Should I prestretch polys?

[devoker]

I recently strung with hyper g 1.15 at 46/44 and the tension reading on racquettune was 45. The first 1-2 hours it felt perfect. However, after 2 hours racquettune was showing 40 lbs and it kinda settled between 39-40. I started having trouble controlling the launch angle. My question is if I should string next time using 15% prestretch so I could play around 45 range for a longer period. I don't want to string at higher tension to compensate because it would feel very boardy for the first couple hours.
I know the general opinion about polys is not to prestretch. I assume the total playable time would decrease but I don't care if I have to string at 8 hours mark instead of 10 for example.
Another option would be increasing the gauge while decreasing the tension a bit to compensate instead of prestretching.
What are your opinions?

 

[dr. godmode]

a thicker string at a lower tension should hold better than a thinner string at a higher tension

also, stop using racquettune, i bet its just getting in your head more than anything. I find hyper-g to be mostly pretty fine until it starts to notch.

 

[LOBALOT]

I agree on thicker is better and perhaps it will help you.

In my opinion Hyper G sheds a lot of tension thick or thin with thick of course holding better. RT is also fine for how you are using it.

If you don't like the tension drop find something else but I would not pre-stretch poly.

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

Don’t pre stretch poly unless you like dead inelastic poly.

 

[LOBALOT]

Don’t pre stretch poly unless you like dead inelastic poly.

At this point I would give it about an hour and we will hear from a certain somebody who blows up all these posts about pre-stretching and poly and is wrong.

Let's see

 

[aaron_h27]

I recently strung with hyper g 1.15 at 46/44 and the tension reading on racquettune was 45. The first 1-2 hours it felt perfect. However, after 2 hours racquettune was showing 40 lbs and it kinda settled between 39-40. I started having trouble controlling the launch angle. My question is if I should string next time using 15% prestretch so I could play around 45 range for a longer period. I don't want to string at higher tension to compensate because it would feel very boardy for the first couple hours.
I know the general opinion about polys is not to prestretch. I assume the total playable time would decrease but I don't care if I have to string at 8 hours mark instead of 10 for example.
Another option would be increasing the gauge while decreasing the tension a bit to compensate instead of prestretching.
What are your opinions?

If a racket is only playable for 2 hours and its not ALU power you need to string it higher. Try half a pound at a time to get a perfect goldilocks.

Hyper-G is already pre-stretched...

 

[devoker]

a thicker string at a lower tension should hold better than a thinner string at a higher tension

also, stop using racquettune, i bet its just getting in your head more than anything. I find hyper-g to be mostly pretty fine until it starts to notch.

I use the app (not racquettune but similar) to have an idea of percentage change in tension. It kinda proves my feeling about the string.

If a racket is only playable for 2 hours and its not ALU power you need to string it higher. Try half a pound at a time to get a perfect goldilocks.

Hyper-G is already pre-stretched...

Are you sure that it is prestretched? I have never read that before.

Don’t pre stretch poly unless you like dead inelastic poly.

Well, the thing at every hit the tension increases temporarily probably more than 15% prestretch. The purpose of prestretch would be avoiding playing those few hours.

 

[aaron_h27]

I use the app (not racquettune but similar) to have an idea of percentage change in tension. It kinda proves my feeling about the string.


Are you sure that it is prestretched? I have never read that before.


Well, the thing at every hit the tension increases temporarily probably more than 15% prestretch. The purpose of prestretch would be avoiding playing those few hours.

Uh no, you're seriously overthinking this. If you want the optimal tension window to last longer than 2 hours string it tighter to your liking...Hyper-G is one of the best strings for tension maintenance and already pre-stretched.

 

[dr. godmode]

What is exactly happening on court?

Are you going through 3 hour sessions and noticing the tension drop mid session or are you coming back the second day feeling out of control?

 

[ChrisJR3264]

No.

 

[devoker]

What is exactly happening on court?

Are you going through 3 hour sessions and noticing the tension drop mid session or are you coming back the second day feeling out of control?

The latter

Uh no, you're seriously overthinking this. If you want the optimal tension window to last longer than 2 hours string it tighter to your liking...Hyper-G is one of the best strings for tension maintenance and already pre-stretched.

Probably overthinking but if I string at 52 it feels boardy for the first couple hours, instead I was thinking using 15% prestretch and strung at 46. Essnetially tensioner will pull 52 lbs first and stabilize at 46. This way it would play at that optimal tension window for a longer period, maybe? It wouldn't be hard to test if I had something like ERT or babolar RDC.

