the tennis oracle
Rookie
Lux Alu Power 1.30/16g (full bed) - the added thickness gives it more longevity while taking away none of the magic. The best just got better.
Ultimate string of choice !
- Thread starter galapagos
- Start date
irulan
Rookie
Yees. Maybe. Still lot of round strings to review. Let me tell you that before I started this thread my main string was... rounded so...) we will see how it goes.
why I like round strings?
They are very honest with your game. They make you focus on footwork, stability , contact point. But you need dedication and hours on court to make it play the way you want. But once you find it , you can recreate each shot much easier than with shaped polys. Thats my approach to round profiles. Thats also why i play with 95” racquet . Yes, they offer more control and feel but they are also very unforgiving. You cant be lazy with 95”.
Same with round polys kinda. However everyone has their limits
Does it make sense ?
Totally makes sense, it's the same reason i train & warm up with the 93P. Makes me work much harder and play much better to hit the same quality of shot, building those good habits so that I can count on them in match play with the more forgiving racquets.
However, I have next-to-zero confidence in my topspin & flat 1HBH, due to having used a slice as a crutch for so long. Putting a sharp shaped poly into my 93p gives me that confidence in swinging out on my backhand, which I'm hoping to build up with time. Once I feel good returning with the backhand, or using it in match play, then I'll swap back to a round poly on the 93p to train in the hyperbaric chamber
galapagos
Hall of Fame
nice racquet of choice
I playtested this racquet as well... this string is not available in my country... I have Dunlop Black Widow on my "maybe" list. It seems you have experience with Solinco Confidential. I really liked that string. How would you compare them ?
Nollid
Professional
I have found that the 97HD works really well with a full bed of poly. My favorites so far are HyperG 17g and Firewire Boost 17g.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
@topspn can you please share your experience with tour hex 1.28 vs 1.23 ? Just lower power and launch angle but performance pretty much the same ? I really think 1.28 could work slightly better in my tc95 16x19 what do you think ? I really liked 1.23 tour hex - you can find my review. Amazing control for a such a thin string. I am hoping for a slightly lower launch but similar traits. In theory this should be it !
Just lower power and launch angle but performance pretty much the same ? I really think 1.28 could work slightly better in my tc95 16x19 what do you think ? I really liked 1.23 tour hex - you can find my review. Amazing control for a such a thin string. I am hoping for a slightly lower launch but similar traits. In theory this should be it ! 
topspn
G.O.A.T.
@topspn can you please share your experience with tour hex 1.28 vs 1.23 ?
Direct comparison is not easy given I have the 1.23 in my BPs. I just recently got a PA19 and that one has the 1.28. They are also at different tensions, 50 and 54lbs respectively. So two pretty different racquets in different tensions. The 1.28 is playing pretty good though in the PA. Good feel, pocketing and I really enjoy this string on volleying which I do frequently in my game. I really like both gauges in these frames
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
nice racquet of choice
It seems you have experience with Solinco Confidential. I really liked that string. How would you compare them ?
Ah, I really like Solinco Confidential but I’ve only tried it in the context of my hybrid setup. Using it is what attracted me to shaped poly strings. I was initially worried it would cut into natural gut but I last got it strung mid-December and nearing the 30-hour mark it’s still good. Intuition tells me it’s on the decline now but I might get another few weeks out of it. But, mm... yeah sorry can’t really provide a fair comparison between the two.
If you’d like, I’d be happy to send you a pack of 17ga Explosive Bite. Given how informative your reviews are, I imagine it could be helpful to others as well. ^_^v
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
Where are you finding 4g soft?
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
irulan
Rookie
Other than natural gut, how else have you tried Confidential? (I'm guessing you have it as the cross with NG mains). I've been staring at a pack for the last three months telling myself that I'll string it up after I've worked my way through all my random cheap polys. That day has arrived and I don't know what to do. Do I put it in the 93p or the ripstick?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
thank you for this kind offer. I am from Europe and I think most of you guys here are from USA
so shipping is very tricky lol. Let me know !BTW regarding Solinco Confidential "sharpness" I think that it performs and feels more like a round string with that little extra bite so I think it makes sense to try it in a hybrid as well. Out of all 3 and 4 sided strings I tested so far this one performed closest to round profiles. I would say that Confidential is a "Solinco" version of Alu Power with some little Tour Bite DNA
My favourite Solinco string for sure ! However I would prefer longer playability. It has a tendency to become mushy and springy after 6h + of playing but you have also more comfort for sure so I can see many people liking it
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GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
I was looking at Hyper-G as one to try if I were to give full poly a go. If prioritizing tension maintenance, is this a better option than Hyper-G Soft?
