Mikeler's Polys

Fuji

Legend
I strung up Volkl Cyclone Tour 17 anthracite last night. I've never seen a poly stretch that much on the stringer! It stretched more than some multifilament strings. Stringing it was a breeze.

In other news, my first 2 outings with Golden Set Snake Bite were very positive. I can't tell if the black bleeds on the balls since I've played 2 black string opponents with it.

So I think my goto setup in this frame will come down to Cyclone Tour versus Snake Bite.

Yes! The Snake Bite!!! Haha. I'm glad to hear you are liking it Mikeler! :)

From my experience the black does bleed a bit. I use the red myself normally and it doesn't bleed at all in my time with it.

-Fuji
 

mikeler

Moderator
Yes! The Snake Bite!!! Haha. I'm glad to hear you are liking it Mikeler! :)

From my experience the black does bleed a bit. I use the red myself normally and it doesn't bleed at all in my time with it.

-Fuji

I strung up the red last night as I wait for my TW Cyclone Tour order to come in. To make the $75 free shipping, I threw in a set of the Ytex Quadro Twist.
 

Fuji

Legend
I strung up the red last night as I wait for my TW Cyclone Tour order to come in. To make the $75 free shipping, I threw in a set of the Ytex Quadro Twist.

Nice! I've noticed that some people in my store / area are quite divided on what colour of snakebite they prefer. Some people are very adamant about red and others black, it's pretty interesting haha.

Nice! I believe I tested that string a couple years ago. It's pretty "bite friendly" from what I remember.

-Fuji
 

mikeler

Moderator
Nice! I've noticed that some people in my store / area are quite divided on what colour of snakebite they prefer. Some people are very adamant about red and others black, it's pretty interesting haha.

Nice! I believe I tested that string a couple years ago. It's pretty "bite friendly" from what I remember.

-Fuji

Just be between you, me and the interwebs, I think Cyclone Tour and Snake Bite are the same string. Genesis Typhoon also looks suspiciously like those two as well but I have not hit with it yet.
 

Fuji

Legend
Just be between you, me and the interwebs, I think Cyclone Tour and Snake Bite are the same string. Genesis Typhoon also looks suspiciously like those two as well but I have not hit with it yet.

Hmmm! Well that would be good for any cyclone tour fans as a reel is almost half the cost for Snakebite! ;) I wouldn't doubt it though, Snakebite has been a real sleeper for a lot of people, while in my province SO many people use it since it's originally from a guy who plays here haha.

I've used Typhoon with gut mains, and it has a bit different feel than snakebite, but very similar characteristics, just from my experience.

Did you get a chance to check out powerchord yet? :)

-Fuji
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hmmm! Well that would be good for any cyclone tour fans as a reel is almost half the cost for Snakebite! ;) I wouldn't doubt it though, Snakebite has been a real sleeper for a lot of people, while in my province SO many people use it since it's originally from a guy who plays here haha.

I've used Typhoon with gut mains, and it has a bit different feel than snakebite, but very similar characteristics, just from my experience.

Did you get a chance to check out powerchord yet? :)

-Fuji

I'll try the powerchord after my USTA season. Just got your e-mail, I'll reply in a few minutes.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Golden Set Snake-Bite 16

Thanks to Fuji for sending 2 sets of this string my way. This one is a shaped and twisted poly and was very easy to install.

Tension it is strung: 60# on a lockout
Your regular string set up: Volkl Cyclone Tour 16 @ 60#
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 16 (Prince Tour 100T ESP)
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered
Feel: Better than most polys
Tension maintenance: It broke before I measured, sorry.
Price: $6.02/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This string is very similar to Cyclone Tour with less durability.

Serve/Return of Serve: I had 1 really great serving day with this string but also had a day where I was double faulting like crazy. The action on the serve is very good. It seemed like I was missing very few returns and most were landing deep.

Strokes: It seemed like quite a few shots were finding the lines. Lots of spin which was nice. Slice stayed nice and low.

Volleys: Very nice up at the net.

