Team Black Bear Tennis is official!

[Deleted member 763849]

Hello TW Forums,

Black Bear Tennis is very excited to join the forums and connect with each of you. I've been a member for a long time here under @drummerdan and have appreciated the help and input that everyone gives.

Please ask away here with your questions and give your opinion about what we do right AND wrong. I value your voice!

Good things are planned for 2019 and beyond!

Dan
Team Black Bear Tennis

 

[Nostradamus]

what do you guys make ? strings ? rackets ?

 

[Deleted member 763849]

what do you guys make ? strings ? rackets ?

We're a brand new company that is currently focused on strings. The future? Who knows!

 

[tennisgurl]

Hello TW Forums,

Black Bear Tennis is very excited to join the forums and connect with each of you. I've been a member for a long time here under @drummerdan and have appreciated the help and input that everyone gives.

Please ask away here with your questions and give your opinion about what we do right AND wrong. I value your voice!

Good things are planned for 2019 and beyond!

Dan
Team Black Bear Tennis

Hi Dan,

Only question so far is can you please tag people who are on board with your venture i-e part of Black Bear or part owner etc so that everyone knows, just for transparency purposes so we know who has interests in the company when they give feedback about strings. I think @Notirouswithag mentioned he is member now of the Black Bear team? Anyone else? And what capacity do they work for/own Black Bear. It is just that we all love learning abt and trying different strings and their traits, whats new in market etc but if favorable feedback is coming from someone who is involved with Black Bear, we should know that too.

Again, best of luck and so happy that Black Bear is not closing. I look forward to more strings from you guys!

P.S: how do I sign up for playtest offerings for u guys? I'm a 4.0 level female.

 

[Notirouswithag]

Hi Dan,

Only question so far is can you please tag people who are on board with your venture i-e part of Black Bear or part owner etc so that everyone knows, just for transparency purposes so we know who has interests in the company when they give feedback about strings. I think @Notirouswithag mentioned he is member now of the Black Bear team? Anyone else? And what capacity do they work for/own Black Bear. It is just that we all love learning abt and trying different strings and their traits, whats new in market etc but if favorable feedback is coming from someone who is involved with Black Bear, we should know that too.

Again, best of luck and so happy that Black Bear is not closing. I look forward to more strings from you guys!

P.S: how do I sign up for playtest offerings for u guys? I'm a 4.0 level female.

I am indeed part of the team in terms of marketing, sponsorships and playtesters. i'm also a playtester myself for the strings.

If your interested in becoming a playtester I will reach out to you here shortly!

i'm still waiting for my BBT account info to post under the official account

 

[Deleted member 763849]

Hi Dan,

Only question so far is can you please tag people who are on board with your venture i-e part of Black Bear or part owner etc so that everyone knows, just for transparency purposes so we know who has interests in the company when they give feedback about strings. I think @Notirouswithag mentioned he is member now of the Black Bear team? Anyone else? And what capacity do they work for/own Black Bear. It is just that we all love learning abt and trying different strings and their traits, whats new in market etc but if favorable feedback is coming from someone who is involved with Black Bear, we should know that too.

Again, best of luck and so happy that Black Bear is not closing. I look forward to more strings from you guys!

P.S: how do I sign up for playtest offerings for u guys? I'm a 4.0 level female.

Thanks so much for you questions!

1) Right now, only @Notirouswithag is part of the Black Bear Team. Currently, he acts as an advisor and is involved in marketing. I'm am the 100% full owner.
2) I am in your shoes, too. I love strings and feel that it is such a vital part of the game that so many people (not on this forum) feel that it doesn't really matter what you play with. We know that's not true! I had a stringing business for 7 years and am an MRT so I have a good understanding of strings and how they can affect your game. I started BBT because I wanted a string that is affordable and works!
3) You can go to our website to sign up as a play tester. We want women play testers because there's not as many and I value your opinion!
4) BBT will be introducing new strings into 2019 as there are play tests going on right now!

Thanks for your kind words and please let me know if you have any additional questions/comments.
Dan

 

[tennisgurl]

Thanks so much for you questions!

