Soft Performant 16/16L string for Clash 98?

[Yamin]

Hi all,

I'm switching from the Blade to the Clash and had no issue finding soft and performant 17 gauge strings for the blade. I've seen many mention how fast 17 gauge notches in the clash, so I've been looking for softer 16/16l strings that have good spin potential, are softer, and can last around 8 hours if possible. A durable softer 17 gauge that may work fine too..

I've been trying to use the TW tool for some basic stiffness comparisons, but some of my favorites show dramatically higher stiffness in 16 gauge. Some numbers also look sketchy when the 16 shows lower stiffness than 17's and I've found they're much more stiff than the number should translate to based on other strings...

So far I've tried these and they are a bit too stiff especially when the clash "stiffens up":
BBO - Amazing just a bit too harsh. Can hit all types of shots with confidence. Control wasn't an issue at all. This string and racket combo is what made me switch to the clash 98.
MSV Hex 1.27 - Very stiff. Stiffer than BBO despite using much lower tension and TW numbers for stiffness definitely do not align with expectation. Control is a bit erratic on medium pace strokes, but when swinging hard with topspin you can't really hit out (just clash things). Bite wasn't great but spin was very good.

What I have on order:
Wilson Revolve 16
Ultra Cable 17
Diadem Solstice Pro 16L
Volkl Cyclone Tour 16

Anything else that might be good for this frame? Too poor for Lux, don't love HGS

Thanks

 

[DustinW]

What didn't you like about Hyper-G Soft? That is exactly what I was going to recommend.

 

[Yamin]

What didn't you like about Hyper-G Soft? That is exactly what I was going to recommend.

I was using a blade 18x20 and HG 18 was almost as soft, had much more spin, didn't break as fast, and didn't go dead as quick compared to HGS 17. I have part of a reel still lying around of the HGS... guess it would be dumb not try it in the clash....

 

[DustinW]

I was using a blade 18x20 and HG 18 was almost as soft, had much more spin, didn't break as fast, and didn't go dead as quick compared to HGS 17. I have part of a reel still lying around of the HGS... guess it would be dumb not try it in the clash....

What gauge? I wouldn't go thinner than 16L with soft polys.

Another option is to put your favorite stiff poly in the mains, and put a soft poly in the cross... Ghost Wire, Cream, HGS, Yonex Polytour Air.

I know many people love Cyclone Tour, but I just don't get along with it. I've tried it multiple times in multiple frames, and it is just way too launchy for me.

 

[Yamin]

Might as well make this thread worth something for someone....

Strung up Cyclone tour in the Clash 98 at 48 and when people say this string has additional power, they should disclose that it's a HUGE amount of power. I don't think there's a more powerful string. I'm not sure if the clash accentuates the string properties, but flat shots weren't too controllable at this tension. I play with high spin so this wasn't much of an issue unless I was off balance. Serves were going a bit long when I'd step on the power but spin was ridiculous. Kick serve was hilarious with how much height you could get. String was comfortable, though control wasn't the best at this tension. I can see this being a very good string in this frame at the right tension. To anyone trying to keep their strokes the same, I'd recommend +4 lbs. I'll be picking up a second set to try.

Revolve is up next.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I’ve enjoyed cyclone tour 16, but I see it’s already in your list!

 

[Wheelz]

Tour bite soft is nice in the Clash
Poly tour pro is good all around.

 

[Yamin]

Revolve 16:

Alright played with revolve for a week at 48lbs. I hit with people from 3.0 to 4.5 for this duration. Very good string, but was just a bit short on bite for my liking. Control is very good. My slice serve is currently my strongest as I don't have the best overhead motion, and would have liked some more spin and bite. Spin is very good with this string for a round string, and is IMO one of the best round strings outside the lux family. Power was appropriate and didn't feel like it was inconsistent for any type of shot which is a big issue with the clash IMO. With this one, I would have liked it to be a little more crisp in this racket so I may try something slightly stiffer. 7.5/10

 

[Yamin]

Diadem Solstice Pro 16l :

Had read a lot of good things about this string with tension maintenance being the main gripe. Supposedly this was a less powerful version than solstice power and was discontinued due to being so similar. I hated stringing this string. Once you got half way on the crosses it was really hard to continue. The shape is very pronounced and I've found that sharply edged or pronounced shapes don't do too well in the clash for consistency.

Unfortunately I found that was the case. The string did very well on groundstrokes with no wrist motion, but as soon as the wrist was incorporated balls weren't very consistent. The power on serve was also dramatically higher than the power on ground strokes. When volleying this string felt very stiff, and balls hit outside the sweet spot felt horrible.

I only played for an hour with a ball machine so far, but this may be cut out soon. I don't really see how this got so many positive reviews unless it's just bad with the clash.

