String similar to Alu Power but cheaper?

J

Jelle318

New User
Hello!

I am looking for a string cheaper and similar to alu power 1.25. I want to change because it isnt quite friendly on the wallet (well for me its 170 euros a reel) and I break really fast. About 1 hour in my Wilson Ultra tour 97.
I am going to try Solinco tour bite again, see how it feels, especially on my arm. Will mostly have to string in the low 40's to not hurt my arm and shoulder. String will have to be arm and shoulder friendly just like the Alu Power because I dont really hold up well with stiff strings. Solinco Tour Bite is like the limit. And preferably cheep on the wallet too :) I am open to hybrids too. But not natural gut!!! Hella expensive... lol

Any suggestions on strings?

Thank you,
J.
 
darklore009

darklore009

Hall of Fame
Its hard to find a good substitute for ALU Power as it has its own characterstic to make it what it is now. If you really want to go easy with your wallet, you can check out Pros Pro Strings as it starts roughly around $30 a reel. Theres a lot of threads regarding Pros Pro Strings and how it performs.
 
StringGuruMRT

StringGuruMRT

Semi-Pro
I've got a very budget conscious client that started using Isospeed Baseline Control 16 because it was $40 for a reel, and he really likes it. He strings it up pretty tight (62 lbs), and he doesn't complain about it being too harsh on the arm... I haven't really hit with it so I'm not sure how it compares to ALU Power though...
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
Jelle318 said:
Hello!

I am looking for a string cheaper and similar to alu power 1.25. I want to change because it isnt quite friendly on the wallet (well for me its 170 euros a reel) and I break really fast. About 1 hour in my Wilson Ultra tour 97.
I am going to try Solinco tour bite again, see how it feels, especially on my arm. Will mostly have to string in the low 40's to not hurt my arm and shoulder. String will have to be arm and shoulder friendly just like the Alu Power because I dont really hold up well with stiff strings. Solinco Tour Bite is like the limit. And preferably cheep on the wallet too :) I am open to hybrids too. But not natural gut!!! Hella expensive... lol

Any suggestions on strings?

Thank you,
J.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Would love to find a cheaper substitute for ALU but haven't yet. Tour Bite is radically different imo.

Have you tried using a cheaper cross string with ALU mains? I'm trying Black Zone 17 crosses with ALU mains next week and looking forward to it. Might be better for spin and cheaper as well.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
Jelle318 said:
Hello!

I am looking for a string cheaper and similar to alu power 1.25. I want to change because it isnt quite friendly on the wallet (well for me its 170 euros a reel) and I break really fast. About 1 hour in my Wilson Ultra tour 97.
I am going to try Solinco tour bite again, see how it feels, especially on my arm. Will mostly have to string in the low 40's to not hurt my arm and shoulder. String will have to be arm and shoulder friendly just like the Alu Power because I dont really hold up well with stiff strings. Solinco Tour Bite is like the limit. And preferably cheep on the wallet too :) I am open to hybrids too. But not natural gut!!! Hella expensive... lol

Any suggestions on strings?

Thank you,
J.
Click to expand...
Tourbite or Tourbite soft? Big difference in feel and comfort. Also consider trying hyperG and tourbite diamond rough. The dimple texture makes the string play softer.
 
sredna42

sredna42

Hall of Fame
Jelle318 said:
Hello!

I am looking for a string cheaper and similar to alu power 1.25. I want to change because it isnt quite friendly on the wallet (well for me its 170 euros a reel) and I break really fast. About 1 hour in my Wilson Ultra tour 97.
I am going to try Solinco tour bite again, see how it feels, especially on my arm. Will mostly have to string in the low 40's to not hurt my arm and shoulder. String will have to be arm and shoulder friendly just like the Alu Power because I dont really hold up well with stiff strings. Solinco Tour Bite is like the limit. And preferably cheep on the wallet too :) I am open to hybrids too. But not natural gut!!! Hella expensive... lol

Any suggestions on strings?

