RF97A---Best Poly/Tension

[Karma Tennis]

Stringing up Cyclone 16. If I normally string BHB7 at 57, should I string Cyclone at that tension as well?

Also, how is the tension maintenance of Cyclone in the heat?

Thanks!!!!!!!!

Regular Cyclone 16 (Anthracite Colour)?

String it at 56lbs to 58lbs both Mains and Crosses on CP Machine. If you are using a Crank LO, double pull every string.

I've used this string in PS97s in temps ranging from 10 Degrees C right upto 40 Degrees C without any significant impact on tension maintenance. Key is to keep the racquets in a thermo protected bag when not in use.

But do note that we restring racquets with fresh Cyclone after max. of 6 hours of hitting so tension maintenance does not figure that much in our equation.
In an RF97A or PS97 you will notice a significant drop in tension in the first 20 minutes of use unless you let the fresh string bed "rest" for 24 hours before play. (That way most of the initial loss will be static tension loss)

 

[Karma Tennis]

Hyper G 17 at 50 lbs is excellent in the RF97A.

Hyper G is one of those strings that I find do not have any of its characteristics enhanced by stringing higher; if anything it plays better at low tensions because you keep the spin but get a bit of a buff in power (which Hyper G very much lacks).

Yes, recently tried Hyper-G 16 at 56lbs in a PS97CV. Was nowhere near as good for me as Cyclone 16 at the same tension. Still have a few sets of Hyper-G so will try again at 50lbs and see if that is better. Saying that, Cyclone 16 is a great value for money string for me.

 

[USPTARF97]

Playing now with the PS97 with Hyper G 1.25 @ 52. Used Hyper G in the RF97 at 50 and it played well.

 

[Shangri La]

Does the RF97A play muted or crisp? Trying to decide what to string with when waiting for my shipment.

 

[USPTARF97]

Does the RF97A play muted or crisp? Trying to decide what to string with when waiting for my shipment.

String with Gut/poly from 57/54-59/56 and enjoy the ride.

 

[Shangri La]

String with Gut/poly from 57/54-59/56 and enjoy the ride.

Gut/poly is probably the most correct setup lol.

 

[thatbackhandthough]

Interested in some feedback.

Thinking of stringing the RF97A with a full bed of either: 4G, 4G soft, or alu power rough. What tension? I played the RF97A with a full bed of 4G, and really liked it. I was thinking of stringing one of these strings at say 50, but I want to make sure that I do not lose control. 4G has good tension maintenance. Has anyone tried any of these in the RF97A?

Thanks!

I tried a hybrid a few times, RPM Blast Rough and Babolat Origin, also Champions choice. I’ve settled on a full bed of Alu Power Smooth believe it or not. I don’t know why, but it just feels more suited to the way I play. I don’t need masses of comfort and I generate plenty of my own spin.

 

[USPTARF97]

I tried a hybrid a few times, RPM Blast Rough and Babolat Origin, also Champions choice. I’ve settled on a full bed of Alu Power Smooth believe it or not. I don’t know why, but it just feels more suited to the way I play. I don’t need masses of comfort and I generate plenty of my own spin.

That’s cool, what tension you using?

 

[thatbackhandthough]

That’s cool, what tension you using?

I’ve currently got it at 55lbs, gives me ample control and the mass of the racket provides lots of pop.

 

[JEDI MASTER]

I tried a hybrid a few times, RPM Blast Rough and Babolat Origin, also Champions choice. I’ve settled on a full bed of Alu Power Smooth believe it or not. I don’t know why, but it just feels more suited to the way I play. I don’t need masses of comfort and I generate plenty of my own spin.

I've been using Champions Choice on my RF97A for years now... after trying Alu Power 125 @ 56
and it's just perfect now... plenty of power and control....

 

[heartattack]

I’ve been playing the skunk colorway for a year and I really like at 57. From what @TW Staff michelle likes hers.
Just wandering if you’re playing outdoor and the weather falls into 8-10 degrees Celsius. How do you adjust your tension of the string!? Do you go up or down? Used hybrid.