Touch shots: My drop shots were better than with most polys.

Softness: No arm issues to report.

Tension: 60# played great.

Durability: This broke after about 6 sets of singles.

Movement: Some string movement but nothing too bad.

Color: The black ink bleeds all over the balls.

Conclusion: I played my best match all year one day with this string. Next up is the red color of this string. If cost was the only consideration for a nice playing poly, I'd buy a reel of this stuff. The Cyclone Tour lasts a little longer and doesn't bleed all over the balls so I'm sticking with that for now. Thanks again to Fuji for allowing me to play test this for everyone. If you want a good cheap poly, slither with the Snake!
 

sansaephanh

Professional
Hey mike, I've been away for quite a while and just wanted to ask you about that "lubricity" string commercial. What was the final verdict on it? I know I could have just searched the forums, but I'm sticking to friendly conversations to get info. It's just more social =P
 
Genuine curiosity here - why does the black paint on string rubbing off on the ball bother some people? It doesn't affect the ball, how the string plays, and you certainly can't see it while the ball is in play, so what is it exactly?

Mind you, I've played tennis for some time (decades), so it's not like I'm new to the game. Wanted to get that out of the way because I know how some tend to judge based on the number of posts you've made.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hey mike, I've been away for quite a while and just wanted to ask you about that "lubricity" string commercial. What was the final verdict on it? I know I could have just searched the forums, but I'm sticking to friendly conversations to get info. It's just more social =P

I will think it is a clever marketing gimmick until I try the string which I have no intention to purchase at the price they currently have it at.


Genuine curiosity here - why does the black paint on string rubbing off on the ball bother some people? It doesn't affect the ball, how the string plays, and you certainly can't see it while the ball is in play, so what is it exactly?

Mind you, I've played tennis for some time (decades), so it's not like I'm new to the game. Wanted to get that out of the way because I know how some tend to judge based on the number of posts you've made.

It is more of a pet peeve of mine. In the summer time it is not a big deal to me. When I have to play in the dark during winter, the brighter the ball is, the easier for me to see.
 

Ramon

Legend
I tried Black Shark 16 / Marathon 15L at 56/60 on my Tour 98 ESP and played a 3 set match with it. So far I like it! I get great spin, better comfort than full Black Shark, better feel, and more power. I also think this setup will be more durable than full Black Shark because it doesn't notch. If I'm losing any spin by going to the hybrid, it certainly isn't much. The only thing that bothers me is the strings move a bit more than full bed Black Shark. Soft strings probably work better on my Tour 98 ESP than they would on the 100T ESP. I might try Black Shark with other crosses as well. Another nice benefit is that this setup is very cheap (about $7 per racquet with the discounted price).
 
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bertrevert

Legend
Cyclone Tour 17 is a little too powerful for this frame. It looked VERY beat up after 2 sets of singles.

Ok was waiting for a few more hits to say that indeed the Cyclone Tour is sproingy powerful a'right.

Sheesh it's powerful.

I have the red Cyclone Tour in the mains crosses with Weiss Silverstring...this has to be the most comfortable poly combination I've experienced.

I have had niggling GE (inside elbow) constantly coming back - with Head Hawk, with RipSpin. But with the Tour/Silverstring no problems so far. Whew.

I think I was definitely too loose using 48lbs (22kg) so I lose control on hard service returns, but the rest is super-powerful, serving a breeze. But it is a bit of a rocket launcher atm.

Notching is 0.25% after 6 hours but most of that was doubles.

The idea that I might be able to use poly pain-free is a pretty exciting prospect and I hope that others might add their views on comfortable poly setups (plus also been watching that non-poly mono Ashaway test...).
 

mikeler

Moderator
Ok was waiting for a few more hits to say that indeed the Cyclone Tour is sproingy powerful a'right.

Sheesh it's powerful.

I have the red Cyclone Tour in the mains crosses with Weiss Silverstring...this has to be the most comfortable poly combination I've experienced.

