Tecnifibre Triax 16 -- a long-range review

eb_tennis_247 said:
If I can summarize my experience with Triax it would be -- it is like a natural gut but with a spin potential of a soft poly like Hyper-G soft.

I have been playing with Tecnifibre Triax 16 full-bed in my 360+ Radical MPs for two years now, and it has been the most gratifying experience.

I started using Triax as a "cheap" substitute in my Clash 98 for the natural gut. I played with natural gut in my primary Clash 98 at the time because it came with it, and I kept natural gut in it to heal my arm.
I discovered Triax after watching Tennis Spin review of it, and I decided to give it a try in my backup Clash 98 because it was a far more affordable option for me. Honestly, it was hard to tell the difference between the Luxilon natural gut at 60 and the Triax at 55.

In late 2021, I switched to Radical MP, and I re-strung it with Triax (16) because the polys in it (Lynx) would always aggravate my arm.
I had to experiment with the tension until I settled at 55, which was comfortable enough while helping me retain control and have enough access to spin.

After over two years of playing, here are is the summary of impressions and my pros and cons of this string:

Overall impressions:

Tecnifibre Triax is a wonderfully comfortable string, almost on par with natural gut. Its spin potential is very good, and it is on par with the soft polys (also corroborated by the TWU measurements).
The string has been very durable for me -- it lasts me four to six months (My pro stringer re-strings it when the stringbed tension drops below the recommended level and as measured by the stringbed stiffness machine. YES: we use that machine to measure how much stiffness/elasticity is left to gauge the right time to re-string).
The feel of Triax is great for me. Note that the string is not springy and crisp as poly. It feels "gummier" but also far more comfortable than a typical poly. The launch angle is lower than Lynx Tour 17 or Hyper-G 17 soft. Triax has great ball pocketing. As I said in the opening statement, it is like a natural gut but with a much higher spin potential.
The string is comfortable and medium firm, with a somewhat dampened feel. It took me some time to adjust from Hyper-G, but my arm was very happy. Never had an arm issue with it.

My current profile (1/2023):
I am an ambitious but "normal" recreational player. My technique level is around 4.0, as assessed by multiple pros, and I am progressing. I hit semi-hard, emphasizing depth and control through some form of spin. I play 4-7 times a week, hard surface and clay, every month of the year, indoors and outdoors. I play with 3.0 - 4.5 players, and I hit against the tennis ball machine regularly.

Pros:
Total arm safety and comfort
Spin for the string of this type (multi/fusion), or compared to Hyper G soft or Luxilon Element. I can generate plenty of spin with it, and never felt like I have an issue with it.
Ball pocketing feel
Control -- for the string of this type. Stays much more controllable over time than polys or other multis.

Cons:
MSRP, although I buy from my (pro) stringer, and I get a great price on it. Just a few $ above velocity or hyper-g, strung.
Rubbery feel on contact - it has a bit of a rubbery feel when compared to Velocity, although I am used to it, so I cannot tell anymore.
Less spin potential than Lynx Tour or Hyper-G, which is, for me, the magic ball-biting spin maker

Playing experience with other strings:
Hyper-G 16L/17 -- love it. A league on its own. Cannot be really compared to Triax
Hyper-G soft 17 -- not impressed and not worth it vs. Triax. Similar/lower spin potential
Velocity MLT 16/17 -- great string, but it feels stiffer than Triax. It breaks in the frame after ongoing use whereas Triax lasts.
Lynx Tour 17 -- I like it a lot. Cannot be really compared to Triax
Sonic Pro -- I like it with low tension. Hard to control when it loses tension and it loses tension quickly. It still feels great but you have to rein it in.
Luxilon Element -- I like it a lot. Feels great, but it loses tension so quickly that it becomes hard to control.
Lynx 17/Velocity 17 at 52 -- not as comfortable as Triax. Stiffer when strung. Not nearly as comfortable nor arm-safe as Triax.
Wilson Synthetic Gut 17 - not that dissimilar. It does not last nearly as long and it does not have the same string potential
Click to expand...
So I just picked up new 16x 20 Pure Strike 100. Demo had full poly which I do not play with. I have played with many set ups and some I like more than others. I saw your post and you were so detailed I thought I would give it a try. I am 3.5 and and the owner of Tennis place said this is a great string. I ended up with 16G, he wanted to put 17G but wanted to stick with what you have. I put the tension pretty low at 47 as I have had arm issues from baseball in the past. I only played for 3 hours so far with it but my first impressions were a big WOW! Nice on my arm, my flat serves were money all day. I was shocked at the control I had at 47 tension and I think this is my go to string after just one session. I have not put a string on and felt so connected from the first hit. Thanks for the detailed info and I hope this is the last string I think about!
 
