Theory, can hybrid be better for topspin or is fullbed poly hobbling your TS?

[lwto]

I've always used a hybrid setup of poly on the mains and a multi on the crosses. With this setup I've gotten a tremendous amount of topspin. Recently, I switched to a all poly setup and now notice a dramatic reduction in topspin.

I"m restringing my racquet back to a hybrid setup to test the next time I play.


Now, I've been thinking about it and I wonder if the tautness of the polys themselves hinder any topspin potential that maybe achieved. In other words, with a multi, since multi will strech, it may allow the poly to have a larger recoil so to speak, allowing the poly to move easier and snap back faster allowing greater topspin, or under or side spin.

Maybe I'm nuts, but for some reason, I always thought that full poly gave you greater TS.

Any thoughts?

 

[Karma Tennis]

How are you measuring the amount of topspin that is generated?

What are the gauges of the strings your are using?

What tensions do you have the full bed of Poly strung at? How does that compare with the Poly/Multi hybrid?

What is the difference in the static weight and Balance between the two different string configs?

Do you notice any difference in the launch angle of shots?

 

[lwto]

How are you measuring the amount of topspin that is generated?

What are the gauges of the strings your are using?

What tensions do you have the full bed of Poly strung at? How does that compare with the Poly/Multi hybrid?

What is the difference in the static weight and Balance between the two different string configs?

Do you notice any difference in the launch angle of shots?

very subjective. My topspin lobs don't topspin as much, My forehand which used to go on a beeline and then dive, just goes out.
I usually play with 18 or 17 gauge.
Tension and stuff is all about the same.

 

[phanker]

You're likely getting more dwell time with the multi cross at the same tension allowing the mains to impart more spin.
Try lowering the cross tension with poly. Using a thinner gauge or a softer poly for the crosses will help also.
What multi are you using?

 

[Karma Tennis]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing about dwell times. While there is not a huge difference in dwell times regardless of string configuration, a slight increase can certainly increase spin potential.

I am certainly a fan of stringing Poly crosses at lower tensions than the same Poly mains for this reason alone.

If you were using a 16g Poly main, I would also suggest using a thinner Poly cross. But as you are already using thinner Poly strings perhaps just try lowering the tension a little bit on the cross strings and see how you go.

 

[lwto]

My poly setup has been 46 on the mains, 49 on the crosses 18 gauge.
with a hybrid, I was going 48x52.

 

[Karma Tennis]

My poly setup has been 46 on the mains, 49 on the crosses 18 gauge.
with a hybrid, I was going 48x52.

Try 46 / 46 or even 48 / 46 (48 mains / 46 crosses) with the Poly setup and see how you go.

 

[JBH]

When your hybrid selections have significantly different stiffness, the multi is effectively doing nothing beyond locating the poly. From a spin standpoint, the additional movement can create a significant increase.
The major downside Is that the poly tends to have very poor tension maintenance, since you have about half the string area providing support.
You can reduce the problem by using large tension offsets, or using poly and multi sets with similar stiffness ratings. The latter type can last for bizarre amounts of play duration. The poly tends to loose power while the multi gains. When you balance the two....

 

[lwto]

When your hybrid selections have significantly different stiffness, the multi is effectively doing nothing beyond locating the poly. From a spin standpoint, the additional movement can create a significant increase.
The major downside Is that the poly tends to have very poor tension maintenance, since you have about half the string area providing support.
You can reduce the problem by using large tension offsets, or using poly and multi sets with similar stiffness ratings. The latter type can last for bizarre amounts of play duration. The poly tends to loose power while the multi gains. When you balance the two....

In other words, I think this is exactly what I was eluding to.

 

[Taveren]

Mostlikely the only difference is in the "feel". if you use the same strokes and technique the hybrid is just letting you feel the pocketing more compared to full poly thus the illusion of more spin.

 

[JBH]

In other words, I think this is exactly what I was eluding to.

Yes. The additional factor IME is that you can achieve very different results depending on which strings and tensions you select. As usual, the people here will have differing opinions. Understanding the variables can be useful in understanding why.