I have had niggling GE (inside elbow) constantly coming back - with Head Hawk, with RipSpin. But with the Tour/Silverstring no problems so far. Whew.

I think I was definitely too loose using 48lbs (22kg) so I lose control on hard service returns, but the rest is super-powerful, serving a breeze. But it is a bit of a rocket launcher atm.

Notching is 0.25% after 6 hours but most of that was doubles.

The idea that I might be able to use poly pain-free is a pretty exciting prospect and I hope that others might add their views on comfortable poly setups (plus also been watching that non-poly mono Ashaway test...).

I opened my TW order box last night and strung up some Cyclone Tour. I played my best tennis all year with it so I'm looking forward to trying it again.
 

g4driver

Legend
I opened my TW order box last night and strung up some Cyclone Tour. I played my best tennis all year with it so I'm looking forward to trying it again.

Wish I had half your game. I am loving the Cyclone Tour also. I get about 12-14 hours out of it, so I get a lot more life than you. This string is amazing, even for low 4.0 guys like me. It is very soft for a geared poly and I have been messing around with CT/Silverstring, CT/Head Hawk hybrids. Both work well as hybrids with CT Mains. And of course CT is money full bed.

Volkl was very cool to me. After I sent you two packs, the Volkl rep call the local store and admitted they screwed up my order for my reel (they lost the order), so they sent me 12 packs of Cyclone Tour 16G for free. Very cool them to do that. Good Karma? I think so. :)

Now if they would just make that day glow Orange 15L gauge, you will be set. ;)
 

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
I opened my TW order box last night and strung up some Cyclone Tour. I played my best tennis all year with it so I'm looking forward to trying it again.

how can you play poly at 60lb??
my balls would land at my side of the court...
 

g4driver

Legend
I have the red Cyclone Tour in the mains crosses with Weiss Silverstring...this has to be the most comfortable poly combination I've experienced.

I have had niggling GE (inside elbow) constantly coming back - with Head Hawk, with RipSpin. But with the Tour/Silverstring no problems so far. Whew.

The idea that I might be able to use poly pain-free is a pretty exciting prospect and I hope that others might add their views on comfortable poly setups (plus also been watching that non-poly mono Ashaway test...).


Try the Blue 16g V-Torque / Silverstring setup - very soft and very very comfortable setup. I call it the Captain America setup in a Steam 99S.

This setup was really meant as a gimmick when the movie came out, but the setup was so nice, I did it three more times. ;)

I string this at 57/55 lbs in my Steam 99S frames.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Wish I had half your game. I am loving the Cyclone Tour also. I get about 12-14 hours out of it, so I get a lot more life than you. This string is amazing, even for low 4.0 guys like me. It is very soft for a geared poly and I have been messing around with CT/Silverstring, CT/Head Hawk hybrids. Both work well as hybrids with CT Mains. And of course CT is money full bed.

Volkl was very cool to me. After I sent you two packs, the Volkl rep call the local store and admitted they screwed up my order for my reel (they lost the order), so they sent me 12 packs of Cyclone Tour 16G for free. Very cool them to do that. Good Karma? I think so. :)

Now if they would just make that day glow Orange 15L gauge, you will be set. ;)

I like the anthracite color in my frames. Cyclone Tour did not break on me. I cut it out around 8 hours when it just seemed to lose all the magic.


how can you play poly at 60lb??
my balls would land at my side of the court...

Super open patterns and high tension poly work well together.


So, do prefer Cyclone Tour over B5E now?

Yes, I'm sticking with the Cyclone Tour for now. B5E is still great but just a little too thin for the open patterns.

I did 67lbs for the greater part of the past year. :razz:

-Fuji

Did you get the strings I sent you yet?
 

Ramon

Legend
So how would you translate 60lb on an open string, to a 16x19?


60 x 16 / 19 = 50.5

I assume head size is the same. Worked for me when I figured out how much tension to add for Monogut ZX. The 100T ESP is also very flexible, so that should be taken into consideration.
 