1) Right now, only @Notirouswithag is part of the Black Bear Team. Currently, he acts as an advisor and is involved in marketing. I'm am the 100% full owner.
2) I am in your shoes, too. I love strings and feel that it is such a vital part of the game that so many people (not on this forum) feel that it doesn't really matter what you play with. We know that's not true! I had a stringing business for 7 years and am an MRT so I have a good understanding of strings and how they can affect your game. I started BBT because I wanted a string that is affordable and works!
3) You can go to our website to sign up as a play tester. We want women play testers because there's not as many and I value your opinion!
4) BBT will be introducing new strings into 2019 as there are play tests going on right now!

Thanks for your kind words and please let me know if you have any additional questions/comments.
Dan

Awesome! Thank you very much for the detailed responses! I look fwd to trying, testing and using some of BBT strings!

 

[Nostradamus]

We're a brand new company that is currently focused on strings. The future? Who knows!

what kind of strings ? do you have any poly that is similar to solinco tourbite that can produce massive spin ?

 

[Deleted member 763849]

what kind of strings ? do you have any poly that is similar to solinco tourbite that can produce massive spin ?

Our current string, Bear Claw, is a little different from Tourbite. It's a bit softer but there's still a lot of spin produced. We had a couple of play testers who said it reminded them of TB when they tested it, however. TB used to be my go-to string but I like Bear Claw better because it's softer, easy on my arm, spinny and I when I play, the strings stay aligned perfectly.

We are currently play testing 1 string designed for a lot of spin. We'll see if it makes the cut!

Dan

 

[Deleted member 763849]

what kind of strings ? do you have any poly that is similar to solinco tourbite that can produce massive spin ?

As Dan mentioned we are currently playtesting one string for a release quite soon. At the moment Bear Claw is currently a soft shaped poly, but we are looking into releasing a round poly in the next few months hopefully.

We are also considering more gauges and colors, but we are in the developmental stages at the moment

-Alex

 

[Nostradamus]

Our current string, Bear Claw, is a little different from Tourbite. It's a bit softer but there's still a lot of spin produced. We had a couple of play testers who said it reminded them of TB when they tested it, however. TB used to be my go-to string but I like Bear Claw better because it's softer, easy on my arm, spinny and I when I play, the strings stay aligned perfectly.

We are currently play testing 1 string designed for a lot of spin. We'll see if it makes the cut!

Dan

Do you have a website that I can buy that from ? If it is better than tourbite because it is softer than it is a Winner. Do you think your bearclaw compare in power and spin to tourbite. More power, same ? and more/less spin, about the same ?

 

[Deleted member 763849]

Do you have a website that I can buy that from ? If it is better than tourbite because it is softer than it is a Winner. Do you think your bearclaw compare in power and spin to tourbite. More power, same ? and more/less spin, about the same ?

We do have a website! I think it does compre to TB in terms of power. It is on the softer side but Ive used it in racquets from an SV Vcore 98, Blade 98S CV, Ultra Tour, Pro Staff 97CV and found that at lower tensions its softer but powerful.

What is your current racquet/string setup?

Of course soft is a relative term for most but I'd give it a try and see what you think!


-Alex

 

[Nostradamus]

www.blackbeartennis.com, I think it does compre to TB in terms of power. It is on the softer side but Ive used it in racquets from an SV Vcore 98, Blade 98S CV, Ultra Tour, Pro Staff 97CV and found that at lower tensions its softer but powerful.

What is your current racquet/string setup?

Of course soft is a relative term for most but I'd give it a try and see what you think!


-Alex

how about spin potential ? about the same, more/less than tourbite ? I use RPM blast rough 17G most of the time when my arm is sore, but use tourbite also when my arm feels good

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I would say slightly more.