 

[Karma Tennis]

Just wandering if you’re playing outdoor and the weather falls into 8-10 degrees Celsius. How do you adjust your tension of the string!? Do you go up or down? Used hybrid.

Consider dropping the overall tension by about 2 to 4lbs. (Perhaps even just drop the tension of the Cross Strings.)

You could try a hybrid with a softer Cross string. But that will be a more radical change that will require more adjustment.

 

[12oz]

I have tried countless gut hybrid combos and think I had settled on VS team 60lbs/ Weiss Cannon Silverstring 17L @ 55lbs. Great feel, arm friendly and good pocketing. VS team prestretch 15%.

 

[USPTARF97]

I have tried countless gut hybrid combos and think I had settled on VS team 60lbs/ Weiss Cannon Silverstring 17L @ 55lbs. Great feel, arm friendly and good pocketing. VS team prestretch 15%.

I’ve settled on VS Touch 1.30/ 4g 1.25. 58/55
*Pre-stretch gut mains.
*Extended pull time on 4g crosses.
*When temps drop off to 40’s-50’s will string 55/52. (Big difference in playing in 95-100 temps and 40-50 temps).

 

[Dansan]

I settled on gut/poly hybrid (gut mains) in my RF97A 59/56 lbs. Champion's choice is always nice, but now I buy packs of natural gut and separate packs of smooth round poly for an overall cheaper price per string job. Either that, or if I'm trying to save even more money I'll use Gosen OG Sheep micro syngut 16 mains vs Technifiber red code wax 17 at the same tension. Lasts a bit longer and is significantly cheaper.

I have not experimented yet with a full poly setup like Hyper G (that's what I see some using), but I'm guessing it would be good at lower tension due to the stiffness of the frame? I'm thinking like 48 lbs? I tried RPM blast at 55 lbs and I thought my arm was going to die on me.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

I’ve settled on VS Touch 1.30/ 4g 1.25. 58/55
*Pre-stretch gut mains.
*Extended pull time on 4g crosses.
*When temps drop off to 40’s-50’s will string 55/52. (Big difference in playing in 95-100 temps and 40-50 temps).

My OGSM polyhybrid is nearing its end. Excited to finally try out some Klip/poly. I'll probably try 57/53 as I am struggling to control the power at 54/50 right now.

 

[guardian2002]

Does the RF97A play muted or crisp? Trying to decide what to string with when waiting for my shipment.

It's a stiffer racquet that doesn't feel tin canny like a pure drive. Stiff but very solid and stable.

 

[FiReFTW]

You people using champions choice must be rich lol

 

[Karma Tennis]

You people using champions choice must be rich lol

I don't use Champions Choice but I can understand the Value Equation.

Champions Choice might cost $100. But if it lasts 5 or 6 times as long as full bed Poly then you are actually saving money when you factor in 5 sets of decent Poly String.

And that's before you factor in the additional Labour charges for the additional restrings.

 

[FiReFTW]

I don't use Champions Choice but I can understand the Value Equation.

Champions Choice might cost $100. But if it lasts 5 or 6 times as long as full bed Poly then you are actually saving money when you factor in 5 sets of decent Poly String.

And that's before you factor in the additional Labour charges for the additional restrings.

How is gut gonna last longer than poly, poly is the most durable string.
Specially considering serious tennis players usually play on different conditions such as clay, slight rain etc...
Gut would break in 3 hours for me.

 

[USPTARF97]

Poly plays well for about 3hrs. Gut/poly plays well for me 12-15hrs and then lasts a lot longer than that. Stays in my frames for months and end up cutting it out. (5.0 level tennis)
Klip Legend/ BHBZ is about $17 a frame but plays well 4-5 times longer than full poly. Also much easier on the arm and power is easily accessible with better feel.
BHS7T has now extended the playability time of poly with better tension maintenance and less notching. I am confident the new poly strings coming out will eventually resolve the issue of short playing time with full poly.

 

[Dansan]

Poly plays well for about 3hrs. Gut/poly plays well for me 12-15hrs and then lasts a lot longer than that. Stays in my frames for months and end up cutting it out. (5.0 level tennis)
Klip Legend/ BHBZ is about $17 a frame but plays well 4-5 times longer than full poly. Also much easier on the arm and power is easily accessible with better feel.
BHS7T has now extended the playability time of poly with better tension maintenance and less notching. I am confident the new poly strings coming out will eventually resolve the issue of short playing time with full poly.

