I have recently bought Sync 1.25 reel and few 1.20 sets from European reseller. I'm happy of performance it gives as cross string but I am really disappointed of Sync quality. Normally I break strings in around two months and Sync I took from reel lasted only for few hours before shredding and soon breaking. Some single sets of 1.20 have lasted for few weeks which is very normal. Last set I used did not last that long so there is quality variability in my experience. Cost is very high in EU for this string so I probably have to switch to something else. I love how this string plays but can't pay premium price for this bad quality. This reel I got was almost 200€ and I can throw it straight to trash bin to be honest. I cannot string it to my customers either because it shreds so quickly. I complained to reseller about this and asked if it's quality issue or what but they did not respond anything.
Restring Sync Thread
- Thread starter TennisManiac
- Start date
@Janssoni - I documented the phenomenon you speak earlier in the thread here, and it was with 1.25 gauge in the crosses, with Toalson Asterista Armored 1.30 Black (an 8-sided syn gut with some bite to it) in the mains:
Many have dismissed this kind of wear as just a minority occurrence, but I've seen it often enough with various hybrid combo's with Sync is in the crosses, that I can only presume that something about Sync's formulation is not coherent enough when certain mains are sliding and pressuring its outer surface during ball contact.
I think Restring's OEM, K-Cedar, who makes Sync (aka Blade M-1), needs to go back to the drawing board and come up a more physically-resilient base formula. Still a great string, but especially if this is happening often enough to you, I would agree it's a bit of a deal-killer.
Hopefully Restring and K-Cedar are aware, and working on it, for Sync 2.0.
Following up on @TropicalFruit's post regarding Sync durability. This is only my third string job with it (as a cross only so far), in this case for Toalson Asterista Armored 1.30 mains (an 8-sided syn-gut), I got the following shredding/delamination occurring just outside of center on the 9th cross up from the bottom (on a 2017 Revo CZ 98D) after only 1 hour or so on the bed (click to enlarge):
As you can see, the string peeled a bit like string cheese. The string bed is still playing fine enough, but just a bit disconcerting...
Many have dismissed this kind of wear as just a minority occurrence, but I've seen it often enough with various hybrid combo's with Sync is in the crosses, that I can only presume that something about Sync's formulation is not coherent enough when certain mains are sliding and pressuring its outer surface during ball contact.
I think Restring's OEM, K-Cedar, who makes Sync (aka Blade M-1), needs to go back to the drawing board and come up a more physically-resilient base formula. Still a great string, but especially if this is happening often enough to you, I would agree it's a bit of a deal-killer.
Hopefully Restring and K-Cedar are aware, and working on it, for Sync 2.0.
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Yeah, I really like Sync as a cross string with a shaped main (like Mach 10, Pure Rush, or O-Toro) to provide a little crispness and feel while letting the mains move. But I see the same thing about half the time, where the Sync will fray and break well before the main is ready to break. It's not a huge deal for me because I would usually restring around when the Sync breaks anyway. But it's unusual for a poly, for sure.
TheNadural
Semi-Pro
Anyone able to compare this at 17g directly to otoro tour snap as a cross?
Using otoro/sync in my blade 100l and really like it but was thinking about trying OTS as a cross as I have a few packs sitting around.
How do they compare on stiffness, SnapBack, durability, length of use, etc..?
TIA
Using otoro/sync in my blade 100l and really like it but was thinking about trying OTS as a cross as I have a few packs sitting around.
How do they compare on stiffness, SnapBack, durability, length of use, etc..?
TIA
TropicalFruit
Rookie
Depends on your style. I prefer Snap because it's stiffer. Sync felt much softer. Great bounce, predictable bounce, loved it at net, but when taking full swings on serve or forehand, Sync felt quite muted. Playing at half-speed, Sync feels amazing, and it's hard to miss long.
But this is in a full bed right? I think OP was asking about Sync as a cross.
I've used both as a cross for gut, but if I'm being honest I really don't sense too much of a difference between these since they're both slick strings. Sync's durability and duration is still so far superior than anything I've ever used. And I still think that the average stringer doesn't pull slick strings (like Sync) tight enough, which gives the sensation that the mains have more snapback than when using traditional poly in the cross. My setup is gut/Tour Bite Soft at 52/50, but if I'm using Sync I will do 52/55 or 52/57 b/c the gut mains feel way too loose at 52/50.
TheNadural
Semi-Pro
Yes I’m using OT/sync in my blade 100l and really like it. I’m at 50/48 which I also find really nice in this frame as it it quite stiff. This gives good comfort/spin/power and a good launch angle between a PA98 and a EZ98 for reference.
Since I have the tour snap lying around, I was just curious of what I would expect from otoro/sync vs otoro/OTS.
