The SlapShot Thin Poly Test Thread

[SlapShot]

Alright, placed an order for some new poly strings to try out in my Redondos. This is going to take a while simply due to my lack of time to play tennis, but I'll update as I get time.

I'm using all of the strings in the PK Redondo mid. Frames are bone stock apart from an overgrip, 18x20 pattern, 355g strung. I will be stringing in the 54-58 lb range, depending on how stiff the string feels coming out of the package, and all in a full bed at first, and then hybrided if it is warranted.

List of strings to be tried:

Kirschbaum Pro Line II 1.15
Weisscannon Black5Edge
Weiscannon Silverstring 1.20
Volkl Cyclone 17/18
Solinco Tour Bite 1.15
Solinco Revolution 1.16/1.20
Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough 17

 

[SlapShot]

Kirschbaum Pro Line II Black 1.15

Tension: 56#

Stringing: N/A - had the frame strung with the Pro Line when it was purchased

Initial Impression: I've used Pro Line many times in the past, and generally know what to expect from it, so I didn't have any shock trying it in the Redondo. The feel was solid and firm, but not harsh.

Serve: Plenty of pop to be had here. Spin was ample - slice serves had nice break in the air, and kickers were getting some loft, but I wasn't seeing the kind of "wow" spin that I get from some of the textured poly strings. The feel when you hit a serve on the screws is fantastic though - really solid and the ball leaves the stringbed in a hurry. The feel really complements the frame's flex.

Returns: I was able to swing out on returns without too much concern for the ball flying on me, which is a plus. Didn't try any touch returns or lobs, but the feel of the Kirschbaum leads me to believe that once I get used to the feel, that wouldn't be a problem.

Groundies: Much like the serve, I was getting out what I put in. I didn't have any moments where a ball dropped in last minute, but the flight through the air had good movement, and I was able to dip balls at the net player's feet regularly.

Volleys: Again, it comes down to being mechanically sound - when I moved through my volleys, I was rewarded with nice pace and good angles. If I hit off-center, it didn't get a whole lot of juice.

Touch: TBD - No one has ever accused me of having good touch, so I'll update this as I get more time with it.

Stiffness: Being that the string is so thin, even at 56#, the stringbed is relatively soft for a poly. Off center hits are jarring, but when you hit the ball in the middle of the stringbed, the feel is solid and not harsh at all.

Tension Maint: TBD

Overall: I feel that the Pro Line is a very predictable string - if you swing all out, you'll get some good action and pace. If you're expecting heavy spin, it probably won't cut it, but for someone who wants good feel and reasonable pop, this would be a serious contender.

 

[SlapShot]

Solinco Revolution 18 (1.16)

Tension: 56#

Stringing: Not too bad - coil memory isn't as bad as the Barb Wire that I tried earlier this year - it's textured, but crosses weren't a nightmare.

Initial Impression: Again, not bad - I didn't feel like I was creating huge topspin, but it had plenty of control. I did have a few Whiskey Tango Foxtrot moments when the ball felt good off of the strings, and then just took off on me. The feel was what left me wanting - the stringbed felt lively, but just didn't quite give me any wow moments.

Serve: Good power on the serve - it didn't feel like I was able to bottom out the strings like I can with certain polys, which was nice. I also, sadly, didn't notice any crazy movement on the ball - I had confidence to swing through my second serves, but they didn't have a significant amount of twist on them. Not terrible, but to be honest, I expected more spin from a textured Solinco string from past history with Tour Bite and Barb Wire.

Returns: Easily the highlight of my string trial with Revolution - I was able to really hammer the return without it flying on me. When I really put a cut on my returns, they went exactly where I expected.

Groundies: Some good, some bad. I felt like I was missing a bit much, and when I switched to the frame strung with Proline, I was landing more balls in play. I could put some decent heat on the ball, but unlike the serve, I felt that there was a point of diminishing returns where I wasn't getting any more out of the string when I added batspeed. The one HUGE thing was my slice was insane - I was taking full swings on my slice backhand and they were skidding low and causing all kinds of trouble.

Volleys: Didn't hit many, but the feel was OK - hardly what I'd call a feel string, but it's middle of the road for a poly.

Touch: TBD

Stiffness: It's different than the Proline, that is for certain. It's what I'd call a muted firm string - it's firmer than the Proline, but it almost felt a little indistinct for lack of a better word. The Proline felt a bit more crisp while still feeling like a softer stringbed.

Tension Maint: So far, not bad. It was strung about 2 hours before heading to play, and came off of the stringer with a Gamma STT reading of 55#. After a set of 4.5 doubles, it's now reading at 54#.

Overall: I'd have to say that the jury is out on this string for me. In a stiffer frame or an open pattern, I can see it being fantastic, but it's likely just a bit too vanilla for the Redondo due to the feel of the string and lack of added spin.

Update: Hit with our own Jonny S&V (and got my butt kicked - he's totally a TTW 4.0 to my TTW 3.0 level ) last night for a while, and was using the Revolution for about half of the time. My initial impression seems to be right on - I felt like the string has a "limit" to it where you just don't get any more out for more effort in. I am wondering if lower tension would help, but I don't think I'd like it at any lower tension than I have it. On a more open patterned frame that needs more taming, this would be an OK string, but I don't think it plays nice with tight patterned mids, even as a thinner string.

 

[SlapShot]

Solinco Tour Bite 18

 

[SlapShot]

Volkl Cyclone 18

 

[pvaudio]

You should review WC Mosquito Bite. 1.16mm.

 

[SlapShot]

Added the review for Solinco Revolution.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Added the review for Solinco Revolution.

What're you gonna be using against me tomorrow?

 

[SlapShot]

What're you gonna be using against me tomorrow?

Not sure yet - I don't want to cut the strings out, but I'd love to try out Tour Bite or something else that puts a bit more gunk on the ball against you.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Not sure yet - I don't want to cut the strings out, but I'd love to try out Tour Bite or something else that puts a bit more gunk on the ball against you.

I would love it. ;-)

 

[SlapShot]

Cutting out both sets of string in the Redondos prior to my Friday doubles mixer. Going to try Tour Bite 18 and Cyclone 18.