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mikeler

Moderator
60 x 16 / 19 = 50.5

I assume head size is the same. Worked for me when I figured out how much tension to add for Monogut ZX. The 100T ESP is also very flexible, so that should be taken into consideration.

Interesting equation. Another idea would be to reduce a pound for each additional string in the racket and a pound for every drop in RDC stiffness.

Roz tension = 60# - 3 extra strings - (Your racket RDC - 61 which is my racket tension)

So let's say your racket has a 66 RDC rating then:

60 - 3 - 5 = 52#
 

Fuji

Legend
I like the anthracite color in my frames. Cyclone Tour did not break on me. I cut it out around 8 hours when it just seemed to lose all the magic.




Super open patterns and high tension poly work well together.




Yes, I'm sticking with the Cyclone Tour for now. B5E is still great but just a little too thin for the open patterns.



Did you get the strings I sent you yet?

Not yet! Hopefully Monday! :D

-Fuji
 

djNEiGht

Legend
Interesting equation. Another idea would be to reduce a pound for each additional string in the racket and a pound for every drop in RDC stiffness.

Roz tension = 60# - 3 extra strings - (Your racket RDC - 61 which is my racket tension)

So let's say your racket has a 66 RDC rating then:

60 - 3 - 5 = 52#

Hhmmmm... How would you or other users factor in head size?
 

mikeler

Moderator
Volkl Cyclone 16 mains/Wilson Ripspin 15 crosses

Pretty easy to string since the shaped poly is in the mains.

Tension it is strung: 60# on a lockout
Your regular string set up: Volkl Cyclone Tour @ 60# on a lockout machine
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 16 (Prince Tour 100T ESP)
Power (or lack there of): Low/Medium powered
Feel: Average
Tension maintenance: Forgot to measure, sorry
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: I liked Cyclone as a full bed but it did not last very long, so I decided to pair it with a smooth cross.

Serve/Return of Serve: Anything flat was really nice. If I was looking for super spin, it just was not there. This was a great setup to play doubles with.

Strokes: Depth control is excellent, most of the balls seem to want to land just inside the baseline but I just wish it had a little more spin.

Volleys: Fantastic at punch volleys. So-so with drop volleys.

Touch shots: Ok on drop shots.

Softness: Didn't bother my arm.

Tension: 60# seems about perfect.

Durability: I cut it out after about 4 sets of singles and 2 sets of doubles.

Movement: Not too bad.

Color: Black and white paired with pumpkin orange was kind of ugly.

Conclusion: I'm not buying the smooth cross theory to let strings slide back after comparing Cyclone in a full bed with this setup. Cyclone full bed definitely had more spin. This setup is good for a flatter hitter wanting the control of poly but for someone looking to mix in some nasty spin, it just isn't there.
 

bertrevert

Legend
So, not as much spin when you put the shaped on a smooth and round string.

Well that seems right.

Would there be less string-to-string contact and friction when both strings are shaped? I'd imagine the edge of one would be against the edge of the other which is much less contact and friction than one edged against one round, or even one round against one round.

However upon impact I really don't know how edged strings behave and as soon as they are notched the edges will be gone , just wondering....
 

Bhairava

Rookie
So, not as much spin when you put the shaped on a smooth and round string.

Well that seems right.

Would there be less string-to-string contact and friction when both strings are shaped? I'd imagine the edge of one would be against the edge of the other which is much less contact and friction than one edged against one round, or even one round against one round.

However upon impact I really don't know how edged strings behave and as soon as they are notched the edges will be gone , just wondering....
the edges theory doesn't work just because the notching start just at first hit.The mains will move on a line, a furrow made on them by friction with crosses.
This shaped/smooth setup didn't generate more spin than shaped/shaped just because even crosses help at generating spin. And obviously ripspin 15 generate less spin than volk cyclone.
 