I was thinking it will probably play similar enough but if it would be a big drop in power, for example, I’d probably pass. Or if it is noticeably stiffer, I’d pass as this frame is stiff to begin with. I don’t want to lose any ball pocketing either.
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TheNadural
Semi-Pro
Copilots expert review - likely pulled based on input from here and reddit and likely inaccurate (perhaps folks can verify), but its a start - and the formatting is nice. Not sure why it refers to regular Otoro as OtoroSOME.
Your reference point:
Nothing else changes — same frame, same tension.
Most obvious difference
Slight but real increase
At the same 48 lbs:
Noticeably higher (but not wild)
Slightly reduced
Because:
If your timing is good → it feels powerful
If timing slips → errors show faster
Because both crosses are:
As long as:
More pop
Better feel and response
Nicer serves and put‑away balls
Slightly higher launch
Less forgiveness when rushed
Stringbed feels stiffer overall
Try OtoroSOME / Tour Snap at 50/46
That tiny drop:
Current setup (baseline)
OtoroSOME / Restring Sync @ 50/48Your reference point:
- Controlled
- Predictable
- Lower launch
- Slightly muted feel
- Excellent snapback efficiency
New setup
OtoroSOME / Otoro Tour Snap @ 50/48Nothing else changes — same frame, same tension.
What will change immediately
Feel at contact
Most obvious difference- Sync: softer, more dampened, “clean”
- Tour Snap: firmer and crisper, more feedback in the hand
Power & depth
Slight but real increaseAt the same 48 lbs:
- Tour Snap has higher rebound energy than Sync
- Groundstrokes will land ~1–2 feet deeper on average if you swing the same
- On compact swings
- On balls taken early
Launch angle
Noticeably higher (but not wild)- Sync keeps OtoroSOME’s launch flatter
- Tour Snap raises launch slightly
- This shows up most when:
- You’re late
- Or defending wide
Margin under full swings
Slightly reducedBecause:
- Stiffer frame
- Firmer cross
- More rebound
If your timing is good → it feels powerful
If timing slips → errors show faster
What will NOT change much
Spin rate
Surprisingly similar.Because both crosses are:
- Round
- Smooth
- Designed for snapback
- Sync: cleaner snapback
- Tour Snap: more rebound energy
Control on well‑set balls
Still very good.As long as:
- You’re balanced
- Swinging freely
Secondary effects (after 4–8 hours)
Tension stability
- Sync stays consistent longer
- Tour Snap will feel:
- Great early
- Slightly livelier after tension drop
- That liveliness becomes more noticeable
- Launch creeps up sooner
Comfort
- Still safe
- But firmer cumulative stiffness
- You may notice more arm feedback than with Sync
Summary table (same 50/48 tension)
| Aspect | Sync Cross | Tour Snap Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Muted, smooth | Crisper |
| Launch | Lower | Slightly higher |
| Depth | Controlled | Deeper |
| Forgiveness | Higher | Slightly lower |
| Serve pop | Good | Better |
| Volleys | Stable | More lively |
| Longevity | Better | Shorter |
Bottom line (very direct)
If you switch to Otoro Tour Snap at 50/48, expect: More pop Better feel and response Nicer serves and put‑away balls Slightly higher launch Less forgiveness when rushed Stringbed feels stiffer overallPro tip (if you want the best of both)
If you like 90% of Tour Snap but want to keep Sync‑like control:Try OtoroSOME / Tour Snap at 50/46
That tiny drop:
- Restores launch control
- Reduces harshness
- Keeps the improved feel
I'm on it. The snapback can cover what i feel over-ball pocketing of my speed mp '25. But lack of bite make directional control only adequate, if i compare it to tour sniper.
Will next try m8 for sure
Thank you, please let me know how m8 worked for you. I think tenncom guy has suggested this for the Legend. Curious
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
..
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delosalpes
Rookie
Interesting. I have a reel of Sync 1.20 and have been loving it as a cross, initially with confidential and now with Toroline mains--Otoro mostly. I have not experienced this. The only co-poly string with which I've had this happen is MSV Swift.
happyandbob
Legend
I havent experienced any fraying in 1.20 or 1.25. But I will say, it is the most temperature sensitive string I’ve ever played with. I find it unusable as soon as it gets over 80 F, balls start flying way long.
dr. godmode
Hall of Fame
They shut down production of Sync last year to address this issue so batches from Summer 2025 onwards should be less likely to exhibit this splitting. I've noticed this happens most when you have a firmer main string but I'm personally seeing this a lot less in my personal batches of Sync than I did early 2025.@Janssoni - I documented the phenomenon you speak earlier in the thread here, and it was with 1.25 gauge in the crosses, with Toalson Asterista Armored 1.30 Black (an 8-sided syn gut with some bite to it) in the mains:
Following up on @TropicalFruit's post regarding Sync durability. This is only my third string job with it (as a cross only so far), in this case for Toalson Asterista Armored 1.30 mains (an 8-sided syn-gut), I got the following shredding/delamination occurring just outside of center on the 9th cross up from the bottom (on a 2017 Revo CZ 98D) after only 1 hour or so on the bed (click to enlarge):
As you can see, the string peeled a bit like string cheese. The string bed is still playing fine enough, but just a bit disconcerting...
