NXT/ Velocity

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Playing with the RF97, have played mostly with Gut/poly @ 58/55 and full poly @ 52.
Have tried several Multi/poly setups to try and develop a soft main/poly set that played well. They all played stiff and only stayed in the frame 3-4hrs @ 55/52.
Made sense to try NXT/ Velocity since I have a reel of Velocity and several sets of NXT Comfort left over from a contract. Strung NXT/Velocity at 55/52 in the Black RF97 and it plays awesome. Like butter on the arm. Good spin and killer power. Will be a great set up to use as the temps drop around here.
My hope is that there will be slightly more durability with Velocity being in the cross rather than poly.
 
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Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Sounds like a similar setup to my Origin/Velocity hybrid. In my Prince Phantom 93P I run Origin 17 mains at 55 and Velocity 17 crosses at 50.
Good blend of power spin and comfort as well as really good tension maintenance. NXT has a coating that might up its spin potential but likely holds tension less well than Origin.

Still, I really thin Velocity is an excellent cross for a multi. Slippery with good tension maintenance.
 

Traffic

Hall of Fame
Playing with the RF97, have played mostly with Gut/poly @ 58/55 and full poly @ 52.
Have tried several Multi/poly setups to try and develop a soft main/poly set that played well. Hey were all stiff and only stayed in the frame 3-4hrs @ 55/52.
Made sense to try NXT/ Velocity since I have a roll of Velocity and several sets of NXT Comfort left over from a contract. Strung NXT/Velocity at 55/52 in the Black RF97 and it plays awesome. Like butter on the arm. Good spin and killer power. Will be a great set up to use as the temps drop around here.
My hope is that there will be slightly more durability with Velocity being in the cross rather than poly.
Very interesting. I can see how NXT can up the spin potential and only improve the comfort. And if power was a bit lacking with V, then NXT can possibly give it a boost? Meanwhile, V can help tone down the power of NXT for a touch more control.


This might be a setup I might offer to my sister that is battling with some elbow issues that has sidelined her.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Surprising how good the feel is. Normally a set up that is that easy on the arm feels like mush. Good spin and controllable on the serve which is normally the indicator for me on whether or not I can use a particular hybrid. Good stuff
 

Traffic

Hall of Fame
Surprising how good the feel is. Normally a set up that is that easy on the arm feels like mush. Good spin and controllable on the serve which is normally the indicator for me on whether or not I can use a particular hybrid. Good stuff
So NXT Comfort?
My sister used to play fb Velocity and she enjoyed it. But she moved to a new racquet and has been playing with whatever the pro shop strung for her. She thinks it's NXT. Not sure.

But one thing she wanted was a bit more power than fb Velocity. Initially she liked the control it gave with being low powered. But I think she was having trouble hitting deep. Might be technique issue since she has been playing a LOT of matches recently and I feel like when I only play matches, my technique starts to slip.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
So NXT Comfort?
My sister used to play fb Velocity and she enjoyed it. But she moved to a new racquet and has been playing with whatever the pro shop strung for her. She thinks it's NXT. Not sure.

But one thing she wanted was a bit more power than fb Velocity. Initially she liked the control it gave with being low powered. But I think she was having trouble hitting deep. Might be technique issue since she has been playing a LOT of matches recently and I feel like when I only play matches, my technique starts to slip.

I agree, played with full bed Velocity at 52 and was low powered, spin minimal and significant string movement. Tried 54 and had to exaggerate hitting the bottom of the ball. Hit too many balls in the net and short. Seemed like too low of a launch angle. NXT/ Velocity has good spin, higher launch angle, and good directional control.
Didn’t see much wear after 1 session.
 
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USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Sounds like a similar setup to my Origin/Velocity hybrid. In my Prince Phantom 93P I run Origin 17 mains at 55 and Velocity 17 crosses at 50.
Good blend of power spin and comfort as well as really good tension maintenance. NXT has a coating that might up its spin potential but likely holds tension less well than Origin.

Still, I really thin Velocity is an excellent cross for a multi. Slippery with good tension maintenance.

Hoping to try Origin at some point. The strings I put in my frame were both 1.30 so that may limit the spin potential somewhat but plays controlled for sure. Fun to see the mph come up on the serve with less effort.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Played two hours of doubles today against a 5.0 player and a 5.5 player. The NXT/Velocity played really well all court. We split sets and lost 11-9 in the tie breaker. Great set up and very little wear.
 