What is BHBZ? I've been trying to find a reasonably priced setup for gut/poly in the RF. I was thinking klip legend 16 /big hitter silver 17g for a poor man's champion's choice....other poly cross strings I've been thinking about are max power rough or RS Lyon. Tourna stuff is better value maybe.

 

[USPTARF97]

What is BHBZ? I've been trying to find a reasonably priced setup for gut/poly in the RF. I was thinking klip legend 16 /big hitter silver 17g for a poor man's champion's choice....other poly cross strings I've been thinking about are max power rough or RS Lyon. Tourna stuff is better value maybe.

Big Hitter Black Zone 1.25 has the best tension maintenance out of the Tourna strings and is super slick. Softer poly as well.

 

[FiReFTW]

Poly plays well for about 3hrs. Gut/poly plays well for me 12-15hrs and then lasts a lot longer than that. Stays in my frames for months and end up cutting it out. (5.0 level tennis)
Klip Legend/ BHBZ is about $17 a frame but plays well 4-5 times longer than full poly. Also much easier on the arm and power is easily accessible with better feel.
BHS7T has now extended the playability time of poly with better tension maintenance and less notching. I am confident the new poly strings coming out will eventually resolve the issue of short playing time with full poly.

I dont know what kind of strokes u have but its weird u can play 15hours with gut on 5.0 level, federer breaks gut in 1hour of hitting.

 

[USPTARF97]

I dont know what kind of strokes u have but its weird u can play 15hours with gut on 5.0 level, federer breaks gut in 1hour of hitting.

I’m not Federer for sure but he uses a rough cross. I’m also using a heavy coated gut. It has a great deal to do with the ball that is coming at you as well. He practices with the best and the ball coming at him is heavy on a whole different level.
If I were generating off of the frame what Federer does I sure wouldn’t be teaching tennis.

 

[Addxyz]

You people using champions choice must be rich lol

Have to spend like a baller, to be like a baller.

 

[FiReFTW]

I’m not Federer for sure but he uses a rough cross. I’m also using a heavy coated gut. It has a great deal to do with the ball that is coming at you as well. He practices with the best and the ball coming at him is heavy on a whole different level.
If I were generating off of the frame what Federer does I sure wouldn’t be teaching tennis.

Doesnt matter it should break much faster than that, are you actively training and playing high intensity matches? Or are you coaching alot?

 

[USPTARF97]

There is a huge difference in longevity when playing with a coated gut and slick poly crosses. If it helps any I can break Champions Choice in an hour as well. Have seen people
break it in 45min. The reason I don’t use it.
Train with RF97’s and who I am hitting against makes a difference in string wear.

 

[FiReFTW]

There is a huge difference in longevity when playing with a coated gut and slick poly crosses. If it helps any I can break Champions Choice in an hour as well. Have seen people break it in 45min. The reason I don’t use it.

How do you coat ur gut?

 

[ashridge]

Doesnt matter it should break much faster than that, are you actively training and playing high intensity matches? Or are you coaching alot?

I've never played with Champions Choice, but I've gotten 20+ hours out of Gut/Poly hybrid (Babolat Tonic/Solinco Outlast) easily. That's playing at a 5.0 level with lots of spin and a 14x18 string-eating string pattern.

 

[USPTARF97]

How do you coat ur gut?

Buy it from Klip.

 

[USPTARF97]

Klip Legend or VS Touch

 

[FiReFTW]

Maybe u guys dont have alot of humidity, and dont play on clay courts also.

Also what do you do if it rains a bit, thats death for gut, but u cant not play when it lighty showers.

 

[USPTARF97]

Maybe u guys dont have alot of humidity, and dont play on clay courts also.

Also what do you do if it rains a bit, thats death for gut, but u cant not play when it lighty showers.

Southern US high humidity and play primarily on Clay courts. Have a frame with full poly in it for early morning or questionable conditions. If it’s a tournament..I just play.

