To Chris: Volkl Cyclone vs. Cyclone Tour for my DR98

[flanker2000fr]

Hi Chris,

Thanks again for pointing me to the Yonex EZ DR98, it's a great racquet and I enjoy playing it very much.

I currently play it with a Lexicon 4G 125 (17), strung at 23kg (51lbs), and it is relatively easy on the arm in addition to providing good control.

But I am still experimenting with the set-up, and I was considering the Volkl Cyclone line, which seems to have good reviews in addition to providing a more economical option than Luxilon.

What I am after is a poly that is both comfortable and offers good control. Power is not really an issue, I can generate enough. I favour a 17 gauge for spin potential and added flexibility, and tend not to break too much with a poly (in any case, it is less of an issue with a cheaper string).

Coming from the 4G 125, would you recommend the Cyclone 17 or Cyclone Tour 17, and what tension would you thing performs best out of the DR98? Also, what do you think of their tension maintenance vs. the 4G?

I am a 47 years old player, probably around 4.0, play eastern FH, eastern OHBH, lots of kick on the serve, aggressive from the baseline and will come to the net when I can.

Thanks very much in advance. Also very much looking forward to your review of the New Yonex Ezone 98.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Trying my luck again...

Played 3 times last week, and starting to feel pain in the elbow again, similar to when I was playing my vintage Kneissl's. Serves are definitely where the elbow gets the biggest strain. Might have leaded the hoop too much (had 1.5g at 3-9-12), so will remove the lead at 12. But thinking that 4G, being a stiff string, might have something to do with it.

Before I go back to a soft multi (e.g. NXT), any advice on whether Volkl Cyclone would be a more arm friendly option? Coming from 4G 125, should I aim at Cyclone 16 or 17?

Many thanks.

 

[SeeItHitIt]

I'm not a 4g expert, but have played Cyclone quite a bit. If you're going to try one, the 17g is far less stiff than the 16g in Cyclone. Neither bothered any joint. I like the way ALU Power feels but think 4g was a bridge too far (all strung between 50-55# for comparison). I've strung both ALU and 17g black Cyclone down to 44#, so it was playing at 40-41 and liked them the most around that tension.

Sorry about your elbow. I haven't been able to serve for 2 months now; it's always something.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Trying my luck again...

Played 3 times last week, and starting to feel pain in the elbow again, similar to when I was playing my vintage Kneissl's. Serves are definitely where the elbow gets the biggest strain. Might have leaded the hoop too much (had 1.5g at 3-9-12), so will remove the lead at 12. But thinking that 4G, being a stiff string, might have something to do with it.

Before I go back to a soft multi (e.g. NXT), any advice on whether Volkl Cyclone would be a more arm friendly option? Coming from 4G 125, should I aim at Cyclone 16 or 17?

Many thanks.

4G is garbage feeling dead and stiff. Cyclone is fairly stiff too. If you have arm problems I probably wouldn't use that. Maybe try a softer co-poly like cyclone tour 16g or RS Lyon 17/17L

 

[CosmosMpower]

Don't get Cyclone Tour in 17g, it loses tension very fast much faster than 16g.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Don't get Cyclone Tour in 17g, it loses tension very fast much faster than 16g.

Thanks very much for the feedback. I was actually leaning towards the Cyclone 17g rather than the Tour.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Welcome. Cyclone 17 should work it's about 25% less stiff but loses a lot more tension.

You can use the TW tool to compare characteristics of different strings.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/comparestrings.php

 

[warney]

Between the two I would recommend Cyclone, 17g or 16g does not matter! If you want to get Cyclone Tour, as others have said you should get 16g.

Coming from 4g (no first hand experience for me), tension loss of Cyclone/CT (6 hours tops when I played in my AI98) and as well as shaped vs round profile may be an adjustment for you. Personally I feel Hyper-G is better at everything Cyclone does (Tried in AI98, 10 hrs use no problem) and is not uncomfortable.

 

[TW Staff]

Cyclone Tour is softer but also quite a bit more powerful. I'd consider going with a thin gauge of Cyclone first. You could try the 18 or 19 gauges since you don't break polys much. They should offer better comfort while retaining more control than going to a multi. If you go with a nylon based string, Babolat Xcel, Alpha Gut 2000 and Wilson Optimus are softer nylon strings that offer good control rather than power.

A third option would be a hybrid. For instance, Cyclone mains and Alpha Gut 2000 should be a nice playing hybrid that's also very affordable.

Hope that helps and sorry for missing your question the first time around.

Cheers,
Chris, TW

 

[flanker2000fr]

Chris, guys, thanks a lot for the feedback. Will give it a go with Cyclone 17g, and if that doesn't work I will try some of the other suggestions.