Lemonater said:
I was shocked at the control I had at 47 tension and I think this is my go to string after just one session. I have not put a string on and felt so connected from the first hit. Thanks for the detailed info and I hope this is the last string I think about!
Click to expand...
I am very happy that review was helpful for you and that the string worked.

I think you will find that at low tensions you still have a very decent control, just more ball pocketing, which is an awesome characteristic of this string.
 
I am a long-time Lynx Tour-Confidential player, but want to have more pop with adequate spin profile. I had used Volkl Power Fiber (bleh), Multifeel full bed (ok but nothing special), and Multifeel/Cream hybrid (I like the balance between feel/power/control after break in period).

Eyeing VS/RPM hybrid (gut/poly hybrid) for my Strike VS weighted with 3.62 g at 12 and 3.62 g at 6, but your review makes me want to try Triax.

Nevertheless, I need to ask my biggest concern: do I need to adjust my string after each point? It will be very annoying

With Volkl: everytime
With Multifeel full bed: after long points
With Multifeel/Cream: never
With gut/poly: I reckon similar with multi/poly above
 
tophersuwita said:
Nevertheless, I need to ask my biggest concern: do I need to adjust my string after each point? It will be very annoying
Click to expand...

Depends.

With Head Velocity MLT -- almost right away, as soon as the slickening coating wears off, regardless of the setup.

With Triax/RPX in the mains and Tourna Big Hitter (round poly) in the crosses -- no, never. My strings break before I have to adjust anything, and the spin a truly good. Not nearly as good as my MSV Focus Hex 17L before the edges wear off, but still very good. The good thing about setup with Triax and smooth poly is that strings retain snapback for a good amount of time.

With Tourna Big Hitter in the main and Triax/RPX in the crosses -- maybe.

I don't know about shaped polys and Triax/RPX -- I don't know. Shaped polys with multi never work for me. I find that hybrid a waste of time and money. Shaped polys cut into multis pretty much right away, especially super sharp and stiff polys like Confidential.
 
tophersuwita said:
I am a long-time Lynx Tour-Confidential player, but want to have more pop with adequate spin profile. I had used Volkl Power Fiber (bleh), Multifeel full bed (ok but nothing special), and Multifeel/Cream hybrid (I like the balance between feel/power/control after break in period).

Eyeing VS/RPM hybrid (gut/poly hybrid) for my Strike VS weighted with 3.62 g at 12 and 3.62 g at 6, but your review makes me want to try Triax.

Nevertheless, I need to ask my biggest concern: do I need to adjust my string after each point? It will be very annoying

With Volkl: everytime
With Multifeel full bed: after long points
With Multifeel/Cream: never
With gut/poly: I reckon similar with multi/poly above
Click to expand...
I just started playing with it after first few hours I did not see the strings move. I also do not hit with massive topspin but you may want to ask long term users this question. So far so good as far as movement for me.
 
siL said:
Does anyone can tell the difference between Triax and Yonex Rexis speed? I've never tried latter one but it contains poly thread in it like Triax.
Click to expand...
I tried both. To me, Triax felt deader while Speed had a lively, more connected feel. Speed had more power, control and spin for me. I could play with either but in the end Speed was just better.
 
Rabbit said:
I tried both. To me, Triax felt deader while Speed had a lively, more connected feel. Speed had more power, control and spin for me. I could play with either but in the end Speed was just better.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I had a friend whos racquet was strung with Rexis Comfort (freshly strung) and the snapback was great when you moved the mains around, that got me interested.
 