Many have dismissed this kind of wear as just a minority occurrence, but I've seen it often enough with various hybrid combo's with Sync is in the crosses, that I can only presume that something about Sync's formulation is not coherent enough when certain mains are sliding and pressuring its outer surface during ball contact.
I think Restring's OEM, K-Cedar, who makes Sync (aka Blade M-1), needs to go back to the drawing board and come up a more physically-resilient base formula. Still a great string, but especially if this is happening often enough to you, I would agree it's a bit of a deal-killer.
Hopefully Restring and K-Cedar are aware, and working on it, for Sync 2.0.
TheNadural
Semi-Pro
Hey have you compared otoro/sync to o-snap? Curious about stiffness, launch, pocketing, spin, and general playability. TIA.
TropicalFruit
Rookie
No, this is as a cross-string. I was using Zero and other stiff strings in the mains for these experiments.
To be honest, I tried it at 48lbs having very high hopes and was severely underwhelmed. Definitely seems like a string which is similar to alu power, a string I think is overrated too as its durability is shocking, but it is definitely a better option, the spin pot feels much better too than bb but im sticking to my other string atm.
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
Try Sync 1.30 or better Slap 1.28 instead!Got back to Sync after a while. Loved in in my Speed MP but broke it after approx. 4h. I'm not a string breaker, happened to me first time since a while. Thought about getting myself a reel but now I'm really concerned in regards to their quality... a shame
alexsoin
Semi-Pro
I'd drop 1kg and do something like 22/21kg (crosses lower) for better spin and snapback.
MiracleAge
New User
String never break in this place. Looks like problem with quality of stringing or some string issue. You can try to change only cross, or swap to Sync 1,30 straing away. Its great string tho.Got back to Sync after a while. Loved in in my Speed MP but broke it after approx. 4h. I'm not a string breaker, happened to me first time since a while. Thought about getting myself a reel but now I'm really concerned in regards to their quality... a shame
MiracleAge
New User
Speak up to the ReString. They might offer you product replacement.
I also experienced that because I am usually not a very fast string breaker but mine broke just that exact same way on my speed mp and it was the sync 1.30 gauge. I had it at 58 lbs so not sure if me going pretty high messed with the durability. Hawk touch 1.30 seems to be fine for me for now, but I didn't expect sync to be quite powerfulGot back to Sync after a while. Loved in in my Speed MP but broke it after approx. 4h. I'm not a string breaker, happened to me first time since a while. Thought about getting myself a reel but now I'm really concerned in regards to their quality... a shame
Spoke with the local ReString distributor. They will send the replacement. Nice approach trom their side as they also proactively proposed choosing 1.30 gauge
Gonna string it at 22kg and let's see
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ZeroLove
New User
Did it frey and then break? I've seen sync do this rarely.
TheNadural
Semi-Pro
Been loving this string as a cross with otoro in my blade 100Ls.
I’m using otoro or otoro spin in the mains and have been experimenting with the crosses.
My copilot comparison (shockingly) got it wrong.
Compared with otoro tour snap, sync is firmer, much more connected feeling, and holds tension incredibly well. Sync feels more in control.
I thought I might like the softer feeling otoro tour snap in these rackets as they are rather stiff, but it feels mushier and more launchy. I don’t think it really is launchy, but more that the softer less connected feel just doesn’t give me the confidence sync does. They both SnapBack incredibly well. This is the gunmetal grey color.
I’m using otoro or otoro spin in the mains and have been experimenting with the crosses.
My copilot comparison (shockingly) got it wrong.
Compared with otoro tour snap, sync is firmer, much more connected feeling, and holds tension incredibly well. Sync feels more in control.
I thought I might like the softer feeling otoro tour snap in these rackets as they are rather stiff, but it feels mushier and more launchy. I don’t think it really is launchy, but more that the softer less connected feel just doesn’t give me the confidence sync does. They both SnapBack incredibly well. This is the gunmetal grey color.
Full bed in my lower swingweight spec RF97 works really well. This string is very racket specific when it comes to full bed. In thinner beam, low flex, it just doesn't work, however in stiffer / higher mass rackets, it seems to work. It was terrible in my Ultra Pro 18x20 at 21/20kg. Very mushy, no definition. I cut it out within days. I got a 200m reel and am using it as a cross string for all my Pro Staffs with gut mains. Still slippery after a few weeks and snapping back just fine.