I used hyper g 17g and tour bite 17g and found that I get more than TB and slightly more than Hyper G

-Alex

 

[topspn]

I purchased 1 pack from Dan to try out and finally hit with Bear Claw this morning. It is the 1.29 gauge @48lbs and I normally string my TC95s at same tension with Tier 1 Black Night. It’s a good string, I liked it with plenty comfort and connected feel. It has a bit of elasticity to it not as much as a Sonic Pro for instance but does give it a bit of pop. Spin potential is quite good and no exaggerated launch angle or unpredictability. No issues hitting heavy spin and getting the ball to dive in. For me at least, I had no trouble adapting to it on serve right away.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I purchased 1 pack from Dan to try out and finally hit with Bear Claw this morning. It is the 1.29 gauge @48lbs and I normally string my TC95s at same tension with Tier 1 Black Night. It’s a good string, I liked it with plenty comfort and connected feel. It has a bit of elasticity to it not as much as a Sonic Pro for instance but does give it a bit of pop. Spin potential is quite good and no exaggerated launch angle or unpredictability. No issues hitting heavy spin and getting the ball to dive in. For me at least, I had no trouble adapting to it on serve right away.

Thanks for your brief review topspn. ive got a set of bear claw 17g in my yonex sv vcore 98 at 51 and love its softness even with the yonex's stiff frame.

-alex

 

[Nostradamus]

Thanks for your brief review topspn. ive got a set of bear claw 17g in my yonex sv vcore 98 at 51 and love its softness even with the yonex's stiff frame.

-alex

Yonex rackets overall has not been a stiff frame for me compared to some other very stiff brand of rackets. but if the Bear claw is soft then it is a definite plus. I have to try it out and see where this poly fits in as far as quality. Meaning among the giants like Babolat, Luxilon. and among the more economical polys like Volkl, Yonex, Kirschbaum.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

Yonex rackets overall has not been a stiff frame for me compared to some other very stiff brand of rackets. but if the Bear claw is soft then it is a definite plus. I have to try it out and see where this poly fits in as far as quality. Meaning among the giants like Babolat, Luxilon. and among the more economical polys like Volkl, Yonex, Kirschbaum.

im using the previous gen sv vcode and its not super stiff but its not feel oriented either.

Ive been using my buddys ezone 98 srrung with ptp and i fiund that stiff even at 52#.

I restrung it with bear claw at the same tension and fiund a much more softer yet powerful response. My buddy loves it now too

-alex

 

[Dartagnan64]

I think if anyone is entering the poly string market they need a minimum 3 offerings. A soft shaped co-poly, A firm pre-stretched round poly and a soft round poly.

The shaped string is your go to spin string for the mains or full bed. The round poly's offer slippery crosses in varying firmness to alter the feel of the stringbed. Those wanting a more muted response will go with the firmer pre-stretched poly and those wanting a softer more lively stringbed will choose the soft co-poly cross.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I think if anyone is entering the poly string market they need a minimum 3 offerings. A soft shaped co-poly, A firm pre-stretched round poly and a soft round poly.

The shaped string is your go to spin string for the mains or full bed. The round poly's offer slippery crosses in varying firmness to alter the feel of the stringbed. Those wanting a more muted response will go with the firmer pre-stretched poly and those wanting a softer more lively stringbed will choose the soft co-poly cross.

We're getting there! Expect several new string offerings in 2019. We only launched a couple months ago but there are several strings in the making and/or about ready to go. Hopefully, they'll take care of your needs!

Dan

 

[PBODY99]

I crossed Bear Claw with PSG/df in a Yonex V Core 98 {305g} for a 4.5 players to compare with a matched frame strung with TB soft/PSG/df. He found it to be comparable to TB soft.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I crossed Bear Claw with PSG/df in a Yonex V Core 98 {305g} for a 4.5 players to compare with a matched frame strung with
TB soft/PSG/df. He found it to be comparable to TBs.

I crossed Bear Claw with PSG/df in a Yonex V Core 98 {305g} for a 4.5 players to compare with a matched frame strung with
TB soft/PSG/df. He found it to be comparable to TBs.

Fantastic to hear! Our biggest goal with launching Bearclaw was to provide the same if not improved tension maintenance as TB soft

-Alex

 

[PBODY99]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Waiting to see which of the colored strings you will release in your play test.

