RF97 autograph with full polyester @57lbs

[remshaam]

EDIT:
The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs.
I am playing with the RF97 autograph and tried the thickest polyester string
'It feels so dead and hitting a rock, not a tennis ball. When I try my usual topspin forehand, even with so much effort, the ball keeps falling short or to the net most of the times. Is it normal to feel this way with this string and racquet? Normally able to generate spin effortlessly using a semi western grip for the forehand.

 

[emhtennis]

57lbs is very high for a poly.

I would restring at 47lbs and see how that feels.

What racket do you normally play with?

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[remshaam]

57lbs is very high for a poly.

I would restring at 47lbs and see how that feels.

What racket do you normally play with?

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Ya ill try that. Do you think its normal to feel this way? The tension makes os much of a difference? I had to put so much effort to even get the ball over the net with the spin. For flat shots, it works good. I normally play with this racquet, but with a nylon string. That feels so good. Also, I see no ball fur on the racquet using this string. Does it mean that the racquet is not biting the ball at all? With the nylon strings, I see a whole round green layer around the sweet spot after playing for 3-4 hours

 

[emhtennis]

A string that thick and strung that high will be very hard to 'move'. So, you are correct, if you see no fuzz or other signs of wear, you are probably not hitting the ball hard enough to create snap-back from the poly.

The strings are not moving and the ball is sliding/skidding off the stringbed, but with little spin.

Lowering the tension will make it easier for the strings to move. It is also worth trying thinner strings, around 1.25mm if you want more spin.

But the bottom line is that the RF Autograph is a serious frame. It is heavy and requires the player to do everything right, or it will give you subpar results. Think of it like a coach in your hands. You'll be rewarded for playing well, and punished for being lazy.

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[USPTARF97]

When I used full poly in the RF97 was stringing from 50-52lbs. The heft of the racket would make me go through strings fairly quickly. Went to Gut/poly at around $17 a frame and found out that to get maximum play-ability out of this frame for me this was required. Much easier on the arm as well. 58/55 Klip Legend/ BHBZ.

 

[remshaam]

The strings are not moving and the ball is sliding/skidding off the stringbed, but with little spin.

This is the exact feeling I have. By playing with this, I sometimes wonder if I forgot how to hit forehand. i used to blast them effortlessly with the same racquet, but with the nylon string. But since they break so often, I decided to switch to this
The recommended tension says 50-60 lbs on the rf97. How much low can you go on this ?

 

[emhtennis]

Going lower won't damage the frame.

If you have more than 1 frame I would try two different tensions side by side. If you only have 1 racket I would start at 50lbs, and then go lower if you still aren't getting spin and power.

50, 47, 45. If you have to string any lower than 45 you should get a thinner string.

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[Alexh22]

Since I am using 16L in high 30 to low 40. I suggest you to first drop the tension to 40-45

 

[remshaam]

Going lower won't damage the frame.

If you have more than 1 frame I would try two different tensions side by side. If you only have 1 racket I would start at 50lbs, and then go lower if you still aren't getting spin and power.

50, 47, 45. If you have to string any lower than 45 you should get a thinner string.

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Ok, will try that. I have another racquet with a denser string bed - wilson ncode Six one 95. Its the 2004 racquet. It still feels solid. Will try in that as well. What tensions do ATP pros use for polyester? Do they string really low?

 

[emhtennis]

Pros vary widely, but most (who string a full bed of poly) string around 55lbs. Some string as low as the mid 30s.

But remember, they have almost perfect timing and technique, and hit the ball far harder and with more racket head speed than any of us ever will.

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[landcookie]

Solinco Tour Bite?

Tension too high. Gauge too thick. Hello tennis elbow.

Try 50/48 at 1.25 gauge.

 

[remshaam]

Pros vary widely, but most (who string a full bed of poly) string around 55lbs. Some string as low as the mid 30s.

But remember, they have almost perfect timing and technique, and hit the ball far harder and with more racket head speed than any of us ever will.

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Hey just a quick edit -- The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs. Do you think these are hard to play as well? I think it is this link -- https://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Sports-Tennis-String-Reel/dp/B011Y76TSE

 

[remshaam]

Solinco Tour Bite?

Tension too high. Gauge too thick. Hello tennis elbow.

Try 50/48 at 1.25 gauge.

Hey just a quick edit -- The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs. Do you think these are hard to play as well? I think it is this link -- https://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Sports-Tennis-String-Reel/dp/B011Y76TSE

 

[remshaam]

Also I tried this with the wilson ncode six one 95 racquet -- https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Solinco_Outlast_16_130_String/descpageACSOLINCO-SOUT16.html
It is the solinco outlast 16 strings , strung at 58 lbs. It felt slightly better , but again felt dead after playing for 6 hours

 

[emhtennis]

The gamma string is even thicker at 1.40mm, so yes same issues as before.

Like others have suggested, use either of those strings and go down to 50lbs or lower.