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Traffic

Hall of Fame
I agree, played with full bed Velocity at 52 and was low powered, spin minimal and significant string movement. Tried 54 and had to exaggerate hitting the bottom of the ball. Hit too many balls in the net and short. Seemed like too low of a launch angle. NXT/ Velocity has good spin, higher launch angle, and good directional control.
Didn’t see much wear after 1 session.
The combo sounds a bit like my Legend/Velocity. Moved to it from Velocity/Cream which I still have in my 2nd racquet. Great back-up. I accidentally hit with it during a warm up and was surprised at how easily the ball stayed in the court. A hair down on power, but the control and spin was really good.

L/V has a touch higher launch angle and potential for spin. It's also more comfortable. Plus I get to be a gut snob and say I play with natural gut...
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
The combo sounds a bit like my Legend/Velocity. Moved to it from Velocity/Cream which I still have in my 2nd racquet. Great back-up. I accidentally hit with it during a warm up and was surprised at how easily the ball stayed in the court. A hair down on power, but the control and spin was really good.

L/V has a touch higher launch angle and potential for spin. It's also more comfortable. Plus I get to be a gut snob and say I play with natural gut...

Must admit I just strung two of my frames this morning with Klip Legend/Max Power at 58/55. Plays too good to totally get away from it.
 
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USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
NXT/ Velocity is staying in my frame longer than Gut/poly. Played a 5.5 guy hitting a super heavy ball and was able to take the ball right off of the bounce and also flatten out balls that were getting to shoulder level. Great power but controllable. Spin was good and wish I had more NXT. Expensive if I buy more but it may be worth it because of how easy it is on the arm. Easier on the arm than Gut/poly.
 

liftordie

Hall of Fame
NXT/ Velocity is staying in my frame longer than Gut/poly. Played a 5.5 guy hitting a super heavy ball and was able to take the ball right off of the bounce and also flatten out balls that were getting to shoulder level. Great power but controllable. Spin was good and wish I had more NXT. Expensive if I buy more but it may be worth it because of how easy it is on the arm. Easier on the arm than Gut/poly.
Could you post the link to the exact version of the NXT you are using please. Because there is too much versions.... Thanks!
 

liftordie

Hall of Fame
Hey man, it’s NXT Comfort 1.30/ 16g.
This one?
NXT16-1.jpg
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Update, played with this set up for 6-8hrs and it played well. Cut the strings out and restrung. Using this set up through the cold weather to give the arm a break from full poly and gut/poly.
 

liftordie

Hall of Fame
Update, played with this set up for 6-8hrs and it played well. Cut the strings out and restrung. Using this set up through the cold weather to give the arm a break from full poly and gut/poly.
I'm back from the stringer... Tomorrow I will compare VS Touch 16/Cream 17 and Velocity 16/Cream 17. Can't wait!! ^^
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
For sure but my last VST/MPR lasted only 3hours...... :/

Ouch..VS Touch/ 4g is the longest duration I have had with Gut/poly. Played with these frames until they lost tension and ended up cutting them out. Never used any of the rough crosses because I thought it would chew up the Gut mains.
 
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liftordie

Hall of Fame
Ouch..VS Touch/ 4g is the longest duration I have had with Gut/poly. Played with these frames until they lost tension and ended up cutting them out. Never used any of the rough crosses because I thought it would chew up the Gut mains.
MPR is not really "rough"... It's just some texture but inside the string... The real problem is the clay... And the SPIN!! ^^
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
MPR is not really "rough"... It's just some texture but inside the string... The real problem is the clay... And the SPIN!! ^^

Oh ok. I have only played with the regular Max Power 1.25. Have a few hours on that with Klip Legend (uncoated) Little fraying going on but I’m sure it is the non-coated gut. Plays well for an $18 set up but probably not going to last like the VS Touch/4g.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Strung up a couple of RF97’s with NXT/ Velocity (natural) today. 55/52. Will try to keep them in there until it breaks to give people an idea on longevity. I always seem to cut them out after 6-8hrs. Just used to playing with fresh strings.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Really wonder what Nxt/V will be like at a lower tension of say 50 in a 100sq head?
Would it be bazooka territory?

Used to play full bed NXT @ 48 in a Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 95. 100in frame it could be done but would take some time to adapt. The Velocity may tone down the power a bit.
 