Edit: Diadem Solstice Pro lost too much tension second outing. Abysmal in this frame imo. 3/10 factoring in the price, playability duration etc

 

[rv75]

Might as well make this thread worth something for someone....

Strung up Cyclone tour in the Clash 98 at 48 and when people say this string has additional power, they should disclose that it's a HUGE amount of power. I don't think there's a more powerful string. I'm not sure if the clash accentuates the string properties, but flat shots weren't too controllable at this tension. I play with high spin so this wasn't much of an issue unless I was off balance. Serves were going a bit long when I'd step on the power but spin was ridiculous. Kick serve was hilarious with how much height you could get. String was comfortable, though control wasn't the best at this tension. I can see this being a very good string in this frame at the right tension. To anyone trying to keep their strokes the same, I'd recommend +4 lbs. I'll be picking up a second set to try.

Revolve is up next.

Good to know. I was recommended CT 16 a while back but haven't tried. I also play the Clash 98 @ 48 lbs. Hit both FH & BH with topsin.
Are you happy with the Clash 98? I moved to the Clash because of a bad case of GE (caused by my ignorance.). Now that I'm fully recovered, I'm craving more control. Was thinking about trying the upcoming Blade V8

 

[Yamin]

Good to know. I was recommended CT 16 a while back but haven't tried. I also play the Clash 98 @ 48 lbs. Hit both FH & BH with topsin.
Are you happy with the Clash 98? I moved to the Clash because of a bad case of GE (caused by my ignorance.). Now that I'm fully recovered, I'm craving more control. Was thinking about trying the upcoming Blade V8

I liked Cyclone Tour and ordered a second set to try it again. What strings have been your favorite?

I'm new to clash 98 ownership. I played two demos for an extended amount of time with element and BBO. Loved both. Can't afford lux all the time so I'm looking for an alternative. I've been finding this racket very string sensitive (control wise) so I haven't loved it in that regard.

I didn't have any control issues with the Lux strings but they were strung above 50 and weren't great on the arm.

I'm switching from an 18x20 blade v7. Needed something lighter as I was getting too tired swinging at 100% all the time.

I've seen this racket worth great with the right string so I'm confident in finding the right combination.

 

[rv75]

I liked Cyclone Tour and ordered a second set to try it again. What strings have been your favorite?

I'm new to clash 98 ownership. I played two demos for an extended amount of time with element and BBO. Loved both. Can't afford lux all the time so I'm looking for an alternative. I've been finding this racket very string sensitive (control wise) so I haven't loved it in that regard.

I didn't have any control issues with the Lux strings but they were strung above 50 and weren't great on the arm.

I'm switching from an 18x20 blade v7. Needed something lighter as I was getting too tired swinging at 100% all the time.

I've seen this racket worth great with the right string so I'm confident in finding the right combination.

I've been using a hybrid of HGS 16L and Ghost Wire 17 @ 48 lbs but I know you don't like HGS.
The issue that I have with the Clash seems to be when I try to generate extra power. When I try to swing faster, I lose all control. It happened with the 100 and it's less but still present with the 98.

I also have used Mayami Big Spin/GW with good results. The spin you get is ridiculous but I find that volleys have even less control than with HGS and I play mostly doubles. I played with the Blade v6 CV 18x20 and the control was great but looking back I should've stuck with 16x19 as topspin is a big part of my game. I am really considering a switch back to the Blade line

 

[Yamin]

The issue that I have with the Clash seems to be when I try to generate extra power. When I try to swing faster, I lose all control. It happened with the 100 and it's less but still present with the 98.

This was kind of what was going on with Diadem solstice. On the flip side with MSV hex, and BBO every ball would somehow sharply dip in and I didn't have that issue. I'm trying to find that in a softer string combo.

 

[Yamin]

Diadem Solstice got cut out. Too much power the next outing.

Hyper G Soft:

Hyper G and hyper g soft have been my go to strings in the 18x20 blade so I know how it plays. I had been lacking confidence after trying solstice, and strung up cyclone tour at a poor tension. Went for HGS at 50 lbs. Great combination. No issue with predictability, comfortable, very familiar, good control and power, and I could tell where the ball is feel wise. Swinging with more strength was pretty linear, but it was a little lower on spin which has been my main gripe when it comes to hyper g soft vs. hyper g. This is going to be my go-to string if I can't find anything else to replace it... too bad it is AWFUL looking in the clash.... @rv75 have you tried a full bed of HGS? It's the most consistent poly in the soft category I've tried so far. I wouldn't mind a bit more spin. It's not short on spin by any means but you don't get the crazy dips last minute. 8/10 in this racket

 

[rv75]

.. @rv75 have you tried a full bed of HGS? It's the most consistent poly in the soft category I've tried so far. I wouldn't mind a bit more spin. It's not short on spin by any means but you don't get the crazy dips last minute. 8/10 in this racket

I haven't yet. I've always hybrid it with GW. I'm about to string my Clash 98 and was going to see how HGS does crossed with Mayami Tour Hex. @galapagos swears it should be a great combo
Correction... He recommends Big Spin with Tour Hex. Trying this first. Will try full bed for HGS after.
Thanks!