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[JEDI MASTER]

I've used Alu Power 16L at around 54-56.. and plays very well for me..

 

[landcookie]

Hey just a quick edit -- The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs. Do you think these are hard to play as well? I think it is this link -- https://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Sports-Tennis-String-Reel/dp/B011Y76TSE

I've never hit with those so can't tell. Can I ask why a 1.40mm gauge?

 

[remshaam]

I've never hit with those so can't tell. Can I ask why a 1.40mm gauge?

I just kept breaking strings often - like once after 3 sessions, so wanted to try the thickest strings for durability. It doesnt even move, so I am not able to generate much spin on the ball. Also, normally with a nylon string, I see the sweetspot is fully green with the tenins ball fur, but with this, I dont find any.. which means almost no ball bite.

 

[landcookie]

I just kept breaking strings often - like once after 3 sessions, so wanted to try the thickest strings for durability. It doesnt even move, so I am not able to generate much spin on the ball. Also, normally with a nylon string, I see the sweetspot is fully green with the tenins ball fur, but with this, I dont find any.. which means almost no ball bite.

Damn, that's fast. What level do you play at?

I would suggest dropping your tension dramatically to say, 50/48, and use a 1.3 gauge. Poly actually plays better at lower tension, and spin is primarily generated via snapback (high RHS needed), not so much 'bite'; especially if you intend to play with a round poly.

 

[remshaam]

Damn, that's fast. What level do you play at?

I would suggest dropping your tension dramatically to say, 50/48, and use a 1.3 gauge. Poly actually plays better at lower tension, and spin is primarily generated via snapback (high RHS needed), not so much 'bite'; especially if you intend to play with a round poly.

I should be about a 5.0 as given by a coach. Man, sometimes I feel like I lost my forehand by playing with the poly @ 58lbs. Will try dropping it and see what happens.

 

[landcookie]

I should be about a 5.0 as given by a coach. Man, sometimes I feel like I lost my forehand by playing with the poly @ 58lbs. Will try dropping it and see what happens.

I know exactly what you mean; I had the same feeling when putting string savers on my gut/poly setup, it was like the stringbed is dead. I couldn't generate any spin and everything was flying long.

Let us know how you go with circa-50s tension.

 

[Shroud]

EDIT:
The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs.
I am playing with the RF97 autograph and tried the thickest polyester string
'It feels so dead and hitting a rock, not a tennis ball. When I try my usual topspin forehand, even with so much effort, the ball keeps falling short or to the net most of the times. Is it normal to feel this way with this string and racquet? Normally able to generate spin effortlessly using a semi western grip for the forehand.

high tension and thicker string lower the launch angle so yep balls will fall short. Normal. The strings will loosen and probably feel better after a session or 2 and if you are a 5.0 you will adjust the swing anyhow.

Also you can try lowering the crosses a few lbs. That will make the launch angle a bit higher and get some of the loft back. I am betting the spin is the same as normal if you measured the ball rotation, but the lower launch angle makes it APPEAR that you have less spin. Higher the launch angle the more time spin has to work and you get that "the ball dropped at the last second" sensation.

If you break mains you might also try a hybrid with the 15g mains but say a 17g for the crosses. That too will make the launch angle a bit higher and get some of that ball bite back.

 

[KYHacker]

Poly is slicker on the surface. Don’t expect ball fuzz to be there on poly string. As for the RF97A, I would definitely string crosses 2 lbs lower. I find that makes the launch angle on this frame more consistent and predictable. I just dropped my tension on BBO Rough to 45/43. Still a firm stringbed due to the stiffness of the string. For very thick and firm polys that have low energy return, I could see 40/38 being realistic.

 

[remshaam]

Also, polyester "loses tension" over time and feels "dead". I am a little confused. So higher tension should feel like lower tension after a couple of hours of playing? Also, what is that dead feeling and how does it corroborate to lower tension?

 

[USPTARF97]

Also, polyester "loses tension" over time and feels "dead". I am a little confused. So higher tension should feel like lower tension after a couple of hours of playing? Also, what is that dead feeling and how does it corroborate to lower tension?

Poly is only going to play well somewhere around 4-6hrs. The initial tension loss happens with all poly strings. The problem is that some can lose as much as 50% tension and some with better tension maintenance lose around 20%. Poly strung at higher tension feels like higher tension. Where it is after the initial tension loss is another matter.
Example: In the RF97 52lbs feels great to me with Alu Power but after the initial tension loss I can lose a bit of control. Can string it 55-58 depending on conditions and still have control of the ball through out the duration of the stringbed. Typically 6-8hrs.
That being said I use Gut/poly in the RF97. Pre-stretch mains and extended pull time on the poly crosses. I’m getting 10-12 hours of good playability strung between 58/56-59/57lbs. (2-3 differential)

 

[mctennis]

EDIT:
The strings that I used were gamma IO string 15L, strung at 58 lbs.
I am playing with the RF97 autograph and tried the thickest polyester string
'It feels so dead and hitting a rock, not a tennis ball. When I try my usual topspin forehand, even with so much effort, the ball keeps falling short or to the net most of the times. Is it normal to feel this way with this string and racquet? Normally able to generate spin effortlessly using a semi western grip for the forehand.