Thank you,
J.
Click to expand...
Kelist power control silver.
My coach is a very strong player and has used both and said the kelist is almost identical but at a fraction of the price
 
tigonian02

tigonian02

New User
Kirschbaum Max Power/Rough is the best comparison to Alu Power that I’ve seen. It may play a tad bit stiffer but is a pretty awesome string. I use to play with Alu Power rough for a few years, but as you stated, I got tired of the price. I did the whole research a cheaper alternative thing and ran across max power rough. They play very similarly...so much so that I bought a couple of reels when TW had their black-ish Friday 2 for 1 string sale.
 
tigonian02

tigonian02

New User
StringGuruMRT said:
I've got a very budget conscious client that started using Isospeed Baseline Control 16 because it was $40 for a reel, and he really likes it. He strings it up pretty tight (62 lbs), and he doesn't complain about it being too harsh on the arm... I haven't really hit with it so I'm not sure how it compares to ALU Power though...
Click to expand...
A couple of years ago I bought a reel of this stuff to pair with tourna big hitter blue rough. For $40 it’s really not bad at all.
 
J

Jelle318

New User
Shaolin said:
I'm in the same boat. Would love to find a cheaper substitute for ALU but haven't yet. Tour Bite is radically different imo.

Have you tried using a cheaper cross string with ALU mains? I'm trying Black Zone 17 crosses with ALU mains next week and looking forward to it. Might be better for spin and cheaper as well.
Click to expand...

Ive tried Hyper G (46 pounds)/alu power (51 pounds) and i didnt like it at all. too much for my arm. I tried Tour Bite (47 pounds)/alu power (51 pounds) and disliked it more lol! Ive tried Alu power (52 pounds)/Original (49 pounds) and liked that combo a lot.

SavvyStringer said:
Tourbite or Tourbite soft? Big difference in feel and comfort. Also consider trying hyperG and tourbite diamond rough. The dimple texture makes the string play softer.
Click to expand...

Regular Tour Bite. I completely forgot about Tour Bite soft! Will definiatly be asking my coach if he can get me some 12m packs

Jouke said:
Breaking Alu in 1 Hour and Alu being arm friendly? I am wowed here every day
Click to expand...

I used to break Alu Power in my 18x20 Wilson Blade 2015 98 in 20 minutes! I guess if you serve 210ks and rip the forehand cross youd break strings left right and centre. Alu power would be called a forgiving string I think...

tigonian02 said:
Kirschbaum Max Power/Rough is the best comparison to Alu Power that I’ve seen. It may play a tad bit stiffer but is a pretty awesome string. I use to play with Alu Power rough for a few years, but as you stated, I got tired of the price. I did the whole research a cheaper alternative thing and ran across max power rough. They play very similarly...so much so that I bought a couple of reels when TW had their black-ish Friday 2 for 1 string sale.
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about Kirschbaum. I did try the Proline II 1.30 in red (because I ran out of string in a tourny in cairo and my friend lent me some) and I liked it but not the tension loss. Ill def try the Max Power! Liking the reviews I've seen so far...

Vanhalen said:
Give up the search. I honestly don’t think there is anything else quite like it.
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm starting to feel now too lol. One of a kind def.

J011yroger said:
I use BBO mains and ALU crosses. 90% of the performance and 3x the durability.

J
Click to expand...

Will have to try this combo out! I liked the Original/Alu Power combo so I am thinking that your setup might be something that I would like.

How about a full bed of Original? How does that hold up? Would I be looking at possible injuries and how does it feel like?
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
@Shaolin
i tend to agree with the notion of "no substitute for the real thing".,,
but this is very close, or close eough,, for me!
when price is a factor in the equation, this string fits the bill..

what did you find different between the two strings?? having hit with it soo long, youll have good insight on the way the string felt to you,

btw, i do play with both and i find i like "something", about topspin,, not more/less than luxilon, but its a suttle feel that keeps me coming back to topspin.cyber.flash
topspin.CF was one of my first polys
 
LOBALOT

LOBALOT

Hall of Fame
Probably, most of the Silver strings will be similar. I was going to suggest Big Hitter Silver which I understand is the same stuff as Cyberflash. My friends report it plays a tad stiffer than ALU Power.