Traffic

Hall of Fame
Really wonder what Nxt/V will be like at a lower tension of say 50 in a 100sq head?
Would it be bazooka territory?
One observation I can share...
With Legend/Velocity, I've been stringing lower and lower tensions. What I'm finding is that it feels great at baseline. But I'm starting to lose a bit of control at net. Also, my flat-ish (it's really a flatter topspin) serve has improved along with my normal topspin serve. But my kicker seems to have suffered.
My strings were moving around from day one off the stringer. So it's more a locked stringbed than when the mains were strung higher.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
NXT/ Velocity is a control set up with great feel in the RF97 @ 55/52. Hit a few times with these frames and there seems to be very little wear. The NXT is lasting much longer with the Velocity cross than it would with fb NXT and thus the problem in the past with using NXT for anything.
Strung my Wilson 6.1 18x20’s with Gosen mains and Velocity cross at 54/50 and it plays excellent. The 18x20 saves the strings and hitting with this set up there is very little wear. Using Velocity as a cross has allowed me to utilize all the multi and good syn gut that I have laying around and will get me through the winter months with out spending any money on string. Velocity is a great string and these setups are much better than anything I came up with stringing Velocity mains or full bed Velocity.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
NXT/ Velocity is a control set up with great feel in the RF97 @ 55/52. Hit a few times with these frames and there seems to be very little wear. The NXT is lasting much longer with the Velocity cross than it would with fb NXT and thus the problem in the past with using NXT for anything.
Strung my Wilson 6.1 18x20’s with Gosen mains and Velocity cross at 54/50 and it plays excellent. The 18x20 saves the strings and hitting with this set up there is very little wear. Using Velocity as a cross has allowed me to utilize all the multi and good syn gut that I have laying around and will get me through the winter months with out spending any money on string. Velocity is a great string and these setups are much better than anything I came up with stringing Velocity mains or full bed Velocity.

I would go as far as saying that Velocity is the best non-poly cross string out there.
 

bertrevert

Legend
What wld u recommend in the Speed 360 MP for tensions (100 sq in 16 x 19)

I am thinking NXT at 54 mains, and the V at 50 cross?
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
What wld u recommend in the Speed 360 MP for tensions (100 sq in 16 x 19)

I am thinking NXT at 54 mains, and the V at 50 cross?

Have been stringing 97 16x19 frames at 55/52-57/54 with NXT/V and they play really well. If you like looser tension 54/50 may be good. If it were me with a 100in frame I would go 57/54. 3 or 4lb differential wouldn’t matter a whole lot just have to experiment. Good luck.
 
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ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I would go as far as saying that Velocity is the best non-poly cross string out there.

I follow discussions here watching for exactly that ... is there a better non-poly cross? Obviously that is subjective ... we don't all like the same feel, but more feel comes from the mains imo so maybe less subjective. It's obviously an easy choice for me, because I love fb Velocity ... would have no problem using it in a tournament if I still played them. If I try a new string (x), and don't like x/Velocity hybrid ... it means I don't like x. Before I would have thought I needed to try a new string fullbed (like X-One for me) to get a read on the string. Maybe not ... if it's a given you are going to play a hybrid with a v cross, what did it gain me to try fb? I had suspected v as a cross might extend the life of softer, fraying multis over playing them as FBs, and @USPTARF97 early test with NXT seems to support that. It certainly would make any future string testing easier for me ... just testing new arm friendly mains with v 16g natural cross @52.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
I follow discussions here watching for exactly that ... is there a better non-poly cross? Obviously that is subjective ... we don't all like the same feel, but more feel comes from the mains imo so maybe less subjective. It's obviously an easy choice for me, because I love fb Velocity ... would have no problem using it in a tournament if I still played them. If I try a new string (x), and don't like x/Velocity hybrid ... it means I don't like x. Before I would have thought I needed to try a new string fullbed (like X-One for me) to get a read on the string. Maybe not ... if it's a given you are going to play a hybrid with a v cross, what did it gain me to try fb? I had suspected v as a cross might extend the life of softer, fraying multis over playing them as FBs, and @USPTARF97 early test with NXT seems to support that. It certainly would make any future string testing easier for me ... just testing new arm friendly mains with v 16g natural cross @52.

That is where I am..coming from playing full poly for 15+ years and Gut/poly for the last 5 years. My level of play is there with Multi/Velocity and these setups are easier on the arm and will extend the years that I play tennis.
 

tomato123

Professional
NXT/ Velocity is a control set up with great feel in the RF97 @ 55/52. Hit a few times with these frames and there seems to be very little wear. The NXT is lasting much longer with the Velocity cross than it would with fb NXT and thus the problem in the past with using NXT for anything.
Strung my Wilson 6.1 18x20’s with Gosen mains and Velocity cross at 54/50 and it plays excellent. The 18x20 saves the strings and hitting with this set up there is very little wear. Using Velocity as a cross has allowed me to utilize all the multi and good syn gut that I have laying around and will get me through the winter months with out spending any money on string. Velocity is a great string and these setups are much better than anything I came up with stringing Velocity mains or full bed Velocity.

How does gosen/v play compared to nxt/v? (assuming the gosen was referring to the synthetic gut?)
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
How does gosen/v play compared to nxt/v? (assuming the gosen was referring to the synthetic gut?)

It’s hard to say. Have been playing NXT/ Vel in RF97 and PS97 and the Gosen Micro Sheep/ Vel is in my 6.1 18x20’s which is a different animal. Will eventually try the Gosen/Vel in the RF97 and will know then.
 
