Tourna Black Zone
- Thread starter Broly4
- Start date
SteveI
Legend
You are correct...
This was TW Europe, but still better check those string carefully.
Oh, I shot out an email to TWNow they’re gonna think I’ve been drinking
No harm in giving them a heads up. TWE and TW-USA could be receiving stock from the same location.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
BZ played very well in my Yonex Vcore 95D in FB. Had awesome power when I would flatten my FH but could hit predictable loopy shots with great depth when trying to hit a rally ball. My serve placement was quite accurate and the serves had good pace. Very happy with the string. Will also use it as a cross in a hybrid setup, as the string is very smooth and would allow the main to move and then snap back into place.
AgressivelyFrames
Rookie
After trying Tourna Black zone with the hyper g in the mains its a pretty nice setup in terms of feel and durability.
Feels a bit softer than normal hyper g and the crosses (being slicker and round) help the mains last a bit longer than normal. I only tried the 1.2 mm Black Zone so maybe the 1.25 is better but its a nice way to reduce the harshness of certain polys and increase the durability for string breakers.
If you aren't one, then there isn't that much of a benefit over a full bed of the poly going in the mains. It might actually be a detriment because once the poly dies you are stuck with dead poly that won't break for a long time.
Feels a bit softer than normal hyper g and the crosses (being slicker and round) help the mains last a bit longer than normal. I only tried the 1.2 mm Black Zone so maybe the 1.25 is better but its a nice way to reduce the harshness of certain polys and increase the durability for string breakers.
If you aren't one, then there isn't that much of a benefit over a full bed of the poly going in the mains. It might actually be a detriment because once the poly dies you are stuck with dead poly that won't break for a long time.
Don't Let It Bounce
Hall of Fame
I tried this several years ago and have been meaning to start a thread on hybrid poly experiences and post about it. I'll probably never get around to it, and since you brought it up.... It was memorable. This was in a Fischer MPro One 105. Also, it was low tension — 38 lb constant pull, I think — as it always is for me with polys.
For a few hours that first afternoon, I had crazy spin that I've never experienced before or since, as measured by how far up the fence topspin serves hit. (Measuring that way eliminates some variables: position, mid-point fatigue, the other player's ball, etc.) It was hard to believe. The feel of the combination was not remarkable — about average for a poly bed, and noticeably less pleasant than strings like BH Blue Rough, Cyclone Tour, and Hyper-G. More importantly, after that first afternoon, presumably once the coating on the BZ had worn off, the spin was no better or worse than any other shaped poly.
If I were to start back playing tournaments, were willing to restring often, or cared less than I do about how the string bed feels once the performance has become average on the second day, I'd stay with BHB7/BZ. (And writing this has just about convinced me to get some more, and see if I like the feel any better a few years later...)
snahzje
New User
Had not heard of this string before checking out this thread. Seeing that it’s softer with good tension maintenance and at $80 a reel has made me order a few sets. I love Hyper G in my Pure Aeros but I only get about 2 weeks (3 days/week hitting) before the tension drops off a cliff and I need to restring. Hoping even though this is a smooth poly that I can get at least 3 weeks out of each string job.
The sets arrive tomorrow and can’t wait to give it a whirl at 52 lbs.
The sets arrive tomorrow and can’t wait to give it a whirl at 52 lbs.
snahzje
New User
Hit with the BHBZ 17 yesterday in my Pure Aero. Have been looking for an alternative to Hyper G 18 lately as I've been chewing through those strings in the open pattern and needed to restring every ~1.5 weeks. Was looking at strings with good tension maintenance (testing Kirschbaum Pro Line II 17 in the Pure Aero next).
I strung it up at 52 lbs on my Klippermate DW stringer and took a reading on RacquetTune which showed that the tension dropped to 44.8lb out of the stringer. I need to do some research on a better way to string as this was a huge drop off (perhaps I'm giving too much slack on my mains in the center while stringing with a starting pin).
After 1 set I took another measurement (albeit it was a bit loud out on the courts). 41.8lb. My HyperG may have been dropping tension like this as well, so again it may be a problem with my stringing technique.
After another 2 sets, I took another measurement in the parking lot and it read 41.0lb. So perhaps this string takes a bit to settle down and maintain its tension from then on. I may need to string this a bit tighter so when it does settle down it's a bit more in the high 40's range.
I'll be hitting again tomorrow and will take another reading at the end of the night.
I did notice a fair bit of notching after 1 hour of hitting, but pulling the string to the side with my fingers and snapping it back had it fall back to its original position so it may not affect spin production (didn't feel that different in the spin department after 3 sets).