Happi said:
Thanks. I had a friend whos racquet was strung with Rexis Comfort (freshly strung) and the snapback was great when you moved the mains around, that got me interested.
Click to expand...
That is true of Speed as well. Even when notched, it stays in place. It is supremely comfortable. As an old f@rt who grew up on natural gut, it just feels so much better than poly. The results for me are as good as poly too. Its feel encourages a big swing.
 
Rabbit said:
That is true of Speed as well. Even when notched, it stays in place. It is supremely comfortable. As an old f@rt who grew up on natural gut, it just feels so much better than poly. The results for me are as good as poly too. Its feel encourages a big swing.
Click to expand...
Do you know this one:

 
Rabbit said:
I do not. Since it’s D/C’d I shan’t be buying a reel just to see. :)
Click to expand...
Yes I have the same feeling, but the reel is a lot les then the spin or comfort.

I think I will get a set of the spin and see for myself. Thanks for the reccomendation..
 
I know the real answer is to try it myself, but what would I be gaining from using Triax or another blend instead of doing a multi/poly hybrid? I've found it weirdly difficult to see that answer in any of the Triax threads. Seems like a hybrid is sure to have more spin
 
jimdontcare said:
I know the real answer is to try it myself, but what would I be gaining from using Triax or another blend instead of doing a multi/poly hybrid? I've found it weirdly difficult to see that answer in any of the Triax threads. Seems like a hybrid is sure to have more spin
Click to expand...
Honestly, mainly just simplicity. There are a lot of players, even stringers, who just want to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid), and if Triax gives them an otherwise good enough in-between of full-bed poly and non-poly, in only a single string to have to deal with and/or remember, then it's a win for them. Whether playability is actually better is a different matter, though it's at least competitive with most hybrids.
 
Trip said:
Honestly, mainly just simplicity. There are a lot of players, even stringers, who just want to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid), and if Triax gives them an otherwise good enough in-between of full-bed poly and non-poly, in only a single string to have to deal with and/or remember, then it's a win for them. Whether playability is actually better is a different matter, though it's at least competitive with most hybrids.
Click to expand...
Completely valid.
 
jimdontcare said:
I know the real answer is to try it myself, but what would I be gaining from using Triax or another blend instead of doing a multi/poly hybrid? I've found it weirdly difficult to see that answer in any of the Triax threads. Seems like a hybrid is sure to have more spin
Click to expand...
To me, Triax feels like a deader multi rather than a multi-poly hybrid. Spin is not bad, but the feeling is different. I have only used Triax once, but I would give the edge in spin to the multi/poly and syn-gut/poly hybrids I have used. IME, even the softest poly in the crosses adds some of that "brick wall" sensation that multi alone just doesn't give, regardless of what percentage of the filaments are poly fibers. I have played with a 100% polyester multifilament in multiple racquets, and it still plays and feels like a multifilament.

I think what you would gain would be tension maintenance.
 
tele said:
To me, Triax feels like a deader multi rather than a multi-poly hybrid. Spin is not bad, but the feeling is different. I have only used Triax once, but I would give the edge in spin to the multi/poly and syn-gut/poly hybrids I have used. IME, even the softest poly in the crosses adds some of that "brick wall" sensation that multi alone just doesn't give, regardless of what percentage of the filaments are poly fibers. I have played with a 100% polyester multifilament in multiple racquets, and it still plays and feels like a multifilament.