 

[aaron_h27]

The latter

Probably overthinking but if I string at 52 it feels boardy for the first couple hours, instead I was thinking using 15% prestretch and strung at 46. Essnetially tensioner will pull 52 lbs first and stabilize at 46. This way it would play at that optimal tension window for a longer period, maybe? It wouldn't be hard to test if I had something like ERT or babolar RDC.

If you liked 46/44 but the optimal tension window only lasted 2 hours then why would you drastically jump to 52? Expecting 52 lbs to play the same as 46 lbs doesn't make sense, the sweetspot will be much smaller and overall feel more boardy there's a chance you could hate 52 lbs because it plays drastically different than 46/44. Go up 1 lb at a time and stop overthinking please.

pre-stretching changes the feel and makes it stiffer, again you're changing another variable. If you want to be forever testing string set-ups go ahead. Hyper-G is already pre-stretched with 25% tension loss on TWU.

 

[veelium]

If a racket is only playable for 2 hours and its not ALU power you need to string it higher. Try half a pound at a time to get a perfect goldilocks.

Hyper-G is already pre-stretched...

Source on hyper g being prestretched?

 

[aaron_h27]

Source on hyper g being prestretched?

Compare Strings Tool

Hyper-G ~26% tension loss.

Luxilon 4G ~22% tension loss

Generally Poly's under 30% tension loss are factory pre-stretched

 

[veelium]

Compare Strings Tool

Hyper-G ~26% tension loss.

Luxilon 4G ~22% tension loss

Generally Poly's under 30% tension loss are factory pre-stretched

So you don't know whether it's prestretched, ok.
Never heard about it being prestetched but who knows.

There are prestretched ones with more than 30% tension loss there, doesn't say too much imo.

 

[aaron_h27]

So you don't know whether it's prestretched, ok.
Never heard about it being prestetched but who knows.

There are prestretched ones with more than 30% tension loss there, doesn't say too much imo.

You can come at me passive aggressively if you want, Hyper-G has characteristics of a pre-stretched poly, if you're the type of person who needs to hear an official statement from Solinco then email them.

 

[aaron_h27]

So you don't know whether it's prestretched, ok.
Never heard about it being prestetched but who knows.

There are prestretched ones with more than 30% tension loss there, doesn't say too much imo.

I'm sure there are a few, that's why I said generally. Reading is fundamental.

Poly Tour Pro is apparently slightly factory pre-stretched yet shows high tension loss numbers for 1.25 and 1.30

 

[veelium]

You can come at me passive aggressively if you want, Hyper-G has characteristics of a pre-stretched poly, if you're the type of person who needs to hear an official statement from Solinco then email them.

I'm sure there are a few, did I say it was a hard and fast rule?

Which ones are those?

You were the one who stated it is prestretched. If you have no evidence, just say that.
If you think it plays like a prestretched string, say that.

Black Fire, some of the Kirschbaum's.

 

[aaron_h27]

You were the one who stated it is prestretched. If you have no evidence, just say that.
If you think it plays like a prestretched string, say that.

Black Fire, some of the Kirschbaum's.

I have evidence, I literally just gave you the link to the tension loss numbers which are on par with other pre-stretched strings. You didn't like the evidence presented, that's fine.

To be this nitpicky over wording is extreme.

 

[veelium]

I have evidence, I literally just gave you the link to the tension loss numbers which are on par with other pre-stretched strings. You didn't like the evidence presented, that's fine.

To be this nitpicky over wording is extreme.

Obviously, as it's not an evidence. Cleary you don't care about that so no point continuing.

 

[LOBALOT]

Hyper G sheds tension pretty quickly and quite a bit of it. I doubt it is factory stretched.

 

[Rabbit]

@devoker - I have strung for a professional tournament in the past. The vast majority of players do not request pre stretch regardless of string. There were one or two who requested a 10 - 15 percent pre stretch on poly. In the end, there is no right or wrong, only what you like and what works for you. My suggestion then is to try a pre stretch of 15% and see if you like it. There is one player I string for now who uses natural gut. He also has an ERT300 and IMO has let it get into his head. He tests his frames before he plays and based on tension loss has me do a 15% pre stretch at 56 pounds. He is the only one of my current customers who does this. I should say that he asked me about tension loss and I said he could try a pre stretch, so the fault is mine.
Anyhow, try it and see if it works for you. I would suggest you drop your normal tension 2 - 3 pounds when you do it to compensate for the current drop in tension you experience.