 

[FiReFTW]

Southern US high humidity and play primarily on Clay courts. Have a frame with full poly in it for early morning or questionable conditions. If it’s a tournament..I just play.

Well, after some strong arguments in this thread I think il give it a try one day, and see.

 

[Dansan]

Is Wilson natural gut considered uncoated ?

 

[Karma Tennis]

How is gut gonna last longer than poly, poly is the most durable string.
Specially considering serious tennis players usually play on different conditions such as clay, slight rain etc...
Gut would break in 3 hours for me.

Looks like you've convinced yourself to give it a try.

Let us know how you go.

 

[USPTARF97]

What is a serious tennis player?

 

[FiReFTW]

What is a serious tennis player?

I meant someone who plays alot, practices alot and plays a alot of tournaments.
Which means he plays on different surfaces, conditions, and also has alot of hours per week so strings break often.

Different than someone who just plays in a local park once a week or month.

 

[USPTARF97]

I meant someone who plays alot, practices alot and plays a alot of tournaments.
Which means he plays on different surfaces, conditions, and also has alot of hours per week so strings break often.

Different than someone who just plays in a local park once a week or month.

Oh ok, have found the best way to measure longevity is hours of play even if a player only plays 2 hours a week. Most of the 4.5+ guys I play against only play once a week and twice if they are lucky.

 

[Karma Tennis]

Oh ok, have found the best way to measure longevity is hours of play even if a player only plays 2 hours a week. Most of the 4.5+ guys I play against only play once a week and twice if they are lucky.

I measure it the same way.

However, must be kept in mind that players tend to hit a lot more balls during a practice session than during an actual match. I would factor a ratio close to 3:1. In some instances, it might even be higher than that.

So 1 Hour of "Serious" Practice Hitting may equate to 3 Hours of Match Play.

(Also, if a player hits 100 Practice Serves ... how many actual Service games does that equate to in a real Match? Depends on the Player!)

 

[FiReFTW]

I measure it the same way.

However, must be kept in mind that players tend to hit a lot more balls during a practice session than during an actual match. I would factor a ratio close to 3:1. In some instances, it might even be higher than that.

So 1 Hour of "Serious" Practice Hitting may equate to 3 Hours of Match Play.

(Also, if a player hits 100 Practice Serves ... how many actual Service games does that equate to in a real Match? Depends on the Player!)

That must be why I break poly strings so fast

 

[USPTARF97]

I measure it the same way.

However, must be kept in mind that players tend to hit a lot more balls during a practice session than during an actual match. I would factor a ratio close to 3:1. In some instances, it might even be higher than that.

So 1 Hour of "Serious" Practice Hitting may equate to 3 Hours of Match Play.

(Also, if a player hits 100 Practice Serves ... how many actual Service games does that equate to in a real Match? Depends on the Player!)

Totally agree, my Gut/poly set ups last longer than 12-15 hours if I only played matches with them. For instance, played doubles for 2.5 hours yesterday and the strings look like little to no wear. Barely wore some stencil ink off the strings. Could log in a bunch of hours per frame like that.
Have recently started having a practice frame and a match frame. The match frame lasts for months until cut the strings out. Beauty is I have found a Gut/poly set up that retains control in the latter hours so the practice frame is still controllable serving, returning and attacking the mid court ball.

 

[USPTARF97]

When I see people breaking strings quickly they are normally standing at the baseline bashing groundstrokes or blasting away on a ball machine.

 

[Dansan]

In my experience, if someone is breaking poly strings or gut hybrids quickly - then they are doing something different with their strokes, usually contact angle is quite severe. Strings that move a lot also contribute to it, snap back heavily and some of that is related to tension as well.

A lot of high level players hit heavy balls without any problems breaking strings frequently within 40 min. It's not exactly the norm out of most players I would say especially at a recreational level. For most of us, gut/poly hybrids last long enough to make it worth using. I get more time out of gut/poly hybrids simply because they perform better for longer without completely going dead like poly.

Just because you hit a heavy ball with a lot of pace does not mean you will break strings. And just because you break strings doesn't mean you hit a heavier ball. Has a lot to do with contact angle of the strings, tension, repetition.