Replacment for Luxilon

[Casey10s]

Hello,

I have been using Luxilon ALU Flouro 17 in the mains and BDE Perf 17 in the crosses. The racquet plays well for about 10 to 14 days and then the tension goes away on the Luxilon. At that point, the control and feel goes away and I start to spray balls all over the place. I have started to try other strings to see if I can get longer life on the mains. I am hoping to get somewhere around 3 weeks out of a set.

When I did a full natural gut on the old racquets, I would get 3 weeks out of a string job before the tension would go away. Sometimes I would lose tension before that but it would mostly be due to moving the racquets between different temperature extremes (mostly between cold and indoor).

Also, once I lose tension, I cut the old strings out and put new ones in. I do my own stringing. I have also used Gamma Zo True 17 but to me it seems too stiff.

My racquet is the Wilson K95 ( 16x18 ).

Any suggestions on what else to try? Maybe the Weiss Cannon strings?

 

[Rabbit]

Try Pacific Xtreme 16L. It is very close in feel to ALU, but holds tension unbelievably well.

 

[Zhou]

Some people on this forum regard Topspin Cyberflash as a cheap mans Luxilon.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

Try Cyber Flash, Big Hitter, Cyber Power, Big Ace, Blue Gear, Poly Plasma, Polyfibre TCS. Those seem to the most popular around here.

 

[Babb]

Big Ace was my alternative.

 

[Casey10s]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to look into these options.

 

[1012007]

Try Cyber Flash, Big Hitter, Cyber Power, Big Ace, Blue Gear, Poly Plasma, Polyfibre TCS. Those seem to the most popular around here.

If you want a string that plays like Luxilon, out of these try Cyberflash. All the other are soft polys except Blue gear which is a "spin string"

 

[need2bfit]

I suggest Signum Pro Poly-Plasma as well. Actually it seems to hold tension much better than Lux, for me at least. That's the best poly I've tried so far.

 

[fastdunn]

Try Pacific Xtreme 16L. It is very close in feel to ALU, but holds tension unbelievably well.

I second this. Its tension maintenance is unbelievable. Definitely it holds on.
Sometimes I wonder what it is made of. I don't think it's all polyester. Rabbit, any idea ?

I haven't played with ALU floro but Xtreme is much softer than ALU Big Banger.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

If you want a string that plays like Luxilon, out of these try Cyberflash. All the other are soft polys except Blue gear which is a "spin string"

I hope you did not say that to me. I am well aware that Cyber Flash is stiffer than the others.

 

[hoodjem]

If you want a string that plays like Luxilon, out of these try Cyberflash. All the other are soft polys except Blue gear which is a "spin string"

I wish someone would compile a list of all the "soft poly"s--so I can avoid them.

(Big Hitter, Cyber Power, Big Ace, Poly Plasma, Polyfibre TCS . . .)

I disliked SPPP. Anyone tried Pacific X Force 18?

 

[1012007]

I hope you did not say that to me. I am well aware that Cyber Flash is stiffer than the others.

Im just stopping the OP just buying some Big Ace and then realising its nothing like Luxilon. Nothing against your views or opinions

 

[Hankenstein]

I used to play with Big Banger Alu Power alot when i worked in a pro-shop, but i tried the Pro´s Pro Cyber Power and that is almost as good as the BigBanger string. It´s really really cheap as well and i just loves it. Great string!

 

[1012007]

Are you serious? I assumed Pro's Pro was some cheap crappy EU company that sell crap rackets, cheap string and awful machines

 

[PROTENNIS63]

Im just stopping the OP just buying some Big Ace and then realising its nothing like Luxilon. Nothing against your views or opinions

You quoted me, not the OP which is why I said something.

 

[1012007]

Sorry i wasnt trying to say you were wrong or anything.

Can you tell me the difference between Big ace and Cyberpower?

 

[nickb]

Imo out of all the cheaper polys cyberflash and big hitter play most like ALU Power...they dont have that amazing first few hours but keep going for much longer.

Nick

 

[PROTENNIS63]

Sorry i wasnt trying to say you were wrong or anything.