Weiss Cannon Silver String is another option but it may play a bit more powerful.

So that makes think... What about a hybrid of these two?
 
A

Adm

Rookie
It is difficult to find it nowadays, but if possible check:

Mantis Tour Poly in red colour.

I think that it will make the job for what you are looking for...
 
J

Jelle318

New User
Dang whats up with all the funky and different strings. Half of the strings mentioned I've never even heard about!
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
LOBALOT said:
Probably, most of the Silver strings will be similar. I was going to suggest Big Hitter Silver which I understand is the same stuff as Cyberflash. My friends report it plays a tad stiffer than ALU Power.

Weiss Cannon Silver String is another option but it may play a bit more powerful.

So that makes think... What about a hybrid of these two?
Click to expand...

agreed, soo many early generation polys out there that are very close in feel to alupower,
and because their are soo many, you can find multiple good options that fits your budget
i do find that durability is somewhat "better", with more expensive strings
but since i string after 3 weeks anyway, on my rackets, the 3x or 4x the cost is not worth it to me..
 
J011yroger

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
Jelle318 said:
Ive tried Hyper G (46 pounds)/alu power (51 pounds) and i didnt like it at all. too much for my arm. I tried Tour Bite (47 pounds)/alu power (51 pounds) and disliked it more lol! Ive tried Alu power (52 pounds)/Original (49 pounds) and liked that combo a lot.



Regular Tour Bite. I completely forgot about Tour Bite soft! Will definiatly be asking my coach if he can get me some 12m packs



I used to break Alu Power in my 18x20 Wilson Blade 2015 98 in 20 minutes! I guess if you serve 210ks and rip the forehand cross youd break strings left right and centre. Alu power would be called a forgiving string I think...



I've heard good things about Kirschbaum. I did try the Proline II 1.30 in red (because I ran out of string in a tourny in cairo and my friend lent me some) and I liked it but not the tension loss. Ill def try the Max Power! Liking the reviews I've seen so far...



Thats what I'm starting to feel now too lol. One of a kind def.



Will have to try this combo out! I liked the Original/Alu Power combo so I am thinking that your setup might be something that I would like.

How about a full bed of Original? How does that hold up? Would I be looking at possible injuries and how does it feel like?
Click to expand...

Full bed of BBO is stiff and low powered. I recommend stringing 5lbs looser.

Bites like heck and lasts a long time but you have to provide your own batspeed.

J
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
1HBHfanatic said:
@Shaolin
i tend to agree with the notion of "no substitute for the real thing".,,
but this is very close, or close eough,, for me!
when price is a factor in the equation, this string fits the bill..

what did you find different between the two strings?? having hit with it soo long, youll have good insight on the way the string felt to you,

btw, i do play with both and i find i like "something", about topspin,, not more/less than luxilon, but its a suttle feel that keeps me coming back to topspin.cyber.flash
topspin.CF was one of my first polys
Click to expand...

Dont get me wrong, I think TS cyberflash is a great string for the money, that's why I used it. I just think ALU has a level of feel and spin that Cyberflash cant match...it just feels more alive to me than any other poly. Cyber is great though, I think the best match I ever played was with a brand new full bed of Cyberflash 17.
 
LOBALOT

LOBALOT

Hall of Fame
1HBHfanatic said:
agreed, soo many early generation polys out there that are very close in feel to alupower,
and because their are soo many, you can find multiple good options that fits your budget
i do find that durability is somewhat "better", with more expensive strings
but since i string after 3 weeks anyway, on my rackets, the 3x or 4x the cost is not worth it to me..
Click to expand...

I agree, there are a lot of options and many are quite affordable so if one strings their own racquets I see no reason not to use them if that is what one is after. I don't play with these kind of strings as I like low tension with softer shaped poly. It too dies quickly but I am good with that.