I hated the RF97 with any strings and tensions I used. Loved the demo racquet I used for two times at about 15 -20 minutes each time. Once I bought one I never could get the racquet to stop giving me arm/shoulder/ wrist pain. I even tried low tensions with a gut/poly combo. I wish you luck finding the right strings and tension combo that works. I had your original string combo in it but never could get away from the pain issues I had with any string combo I used.

 

[USPTARF97]

Played with the RF97 today at 59/57 with Klip Legend/BHBZ. It plays better around 58/55 or even lower for my game. Today I didn’t quite have the spin and a good many balls were sailing long. The up and back down in the court with top spin was much easier with at 58/55 and a 3lb differential. That being said, the longer I hit with 59/57 the more it improved. 3-4hrs in it should be fine and the longevity of the string bed may be a bit better. Sticking with 58/55.

 

[FIRETennis]

@USPTARF97 - do you prefer BHBZ over ALU as a cross with natural gut?
It's weird, I love ALU full bed at lower tensions but it just doesn't feel 'right' as a cross for some reason.

 

[USPTARF97]

@USPTARF97 - do you prefer BHBZ over ALU as a cross with natural gut?
It's weird, I love ALU full bed at lower tensions but it just doesn't feel 'right' as a cross for some reason.

BHBZ for sure. BHBZ is super slick and the tension maintenance is great. Alu stretches out quickly and with gut mains the string bed becomes uncontrollable. 4g is the way to go with Luxilon strings on the cross with gut mains.

 

[remshaam]

So I kept playing with the same strings ( gamma IO 15L) initially strung at 58 lbs. Today was the best day of all. My forehands had like massive spin and power and felt so confident while hitting. I think the tension was way lower than what it was initially strung at. But it finally broke today . Is there a way to find out the tension loss after playing for a while so that I can get the racquet strung at the same tension ? I know it's too late now since it broke, but right before would have been good.

 

[USPTARF97]

So I kept playing with the same strings ( gamma IO 15L) initially strung at 58 lbs. Today was the best day of all. My forehands had like massive spin and power and felt so confident while hitting. I think the tension was way lower than what it was initially strung at. But it finally broke today . Is there a way to find out the tension loss after playing for a while so that I can get the racquet strung at the same tension ? I know it's too late now since it broke, but right before would have been good.

Try 55, will play really well and then towards the end will lose a bit of control. Normally what people are looking for is best results right off the stringer and the first half of the string bed life. That way if you have a tournament or important match you can string a frame just prior to playing and have the best playability.

 

[FIRETennis]

@Alexh22 @KYHacker
Thinking to give a try to low tension ALU Power in the RF97A, at 40/38... (18kg/17kg). Will I ruin a set of ALU trying this out ?

 

[Alexh22]

I used 42 40 without any problem

 

[USPTARF97]

55 Alu Power

 

[Aretium]

@Alexh22 @KYHacker
Thinking to give a try to low tension ALU Power in the RF97A, at 40/38... (18kg/17kg). Will I ruin a set of ALU trying this out ?

I mean try but not sure I can control this hahaha

 

[omni2k7]

Was at 55lbs with RPM blast 18 and now trying 58lbs - fresh string job feels really plush and soft on on-center hits and pretty jarring when I screw up which I like. Durability seems to be holding up after 7+ sessions so far.

 

[Aretium]

Was at 55lbs with RPM blast 18 and now trying 58lbs - fresh string job feels really plush and soft on on-center hits and pretty jarring when I screw up which I like. Durability seems to be holding up after 7+ sessions so far.

Yeah I've just been playing with rpm blast and had to put it up to 55 from 52. In the summer I'd imagine almost 60. Very soft string, despite what I've heard

 

[Arak]

So I kept playing with the same strings ( gamma IO 15L) initially strung at 58 lbs. Today was the best day of all. My forehands had like massive spin and power and felt so confident while hitting. I think the tension was way lower than what it was initially strung at. But it finally broke today . Is there a way to find out the tension loss after playing for a while so that I can get the racquet strung at the same tension ? I know it's too late now since it broke, but right before would have been good.

Remember it’s a dead string at low tension. A new lively string at low tension will not give the same control.

 

[omni2k7]

Yeah I've just been playing with rpm blast and had to put it up to 55 from 52. In the summer I'd imagine almost 60. Very soft string, despite what I've heard

On-center hits are super duper plush, it's an awesome feeing to chase I always get weird looks when I ask to string full poly at like 57 or 60. I used to string cyber flash 17 at 60 on the tour 90 and always get weird looks at the pro shop at drop-off. I don't experiment with strings much so perhaps I don't know what "soft" generally means. I do have 1 strung up in hybrid babolat xcel + blast which is definitely softer and a lot less jarring but I can't control the power.