TropicalFruit
Rookie
Yikes, Sync did NOT work as a Nat Gut cross. I strung Gut 16g x Sync 1.25 60 lbs / 57 lbs in a Blade 100 v10, and it was god awful. The racket felt like a 2x4, and yet I was literally hitting the baseline on my kick serve. No idea why, but it wasn't grabbing the ball AT ALL. Ostensibly the mains should have been sliding and delivering snapback - when i pull them with my fingers they do easily slide and slide back, but for whatever reason something was going horribly wrong up there. It didn't feel awful on the forehand or backhand, just not great, but something about the serve was a complete disaster. Seemed like as swing speed scaled, the grab evaporated, which is the exact opposite of what you want from a stiff stringbed. I've actually never had this response from a string before. Normally if my kick is spraying, the forehand is also spraying, and the racket feels loose, not 2x4 like. Very strange. About 6 serves into the set I swapped to my trusty Gut x 4 g and didn't miss a kick serve after that; a few aces, too. (It wasn't me, I promise!)
I can confirm that it is not the same string. I've felt both in my hand with my eyes closed and they feel different enough to confirm they are not the same string. M1 is slicker, smoother and stiffer than Sync.
I can confirm that it is not the same string. I've felt both in my hand with my eyes closed and they feel different enough to confirm they are not the same string. M1 is slicker, smoother and stiffer than Sync.
Gut and 4G is top shelf but strange to hear such a drastic performance difference on your serve just from a simple cross string change because I have not experienced anything like that kind of a Performance shift!
racquetlab
Hall of Fame
I have installed sync 18 as a cross to Touch VS 16 and feedback from customers was that it works really well as it provides a little bit more snapback and spin. Zero complaints.
(no pun intended)
(no pun intended)
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TropicalFruit
Rookie
Yeah idk it was weird. The main thing I've liked sync for is slow-swing-speed control. Doubles, deflecting, volleys, letting the ball bounce. Every time I've taken full swings with sync in the racket, I've been between underwhelmed and downright confused. I also think it's designed to be played sub 50 lb tension, which is kind of a non-starter for the stiffness I play at.
tigonian02
Rookie
Would restring sync deaden the stringbed as a cross string paired with grapplesnake M8?
I’m looking for a string setup that reduces the launch effect of the new Vcore 100D. So far I’ve found that Head Hawk Touch 1.25 mains with Head Lynx Tour 1.30 crosses does almost exactly what I want, but it comes off as a bit harsh on my arm.
I’ve tested and generally like a full bed of M8, but it’s a bit too lively in this racquet for me to take full swings.
I’m looking for a string setup that reduces the launch effect of the new Vcore 100D. So far I’ve found that Head Hawk Touch 1.25 mains with Head Lynx Tour 1.30 crosses does almost exactly what I want, but it comes off as a bit harsh on my arm.
I’ve tested and generally like a full bed of M8, but it’s a bit too lively in this racquet for me to take full swings.
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Anyone out there who can compare Sync to MSV Bussard?
EDIT: nevermind, comparison has been made a few pages ago, thanks.
EDIT: nevermind, comparison has been made a few pages ago, thanks.
racquetlab
Hall of Fame
I really liked a full bed of sync. It’s a pure control string and gives you a great read on the Defyer’s qualities. Holds tension way better than ALU Power, but doesn’t have that magical feel of fresh ALU (which lasts about 30 minutes).
I haven’t spent enough time with the Defyer to really come up with a great string combo for it yet. Hoping in the next couple of weeks to tinker with it.
Same
Haven't used in the defyer but compared to ALU it is a bit softer, less crisp feeling, a bit more powerful and holds tension for a bit longer.
It also doesn't "die" once it loses tension, it gets a bit more springy.
It's got a more direct feel and less of that dampened or what some call "gummy" feel that ALU has.
Tim Buktu
Rookie
Interesting. This review isn't very effusive (jump to the cons section). Do it agree with it?
smithie
Professional
It all depends on the player and racket, so it will always be subjective and reviews will differ. One man's muted is another man's crisp.
For me, I really liked Sync in the VCORE 95 and thought it felt pleasantly crisp and controlled. That said, when I moved to the T-Fight 305S, I experienced a weird sensation of the ball seemingly slipping down the stringbed at the initial contact point, something I've never experienced before. I put it down to a lack of ball-to-string friction (bite) in the denser string pattern. As a result, it felt like I had to hit more loopy/brushing topspin shots to compensate; otherwise, flatter shots would often go into the net. It was a super weird feeling, and I haven't used it since.