 

[blai212]

@Yamin I would recommend standard poly hybrid of shaped mains/smooth cross. You can mix a soft main with stiffer cross or stiff main with softer cross (main contributing 70% of the feel)…some good hybrids that might work well would include:
mains, crosses
VCT 1.30, element 1.25
HG 1.25/1.30, ghostwire 17g/revolve 17g, cream
mayami tour hex 1.23, GW/cream
black knight, cream/revolve
lynx tour 17g full bed is also good controlled poly but needs to be strung lower than usual to be comfortable. Stiffer strings strung lower provide best tension maintenance so it’s about finding the right blend of what you prefer. I strung lynx tour 17 @36/33 and it still felt a bit stiff for me in VCP97 so to each his own. Clash is more powerful racquet so my preferred tension on that racquet would probably be mid to low 40s…44/42 perhaps

 

[ron schaap]

Hi all,

I'm switching from the Blade to the Clash and had no issue finding soft and performant 17 gauge strings for the blade. I've seen many mention how fast 17 gauge notches in the clash, so I've been looking for softer 16/16l strings that have good spin potential, are softer, and can last around 8 hours if possible. A durable softer 17 gauge that may work fine too..

I've been trying to use the TW tool for some basic stiffness comparisons, but some of my favorites show dramatically higher stiffness in 16 gauge. Some numbers also look sketchy when the 16 shows lower stiffness than 17's and I've found they're much more stiff than the number should translate to based on other strings...

So far I've tried these and they are a bit too stiff especially when the clash "stiffens up":
BBO - Amazing just a bit too harsh. Can hit all types of shots with confidence. Control wasn't an issue at all. This string and racket combo is what made me switch to the clash 98.
MSV Hex 1.27 - Very stiff. Stiffer than BBO despite using much lower tension and TW numbers for stiffness definitely do not align with expectation. Control is a bit erratic on medium pace strokes, but when swinging hard with topspin you can't really hit out (just clash things). Bite wasn't great but spin was very good.

What I have on order:
Wilson Revolve 16
Ultra Cable 17
Diadem Solstice Pro 16L
Volkl Cyclone Tour 16

Anything else that might be good for this frame? Too poor for Lux, don't love HGS

Thanks

i recently tries Msv hex SOFt 1.30. This feels much better then the regular Hex and the 1.30 is durable too. I think you dont need those thin strings because they break too early.

 

[Yamin]

I'm about at the end of my string testing in this racket. General conclusion is that any string from Lux, Wilson, and Solinco play well. Most round strings or 5+ sided strings play well. Stay away from strings that are very sharp texture wise, or have very pronounced edges, as control becomes erratic. Still have toroline ether and head lynx tour to try.

Good:
Revolve
Any big banger
Element
Tour bite
Hyper G
Revolution
Wilson Duo Control (or any hybrid)
Ultra Cable
Hyper G Soft
Head Hawk
Lynx Tour
Cyclone Tour

Ok:
Yonex poly tour REV
Cyclone
MSV Hex
Black Knight


Bad:
Diadem Solstice
Volkl V Square
Toroline Ether/Caviar
Strings above 210 stiffness in TW DB

 

[Wheelz]

For cyclone tour I’d suggest trying higher tension as you mentioned. 52-56 might be a good range for the clash 98. I can string it at 56 in my pure aero but will do 48-50 with a string like Confidential

 

[Rosstour]

For cyclone tour I’d suggest trying higher tension as you mentioned. 52-56 might be a good range for the clash 98. I can string it at 56 in my pure aero but will do 48-50 with a string like Confidential

I do like 40lb with vct, it's magical.

 

[Yamin]

I do like 40lb with vct, it's magical.

I'm still using VCT as well. Going to give this a try when I get the chance. Main and cross both 40lb?

 

[jimmy8]

I do like 40lb with vct, it's magical.

I'm still using VCT as well. Going to give this a try when I get the chance. Main and cross both 40lb?

You 2 should get a room! Jk

 

[Rosstour]

I'm still using VCT as well. Going to give this a try when I get the chance. Main and cross both 40lb?

Yeah, I am actually under 40 now. No difference in control. I'm gonna keep going down until it is noticeable.