Soft poly that reliably wears the crosses?

[bfroxen]

I've had elbow problems in the past when I've tried to use poly. After lots of experimentation with poly/nylon, nylon/poly, gut/poly, and multis, I've settled on a full bed of Tecnifibre Multifeel. I'm pretty happy with it, and I get acceptable life with an 18x20 string pattern. It's different from other nylons I've tried in that the crosses wear, the mains don't, and it doesn't lock up. However, I know I'm giving up some free spin.

Perhaps it's in my head, but it feels like strings are more comfortable when the mains are able to slide freely over the crosses. Even some nylon strings have been uncomfortable when locked, and brand new poly is comfortable. With poly, there seem to be two mechanisms that prevent free sliding: wearing of the mains (notching?) from sliding against the crosses, and deformation of the crosses (denting?) by the mains from impact. Is there a soft poly or poly/poly hybrid that reliably wears the crosses without denting, and doesn't wear the mains?

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Tend to find that the "rough" type polys work the best for this.

It's a misnomer to call them rough as they actually reduce surface area, and therefore friction.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-gamma moto/glyde prepackaged-hybrid.pack
-gamma moto is a muted softish poly and glide just enhances spin
-on a 18/20 pattern racquet, i would also try 18g polys with a 2 or 3 lb lower tension on the cross string, for better snapback
-i am currently using 18g poly 1.20mm y.poly.tour.pro (Y.PTP), string feel is nice

 

[LOBALOT]

One suggestion I have is moving to 16x19. It will play softer than 18x20 and will also give you the opportunity for the mains to slide across the crosses more easily than with an 18x20. You will sacrifice control and increase launch angle.

I too find that a racquet plays easier on the arm at a given tension when the mains can slide across the crosses vs when the string-bed is locked. Even nylon, multi, or gut I find plays firmer when locked.

The notching in the mains should not preclude them from sliding on the crosses and is fine (It is not as you indicate the issue). Notching on the crosses would certainly cause a locked string-bed and is the culprit.

I would search for the opposite.... that is a cross which does not notch and pick out a nice soft main with good tension maintenance that will be easier on the arm.

Ultimately though I think you will do better with a 16x19.

 

[bfroxen]

Tend to find that the "rough" type polys work the best for this.

Thanks. Any particular one that you've tried and experienced such wear?

 

[bfroxen]

The notching in the mains should not preclude them from sliding on the crosses and is fine (It is not as you indicate the issue). Notching on the crosses would certainly cause a locked string-bed and is the culprit.

Thanks. I've experienced indenting of poly crosses (from impact, a different mechanism than the wear of mains, so I don't call that "notching"), and that's worse than notched mains. But, notched mains definitely affect sliding in my experience.

Ultimately though I think you will do better with a 16x19.

I had been using a 16x19. I broke one of my three DR98s and couldn't find a replacement, so I started trying other frames. I ended up picking the MG Radical MP, and the 18x20 string pattern helped get the life of Multifeel up to ~9 hours. I'm not opposed to going back to 16x19 if I end up finding a poly that works for me.

 

[bfroxen]

-gamma moto/glyde prepackaged-hybrid.pack
-gamma moto is a muted softish poly and glide just enhances spin
-on a 18/20 pattern racquet, i would also try 18g polys with a 2 or 3 lb lower tension on the cross string, for better snapback
-i am currently using 18g poly 1.20mm y.poly.tour.pro (Y.PTP), string feel is nice

Thanks. Have you tried the gamma hybrid, and what kind of wear did you experience? What kind of wear do you experience with the Y.PTP?

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Thanks. Any particular one that you've tried and experienced such wear?

The one I like is a "rippled" string: tier one strikeforce. But it's the same idea. Basically divot out some of the string to reduce resistance against the main. Works to increase main movement but also reduces contact friction with it as well.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-tried it a couple times
-g.glyde is slick until it snaps, wears thin (seen this on ppls strings who use until it snaps)
-i cut mine out after about 3weeks time
-yptp, is a poly, would wear out same as others, but good while fresh