Need Ashway Monogut ZX alternative!

[mkedda]

Hello! I need your help. I love the Ashway Monogut zX strings for softness and spin. My problem is I break them every 3-4 hours!

I have a sensitive elbow and I love the arm friendly nature of Monogut. I-also love the spin!

Can someone recommend another similar option that’s more durable!?!?

 

[esgee48]

If you are using ZX as full bed, you are out of options. They are the only one currently with 100% PEEK strings, which is what ZX is made of. There are many other strings with PEEK strands in their composition and you could try them out. My suggestion would be to use a hybrid of ZX mains and a very slippery cross such as Bab SpiralTek, aka Bab SG.

 

[mkedda]

Do you know other strings that have PEEK in them?

 

[esgee48]

Gamma Live Wire, KlipperUSA Zyex 16 or 17 have the fibers. I suspect that GOSEN AK Control has it tho it is not stated. I suspect that most firm multifibers may have PEEK fibers in them, just not stated that they are there. The issue is full bed. The surface of PEEK is very tough. It will wear out Kevlar! The problem with full bed PEEK is a tough surface rubbing against another tough surface of same hardness.

 

[2ndServe]

monogut mains and multi or sin gut cross. The mono gut is so hard it never notches and the cross fray first

I like yonex pro poly tour as an alternative

 

[AceyMan]

There is nothing like PEEK polymers.

Ashaway has some 'hybrid' PEEK strings in their squash line (iirc) but I have seen no record of anyone experimenting with those products.

/Acey

 

[slipgrip93]

Wilson sensation? And as mentioned, Gamma LiveWire, which is nice, a bit higher priced.

Some "softer" polys:

luxilon 4G-soft - although some say it's still very stiff, but generally lasts much longer.
solinco tour bite, diamond rough version. - it has that strange "diamond" notching and overall looks thicker than regular tour bite. And interestingly has a "mushier" texture, which maybe results as softer, but maybe that's just my personal feeling.

 

[Shroud]

Hello! I need your help. I love the Ashway Monogut zX strings for softness and spin. My problem is I break them every 3-4 hours!

I have a sensitive elbow and I love the arm friendly nature of Monogut. I-also love the spin!

Can someone recommend another similar option that’s more durable!?!?

Where are they breaking??

 

[graycrait]

I'll mirror @Shroud 's question. Where are they breaking? I have been using ZX Pro 17g for some years and have used them fullbed, hybrid with polys, syngut and mostly Ashaway Kevlar. I have yet to break ZX while playing but used to break it once in a while while stringing. If you string your own what kind of machine, starting clamp or stringing method do you use. Installation of ZX can be tricky.

Are the breaks in the mains or the crosses? Near the frame or in the middle of the bed? Random locations?

 

[mkedda]

Where are they breaking??

Mains. Middle of the frame!
1-2 strings every time.

 

[mkedda]

I'll mirror @Shroud 's question. Where are they breaking? I have been using ZX Pro 17g for some years and have used them fullbed, hybrid with polys, syngut and mostly Ashaway Kevlar. I have yet to break ZX while playing but used to break it once in a while while stringing. If you string your own what kind of machine, starting clamp or stringing method do you use. Installation of ZX can be tricky.

Are the breaks in the mains or the crosses? Near the frame or in the middle of the bed? Random locations?

Mains. Middle of the frame!
1-2 strings every time.

 

[graycrait]

Mains. Middle of the frame!
1-2 strings every time.

@mkedda , I don't know what to say to that. That would be a "normal" break spot. One thing to possibly consider is to clamp off as light as possible. I found that Zyex doesn't need a lot of clamping power to hold. I use a NEOS 1000.

When I tweak my elbow in one of my many racket string experiments I continue on using a POG OS strung with Ashaway Kevlar x Zyex. I call it my therapy racket. I know the string set up sounds counter intuitive but that particular combination works well together. Big thread on that combo on TT.

I tried Origin full and hybrid, same with Velocity. If I am not using Ash Kev/ZX I use fullbed 16g Multifeel or a poly/syn gut hybrid. I picked up quite a few sets of Prince Diablo 17 for 4.50/set so when you pair that with a syn gut you have about $3.00/stringbed. Then it just boils down to time stringing.

 

[Whiffington McShank]

One way to try to sidestep this might be to add weight to your racquet or use an especially arm friendly racquet, then start looking for more durable strings (though if you're breaking in the middle of the stringbed I'm not sure what to suggest), but this may require adjustments to your swing technique. But this would probably be more of a last resort.

Edit: What sort of string pattern do you use?

 

[mkedda]

Great info thanks!
I’m highly considering Kevlar mains, however, I am very worried about the effect on my elbow.
Are you saying you go back to Kevlar to heal your elbow??? Do you string it much much lower?

@mkedda , I don't know what to say to that. That would be a "normal" break spot. One thing to possibly consider is to clamp off as light as possible. I found that Zyex doesn't need a lot of clamping power to hold. I use a NEOS 1000.

When I tweak my elbow in one of my many racket string experiments I continue on using a POG OS strung with Ashaway Kevlar x Zyex. I call it my therapy racket. I know the string set up sounds counter intuitive but that particular combination works well together. Big thread on that combo on TT.

I tried Origin full and hybrid, same with Velocity. If I am not using Ash Kev/ZX I use fullbed 16g Multifeel or a poly/syn gut hybrid. I picked up quite a few sets of Prince Diablo 17 for 4.50/set so when you pair that with a syn gut you have about $3.00/stringbed. Then it just boils down to time stringing.

 

[mkedda]

I use a very friendly head speed mp 16x19, 63 on stiffness scale. Everything I’ve read about poly makes me terrified to try it.

I hit with a lot of spin and power. I’d say spin is the most important part of my game. It’s a must

One way to try to sidestep this might be to add weight to your racquet or use an especially arm friendly racquet, then start looking for more durable strings (though if you're breaking in the middle of the stringbed I'm not sure what to suggest), but this may require adjustments to your swing technique. But this would probably be more of a last resort.

Edit: What sort of string pattern do you use?

 

[SinneGOAT]

Hello! I need your help. I love the Ashway Monogut zX strings for softness and spin. My problem is I break them every 3-4 hours!

I have a sensitive elbow and I love the arm friendly nature of Monogut. I-also love the spin!

Can someone recommend another similar option that’s more durable!?!?

What racquet do you play with by chance?

 

[mkedda]

What racquet do you play with by chance?

head speed mp 16x19. Love the stick

 

[SinneGOAT]

H

head speed mp 16x19. Love the stick

have you ever thought of trying the pro? Same but heavier and 18/20, still good power and spin.