Pre stretching Monogut ZX (Zyex)

[skydog]

I am going to be expetimenting with Ashaway Monogut ZX and was seeking opinions on pre stretching and the amount of pre stretching. I have other threads about manual pre stretching the string, but was wondering how much pre stretch to select in my machine. 10%? 25%? What works best for you to eliminate that mushy feeling and help minimize initial tension loss?

Any other tips on stringing Monogut ZX? Knots seem to be the biggest area with string breakage as well as nicking the string with a tool, but are there any other things I need to be aware of to make my stringing go smoother?

Goal is to use Monogut ZX mains with round poly crosses to increase comfort, get good snap back, and better spin vs Syn Gut mains.

 

[esgee48]

Tie one end of the Zyex to an anchor point. Wrap other end around something you can hold and pull. Put a mark on the string near you. Pulse pull with body weight. Prestretch is complete when 20' is stretched by 18" to 24" as measure by mark on string. At least that is how it is reported here.

 

[skydog]

Tie one end of the Zyex to an anchor point. Wrap other end around something you can hold and pull. Put a mark on the string near you. Pulse pull with body weight. Prestretch is complete when 20' is stretched by 18" to 24" as measure by mark on string. At least that is how it is reported here.

I was kind of hoping to just pre stretch on the Wise with each pull versus the manual stretch, something I can duplicate precisely on each stringing. Anyone have success using the pre stretch function on your machine?

 

[esgee48]

I think you will need to contact @Shroud . Problem with machine prestretch is two fold. Length of string being stretched and duration. I would normally not recommend prestretch at all, but Zyex seems to have many problems without it. Another option is a long pull (at least 20 sec) at reference tension but whether this is enough is unknown to me.

 

[frank52]

I don't pre-stretch Monogut ZX but I do use a dropweight stringer and give it some extra time.
I suspect too much pre-stretch will take the liveliness out of the string - may as well play with poly.

 

[skydog]

I think you will need to contact @Shroud . Problem with machine prestretch is two fold. Length of string being stretched and duration. I would normally not recommend prestretch at all, but Zyex seems to have many problems without it. Another option is a long pull (at least 20 sec) at reference tension but whether this is enough is unknown to me.

Yeah, I normally do not prestretch, but Zyex without a prestretch gets mushy fast. Tried a full bed in a POG back in 2013 but did not like the feel of it after a couple of hits. I am hoping that using it in a hybrid and a adding in a prestretch will get me what I am looking for.

 

[esgee48]

Would you consider pulling twice? This is the method Irvin recommends when replicating CP on a LO (IIRC). It will definitely slow you down. There really aren't any good options other than a good manual prestretch. Zyex is what it is.

 

[Shroud]

I was kind of hoping to just pre stretch on the Wise with each pull versus the manual stretch, something I can duplicate precisely on each stringing. Anyone have success using the pre stretch function on your machine?

I have the Wise and the problem with the prestretch function is that its too short. Plus you have the main strings resisting so the stretch is not good enough. When I was doing lower tensions, I would do manual and then prestretch with the wise.

Nothing to be gained by wussing out on the manual prestretch. Once you do it that way you will fully understand why the Wise prestretch will not work as well.

Now if you insist then the best thing to do is use the prestretch at 25% and wait 30 seconds before clamping. I do this with the Wise in addition to the manual prestretch, weaving the next cross while the machine is still pulling. These days I dont count, just weave the next string and then clamp.

Another strategy is to just string much tighter and wait for the tension loss to happen. Though you have little control with this and you can only string ZX up to about 65 (60 on the package).

I am 31-1 with tying knots. Trick is to not nick the string and to pull slowly on the knots.

 

[graycrait]

When you are prestretching zyex measure its diameter also. I still am having issues prestretching it, when trying to figure out how much is enough and how much prestretch is too much. Maybe measuring diameter gives a more objective decision point on how much is enough prestretch? I dunno. Today I hit with some 17G zyex in the crosses not prestretched strung at 40 in the crosses and 60 in the mains with Kevlar. Normally I string unprestretched with 60 Kev mains, 65 Zyex Pro crosses.

 

[skydog]

I have the Wise and the problem with the prestretch function is that its too short. Plus you have the main strings resisting so the stretch is not good enough. When I was doing lower tensions, I would do manual and then prestretch with the wise.

Nothing to be gained by wussing out on the manual prestretch. Once you do it that way you will fully understand why the Wise prestretch will not work as well.

Now if you insist then the best thing to do is use the prestretch at 25% and wait 30 seconds before clamping. I do this with the Wise in addition to the manual prestretch, weaving the next cross while the machine is still pulling. These days I dont count, just weave the next string and then clamp.

