Pre-stretching polys or stringing higher

[SlowTiger]

I haven't pre-stretched polys in like a decade. Some of the polys I use now drop after the first playing session and just die by the end of the 3rd session. I was wondering what people's experience are with pre-stretching the string or string a few pounds higher a s letting them settle for a week before use.

Also, what I'm worried about is losing the overall playability of the string is known for if I pre-stretch it.

 

[eah123]

I don't ever pre-stretch polys. Strings always feel best fresh off the stringer in my opinion. It sounds like you are very sensitive to string tension loss, or maybe a hard hitter. I doubt pre-stretching is what you are looking for. What I suggest is to try stringing at a lower tension (I recommend 40-45#), that way the drop-off is not as drastic and you can probably get a few more sessions. You may need to switch to a stiffer string if the lower tension results in too much power for you. Some good stiff polys that play well at low tension that recommend are Volkl Cyclone and Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange.

 

[SlowTiger]

I can use stiffer polys but prefer the feel of softer ones. Problem is they die faster. Factory pre-stretched strings like kirshbaum play a lot more consistent. I guess I'm trying to figure out if pre-stretching for a more consistent play is worth losing the pop and performance of new strings.

 

[jim e]

Why don't you just take one set, and pre stretch say to 10 percent keeping reference tension the same and see how it feels to you. Then you would have a better idea of that would work for you.

 

[glenda]

I use Technifibre 18-gauge Biphase strings strung at 55 tension. They're pre-strung before packaging and the strings are expensive, about $24 a package. I play a firm, consistent game and play several days a week. The 18-gauge strings though break in the sweet spot pretty quickly, if I'm lucky the multifilament strings lasting about two weeks. (Still, considering my harder hitting play and my frequency of play, I consider the strings surprisingly durable. I don't though apply excessive top spin on baseline shots, but the 18 gauge provides a little more spin than lesser gauges.)

Yet I figure by the time the strings break, it's time to replace them to maintain liveliness and my preferred string tension. (I string my own rackets using a top-dog stringing machine, and the strings in my play have never broken near the racket frame. I'm particular and I buy the strings by the coil reducing the string cost to a little cheaper. I carry four of the same rackets but I use an alternating restringing method and an alternating racket-use method. In other words, I don't have a bunch of rackets just sitting in my bag with strings losing tension.)

 

[SlowTiger]

Why don't you just take one set, and pre stretch say to 10 percent keeping reference tension the same and see how it feels to you. Then you would have a better idea of that would work for you.

I would but I use a drop weight. I'd be manually stretching them before I put them in. I'm prob going to do a test set soon just to try out but I just recently got the idea for pre-stretching because I got a reel of diadem black and I saw it mentioned multiple times (even by the two review) that pre-stretching helps

 

[Steve Huff]

A manual pre-stretch would also take out some of the coil memory, so it might be a little easier to string. If you do much of a pre-stretch, I'd drop the tension 1-2 pounds also.

 

[esgee48]

When you do your manual prestretch, measure how long the string permanently stretched. You need this data to repeat any restring if you like it. I generally use to put 6” or 8” of length on a 20’ section. But I was stretching 1.3mm stuff then.

 

[SlowTiger]

When you do your manual prestretch, measure how long the string permanently stretched. You need this data to repeat any restring if you like it. I generally use to put 6” or 8” of length on a 20’ section. But I was stretching 1.3mm stuff then.

6-8" seams like a lot. I thought I'm supposed to pull at 40 pounds for about 15-30 seconds. I don't think I'll get that much slack out of it

 

[esgee48]

6/240=0.025 or 2.5% which is a lot for stiff early gen polyesters. SG can easily stretch 10-15%. You are trying to remove most of the static tension losses.