I think what you would gain would be tension maintenance.
Click to expand...
So I purchased the Babalo Strike 16 x20 and tried the Triax in both 17G and 16G. I liked it better in the 16G for sure for whatever reason. I hit more flat so maybe the extra control is my guess. That being said, I found that the string for me (maybe because racket is heavier than I am used to and I have a more medium swing) felt a bit like a brick at times especially at the net for me. I strung them at 47 G each time. So as an experiment I went to first string I played with a few years ago the NXT Power 16G and strung it way down at 45 for the Multi just to get a close comparison how much is the string vs just me and my feeling. I have to tell you the NXT for me anyways just felt much more comfortable. I was actually hitting the ball harder and they were staying in. I am no expert player , I play 3 times a week and started playing a few years back. Club guys say I am a 4.0 but I think in between 3.5 and 4.0 in singles, maybe doubles a 4.0. I felt with this racket I could go even less with the NXT and I had plenty of control. I do not know why this string seems to work best for me. I have spent more money and tried more string combinations than I care to admit. From Full Poly, Hybrid, strings like X alt and Triax that are there own Hybrids. I have a sensitive elbow from long ago but at the end of the day I think if you do Triax I would string lower like a Poly than a multi IMO> It is convenient if you do not want to mess with Hybrid, it is not as good as a top hybrid set up but if you do not want to mess with it, not a bad option. After 3 years of messing with option I am going to just stick to NXT 16G at 44 to 45 lb which I know is low for a multi full bed but with this racket and my style it plays amazing so I am not going to question it!
 
Is a full bed Triax, as other similar 'new' string concepts such RPM Soft and Xalt, a suitable solution for frames like ProKennex Black Ace Pro, instead of multi mains/soft poly crosses solution?
 
Anyway, more resembling multi than poly in the end? In any case, even when you combine a poly in the crosses you alter the feel of the multi (I use X-One, usually).
 
Good to know, especially willing to keep It simple and considering that every hybrid reverse combo I've tried became unpredictable after 6 hours of playing. Hope that a full bed like that keeps its consistency longer, since BAP is so soft with strings and I'm not a string breaker at all.
 
colonellaborde said:
Anyone tried Triax as a cross? say with HGS or REV mains..
Click to expand...
Arzivu said:
Expensive strings shouldn't be used in the crosses. It's just a waste of money. If you want to make your stringbed softer, just use synthetic gut.
Click to expand...
Largely agree. Instead of Triax, I would recommend Multifeel Black, the long-term-slickest multi (that is also fairly economical), or if durability falls short, Prince Lightning Pro, the long-term-slickest syn gut (~$6/set if bought in bulk from TW).
 
Last edited:
@Arzivu , @Trip and @veelium thanks for your replies.. I just asked about Triax (yes Duramix could be as well) because i see that it is multi poly-fusion string instead of a multi like multifeel?. I used some other multis in the past but stringbed is locked after a session as i dont use a round poly in the mains so it goes through crosses so quick . I thought if it is a poly-fusion, string bed wouldnt be locked so quick? After multis try I had to play poly/poly but i need some more power also need it to be a bit softer yes..
Wouldnt synthetic gut behave like multi to get locked in 1-2 sessions?.
Btw, any idea if Duramix or Triax have more power?

​

 
colonellaborde said:
I thought if it is a poly-fusion, string bed wouldnt be locked so quick?
Click to expand...
I can see how one might think that, but the poly portion of Triax is buried in the center of the string, whereas the surface is still the same SPL coating and PU400 matrix used in most of Tec's other multi's, many of which aren't that slippery as crosses. And while Multifeel Black technically uses the same outer construction, there's something about the black-colored pigment that lends it additional slippery-ness, above and beyond the other Tec multi/fusion strings for use as a cross. But you're welcome to try Triax and report back on your findings. Perhaps it may work well enough, provided you pair it with an equally-slick-enough poly main that slides well on Triax's outer material.
 
tobi9008 said:
I absolutely get why poly is a problem in this case it is just very hard as a nearly lifelong poly player... My hope was velocity or V/Cream is a solution but in my opinion or for my game it is not working, not enough feel and spin potential. Hence my question on Triax (or HDMX) as alternative :).
My try with syn gut was not a big pleasure, string bed can be locked quickly I feel.
Click to expand...
Triax main and Multifeel crosses is the best combo I try
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Tecnifibre Triax, Full Bed or Hybrid?
Replies
0
Views
2K
Aldukuhi
A
D
Triax vs Ghostwire (both full bed)
Replies
9
Views
3K
Dartagnan64
Dartagnan64
tele
NXT Control vs Triax
Replies
13
Views
4K
Peyote Biornsson
Peyote Biornsson
IVKI
Triax....with bite?
Replies
10
Views
3K
PRChicago
P
O
Full gut vs Full triax?
Replies
14
Views
2K
Trip
T
Back
Top