Poly Mains / Multi Crosses: tension and gauge?

[bmr0216]

Planning on trying out a poly multi hybrid on one of my new Pure Strikes (16x19). Solinco Confidential for the mains, and Head Velocity MLT for the crosses.

As for gauges ... should my mains be thinner than the crosses? I was thinking Confidential 17 (1.20 nominal/1.24 actual) and Velocity 17 (1.25 nominal/actual). Or maybe Confidential 16L and Velocity 16?

As for tension ... should the softer string always be strung 2-4 lbs higher than the poly, even as crosses? Or is same tension for both strings just fine? I like my polys strung at 52 lbs.

 

[VacationTennis]

I would say for gauge it's more your preference. Are you leaning more towards a rip roaring high performance set up with the 17, or leaning towards a longer lasting and more stable setup with the 16?

2-4 lbs higher in the cross would be a good place to start to balance things out given the stiffness of Confidential, again depends on if you want a more stable feel out of the bed vs comfort and power.

 

[USPTARF97]

Best results: RF97 and PS97
Tourbite 1.25/ Gosen Micro Sheep 1.30 48/52
Alu Power 1.25/ Prince Synthetic Gut 1.30 55/55

 

[bmr0216]

I would say for gauge it's more your preference. Are you leaning more towards a rip roaring high performance set up with the 17, or leaning towards a longer lasting and more stable setup with the 16?

2-4 lbs higher in the cross would be a good place to start to balance things out given the stiffness of Confidential, again depends on if you want a more stable feel out of the bed vs comfort and power.

I don't break strings very often as I'm usually only playing once or twice a week. More often than not they go dead before they break. So I'm guessing it's best to go with the 17 gauge for best playability. I'm going to go with 17 gauge Velocity, but I'm not sure whether to go with 16L or 17g Confidential. According to TWU, Solinco's 17g is 1.20 nominal gauge but 1.24 actual gauge, while their 16L is 1.25 nominal but 1.28 actual.

 

[Steve Huff]

I'd go 17g poly (mains)/16g Velocity. In this setup, you're likely going to break the crosses 1st. My preference for tension would be 50/55#.

 

[FIRETennis]

I've had good results with ALU Power 1.25 mains / Isospeed Professional 17 crosses.
I did find the 'easy' spin gone after 3-4h with the mains being stuck out of place and not sliding as well on the crosses.

Haven't tried Head Velocity. I know that it's made by Isospeed but is it just a rebranded version of their multis or is it a different string?

 

[bmr0216]

I've had good results with ALU Power 1.25 mains / Isospeed Professional 17 crosses.
I did find the 'easy' spin gone after 3-4h with the mains being stuck out of place and not sliding as well on the crosses.

Haven't tried Head Velocity. I know that it's made by Isospeed but is it just a rebranded version of their multis or is it a different string?

I believe it differs from most of Isospeed's other multis like Control/ Control Classic and Professional series. Those are constructed with ribbons of polyolefins while the Velocity is just a typical multifilament.

 

[USPTARF97]

Wilson Blade Pro 16x19

44/48 Tier 1 Black Knight 1.23/ OGSM 1.22

 

[brownbearfalling]

I would say at least 4 lbs increase on the multi. Doesn’t matter if multi is in mains or crosses. I’ve done some hybrids where the polys felt like the only strings in racquet. I could not feel the multi at all. Also the multi loose tension quickly when being sawed by the poly. If they are still intact after a while, they won’t have much tension left. I would suggest trying the set ups above, poly with a Syn gut. There are some softer syn guts out there like prince lightning.

 

[USPTARF97]

Have had better success with a solid core synthetic gut in the crosses rather than a multi with the exception of Head Velocity. Multi’s don’t seem to support the poly very well and the poly gets stretched out quick. The Multi in the crosses breaks quickly as well, used some of the higher end Multis with the same result. NXT, X1, NRG. Cheaper to put natural gut in the crosses. Lasts 2-3 times longer.

 

[bmr0216]

Have had better success with a solid core synthetic gut rather a multi with the exception of Head Velicifu. Multi’s don’t seem to suoooert the poly very well and the poly gets stretched out quick. The Multi in the crosses breaks quickly as well, used some the higher end Multis with the same result. NXT, X1, NRG. Cheaper to put natural gut in the crosses. It lasts twice as long.

Black Head Velocity is my favorite cross for poly mains so far. Nice and dampened at contact, really takes away the harshness from the stiff poly. Otherwise I use Gosen OGSM, it just doesn't feel as plush as the Velocity.

Current favorite hybrid for my 95" sq in, 18x20 Pure Storm Ltd. is Max Power Rough 18g mains (51 lbs) and black Velocity 17g crosses (54 lbs).

 

[AKB]

Got a question, I use Silverstring (17g) full bed at 45/42.

If I wanted to try a Multifeel (16 or 17g, open to either) hybrid with Silverstring (17g) while maintaining a 3 lbs differential (in feel) between mains and crosses, what tension should I start Multifeel at? Silverstring will stay at 45 lbs…

 

[2ndServe]

I string poly mains / multi cross 16/19 and I think it plays best with the cross 5-8 lbs tighter but I started doing low poly 45 lbs and cross 52 lbs which I've found to work pretty good.

 

[Casper777]

I strung Tour Bite 120 at 21.5kg in the mains and Vanquish 130 at 23 kg in the crosses...
Feels fine for me. If I need more control, I would more likely increase Vanquish to 24kg

 

[USPTARF97]

Got a question, I use Silverstring (17g) full bed at 45/42.

If I wanted to try a Multifeel (16 or 17g, open to either) hybrid with Silverstring (17g) while maintaining a 3 lbs differential (in feel) between mains and crosses, what tension should I start Multifeel at? Silverstring will stay at 45 lbs…

Go up 4 lbs.

42/46 44/48

You will be surprised how solid the string bed ends up.

 

[USPTARF97]

Where you start with your poly tension would be dependent on frame and preference. . I’m a 5.0 player using a Blade Pro V7 16x19 (H22)
Tier 1 Black Knight 1.23/ OGSM 1.22
44/48
4lbs has worked well for me and have friends that go 5lb and 6lb for more control.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Better be careful with the numbers lest the RTDs (Radical Tension Differentialists) start finding their voices again.

 

[USPTARF97]

Better be careful with the numbers lest the RTDs (Radical Tension Differentialists) start finding their voices again.

No doubt,, they will be showing up talking about 40-50 lb differentials being fine for the frame and how it plays better than anything on the market.

 

[2ndServe]

I think it really depends on 16/19 vs 18x20, 6 or 8 mains in the throat and string spacing, openess.

I tried 2 lbs lower multi on denser string pattern and it works well.

 

[USPTARF97]

I think it really depends on 16/19 vs 18x20, 6 or 8 mains in the throat and string spacing, openess.

I tried 2 lbs lower multi on denser string pattern and it works well.

For sure, on 18x20’s I only go up 2lbs on the Multi or Syn Gut crosses. Same tension and down 2lbs on the crosses also works well in the 18x20.
Korda stringing the H22 18x20 at 50/47 with Alu power mains/ Natural Gut crosses. Wanting to try this.