TRU PRO (formerly Tier One Sports) Fire wire, Black
- Thread starter Cfidave
- Start date
Cfidave
Professional
Hit with the Fire Wire black this morning. I actually prefer it to the red. Not a ton of difference, but did notice: the black seems to have a little more pop , it apprears a tad less stiff then the red, the spin is still massive, the ball seemed to pocket and stay on the strings a little longer. All in all a super string that has become my go to string.
tdhawks
Professional
Thanks for the feedback. Do you normally use textured poly's in your AI and 95s? I used to use Firewire in my APD but haven't tried it in my 95s yet. I've found smooth string to work the best, and obviously last a bit longer. I'm temped to try the black version in mine.
Have you also seen their new experimental string T1-Neos-1?
I may try it out.
Have you also seen their new experimental string T1-Neos-1?
I may try it out.
SCRAP IRON
Professional
I am not at all familiar with Tier One. Does TW even sell this stuff? I assume it is a less expensive poly string. Can you tell me what its top characteristic may be and which other string brand/type is it most comparable with.
Cfidave
Professional
I am not a big fan of textured ploys. I have used Solnico tour bite, and FireWire in both my AI 98's and the Pro Staff 95s. I tend to like either smooth or shaped ploys.
FireWire, IMO, is even better then Tour Bite, better feel, plusher feeling, without being mushy. Both have insane spin potential. I think it plays better then strings costing twice as much.
I have not tried Neos 1.
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mikeler
Moderator
FireWire is a spin monster but unfortunately the durability was not good enough for my needs. Perhaps it is a better option in more traditional patterns.
SCRAP IRON
Professional
Thanks. I can't try every string, so this is helpful. I have already used one of the best, soft spin machines in BHB7, which sounds very similar to Tier One.
mikeler
Moderator
I liked FireWire better than BHB7. It had better spin and also more control.
What gauge did you try, mikeler?
o0lunatik
Professional
I went through a couple of reels of the red Firewire two years ago. I love the feel of the strings with good power, control, and spin. The only thing I did not like about firewire or any triangular string is the consistency of the spin and control. If you notice, the cross string will compress the main with some of the top angle pointed up or down depending on which side of your racquet you are seeing. Sometimes several mains are all pointed in the same direction creating some inconsistency in ball bite. It is very cumbersome to redirect the direction of the strings during stringing. I've tried. This is why I gave up on Firewire and went with tour bite (squared all around regardless of how cross string settles).
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Cfidave
Professional
I have not noticed that, will take a closer look.
o0lunatik
Professional
Don't look, or it'll affect your mental game.
. I believe that firewire could be a main competitor of polys only if they make a squared or penta shaped string. It would stock up like there is no tomorrow. All the best.
TRU PRO Official
Rookie
Don't look, or it'll affect your mental game.
o0lunatik. We do not offer the string in squared or penta shape but we do offer it in hexagonal shape - it's durafluxx.
mikeler
Moderator
I tried the 16g.
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
Have you tried this string at any lower tension with this racquet?
I have my set of Firewire on order and the same stick. I tend to string my Yonex poly a bit lower - especially in the winter time when the ball is a bit heavier.
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
Could your durability issues have anything to do with the very open string pattern of your racquet you think?
mikeler
Moderator
Definitely but compared to other polys in the same frame, the durability was below average for me. Your mileage may vary. It's a good string and I'd recommend anyone looking at trying new polys take a test drive.
Dennylee60
New User
I recently put in a set of 18 gauge FireWire in my racquet (Volkl Organix 8 @ 53/51). The string played well but broke after 4 hrs of hitting. Will try the 17 gauge next to see if it lasts longer.
mikeler
Moderator
Interesting stuff, makes sense.
$89 for all their reels is a great price.
ADoRebel95
New User
Agreed! I was actually going to buy a reel of the Firewire 17g in black, until I found out I was the winner of their year-end giveaway which was announced in December 26th...but they still let me claim the reel I wanted! Absolutely love this company! They have phenomenal customer service imo
o0lunatik
Professional
I've decided to give Firewire another go, and for the price of a reel, why not. I've never tried the black and would probably prefer the red for being more crisp. Black strings, in general, tend to play softer, but I picked up a black set to try.
Dennylee60
New User
Does anyone know the difference between FireWire and Tour Status? Should I string Tour Status at different tension?
Thanks
Thanks
o0lunatik
Professional
You may find what you're looking for here. Old thread.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=458914&highlight=tour+status
TRU PRO Official
Rookie
Based on our experience and data that we have, in short, these are the main differences:
Firewire: a bit more lively, better access to spin, holds tension extremely well, less durable.