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
thank you for this kind offer. I am from Europe and I think most of you guys here are from USA
BTW regarding Solinco Confidential "sharpness" I think that it performs and feels more like a round string with that little extra bite so I think it makes sense to try it in a hybrid as well. Out of all 3 and 4 sided strings I tested so far this one performed closest to round profiles. I would say that Confidential is a "Solinco" version of Alu Power with some little Tour Bite DNA
A minor point but all of the Solinco strings (Hyper-G/Hyper-G Soft, Tour Bite/Tour BIte Soft, and Confidential) are all five sided.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I was on the Hyper-G Soft playtest and I strung up a racquet with Hyper-G in the same gauge and same tension to play with as a side-by-side comparison. Tension maintenance on Hyper-G Soft, if it is different than regular Hyper-G, was indistinguishable to me.
LocNetMonster
Professional
I agree with your observation, especially playing with smaller gauge varieties. I feel like there is more bite with the larger gauges and something I would lean towards in an open pattern frame.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Ok ! Time for Tecnifibre Ice Code 1.30
Let me say that I have huge respect for Tecnifibre. Maybe like 15 years ago Tecnifibre was as popular as Luxilon when it comes to quality and performance. At least people around the academy were claiming this. I also had a privelege to play with Major racquet (I think this was the original name before Tecnifibre was established as a racquet company ?? I am not sure but I know that those brands are connected and Verdasco used to play with Major racquet before "switching" to Tecnifibre. That was an amazing racquet btw
I obviously had to try Tecnifibre Ice Code after such a glowing review from TW (90 out of 100 points) and I must agree that this is a very good string.
Here you can check the scoring:
So when it comes to power I would say that this string is somewhere in between low to medium lvl. I strung it at 24/23 kg and I noticed that the feel is great but I would prefer a bit less power so I can loosen my stroke. Michele strung it at 26kg so I can see this string playing better at that tension.
Spin - this is where I felt the number provided by TW is a bit exaggerated . To put it into a comparison Volkl Cyclone is also rated 92 in Spin. Ice Code is a string suited for a flat hitters that want a bit faster response than for example Luxilon Original or even Alu Power.
Comfort - this is where I would give a bit more points than 76. Maybe closer to 83... It's not mushy soft but its not stiff. More comfortable than Cyclone for sure.
Control - I can agree that this string is very control oriented (directional control). I can execute all the shots from my book. I could serve 1st and 2nd without any transition period.
Feel - im not sure why its 77.. This is a round poly. Round profiles are mostly feel oriented. I would give more points here. I think feel and control are always connected. You can't control the ball if you don't feel it right ? IMO - 80+ should be here
Playability duration and durability - yes ! I think those are this string's main traits.
So is this string for me ? Hmm no. Playability duration is of course very important but I am focused on performance. So what was missing there for me ? I would prefer lower powered response so I can string with even lower tension maybe and lower power = more control = more confidence = looser arm and wrist = more spin. And this is the trait that I was missing most while playing with it. For some weird reason I could totally spin it on my serves. It was harder to import spin on my counter-attack shots. I would say its probably because the power lvl is a bit higher than I am used to so the ball was leaving the stringbed too early (before my wrist imports spin). Thats of course the driver's mistake, not the string but the options around here were already suiting me a bit better.
If you have a fast finish and looking for a bit more power than Alu Power / Original yet you are still kinda more a flat-hitter then this is the string for you !
I already have experience with Tecnifibre Red code and I can say that this is a hidden gem or maybe I should say - forgotten gem ? (review to come)
Overall my rating for this string is 6.9 but this was so much fun that I decided to try the more control oriented "version" of Ice Code which is Razor Code
go to full strings list
say hello on IG ! @dandan.tennis
Let me say that I have huge respect for Tecnifibre. Maybe like 15 years ago Tecnifibre was as popular as Luxilon when it comes to quality and performance. At least people around the academy were claiming this. I also had a privelege to play with Major racquet (I think this was the original name before Tecnifibre was established as a racquet company ?? I am not sure but I know that those brands are connected and Verdasco used to play with Major racquet before "switching" to Tecnifibre. That was an amazing racquet btw
I obviously had to try Tecnifibre Ice Code after such a glowing review from TW (90 out of 100 points) and I must agree that this is a very good string.