Can you tell me the difference between Big ace and Cyberpower?

I found Cyber Power to give much more pop. Too much for me. Out of the polys I have tried, Cyber Power has the most in power so if you hit the ball weak or want to get some more pop on your shots, then Cyber Power is good. Big Ace also has some power but not as much as Cyber Power. Big Ace wins in control for me. Both are soft. I guess it comes down to personal preference and which color you like best.

 

[Speedygonzalez]

Are you serious? I assumed Pro's Pro was some cheap crappy EU company that sell crap rackets, cheap string and awful machines

If you check the ratings on stringforum.net you see that the polyester strings of Pro's Pro are pretty highly rated. I have tried Vendeta, Plus Power, Concept and Poly Gut and those are strings with a a lot of bang for your buck....

 

[Klatu Verata Necktie]

I agree that Cyberpower, Big Ace, and probably Big Hitter Blue wouldn't be appropriate replacements for Luxillon. Their similarity ends at the most general level, that they are all polyester. Lux tends toward the stiffer, crisper side, qualities which none of the softer polys will possess.

 

[Rabbit]

I second this. Its tension maintenance is unbelievable. Definitely it holds on.
Sometimes I wonder what it is made of. I don't think it's all polyester. Rabbit, any idea ?

I haven't played with ALU floro but Xtreme is much softer than ALU Big Banger.

Man, I have no idea...

All I know is that it's easy on your arm, has great feel, and doesn't lose tension.

 

[ctdeuce]

I rock the cyberflashes...they are great!

 

[nskatp]

Weiss Cannon Silverstring sticker (on the reel) says it's a "high grade CoPolymer, mixed by trace elements of Fluorcarbon Elastomeres". So maybe it can be the closest to ALU Fluoro.

I have never played with ALU Fluoro but I definitely played with ALU and Silverstring feels a little bit softer, playability last WAY longer for me (about 14 hours so no sure if that will give you 3 weeks). So far no arm pain, good combination of control and power. I'm using the 1.20 gauge.

It's almost 6 dollars cheaper that ALU Fluoro and if you by a reel it can be almost 10 dollars cheaper, so even if you only get 14 days out of it as you do with ALU you win because it will be a lot cheaper to restring, which is probably what you will have to do, I don't think a poly can give you 3 weeks, not even Pacific Xtreme which I REALLY like (more than Silverstring -a bit softer-), Xtreme holds tension very well, I start to loose control just maybe 1 hour before the string breaks (around 13-14 hours). Xtreme more expensive thou.

So try Weiss Silverstring or Pacific Xtreme, you will not regret it.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

^^^ Yep. Lux is overpriced. Cyber Flash is even more cheaper than the Silverstring.

 

[Casey10s]

The ALU Flouro is supposed to be softer than the Big Banger. I am getting over some arm problems so I was looking for something a little softer in the poly family. The Zo True started to bother my arm after about 10 minutes of hitting. But once the strings loosened, they seemed to be OK on my arm but the Zo True doesn't have enough feel for what I like.

My style is to play agressive where most of my shots are near the sideline or deep in the corners. My style is to not keep much in the center of the court. If I get a short ball it is either deep in the corner (one or the other) or a sharp topspin crosscourt shot. My baseline play is similar but I am aiming in the corner to set up the short ball.

The ALU Flouro lasts me about 15 hours before the tension disappears. It is not breaking, just losing tension.

I am looking for a control type poly-family 17g string that can hold constant tension to around 30 hours of play. I can put up with losing tension in the first hour of hitting but I like it to stay there for the remaining hours. The suggestions so far are giving some good ideas to investigate.

 

[Stan]

I am looking for a control type poly-family 17g string that can hold constant tension to around 30 hours of play. I can put up with losing tension in the first hour of hitting but I like it to stay there for the remaining hours. The suggestions so far are giving some good ideas to investigate.

What you are seeking does not exist yet. Check back in a couple of years as technology continues to improve the copolymers.