I have quite a few friends though that like the silver generation of string particularly in hybrids.
 
G

GLten

New User
Adm said:
It is difficult to find it nowadays, but if possible check:

Mantis Tour Poly in red colour.

I think that it will make the job for what you are looking for...
Click to expand...


This string has been designed for being as close to alu power. Their stiffness and energy return is kind of identical. Luxilon has the bite effect, mantis maybe feels a little sparkier? Amazing value for money.
 
Last edited:
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
To me Alu Power is one of the few strings I’ve tried that really has that, “wow this string has gone dead” moment. Most other polys I’ve tried have a far more gradual loss of resilience. When Alu goes dead you can just feel everything’s different. But until that moment it’s easily my favorite poly.

You might want to consider kirschbaum Proline 2. It’s reasonably close with better longevity.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Adm said:
Nice tool in theory :)

A little problematic in practice!
Click to expand...
True but the tool does give you a selection of similar strings to start with
. When you select any of the suggested strings it will compare the strings in stiffness, tension loss, power, and spin giving you an idea of the differences.

EDIT: The tool also does not give you all strings either just a select set. You will not be finding Pros Pro strings or other low budget strings listed in that tool.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/pros-pro-black-out.348617/
 
Last edited:
J

Jelle318

New User
Well, I tried Tour Bite soft today and that is a big no no for me. Strung at 50 pounds (Used 47 pounds in 18x20 blade) and the darn thing lost tension so quick! More than Alu Power for my feeling. Will try regular tourbite tomorrow strung at 44 pounds, see how my arm holds up.

I wanted to ask you guys about the Signum Pro Firestorm (Mikhael Yhouzny string). Is it any good? My old coach told me that it plays well in the Ultra Tour but I havent tried it yet as I havent been able to get my hands on it. Opinions?
 
anfield

anfield

Semi-Pro
Has anyone tried Head Hawk Rough? It seems the tension loss is only at 24% compared to ALU Rough at 40% and ALU Power at 47%. It might be around the same price at ALU but seems like it has more life, so that could mean it's less expensive. BTW I tried Max Power Rough 18 and it does not have that ALU magic. Maybe the Hawk Rough is in the middle and plays a bit less magical but lasts longer? Any thoughts?
 
B

Binatang

Rookie
You may want to try Pro’s Pro Cyber Power. It’s one of my go to strings.
I haven’t directly compared it myself but many reviewers on another site says it plays like an improved Alu Power.
 
R

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
Shaolin said:
I hit with Cyberflash for about 40 years straight. It's no ALU substitute.
Click to expand...
Without restringing? ;-) ;-)
Btw have you also tried the thinnest 1.20 mm gauge which according to TWU data is very soft. It isnt when i tried it at 24kg, therefor i had to go down to 21kg.
 
Last edited:
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
ron schaap said:
Without restringing? ;-) ;-)
Btw have you also tried the thinnest 1.20 mm gauge which according to TWU data is very soft. It isnt when i tried it at 24kg, therefor i had to go down to 21kg.
Click to expand...

I restring every decade or so :)

And no I wasn't aware they had that guage... must be new, I'll have to give it a hit. Cyberflash is a great string for the $.
 
A

Adm

Rookie
The guy has asked a string playing similar to Luxilon Alu Power...

And you recommend Prince XR ? !!!! How is this similar to Alu Power?!


My friend... just go and buy Alu Power...
 
J

Jelle318

New User
Well, I think I found my string for now. Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 strung at 46 pounds. Seems to play good in the Ultra Tour to be honest. Liked the feeling I got, a little like Alu Power. And my coach gets the reels quite cheap (75 euros a reel compared to 135 retail). Thank you very much to everyone for their input and recommendations. In future will try out some of the strings mentioned!
 
anfield

anfield

Semi-Pro
I would not say Tour Bite is similar other than the color and maybe the texture if comparing to ALU Rough. It plays a lot deader and does not have that magic first few hours.

I’ve got a set is Hawk Rough I’m going to hybrid with VS and I’ll give my update.
 
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