Another strategy is to just string much tighter and wait for the tension loss to happen. Though you have little control with this and you can only string ZX up to about 65 (60 on the package).

I am 31-1 with tying knots. Trick is to not nick the string and to pull slowly on the knots.

Thanks for the tips!

I am going to start with trying Zyex in the mains so I should not run into the resistance problems that I would in the crosses. I guess I may just string up two, one with a manual pre stretch and one with just the machine to see if I can determine a difference.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with Zyex.

 

[Shroud]

Thanks for the tips!

I am going to start with trying Zyex in the mains so I should not run into the resistance problems that I would in the crosses. I guess I may just string up two, one with a manual pre stretch and one with just the machine to see if I can determine a difference.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with Zyex.

Make sure you are not looping around a pole and pulling 2 strings!!!

 

[skydog]

Make sure you are not looping around a pole and pulling 2 strings!!!

Copy that

 

[skydog]

First racquet strung using 25% pre stretch on the Wise with the ZX in the mains. Waited a while to clamp the first few strings, but the tension seemed to hold very steady after the pre stretch with no detectable machine movement so I started clamping at a normal pace. Will see how it plays on Monday.

 

[comeback]

On a Gamma crank for prestringing I have pretty good luck stringing an 2 old rackets with 18g Ashaway kevlar 90lbs and 17g ZX pro 60lbs...Then several weeks later i take those strings out and put them in my playing rackets at 65/45..I then double pull each ZX and also wait 30 seconds to clamp...

 

[PBODY99]

Make sure you are not looping around a pole and pulling 2 strings!!!

Could you help me out by explaining why not ? I have used that method, using my body weight to pull some of the creep out of the string, the pole has a six inch diameter I hold the tension for about 2 minutes. Thanks in advance

 

[MathieuR]

Could you help me out by explaining why not ?

Just measure the pulling-force, it will not be more as 25kg = 12.5kg/string = is by far not enough to remove creep.

 

[GlennK]

Could you help me out by explaining why not ? I have used that method, using my body weight to pull some of the creep out of the string, the pole has a six inch diameter I hold the tension for about 2 minutes. Thanks in advance

I also use this method. Some of those that wish to pre-stretch enough to completely remove elasticity will tell you not to do the wrap as you are halving the force. But if you are mostly interested in removing the spool memory and only some of the creep, you are fine.

 

[MathieuR]

. Some of those that wish to pre-stretch enough to completely remove elasticity

By pre-stretching you remove the "lasting elongation", NOT the elasticity.

 

[GlennK]

By pre-stretching you remove the "lasting elongation", NOT the elasticity.

Sorry, thanks for the correction.

 

[Shroud]

Could you help me out by explaining why not ? I have used that method, using my body weight to pull some of the creep out of the string, the pole has a six inch diameter I hold the tension for about 2 minutes. Thanks in advance

Mathieu got it. Its half the force and yeah coil memory is one thing but not the prestretching zx needs.

 

[skydog]

I have approx 5 hours on my Monogit ZX / BHS hybrid and love it so far. Strung it up in my Blade 104 project at 57lbs in the mains with 25% prestretch selected on the Wise 2086 (no manual prestretch). So far, I am impressed. Power level has not changed noticeably through the first 5 hours unlike the experience I had with a full bed a few years ago.

When stringing it up I was prepared to let the Wise pull tension for 30 plus seconds, but after the first few mains, there really was not any noticible tension less after the beep and no noticable machine movement to maintain tension. For the rest of the racquet I returned to my normal pace (still fairly slow as I am not any where close to being a professional). I may eventually attempt a manual prestretch to see of there is an appreciable difference, but for now I am quite satisfied with the performance of the pre stretch on the Wise @ 25%.

 

[racket king]

The problem with pre-stretching ZX is that it really thins out the PTFE type coating on it (yes, it is treated with a slippery low friction coating). You end up with a string with less power and better tension maintenance but it's not as spinny or as responsive.

 

[skydog]

The problem with pre-stretching ZX is that it really thins out the PTFE type coating on it (yes, it is treated with a slippery low friction coating). You end up with a string with less power and better tension maintenance but it's not as spinny or as responsive.

The string dies too soon without the prestretch. Even with the pre stretch it has more spin and power than syngut which is what I was using prior to getting the Monogut ZX. Will see how long it lasts, but if I can get over 12 hours it will be money in the bank.

 

[graycrait]

Just for grins I prestretched 17' of Zyex Pro (17g) and got 18' 4". I prestretched 19' of 16G Ashaway Kevlar the same way and got 19' 1.5". Strung it up in a Prince Response 97 to compare to another Response 97 strung with fresh shaped poly. Rained today.