Bhairava

Rookie
Beside of that, I'm still looking at some 1.35-1.40mm poly that would retain tension better than iontec 1.35mm and that would be firmer than that iontec.
I'm at tennis nirvana with prince 100t ESP leaded & discho iontec 1.35mm at 29.5/28.5 kg, I have never broken this string in 6 hours of play. the problem I got are two: the racquet is suffering for being strung so many times (1-2 times at week) at so high tension, I expect it will crush on my hands one time while stringing ;)
and the other problem is that that string, being soft, doesn't retain very well tension. Now that I'm starting hitting harder and harder, and with harder opponents, the string lose a lot of tension after 2-3 hours.
I would like to find a poly 1.35-1.40mm string that:
-is firmer, so I can string it at LOWER tension, getting same stringbed stiffness but keeping my racquet safe from very high tensions
-keep better tension stability even if hard beated, at least for 5-6 hours that is my time for restringing.
-it should cost same amount of discho string, so 40-50€ (50-60$ I would say) per reel.
-it should not give me less spin than discho iontec, so a smooth or shaped poly that perform well
I think I will try pro's pro concept 1.38mm. But it seems there aren't a lot of alternatives on the market...
 

g4driver

Legend
Color: Black and white paired with pumpkin orange was kind of ugly.

Pumpkin Orange is the problem. :eek: Black and white paired with Red/Black/White is so very nice. ;)

quick question on Head Hawk vs Ripspin? notice any difference if you could recall from memory. I will go back and read your reviews.

The Cyclone Tour / Silverstring or Cyclone Tour/Head Hawk allows me to flatten out the Steam 99S a little easier than a full bed of with Cyclone or Cyclone Tour, and I actually think it holds it's magic slightly longer. The CT hangs on until I break them. With a full bed, I was cutting them out a little early.

I snapped a CT main/HH setup this am after 15 sets. (marking the cross with a sharpie to count the sets). Seems I am getting 14-18 sets consistently with the hybrid setup but Head Hawk is too pricey.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hawk definitely seemed stiffer to me than Ripspin.

I just measured tension loss on Cyclone Tour after 4 sets of singles. The first 3 were short because I was playing well. RacquetTune says 27%! The Goldenset Snake Bite 17 measured 22.5% with more court time logged on it.
 

Fuji

Legend
Hawk definitely seemed stiffer to me than Ripspin.

I just measured tension loss on Cyclone Tour after 4 sets of singles. The first 3 were short because I was playing well. RacquetTune says 27%! The Goldenset Snake Bite 17 measured 22.5% with more court time logged on it.

That's pretty interesting actually! I've never measured Snakebite before, but I had an idea that it holds tension relatively well. :)

-Fuji
 

mikeler

Moderator
That's pretty interesting actually! I've never measured Snakebite before, but I had an idea that it holds tension relatively well. :)

-Fuji

The only reason I measured the Cyclone Tour was because of my first outing with it. After about 6 sets, it was just not the same. I forgot to take a reading before I cut it out. The last set out last time, I started losing confidence in my strokes but that could have been simply due to my opponent playing better.
 

Ramon

Legend
The only reason I measured the Cyclone Tour was because of my first outing with it. After about 6 sets, it was just not the same. I forgot to take a reading before I cut it out. The last set out last time, I started losing confidence in my strokes but that could have been simply due to my opponent playing better.


I also noticed I wasn't as confident with my Black Shark hybrid after about 6 sets. So even though the hybrid is durable, I still have to cut it or else just lose to a competitive opponent. Poly tension loss is very frustrating. Maybe I'll just use poly for tournaments.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I also noticed I wasn't as confident with my Black Shark hybrid after about 6 sets. So even though the hybrid is durable, I still have to cut it or else just lose to a competitive opponent. Poly tension loss is very frustrating. Maybe I'll just use poly for tournaments.

Most polys last longer than that for me. I don't mind 6 hours if it plays very well during that time period.
 

g4driver

Legend
I broke Cyclone Tour last night at about the 8 hour mark. I'll update the review.


Have you tried 16 g V-torque yet ?

I could send you a pack of the Blue but that would make that Orange even more he heinous ;)

But Neon Green and pumpkin Orange - well now that is a beauty queen waiting for her chance to shine ;)
 
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