 

[rorourboat320]

i used to play with luxilon but was looking for something cheaper. found big ace and fell in love with it. i use it as a hybrid though because it like the feel and it's similar to luxilon, only better IMO. price is great on pro supex too so i recommend checkin their stuff out. heard blue gear is good too but i doubt that'll look good on your k95. big ace comes in red and it looks great on my kfactor

 

[carguy]

fluoro is much softer than other luxilon string

Casey10s

it looks like few if any of the posters on this thread have actually used fluoro.

i've used fluoro in the past and like it a lot except for its tension maintenance. haven't found an exact match but topspin cyber power feels softer and pro supex big ace is soft but still feels stiffer and they both last longer.

use the following chart as a guide to find a softer poly. keep in mind that feel is a subjective rating so a string that is rated softer may still feel stiffer.

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200709/stringmap_poly.html

 

[ey039524]

I've used Fluoro and I think that SPPP plays similarly to it, but a little softer with not as much bite on the ball. I started getting some elbow problems with Fluoro, so I've been looking for a softer poly with the same amount of bite. I'm currently playing with Big Ace and SPPP in a hybrid with VS Natural gut.

 

[Casey10s]

Thanks for the replies, carguy and ey039524. I will look at some of your suggestions.

The main reason I am doing a hybrid was to reduce the cost a little bit from using a full BDE string job. But if I am doing 3 string jobs of hybrid compared to 2 of full natural gut, I am not really saving anything. Once the weather breaks, I will try a full BDE or VS. With the cold weather, the gut doesn't hold up well (tension-wise) in taking it in and out of the cold all the time.

 

[fastdunn]

I have yet to play with any polyester that grabs/bites like Luxilon does.

I just don't play with them anymore because they are expensive/stiff and lose tension/feel too quickly for amateurs like me.

I've heard Unique Big Hitter plays like it but have not played with it yet.

 

[mista-k]

there is no string like lux ALU (when fresh), only so called alu wannabees...
if you are just avoiding TE then hybrid with nat gut
if not invest in a string machine and string up anytime

-cyberflash <i have 3 reels of this 1.20mm like it alot and weiss ss <reel of 1.20mm> are a good start...

 

[Gennady Mamzhi]

Topspin Cyber Power 1.20

Soft poly with better feel and byte...

 

[ClubHoUno]

Weiss Canon Silver String 1.20 and Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L are two of the best poly like strings there are.

 

[ledor]

i put in cyberflash and sppp for my votes

 

[carguy]

Casey10s

if you are restringing every 2-3 weeks, it's time to get a string machine. check out the string machine forum here on tt for more info.

this way you can afford to string every 2 weeks. a reel of big ace is around $70 (good for 15-16 racquets) and a basic stringing machine is around $150.

 

[Casey10s]

Carguy,

I do have my own stringer. I have had one for almost 10 years now. With a whole bed of natural gut, I was stringing about once a month or so. With using this set-up, I am stringing about once every 2 weeks. I don't have a lot of free time, so I do so most of my stringing towards midnight. I am tired then and tend to make mistakes that take me even longer to string a racquet.

Using a hybrid combination and stringing at the frequency I have been, I am not really saving any money on strings. I am still spending about $250 dollars every 4 months on strings.

My last string job was to put the natural gut in the mains and the Fluoro in the crosses. The tension seems to be holding. I will know better at the end of next week.

When the weather breaks, I am going to string a whole bed with natural gut and see how the racquet plays. I haven't done this with this frame.

 

[Wondertoy]

SPPP does not have the power of Lux ALU.

 

[carguy]

When the weather breaks, I am going to string a whole bed with natural gut and see how the racquet plays. I haven't done this with this frame.

Casey10s

how did it go with ng? i just did a friend's racquet with klip armour pro ng. he's complaining that it doesn't spin as much as his poly setup (msv hex focus or lux bb alu rough) but the feel is much better. no reports on durability and tension maintenacne yet.

 

[stormholloway]

ALU Fluoro is probably the sweetest playing poly out there, but it does die.

I use Competition. I think it's the best alternative.

 

[Wondertoy]

Competition doesn't have the feel and comfort of PolyStar Energy.

 

[stormholloway]

Competition is plenty comfortable, and who the hell buys a poly for feel?