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Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I follow discussions here watching for exactly that ... is there a better non-poly cross? Obviously that is subjective ... we don't all like the same feel, but more feel comes from the mains imo so maybe less subjective. It's obviously an easy choice for me, because I love fb Velocity ... would have no problem using it in a tournament if I still played them. If I try a new string (x), and don't like x/Velocity hybrid ... it means I don't like x. Before I would have thought I needed to try a new string fullbed (like X-One for me) to get a read on the string. Maybe not ... if it's a given you are going to play a hybrid with a v cross, what did it gain me to try fb? I had suspected v as a cross might extend the life of softer, fraying multis over playing them as FBs, and @USPTARF97 early test with NXT seems to support that. It certainly would make any future string testing easier for me ... just testing new arm friendly mains with v 16g natural cross @52.

I've come to the conclusion that hybrids are still the best way to go with stringing. You need different things from your mains than you do from your crosses.
Mains need to provide feel and grab the ball and then snap back to enhance spin. Crosses need to make snapback happen easier and need to modulate the power of the mains.

So a powerful, textured/shaped main combined with a muted, smooth cross tends to offer the best of all worlds.

Most smooth polys will work as great cross strings but their inherent stiffness may aggravate sensitive arms. Coated smooth nylon strings are the next best option and Velocity has the added advantage of being low powered.

What you use in the mains can be anything from a gummy multi like NXT or X-One Biphase to Natural gut to Shaped/Textured poly to Origin/syn gut. They will all work well with V or smooth poly in the crosses. You just have to decide whether you focus on spin, power, comfort or feel from your mains.

For me it's Origin if I want comfort and power. Gut if I want it all at a higher price.

Right now i'm enjoying Klip Legend gut in the mains. It's been a good value and I can see it playing well with poly and Velocity. Right now Cream but if arm acts up it'll be right back to Velocity.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I've come to the conclusion that hybrids are still the best way to go with stringing. You need different things from your mains than you do from your crosses.
Mains need to provide feel and grab the ball and then snap back to enhance spin. Crosses need to make snapback happen easier and need to modulate the power of the mains.

So a powerful, textured/shaped main combined with a muted, smooth cross tends to offer the best of all worlds.

Most smooth polys will work as great cross strings but their inherent stiffness may aggravate sensitive arms. Coated smooth nylon strings are the next best option and Velocity has the added advantage of being low powered.

What you use in the mains can be anything from a gummy multi like NXT or X-One Biphase to Natural gut to Shaped/Textured poly to Origin/syn gut. They will all work well with V or smooth poly in the crosses. You just have to decide whether you focus on spin, power, comfort or feel from your mains.

For me it's Origin if I want comfort and power. Gut if I want it all at a higher price.

Right now i'm enjoying Klip Legend gut in the mains. It's been a good value and I can see it playing well with poly and Velocity. Right now Cream but if arm acts up it'll be right back to Velocity.

I still think max control and targeting on flat/flattish strokes come from fullbeds that don’t snap back as much. The problem is I also hit some topspin, so have to prioritize. I am good to go with fb v on flattish shot dtl ... but on those two cc a match :p I would like fb rpm blast to pop in there... and then go away. :cool:
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I still think max control and targeting on flat/flattish strokes come from fullbeds that don’t snap back as much. The problem is I also hit some topspin, so have to prioritize. I am good to go with fb v on flattish shot dtl ... but on those two cc a match :p I would like fb rpm blast to pop in there... and then go away. :cool:

Yes there are definitely stringbeds that favor different strokes. I've attacked that problem by having different racquets for doubles where I need control and flatter strokes and singles, where I need more topspin strokes. That way I can still use a string bed that offers comfort, spin and touch in equal amounts.

18x20 in the doubles racket, 16x18 in the singles. O/V or gut/poly in either or both and I'm good to play.
 

Muppet

Legend
I still think max control and targeting on flat/flattish strokes come from fullbeds that don’t snap back as much. The problem is I also hit some topspin, so have to prioritize. I am good to go with fb v on flattish shot dtl ... but on those two cc a match :p I would like fb rpm blast to pop in there... and then go away. :cool:

Sounds like a feature you could have on a tennis video game.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Yes there are definitely stringbeds that favor different strokes. I've attacked that problem by having different racquets for doubles where I need control and flatter strokes and singles, where I need more topspin strokes. That way I can still use a string bed that offers comfort, spin and touch in equal amounts.

18x20 in the doubles racket, 16x18 in the singles. O/V or gut/poly in either or both and I'm good to play.

I have no idea how you do that .... I have enough trouble being consistent with one racquet. I gotta know what my 150 yards club is. ;)
 
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