 

[Big Bagel]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Waiting to see which of the colored strings you will release in your play test.

I've got a bright green string, looks like Hyper-G. Should be finishing up my playtest by the end of the week if I can get in one or two more hits by then.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I've got a bright green string, looks like Hyper-G. Should be finishing up my playtest by the end of the week if I can get in one or two more hits by then.

Im curious as much as you are.

I've got orange and bright green but im still in the process of hitting so we shall see.

I cant wait to see everyones playtest reviews once we get them in to sort and decide wich one were releasing

-alex

 

[Nostradamus]

Im curious as much as you are.

I've got orange and bright green but im still in the process of hitting so we shall see.

I cant wait to see everyones playtest reviews once we get them in to sort and decide wich one were releasing

-alex

what is this new string ? how does it differ from bear claw ?

 

[Deleted member 763849]

what is this new string ? how does it differ from bear claw ?

We don’t want to let the cat of of the bag because we don’t want to influence our play test but this string is different from Bear Claw. Tests will be complete shortly!

Dan

 

[PBODY99]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Perhaps my account will be picked for latter a in the year string test

 

[Deleted member 763849]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Perhaps my account will be picked for latter a in the year string test

There's a very good chance that will happen. We will be constantly testing new strings all year!

Dan

 

[Nostradamus]

There's a very good chance that will happen. We will be constantly testing new strings all year!

Dan

Your bear claw doesn't have similar feel to genesis black magic, I hope. I was never a fan of black magic although some people did like that poly.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

Your bear claw doesn't have similar feel to genesis black magic, I hope. I was never a fan of black magic although some people did like that poly.

I played with black magic when it first came out but frankly, it's been so long that I don't remember why I liked it at the time!

Dan

 

[fullwesternforehand]

Welcome Black Bear tennis!! Looking foward to your new strings and hope the best for you guys!!!

P.S. How did the name "Black Bear" originate?

 

[Idrayer]

I just strung up a racket with the Bear Claw and am looking forward to hitting with it once the rain here in LA clears! It looks like it'll have a lot of bite, and may be the closest thing to the ISOSPEED Pyramid that I used to use from a texture perspective, and I'm excited to see what this string can do.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I just strung up a racket with the Bear Claw and am looking forward to hitting with it once the rain here in LA clears! It looks like it'll have a lot of bite, and may be the closest thing to the ISOSPEED Pyramid that I used to use from a texture perspective, and I'm excited to see what this string can do.

Looking forward to your feedback! What racquet and tension did you use?

-Alex

 

[hurworld]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Glad to hear your venture pans out!
I signed up for the play test last summer, but unfortunately it coincided with my family vacation so I guess it didn't happen.
Do you only do play test in the US? I'm based in London UK.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Glad to hear your venture pans out!
I signed up for the play test last summer, but unfortunately it coincided with my family vacation so I guess it didn't happen.
Do you only do play test in the US? I'm based in London UK.

I'll touch base with you but we would love to include play testers from all over the world!

-Alex

 

[Nostradamus]

I just strung up a racket with the Bear Claw and am looking forward to hitting with it once the rain here in LA clears! It looks like it'll have a lot of bite, and may be the closest thing to the ISOSPEED Pyramid that I used to use from a texture perspective, and I'm excited to see what this string can do.

when you hit the string bed with your hand, does it have that Ping sound or does it have really muted Pisssss kind of sound ?

 

[hurworld]

I'll touch base with you but we would love to include play testers from all over the world!

-Alex

Thanks! Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Nostradamus]

I played with black magic when it first came out but frankly, it's been so long that I don't remember why I liked it at the time!

Dan

I thought black magic was generic garbage with mediocre qualities in all departments. and it felt stiff and dead. all bad qualities rolled into one.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

Welcome Black Bear tennis!! Looking foward to your new strings and hope the best for you guys!!!

Thank you! I hope we can provide a good, solid, affordable string that you and others can use to elevate your game!

P.S. How did the name "Black Bear" originate?