 

[Casey10s]

In my search for a replacement for Fluoro, I have/will be trying the following strings in the next few months.

TopSpin Cyber Power
Kirschbaum Pro Line No. 2
WeissCannon Silverstring

I have a racquet with Kirschbaum in the crosses and BDE in the mains and I think I strung the Kirschbaum too tight even though I used the same tension as the Fluoro. Can't get it to play the way I like. I will have to wait until the tension drops a little more where I can then get a good idea how it plays.

The next string job will the WeissCannon. The Kirschbaum seems to be the stiffest of the 3 with the TopSpin and WeissCannon somewhat similar in stiffness. The Kirschbaum is noticeably more stiffer that the Fluoro. Next stiffer seems to be the TopSpin and the WeissCannon seems to be similar to the Fluoro.

If I find a string I like in the crosses, I am going to try VS Gut in the mains and see how this combination works.

 

[carguy]

In my search for a replacement for Fluoro, I have/will be trying the following strings in the next few months.

TopSpin Cyber Power
Kirschbaum Pro Line No. 2
WeissCannon Silverstring

also have a look at pro supex big ace. not as soft as cp but good combination of durability, softness and feel.

 

[rorschack]

Put Big Hitter on your list as replacement for Lux. From my reading, lots of people said it's closest to it.

 

[Bubba]

Hello,

I have been using Luxilon ALU Flouro 17 in the mains and BDE Perf 17 in the crosses. The racquet plays well for about 10 to 14 days and then the tension goes away on the Luxilon. At that point, the control and feel goes away and I start to spray balls all over the place. I have started to try other strings to see if I can get longer life on the mains. I am hoping to get somewhere around 3 weeks out of a set.

When I did a full natural gut on the old racquets, I would get 3 weeks out of a string job before the tension would go away. Sometimes I would lose tension before that but it would mostly be due to moving the racquets between different temperature extremes (mostly between cold and indoor).

Also, once I lose tension, I cut the old strings out and put new ones in. I do my own stringing. I have also used Gamma Zo True 17 but to me it seems too stiff.

My racquet is the Wilson K95 ( 16x18 ).

Any suggestions on what else to try? Maybe the Weiss Cannon strings?

Give Signum Pro Hextreme a try... I switched off Lux to this b/c Lux has horrible tension maintenance... the SPH is absolutely awesome.

 

[Casey10s]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I will keep them in mind on my next string order.

I know one thing, Kirschbaum Pro Line No. 2 is off the list. To me it is probably a little too stiff and I can't generate the spin as I can with the Fluoro. The balls hit with the Kirschbaum seems to go into the net or way long when I try to put spin on the ball. Could be my swing with this string but it just not working for me.

 

[stormholloway]

Casey10s

it looks like few if any of the posters on this thread have actually used fluoro.

i've used fluoro in the past and like it a lot except for its tension maintenance. haven't found an exact match but topspin cyber power feels softer and pro supex big ace is soft but still feels stiffer and they both last longer.

use the following chart as a guide to find a softer poly. keep in mind that feel is a subjective rating so a string that is rated softer may still feel stiffer.

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200709/stringmap_poly.html

As someone who has played ALU Fluoro I'll step in here.

This is far and away the sweetest poly I've ever played. The cupping and spin are unbelievable and it's as soft as a bosom.

Now if the OP is saying he gets 10 to 14 days with this string then I see no reason to change. You're not going to do that much better than that with other polys and you sure as hell won't get a sweeter playing poly that Fluoro. That's my two cents. I never got that much time out of it so I switched, but it's the best poly on the market in my opinion.

I will however, be giving Pacific Xtreme a try based on an earlier suggestion.

 

[baseline08thrasher]

there is nothing better than luxillon to make the stringbed feel as good as it makes it feel.

 

[Wondertoy]

As someone who has played ALU Fluoro I'll step in here.

This is far and away the sweetest poly I've ever played. The cupping and spin are unbelievable and it's as soft as a bosom.

Have you played with PolyStar Energy? It is a softer sweet poly and at $9. I can't bring myself to pay $17 for the Fluoro although I would like to try it.