 

[skydog]

I have about 20 hours on my original racquet strung with the the Monogut ZX and no noticeable performance change. Went to the back up racquet strung exact the same and noticed no appreciable performance difference after the first 30 mins or so as the initial impact tension fall off settled in. With no apparent signs of wear, I am thinking I could get at least 30 hours out of this setup.

I am quite pleased with the performance of the string bed and just strung up my third Blade 104 using the same procedure and tensions. My last two drill sessions have been the best tennis I have ever played so the setup is staying as is for the conceivable future.

 

[teekaywhy]

What is everyone doing to keep the tie off knots from snapping? I wasted over 40' of monogut last night because I kept breaking it at the top cross tie off. I think using a starting clamp is damaging the string enough to make it almost un-tieable.
Are you using starting knots?

 

[Irvin]

I've only used it once in crosses at 58# with 10% prestretch and a starting knot and did not have a problem.

 

[marsh]

What is everyone doing to keep the tie off knots from snapping? I wasted over 40' of monogut last night because I kept breaking it at the top cross tie off. I think using a starting clamp is damaging the string enough to make it almost un-tieable.
Are you using starting knots?

I feel your pain and frustration. I recently did this twice in a row while tying off the bottom knot in my crosses. My advice is to use a staring clamp and keep your knots looser than you would with any other type of string. The ones I have have broken have always happened when cinching up the tail (I use a pro knot exclusively).

 

[Irvin]

I feel your pain and frustration. I recently did this twice in a row while tying off the bottom knot in my crosses. My advice is to use a staring clamp and keep your knots looser than you would with any other type of string. The ones I have have broken have always happened when cinching up the tail (I use a pro knot exclusively).

If all the ZyeX strings you have ever broken were the result of cinching up a knot how would using a starting clamp help?

 

[marsh]

If all the ZYEX strings you have ever broken were the result of cinching up a knot how would using a starting clamp help?

My bad, I thought that it would be self explanatory as two separate pieces of advice. I prefer to start it using a starting clamp because considering the limitation on cinching a knot, a standard knot is so much smaller (and this was advice given to me by Grant Morgan when I first started stringing this combo). Then the second was just intended to be general knot cinching advice when tying off Zyex.

 

[Irvin]

^^Ok thanks for your explanation. But my iKnot is just about the same size as a Parnell knot which is what I use for tying off.

 

[teekaywhy]

the starting clamp is what seems to be the issue for me. The string snaps at the knot on the top cross when I go back to tie it off after running in the first few crosses.
I used a starting knot last night and it didn't snap. But now the finishing tie off knot gives me the sweats so I've been using double half hitches and hoping the first one doesn't break.

 

[marsh]

Interesting. Only thing I can think of is to be really careful when removing the starting clamp to make sure that you don't drag the inner surface across the string. My thinking is that maybe small scratches are making it more susceptible to breaking.

 

[comeback]

I've found one regular knot works best..Trying to force a second knot is difficult..ps..i never use a starting clamp, i just make a knot with a 1/2 inch extra then pull the cross string until the knot is tight..

 

[teekaywhy]

I've found one regular knot works best..Trying to force a second knot is difficult..ps..i never use a starting clamp, i just make a knot with a 1/2 inch extra then pull the cross string until the knot is tight..

Explain! I'm trying to imagine what you're talking about. Are you pulling on the running end by hand until the tie end is tight? Are you using a starting knot or tie off knot?

 

[comeback]

Explain! I'm trying to imagine what you're talking about. Are you pulling on the running end by hand until the tie end is tight? Are you using a starting knot or tie off knot?

Yes for the starting knot i am pulling on the running end manually..Then after weaving the 1st cross i pull on my crank machine slowly and see it tighten..If the loose end is too long, i just trim them after i'm finished ..But the one knot works very well (starting and ending) I've never broken the 17g zx or had a problem

 

[Irvin]

But now the finishing tie off knot gives me the sweats

The reason is because you feel as though you have to have the knot tight or it will come untied. Tying a knot tighter is not going to help it stay tied, no knot I have ever tied tight in almost 40 years of stringing has ever come untied except for the top knot on a double half hitch. After that I switched to a pro knot for an awful long time now it is a Parnell exclusively for tying off.

I have broken strings tying off too tight with a knot. So now you have to ask yourself this question, what can I do to stop breaking strings when I tie off?

 

[comeback]

Exactly, the ZX string knot doesn't pull to a tight knot..Just pull it MEDIUM and leave a little extra on the ends..It might look loose but it will never come out...If you try a 2nd knot it only complicates things