Here you can check the scoring:
| Power | 62 |
| Spin | 92 |
| Comfort | 76 |
| Control | 95 |
| Feel | 77 |
| Playability Duration | 84 |
| Durability | 90 |
| Overall | 90 |
So when it comes to power I would say that this string is somewhere in between low to medium lvl. I strung it at 24/23 kg and I noticed that the feel is great but I would prefer a bit less power so I can loosen my stroke. Michele strung it at 26kg so I can see this string playing better at that tension.
Spin - this is where I felt the number provided by TW is a bit exaggerated . To put it into a comparison Volkl Cyclone is also rated 92 in Spin. Ice Code is a string suited for a flat hitters that want a bit faster response than for example Luxilon Original or even Alu Power.
Comfort - this is where I would give a bit more points than 76. Maybe closer to 83... It's not mushy soft but its not stiff. More comfortable than Cyclone for sure.
Control - I can agree that this string is very control oriented (directional control). I can execute all the shots from my book. I could serve 1st and 2nd without any transition period.
Feel - im not sure why its 77.. This is a round poly. Round profiles are mostly feel oriented. I would give more points here. I think feel and control are always connected. You can't control the ball if you don't feel it right ? IMO - 80+ should be here
Playability duration and durability - yes ! I think those are this string's main traits.
So is this string for me ? Hmm no. Playability duration is of course very important but I am focused on performance. So what was missing there for me ? I would prefer lower powered response so I can string with even lower tension maybe and lower power = more control = more confidence = looser arm and wrist = more spin. And this is the trait that I was missing most while playing with it. For some weird reason I could totally spin it on my serves. It was harder to import spin on my counter-attack shots. I would say its probably because the power lvl is a bit higher than I am used to so the ball was leaving the stringbed too early (before my wrist imports spin). Thats of course the driver's mistake, not the string but the options around here were already suiting me a bit better.
If you have a fast finish and looking for a bit more power than Alu Power / Original yet you are still kinda more a flat-hitter then this is the string for you !
I already have experience with Tecnifibre Red code and I can say that this is a hidden gem or maybe I should say - forgotten gem ? (review to come)
Overall my rating for this string is 6.9 but this was so much fun that I decided to try the more control oriented "version" of Ice Code which is Razor Code
go to full strings list
say hello on IG !
@dandan.tennis
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what_army
Professional
Issues with tc95’s high launch angle are very relatable to me as I also struggled with it when I switched to the tc95 16x19 4-5 years ago (coming from the dunlop mw 200g, also designed by Paul).@topspn can you please share your experience with tour hex 1.28 vs 1.23 ?
The way I found to tame the launch angle was to string a multi cross. The multi prevents the poly mains from sliding which kills the spin and lowers launch substantially. All else equal power is a bit higher relative to poly fb and for that reason I prefer poly mains which are more on the control side.
I understand multi hybrids may not be for you but out of every combo I have tried, I enjoyed lux 4g and dyreex super tour (I’m currently using this string) the most.
I’ll follow this thread to see what you finally settle on!
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galapagos
Hall of Fame
I....agree
Also Ice blue color for some added comfort Review to come but that's a top 4 contender
galapagos
Hall of Fame
yeah...I saw your pictures but decided to go with the advertised shapes as maybe other strings also differ. I would have to measure diamateters as well... can i trust the string labaled as 1.23 to really be 1.23 and not 1.25 ?
At the end its about how it plays I guess... labeling is a guideline. I treat 1.23 to 1.26 as just 1.25 strings 1.27 to 1.32 as 1.30...
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
which is better ? alu power rough or RPM rough ?
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
ALU power Spin
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
whomever it is likes big butts and they cannot lie!