 

[aaron_h27]

Obviously, as it's not an evidence. Cleary you don't care about that so no point continuing.

I linked you to an objective database of tested strings showing you the tension loss % of the string compared to other pre-stretched strings.

Does Solinco seriously need to say "this string is pre-stretched"? As if we should blindly believe companies who make claims all the time that aren't necessarily true to sell product. A prime example of many poly's claiming to be "soft" but show up with high stiffness numbers in the lab. Or claiming there's some new racket technology to give it more "stability" when they just increased the twistweight.

You didn't like the evidence that was presented to you, but to say I didn't provide evidence is false. Now we can move on.

 

[dr. godmode]

The latter

How much extra depth are you getting from the dropped tension?

 

[veelium]

I linked you to an objective database of tested strings showing you the tension loss % of the string compared to other pre-stretched strings.

Does Solinco seriously need to say "this string is pre-stretched"? As if we should blindly believe companies who make claims all the time that aren't necessarily true to sell product. A prime example of many poly's claiming to be "soft" but show up with high stiffness numbers in the lab. Or claiming there's some new racket technology to give it more "stability" when they just increased the twistweight.

You didn't like the evidence that was presented to you, but to say I didn't provide evidence is false. Now we can move on.

Well yes kinda, as a string can be prestretched and have bad tension maintenance and vice versa. Anyway, enough of this.

 

[devoker]

If you liked 46/44 but the optimal tension window only lasted 2 hours then why would you drastically jump to 52? Expecting 52 lbs to play the same as 46 lbs doesn't make sense, the sweetspot will be much smaller and overall feel more boardy there's a chance you could hate 52 lbs because it plays drastically different than 46/44. Go up 1 lb at a time and stop overthinking please.

pre-stretching changes the feel and makes it stiffer, again you're changing another variable. If you want to be forever testing string set-ups go ahead. Hyper-G is already pre-stretched with 25% tension loss on TWU.

Assuming there is 15% tension drop after 2 hours, if I sting at 52 it would drop to 46 after a session.

How much extra depth are you getting from the dropped tension?

not much I guess, probably less than 15-20 cm. I try not to increase tension a lot because of comfort issues. I had golfer's elbow which I have managed to heal exercising with a flexbar and fixing my technique, I don't want to aggravate it again.

@devoker - I have strung for a professional tournament in the past. The vast majority of players do not request pre stretch regardless of string. There were one or two who requested a 10 - 15 percent pre stretch on poly. In the end, there is no right or wrong, only what you like and what works for you. My suggestion then is to try a pre stretch of 15% and see if you like it. There is one player I string for now who uses natural gut. He also has an ERT300 and IMO has let it get into his head. He tests his frames before he plays and based on tension loss has me do a 15% pre stretch at 56 pounds. He is the only one of my current customers who does this. I should say that he asked me about tension loss and I said he could try a pre stretch, so the fault is mine.
Anyhow, try it and see if it works for you. I would suggest you drop your normal tension 2 - 3 pounds when you do it to compensate for the current drop in tension you experience.

I am essentially trying to understand the difference how the strings would behave within 2-10 hours mark when they were strung at 49 for example vs within 0-8 hours mark when strung at 46 with %15 prestretch. I wanted to know if it would help to avoid the break-in period of higher tension stringing.

 

[aaron_h27]

Well yes kinda, as a string can be prestretched and have bad tension maintenance and vice versa. Anyway, enough of this.

Ok lets go with Hyper-G not being pre-stretched...major props to Solinco who managed to find a formula for a co-poly that rivals Luxilon 4G in the tension loss category without pre-stretching. Extremely ground breaking stuff.

 

[ChrisJR3264]

Poly drops tension quickly in general. Prestretched or not.
Durability to me is - how does it perform when tension drops? Some play like crap and you only get a few decent hours out if it (razor soft, poly tour pro for example ).

Others still play well for much longer. Razor code white pays well til it breaks. Silver 7 tour.
Heck head hawk power drops tension quickly yet I still had playability for a few weeks after initially stringing it at 50 lbs full bed.

Just string it higher and break it in. I wouldn’t prestretch poly but what do i know. Experiment for yourself and see.

 

[fritzhimself]

I recently strung with hyper g 1.15 at 46/44 and the tension reading on racquettune was 45.
What are your opinions?