It's simple really. I love bears in general and I thought that a black bear symbolizes power, control and "bite"!

Dan

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I thought black magic was generic garbage with mediocre qualities in all departments. and it felt stiff and dead. all bad qualities rolled into one.

There was a lot of buzz when it came out. Some loved it and some, not as much.

Dan

 

[Deleted member 763849]

@Black Bear Tennis Official
Glad to hear your venture pans out!
I signed up for the play test last summer, but unfortunately it coincided with my family vacation so I guess it didn't happen.
Do you only do play test in the US? I'm based in London UK.

Thank you!

Right now, it's simply a matter of cost. To ship a set of strings outside the US is many times more than inside the US. I'm hoping I can figure out a solution because I want/need world players.

Dan

 

[Doubles]

I was initially part of the group that were sent strings to playtest. School and work got in the way and I wasn't able to uphold my obligations as a playtester. That said, the string I played was very nice, grabbed the ball well, and felt pleasant for a poly string. I would recommend Black Bear strings to others based solely on my experience with the test string, and because the effort and hard work are clearly present with the company.

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I was initially part of the group that were sent strings to playtest. School and work got in the way and I wasn't able to uphold my obligations as a playtester. That said, the string I played was very nice, grabbed the ball well, and felt pleasant for a poly string. I would recommend Black Bear strings to others based solely on my experience with the test string, and because the effort and hard work are clearly present with the company.

If your still intersted in play testing were always looking.

Send me a message and lets get you back on

-Alex

 

[tennistomcat]

I thought black magic was generic garbage with mediocre qualities in all departments. and it felt stiff and dead. all bad qualities rolled into one.

I didn’t think much of black magic when I tried it years ago but after recently comparing it to luxilon alu soft in the same racket I finally realized how good it is.
Just have to keep an open mind when trying new things - I didn’t give it a fair shot the 1st time.

Black bear sounds like a cool new string to try judging from the feedback.
I don’t like shaped strings but would love to try the rounded ones when they come out.

 

[Nostradamus]

I didn’t think much of black magic when I tried it years ago but after recently comparing it to luxilon alu soft in the same racket I finally realized how good it is.
Just have to keep an open mind when trying new things - I didn’t give it a fair shot the 1st time.

Black bear sounds like a cool new string to try judging from the feedback.
I don’t like shaped strings but would love to try the rounded ones when they come out.

I love your attitude. you sound almost as smart as I am..... good to know you are in the forum

 

[Deleted member 763849]

I didn’t think much of black magic when I tried it years ago but after recently comparing it to luxilon alu soft in the same racket I finally realized how good it is.
Just have to keep an open mind when trying new things - I didn’t give it a fair shot the 1st time.

Black bear sounds like a cool new string to try judging from the feedback.
I don’t like shaped strings but would love to try the rounded ones when they come out.

Agreed. Sometimes what we didn't like before is ok now!

There will be at least one new round string out soon! Keep watching.

Dan

 

[fritzhimself]

Sorry to bother you here.
Wow this is a proud price for a 200m Rell.
What makes your OEM product so unique that you can charge this price?
Very courageous entry into an unmanageable string market.
6 square Co-Polys are available like sand at the sea and mostly also much cheaper.
Are there laboratory measurements (hysteresis) for tension stability and durability?
What is the uniqueness that other strings do not have?
I wish all of you a successful start in this business.

 

[Nostradamus]

Sorry to bother you here.
Wow this is a proud price for a 200m Rell.
What makes your OEM product so unique that you can charge this price?
Very courageous entry into an unmanageable string market.
6 square Co-Polys are available like sand at the sea and mostly also much cheaper.
Are there laboratory measurements (hysteresis) for tension stability and durability?
What is the uniqueness that other strings do not have?
I wish all of you a successful start in this business.

It is made in Germany. I think German made polys are probably the best in the world and they tend to charge more for the material needed to make the strings.

 

[djNEiGht]

bravo @Black Bear Tennis Official & @Notirouswithag

Looking forward to your success.