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
i actually tried the alu spin long time ago and hated it. it felt so different like paper or something
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Alu power rough
better response, more universal (review to come) , rpm family needs more RHS to perform as well. RPM rough is a nice option if you go after every your shot. Alu power adapts to your swing better (more feel? More touch? More power as well)ron schaap
Hall of Fame
although its called alu power that doesnt mean its a powerfull string. everyone finds it a stiff control string with low duranility. Blast rough i find a soft string with a lot of spin potential but nearly just as expensive as alu meaning much too expensive.Alu power rough
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
yes they are both high price premium polys. blast rough seem lack that feel which makes it difficult to control at times
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
what's RHS?Alu power rough
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
i even saw rackets of Nalbandian. must be an old video. And also Dunlop with thick buttcap like one them Russians Kafelnikov used 20 years ago.look what i've found
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Racquet Head Speed
I think the video is from this year's tournament (2021). Nalbandian is coaching Kecmanovic these days so that could explain why he has rackets getting strung.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
Nalbandian is even younger than Fed so he could make his comeback. All players lack sufficient match play tnxto covid so that s no excuse for him. It looks like olde vcore he is using? which string if you know?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
not so much. it seems to be a springy string by looking at TW reviews. I am very happy with silver 7 tour. top 4 contender for sure. From Tourna maybe I would like to try big hitter silver and silver rough and blue and blue rough ;p
Fair enough
galapagos
Hall of Fame
and now Sinner (head hawk touch 1.25) won vs Bautista Agut (luxilon 4g 1.30) and will be playing in a finals vs Hurkacz (1.25 poly tour strike) who defeated Rublev (1.30 Luxilon Adrenaline)
big day for 1.25 strings haha (and 16x19 pattern because opponents were using 18x20 lol ) .. This bet is getting serious xdall those guys use such low powered polys cuz they hit like absolute beasts...not recommended for the average competitive rec playerand now Sinner (head hawk touch 1.25) won vs Bautista Agut (luxilon 4g 1.30) and will be playing in a finals vs Hurkacz (1.25 poly tour strike) who defeated Rublev (1.30 Luxilon Adrenaline)
galapagos
Hall of Fame
you can always compensate with string tension. Sinner strings his racquet at 28 kg I think ? My max ever i tried was 25 xDD
galapagos
Hall of Fame
also the less power you have from the setup, the more speed you are developing from your hand and wrist more confidence = faster hand and this can lead to a powerful very controlled shot . String setups, racquet specs, your technique and mind set..everything is connected.
more confidence = faster hand and this can lead to a powerful very controlled shot . String setups, racquet specs, your technique and mind set..everything is connected.ron schaap
Hall of Fame
what about the regular rpm blast. nadal and stan the man a lot of matches with this string in their racquets. its not that profiled but more direct feeling than softer rough version. also on salei think because around 100euro reel. and the MSV strings are good value for a wellknown brand.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
according TWU data those strings you mentioned arent really low powered. And what about fed the goat himself who uses a powerfull hybrid with gut as mains. same with djoker. So if those top pros can and do use high power set up why would us mere mortals use very low powered strings? Control comes from technique too you know.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
i only tried once black 7 during summer. Indeed a powerfull string but not so much durability. As much power as Prince tour xp i think but more spin potential.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
at some point you need more power to just stay in a match. Everybody are so fit and have great timing, if you hit a floater its over. and you play a lot of matches , calendar is very tight. You can't really afford playing moonball. Not at this lvl and intensity. General rule is that you should play as fast as possible without making mistakes. Everybody is trying to push their tolerance. Yes. Professional sport is about tolerance. how fast balls can you still take up ront ? how stable you can stay during those heavy exchanges ?
BTW I wouldn't say alu power is a powerful string but for sure its very responsive. One of the most responsive round string if not the most responsive out there. Which to me means that it can produce very heavy balls, very spin oriented but also you can hit it flat if you want. It's definitely not "dead" it gives something to the shot but its not a trampoline effect either. Thats why its so popular in my opinion. Very responsive.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Interesting info , thanks for sharing the experience. I think as a players we should always seek some spin . There are shots where you actually need more height and spin potential like kick serve.
from all the strings i tried so far lynx tour 1.30 had the lowest launch angle while offering very nice bite ! Luxilon Original is doing this job done too nicely. Pretty much all 1.30 strings are helping with it, Just mentioned some that were helping me most. But game is not only about launch angle so this doesnt mean they are the best
Btw . Its about confidence so if you are happy with your setup then Just stick to it i guess ;p or try my top 4-6 strings i will reveal by the end of the experiment
I can imagine mayami tour hex 1.28 standing there as well but i havent played it yet. 1.23 version was very control oriented when it comes to launch but still a bit too open for my liking i think. I was serving amazing with tour hex. Tricky decisions as always
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Yes, it seems I should have it on my list. I didn't like RPM Blast Rough but loved Cyclone and I've heard from Volkl representative that it is a direct "alternative" / "competitive" string to RPM Blast. I will add this to my maybe list for now. Why ? Well to be honest I am not a big fan of Babolat brand. Even though I played with Pure Drive during junior days (I was a big Roddick fan !) . Amm as I got more interested and aware of other options I came to conclusion that I don't like stiff, power-oriented racquets and this is all-babolat ;p
Today we will know the results of this bet
are you guys gonna watch it ? BTW I love the camera and lighting in Miami !