Regardless of the discussion that has gotten out of hand, I would like to ask what frame this hammock is strung on? 46 pounds is 20.8kg. On an 18/20 frame (98) I think that might still be okay.
Also, regardless of whether the poly is pre-tensioned at the factory or not, there is always a relaxation of 6-8 RA or 2 DT to be expected. This is the time immediately after tensioning and a new measurement after 3 hours.
The stringing never has a static value, but always a flexible one, which is constantly decreasing (in playing mode).

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Try 48/49 pounds

 

[devoker]

Regardless of the discussion that has gotten out of hand, I would like to ask what frame this hammock is strung on? 46 pounds is 20.8kg. On an 18/20 frame (98) I think that might still be okay.
Also, regardless of whether the poly is pre-tensioned at the factory or not, there is always a relaxation of 6-8 RA or 2 DT to be expected. This is the time immediately after tensioning and a new measurement after 3 hours.
The stringing never has a static value, but always a flexible one, which is constantly decreasing (in playing mode).

vcore 100. I took the measurement right after the stringing to have an idea of the baseline. Of course it keeps decreasing but it decreases with a decreasing rate.

Try 48/49 pounds

My golfers elbow healed not long ago, I am worried higher tension would things worse again

 

[fritzhimself]

After a golfer's elbow, even if it has healed, I would never recommend a poly, especially not a prestretch-
What level of play do you have?

 

[Povl Carstensen]

vcore 100. I took the measurement right after the stringing to have an idea of the baseline. Of course it keeps decreasing but it decreases with a decreasing rate.


My golfers elbow healed not long ago, I am worried higher tension would things worse again

You allready did 52. 48-49 might not be worse than the prestretch plan in elbow respect

 

[devoker]

After a golfer's elbow, even if it has healed, I would never recommend a poly, especially not a prestretch-
What level of play do you have?

Not rated but probably utr 3-4. I tried playing with multis and hybrids but I have kind of an ocd and string movement is making me crazy. I can't focus on anything else than straightening the strings all the time. I would rather play with low tension poly than high tension multi.

 

[veelium]

Not rated but probably utr 3-4. I tried playing with multis and hybrids but I have kind of an ocd and string movement is making me crazy. I can't focus on anything else than straightening the strings all the time. I would rather play with low tension poly than high tension multi.

Multifeel black is a poly like multifilament that doesn't move.

 

[fritzhimself]

Maybe your injury is due to incorrect technique.
I would invest in some coaching lessons to broaden your horizons.
You always take away positive technique and tips from a good coach.

 

[Roforot]

Multifeel black is a poly like multifilament that doesn't move.

If dealing w/ an injury I'd suggest X-1 though it does move
You can also try Triax.
It's reasonable to also use HyperG + Multifeel crosses or Gosen crosses.

 

[devoker]

Maybe your injury is due to incorrect technique.
I would invest in some coaching lessons to broaden your horizons.
You always take away positive technique and tips from a good coach.

For aure it was due to incorrect technique and since I started lessons and fixed my forehand a bit it went away, but higher tension still worries me a bit.

If dealing w/ an injury I'd suggest X-1 though it does move
You can also try Triax.
It's reasonable to also use HyperG + Multifeel crosses or Gosen crosses.

Tried x1 and hated it because it locks up very quickly and it is a rocket launcher. I tried poly + multifeel crosses but the poly mains saw into the crosses and spin potential decreased drastically after the first couple hours. I prefered multifeel mains and ghostwire crosses but they still move a bit. I think I will try 17g hyper g with 46/44 or 16g at lower tension next time and see how it goes.

 

[fritzhimself]

Your 46 pounds of poly in a 100 frame is a hammock and very difficult to control.
According to your information, you have already improved your technique, so a stable string should not be an obstacle.
Spin comes 95% from technique anyway - the string choice helps a little, but not to the extent you explain.
Somehow I can't make sense of your information.
The measurement of the string bed is subject to constant change, even if you pre-stretch, there is really never a constant accompaniment to which you could orient yourself, these are always flexible data that are constantly changing.
As a first step, you need an appropriate technique to keep the ball controlled in the court. Nobody claims that tennis is easy, but with pre-stretch you are on the wrong track in this respect.
If your rating is really 3-4, we wouldn't be discussing 46 pounds here.

 

[veelium]

For aure it was due to incorrect technique and since I started lessons and fixed my forehand a bit it went away, but higher tension still worries me a bit.

Tried x1 and hated it because it locks up very quickly and it is a rocket launcher. I tried poly + multifeel crosses but the poly mains saw into the crosses and spin potential decreased drastically after the first couple hours. I prefered multifeel mains and ghostwire crosses but they still move a bit. I think I will try 17g hyper g with 46/44 or 16g at lower tension next time and see how it goes.