Tour Status: more balanced in power and control, more durable, a bit less spin.
String Tension: In general, we would recommend stringing them like you would any other co-poly and then make personal adjustments on the next string job. Tension loss: USRSA lab test results show that Firewire 17g, for example, had a tension loss of 13.85 lbs during testing whereas many other co-polyester strings on the market had a tension loss between 17-22 lbs. Consequently, Firewire strung at the same tension as another co-poly could feel a bit stiffer although both co-polys have the same overall level of stiffness.
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Dennylee60
New User
Thanks for the info. I liked the way Firewire played, but I need something that lasts a little longer. Hopefully Tour Status or the 17g Firewire would work for me.
marquette100
Semi-Pro
Is the tier one firewire $89 a reel deal off?? I went to their website and it says it is $129 for a reel of firewire. Was looking to give it a try at that price.
Dennylee60
New User
I believe it was supposed to be a one day deal.
o0lunatik
Professional
It was a President's day sale.
o0lunatik
Professional
Just following up:
I ended up ordering a reel of Firewire Black 16G for some string jobs and slapped a set onto my racquet at 50lbs. In a side by side comparison with the Red 16G at 50lbs, I found the playing characteristics of Firewire Black mimic that of Cfidave's, but I would like to add that the Red is a tad more crisp and stiffer. Pocketing ability and feel are better on the black. Also Black also seem to have a duller edge than Red or maybe the black color is alluding me to believe so.
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OlivierJulienB
Rookie
I have played both with red and black Firewire in my Pure Drive, and I have to say that I prefer the red version.
It has in particular more spin and control (more crisp), and I find it livelier (maybe it is because I have more control and can play with more power).
I already had these feelings last year, when I compared them the 1st time.
It has in particular more spin and control (more crisp), and I find it livelier (maybe it is because I have more control and can play with more power).
I already had these feelings last year, when I compared them the 1st time.
Red001
New User
Hi guys,
I just went thru this thread and as 'veteran' Firewire user decided to add my comments regarding this string.
I use Firewire 1.25 for more than 2 years and experimented with this string in the range 42 - 53 lbs (close to 40 stringing jobs).
My preferred tension is 45-47 lbs.
The chemical formula and technological process for black or red string should be the same except a very small amount of colorant additive.
I highly doubt that playing characteristics can be different for the same string in different colors ... T1 rep can prove me wrong ... .
As for triangular shape - it is a bit less convenient to string triangular strings but I did not have any issues with '.. consistency of the spin and control ...' or ' ... mains are all pointed in the same direction ... ' as o0lunatik mentioned. In fact I like that crosses and mains 'cross' each other on sides and not on edges. This creates less notching as e.g. in round poly strings. Sometimes last 1 or 2 crosses cold be twisted a bit but I never broke them there.
I just went thru this thread and as 'veteran' Firewire user decided to add my comments regarding this string.
I use Firewire 1.25 for more than 2 years and experimented with this string in the range 42 - 53 lbs (close to 40 stringing jobs).
My preferred tension is 45-47 lbs.
The chemical formula and technological process for black or red string should be the same except a very small amount of colorant additive.
I highly doubt that playing characteristics can be different for the same string in different colors ... T1 rep can prove me wrong ...
.As for triangular shape - it is a bit less convenient to string triangular strings but I did not have any issues with '.. consistency of the spin and control ...' or ' ... mains are all pointed in the same direction ... ' as o0lunatik mentioned. In fact I like that crosses and mains 'cross' each other on sides and not on edges. This creates less notching as e.g. in round poly strings. Sometimes last 1 or 2 crosses cold be twisted a bit but I never broke them there.
CopolyX
Hall of Fame
I have been a long time fan. I know this may sound like an oxymoron...
But I would love to see the firewire extruded in round copoly offering..calling it FireCircle..
Muppet
Legend
I don't always participate in pagan rituals, but when I do, I dance in FireCircle.
TRU PRO Official
Rookie
We just received our new poly/poly hybrid packages. The usual FireWire for the mains and a brand new round co-poly for the crosses. This setup should lead to even more spin and better durability. We currently call the string FireWire BOOST.
CopolyX
Hall of Fame
yep got the email from you guys, the neos-3 I believe, just was hoping the for the specific firewire again, without the triangle extrusion, round. Also still been waiting like forever on the 30 pack over grips, think I will be giving up on that. Tried neos & 2.
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