Overall, staying optimistic on this string as a reel of HyperG will set me back $170 but this is only $80 in a reel.
I strung it up at 52 lbs on my Klippermate DW stringer and took a reading on RacquetTune which showed that the tension dropped to 44.8lb out of the stringer. I need to do some research on a better way to string as this was a huge drop off (perhaps I'm giving too much slack on my mains in the center while stringing with a starting pin).
After 1 set I took another measurement (albeit it was a bit loud out on the courts). 41.8lb. My HyperG may have been dropping tension like this as well, so again it may be a problem with my stringing technique.
After another 2 sets, I took another measurement in the parking lot and it read 41.0lb. So perhaps this string takes a bit to settle down and maintain its tension from then on. I may need to string this a bit tighter so when it does settle down it's a bit more in the high 40's range.
I'll be hitting again tomorrow and will take another reading at the end of the night.
I did notice a fair bit of notching after 1 hour of hitting, but pulling the string to the side with my fingers and snapping it back had it fall back to its original position so it may not affect spin production (didn't feel that different in the spin department after 3 sets).
Overall, staying optimistic on this string as a reel of HyperG will set me back $170 but this is only $80 in a reel.
jayserinos99
Hall of Fame
Fellow Sunnyvale resident here. Typically use a modified APD13 with Tour Bite 1.25 at 58 lb. Used BZ 1.25 in same tension (also 60 lb). Felt like I got more spin with TB than BZ as more shots dropped in with TB. BZ is definitely softer, but my personal preference is for a slightly stiffer string bed. Tension maintenance felt even for me if I left the strings in the frame. Notching was normal and launch angle seemed about the same in both strings. A while back, also compared HG to TB (same gauge and tension for both strings, but in a APD+13) and HG felt softer, ball flew out a bit more than TB due to launch angle (higher than TB for me). In hindsight, if I had to choose b/w BZ and HG, I'd go with BZ because it's slightly closer to what I'm used to (TB).
snahzje
New User
Nice! Maybe I'll see you around the local courts or at the upcoming Mountain View NTRP tournament
I've tried TB in 18g and 17g and preferred HyperG just because it's softer and a bit more muted. In the end I can deal with a drop off in spin if I can gain an edge in tension maintenance (hence the shift to slick poly versus shaped poly). I even went so far as to try an Ashaway Monogut ZX/Revolve hybrid but the mains locked into the crosses so much that the balls started launching. Soft setup though.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I think everybody are dreaming about playability duration of a poly... The life of a good poly is MAXIMUM 10 hours (if you really hit the ball, of course.....)
SteveI
Legend
This are subjective scores. Also playability duration is a function of tension. All things being equal. All 3 of three string have high ratings. These numbers only are for a couple of play-testers at TW. You would get better numbers from say a RSI play test.. since it is over many more testers.
tennistomcat
Semi-Pro
I regularly use RPM blast 17 and have been looking for a cheaper alternative. I like tecnifibre red code but wanted to give this a try.
I have it in my h22. It feels soft with good pocketing, feel, and good spin but that's in an 18X20 pattern.
I'm going to have it strung in an IG Radical Pro soon and am hoping it plays similar to blast.
It is a quality string especially at this price point .
I have it in my h22. It feels soft with good pocketing, feel, and good spin but that's in an 18X20 pattern.
I'm going to have it strung in an IG Radical Pro soon and am hoping it plays similar to blast.
It is a quality string especially at this price point .
BillKid
Hall of Fame
I ordered some BZ 16 strings based on positive reviews and feedbacks. My current string is Volkl cyclone tour 17. Like it but was looking for another soft poly string with longer tension maintenance. I’m familiar with Tourna big hitter blue rough and Volkl Cyclone too.
Of note it seems to me that Tourna 17G is a tad smaller than Volkl 17G, will see how is Tourna 16G with BZ.
How would you compare BZ with the aforementioned strings?
Of note it seems to me that Tourna 17G is a tad smaller than Volkl 17G, will see how is Tourna 16G with BZ.
How would you compare BZ with the aforementioned strings?
FIRETennis
Professional
I've used BHB7 as a full bed in both stiff and soft racquets and I find it ridiculously comfortable. Close second after Volkl Cyclone Tour in terms of comfort/spin.
It has more bite on the ball and better tension stability than Cyclone Tour. I would say it is average for tension maintenance.
Now Black Zone is best used as a cross in a hybrid. I prefer to use it as my go to cross with natural gut mains. The tension stability is fantastic.
In a full bed I didn't care too much for it or its spin but it is great in a cross because it's so slick, comfortable and holds tension well.
I suppose I should try a BHB7 main and BZ cross as that would be a spin machine...
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