NXT Control vs Triax

tele

Hall of Fame
Has anyone played with both of these strings? I have two Vcore pro 97HDs, and use multis b/c of elbow pain. One racquet currently has triax (17g) and the other has NXT control(16g), both in the low 50s. If you are looking at this thread, you probably already know this, but both Triax and NXT control are multis with nylon and polyester filaments. Though the triax feels stiffer and significantly less comfortable to me, I don't feel like I am getting much more, if anything, in terms of control( I realize 16g triax would likely offer more control, but I am assuming it would be even less arm-friendly). Anyone had a similar experience?
 

tele

Hall of Fame
Thank you for the reply. I was under the impression, based on what I had read, that thinner gauges were more arm friendly because stretching more was a quality of their being less stiff. However I did not find velocity MLT (17g) to be any more arm friendly than NXT control, and it has a lower stiffness rating according the string comparison tool. I am guessing there could be more to a "stiff" feeling than the stiffness rating of the string alone.

However, it seems counterintuitive that stretching more equates to a stiffer feeling. Doesn't poly feel stiff because it stretches less upon impact? I am certainly not an expert in the physics of strings, so I apologize if I am misunderstanding something.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
 
Triax is great (I can't speak to NXT Control), my son plays it almost exclusively. It plays well, it doesn't hurt, and it lasts a long time. He uses the 17g in Yonex Vcore 98s, generally between 53 and 56 lbs. Nice alternative to poly.
 

flanker2000fr

Hall of Fame
Thank you for the reply. I was under the impression, based on what I had read, that thinner gauges were more arm friendly because stretching more was a quality of their being less stiff.

And you would be correct.

As for your original question, a rule I always apply is that, given a choice between Wilson and another brand, I always pick the alternative brand as Wilson's quality across all their products is shameful. Plus, Triax is actually a very good string, if a bit pricy.
 

Arak

Legend
And you would be correct.

As for your original question, a rule I always apply is that, given a choice between Wilson and another brand, I always pick the alternative brand as Wilson's quality across all their products is shameful. Plus, Triax is actually a very good string, if a bit pricy.
I’m sure you must be aware that Wilson strings are made by Tecnifibre, the same company that makes Triax.
 

Arak

Legend
Thank you for the reply. I was under the impression, based on what I had read, that thinner gauges were more arm friendly because stretching more was a quality of their being less stiff. However I did not find velocity MLT (17g) to be any more arm friendly than NXT control, and it has a lower stiffness rating according the string comparison tool. I am guessing there could be more to a "stiff" feeling than the stiffness rating of the string alone.

However, it seems counterintuitive that stretching more equates to a stiffer feeling. Doesn't poly feel stiff because it stretches less upon impact? I am certainly not an expert in the physics of strings, so I apologize if I am misunderstanding something.
Most stringing machines are eCP nowadays. The thinner gauge being more stretchy will reach a higher tension than a thicker gauge at similar tension settings. It’s advisable to string 2 lbs lower per gauge increment. On a LO machine though, what you say is true.
 
Most stringing machines are eCP nowadays. The thinner gauge being more stretchy will reach a higher tension than a thicker gauge at similar tension settings. It’s advisable to string 2 lbs lower per gauge increment. On a LO machine though, what you say is true.
That is an interesting observation I'd never considered. My kid broke both sets of 17g Triax over the weekend that he had in two of his Yonex vCore 98s. Maybe we will drop it a couple of lbs in the re-string. Some comments on the Triax: The 17g lasted almost three months of consistent hard hitting, did not really lose much tension, played great throughout, wore like gut, and the main snapped right in the center of the sweet spot in both frames. I'm really impressed with the stuff despite the price.
 
Y'all are confusing my old and feeble brain. I like to keep things simple in keeping with my intellect, although i know that stringing can go down a never ending rabbit hole. We've been pulling at 53 lbs, except for one foray into 56 territory. We will likely continue with 53 unless i see clear, simple evidence we should be doing otherwise :)
 

tele

Hall of Fame
Thank you for the precise terms! I had just assumed that "tension" always referred to reference tension. Will do some more reading, starting here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/static-tension-vs-dynamic-tension.530663/
Tele: Thank you for including the link to that discussion. It is an interesting and instructive read. I read through it very quickly and what it said to me was likely not what was intended by the folks who participated in that discussion: String tension is really a trial and error thing to figure out what feels and plays better to each unique and individual player, whether that player is yourself or someone you are stringing for. The tension variable is different in relation to the properties of every string, so my assumptions about tension with the Triax we mostly use are only peripherally useful assumptions in relation to other strings we might try, and a reference tension with one string may be way off and potentially irrelevant when considering a vastly different type of string. Hence the beauty of stringing yourself; you have the freedom to think about and experiment with whatever stringing techniques, theories, and practices that you want to validate, invalidate, or otherwise conclude something you did or did not anticipate (you might surprise yourself, for better or worse).
 
Last edited:
Top