black Magic in my prestige. It has an amazing pocketing feel that the mosquito bit does not give me. If you do ever go full poly, Black Magic is incredible in certain sticks in the high 40s/low 50s.

How soft is it?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Some people are just so sure of themselves that they're unwilling to concede other points of view. Reminds me of this guy who swore up and down that Ashaway Dynamite was god's gift to tennis players...

I kind of miss that guy!

 

[Power Player]

FedereBest..it could be good..I have no idea, you may just have to try it, but in the prestige it is awesome.

Mikeler, Black Magic is really soft to me, but I read hyperion is a little softer. I am not the best at asessing these things, but I know I read Drakulie is a huge fan of it as well and he seems to like pretty comfortable setups.

 

[hoodjem]

The one hybrid I had highest hopes for was WC Silverstring 1.20 in the mains and X-1 in the crosses.

I had done lots of research, and believed that these two were the Rolls Royces of poly or multi, thus hybriding them would be the best of both worlds.

Boy was I disappointed when I hit with it. It was way too soft. I had never understood what people meant by "playing like mush" before, but now I understood.

It is possible that I strung them too low, but I just put them in at my normal tension I used for 20 or so hybrids before that. (But I concede they two might work at higher tensions.)

 

[JackB1]

I am really loving this set of black Magic in my prestige. It has an amazing pocketing feel that the mosquito bit does not give me. If you do ever go full poly, Black Magic is incredible in certain sticks in the high 40s/low 50s.

Parden the temporary threadjack but PP, when did u switch to the Prestige? Fill me in on your recent racquet history. I have been loyal to my Becker London for the last 6 months and still loving it! It seems like the perfect racquet for me.... a "players tweener" with good pop, large sweetspot and not too heavy at 11 oz with a 325 swingweight.