Poly/multi always locks up quickly.
Full bed multifeel black doesnt move at all.

 

[LOBALOT]

For aure it was due to incorrect technique and since I started lessons and fixed my forehand a bit it went away, but higher tension still worries me a bit.

Tried x1 and hated it because it locks up very quickly and it is a rocket launcher. I tried poly + multifeel crosses but the poly mains saw into the crosses and spin potential decreased drastically after the first couple hours. I prefered multifeel mains and ghostwire crosses but they still move a bit. I think I will try 17g hyper g with 46/44 or 16g at lower tension next time and see how it goes.

Not a fan of poly mains with a multi cross for that reason. If you have the game for it sure but otherwise it will lock up and play just as stiff as a full bed of poly.

Multifeel is not as slippery as other multis for mains and it also sheds too much tension that is why the multifeel mains locked against the ghostwire.

 

[Happi]

Not a fan of poly mains with a multi cross for that reason. If you have the game for it sure but otherwise it will lock up and play just as stiff as a full bed of poly.

Multifeel is not as slippery as other multis for mains and it also sheds too much tension that is why the multifeel mains locked against the ghostwire.

Multifeel black as @veelium is refering to is very different from the natural version. Black MF is indeed slippery and an excellent option as a cross string for other multies.

 

[LOBALOT]

Multifeel black as @veelium is refering to is very different from the natural version. Black MF is indeed slippery and an excellent option as a cross string for other multies.

Hi @Happi. I have seen you are a fan of the string and I am glad it is working for you. However just as the OP described above my experience is the whole thing locks up and frays and snaps. While I am not entirely sure how much longer he is going to get out of a multi/poly setup given how quickly he reports snapping the multi ones above I think he will get longer life depending on the strings selected. In addition as someone suggested in an earlier post thicker will last longer.

 

[Happi]

Hi @Happi. I have seen you are a fan of the string and I am glad it is working for you. However just as the OP described above my experience is the whole thing locks up and frays and snaps. While I am not entirely sure how much longer he is going to get out of a multi/poly setup given how quickly he reports snapping the multi ones above I think he will get longer life depending on the strings selected. In addition as someone suggested in an earlier post thicker will last longer.

@LOBALOT have you tried multifeel in the black version? to me it is crisp and have almost poly like snapback while the natural one is like a different string with the same name.

 

[devoker]

Multifeel black is probably one of the closest multis to a poly but the snapback is still nowhere near as good as any poly. I am the opposite of a flat hitter (even though I try to hit flat I end up with quite a lot topspin most of the time) and I couldn't get comfortable playing with any multi or a hybrid since the first time I started playing with polys.

 

[LOBALOT]

@LOBALOT have you tried multifeel in the black version? to me it is crisp and have almost poly like snapback while the natural one is like a different string with the same name.

Hi @Happi

Sorry for the delay. While I stock Multifeel Black (see link) I have not used it nor have I received requests to use. I am sure it is a fine string I just think there are better multi strings out there and related to the topic in either a full bed or as a cross like any multi will rough up and lock.

https://imgur.com/a/d8nyuEV

 

[veelium]

Hi @Happi

Sorry for the delay. While I stock Multifeel Black (see link) I have not used it nor have I received requests to use. I am sure it is a fine string I just think there are better multi strings out there and related to the topic in either a full bed or as a cross like any multi will rough up and lock.

https://imgur.com/a/d8nyuEV

Can't speak of using it as a cross but it didn't lock up for me in a full bed.
Surprising as it frays heavily but the strings never went out of place.

 

[ChrisJR3264]

Funny how there’s 46 replies to “should I pre stretch poly?”

Simple answer. No.

 

[ichaseballs]

check manufacturer recommendation. usually it comes pre-stretched at the factory.
pros sometimes ask for slight pre-stretch on poly so it feels broken in, but would not recommend this for club/rec players.

 

[devoker]

Funny how there’s 46 replies to “should I pre stretch poly?”

Simple answer. No.

On the other hand, there are factory prestretched polys...

check manufacturer recommendation. usually it comes pre-stretched at the factory.
pros sometimes ask for slight pre-stretch on poly so it feels broken in, but would not recommend this for club/rec players.

That was kind of the thing I am looking for. I don't like the first few hours if I string a bit higher. It will reduce the total life for sure but I don't care as I am stringing myself.