Velocity but livelier

VacationTennis

Semi-Pro
Velocity is my go to spin and control multi but sometimes a player wants more of that traditional powerful experience like a Sensation.

But I can't stomach the sticky, gumminess that Sensation and NXT become, where Velocity holds up pretty good for string movement.

Is there a multi that is super slick like Velocity with a more traditional lively feel?

Does Multifeel/Velocity liven it up?
 
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LOBALOT

Legend
That is a good question. I will be watching this. I was told to check out Diadem Evolution but have not tried it and worry about tension maintenance.
 

VacationTennis

Semi-Pro
Full bed, and preferably in the same price range as Velocity. A lot of people shy away from X1 and NXT price point unless they are already sold on those strings.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
On a whim I went to TW and looked at what they thought are similar strings and then checked the comparison tool and it looks like Tourna Quasi Gut is softer and just as slick but it doesn't hold tension as well. Maybe put that in as a cross with velocity mains to soften things up a bit.
 

VacationTennis

Semi-Pro
Haven't messed with Sensation in a while and so used to Velocity. Strung up Sensation last night and wow was it sticky. The opposite of slick. Cringe when you pull tension on the crosses like something is going to snap.

Not hating on Sensation, plays great initially but then...
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Haven't messed with Sensation in a while and so used to Velocity. Strung up Sensation last night and wow was it sticky. The opposite of slick. Cringe when you pull tension on the crosses like something is going to snap.

Not hating on Sensation, plays great initially but then...

Yah you know I stock reels of Sensation and NXT for when it is requested but am not a fan of the gummy characteristics either. NXT is also very expensive and the TF strings are not worth the $$$ either.

Maybe my idea might work.
 

VacationTennis

Semi-Pro
Is this why people like Multifeel/Velocity? Haven't tried it yet but want to understand the longevity and quality of it for the typical player.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Perhaps. I have not tried the setup. The only reason I was suggesting putting the velocity in the mains is that it holds tension better than the Tourna string.
 

happyandbob

Legend
Velocity is my go to spin and control multi but sometimes a player wants more of that traditional powerful experience like a Sensation.

But I can't stomach the sticky, gumminess that Sensation and NXT become, where Velocity holds up pretty good for string movement.

Is there a multi that is super slick like Velocity with a more traditional lively feel?

Does Multifeel/Velocity liven it up?
In looking at the specs it looks like sensation is stiffer than velocity vs. the other way around.
here is every string with specs within 5% of sensation 16 and sorted in order of lowest string-to-string coefficient.

StringMaterialGaugeStiffnessTension Loss PctEnergy Return PctStS CofStB CofSpin Potential
Volkl Synthetic Gut 16Nylon1.3173.720.3920.0870.4465.1
Gosen AK Pro 17Nylon1.22162.320.791.40.0890.3934.4
Head FXP Power 17Nylon1.24163.422.292.50.0890.3984.5
Gosen AK Pro 16Nylon1.31173.721.992.70.0930.3984.3
Head FXP 16Nylon/Polyester1.32165.222.891.60.1010.383.8
Head FXP 17Nylon1.24173.220.593.50.1010.4124.1
Pacific Power Line 17Nylon1.24174.322.391.60.1060.3743.5
Head Synthetic Gut PPS 16Nylon1.34169.723.391.20.1080.423.9
Dunlop Synthetic Gut 16Nylon1.3172.622.992.90.1110.4313.9
Gamma Prodigy 16Nylon1.32164.621.393.70.1110.393.5
Kirschbaum Touch Multifibre 17 (1.25)Nylon1.25165.721.892.50.1170.4113.5
Wilson NXT 16Nylon1.3173.720.594.30.1170.4533.9
Wilson Sensation 16Nylon1.3168.621.292.90.1170.4143.5
Wilson Sensation 17Nylon1.25163.421.592.50.1190.4313.6
Klip Excellerator 16/1.30Nylon1.3160.620.191.60.1210.3222.7
Babolat FiberTour 16Nylon1.3163.422.893.90.1230.3873.1
Wilson SGX 16Nylon1.3166.319.192.50.1240.3793.1
Gamma TNT2 16Nylon1.32170.921.691.60.1250.3993.2
Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 17Nylon1.24161.222.6920.1260.3893.1
Babolat Addiction 16Nylon1.3167.420.192.40.1270.3913.1
Dunlop S-Gut 17Nylon/Polyurethane1.22163.421.493.50.1290.4063.1
Gamma WearGuard Synthetic Gut 16Nylon1.3165.222920.130.3632.8
Wilson Extreme 16 Synthetic GutNylon1.3174.32092.50.1350.4293.2
Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 16Nylon1.3172.620.192.40.1410.3762.7
Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super 16LNylon1.2516421.492.70.1450.3982.7
Tecnifibre TGV 17/1.25Nylon/Polyurethane1.25165.221.292.50.1490.4543
Tecnifibre XR3 16Nylon/Polyurethane1.3162.920.8920.1610.4652.9
Klip Venom 16/1.30Nylon1.3163.420.891.60.1690.3812.3
Yonex Tourment 50 16LNylon1.27167.420.792.5
 

happyandbob

Legend
Is this why people like Multifeel/Velocity? Haven't tried it yet but want to understand the longevity and quality of it for the typical player.
Multifeel 16 / Velocity 16 plays crisper than the typical multi setup IME. The strings do not get sticky for me before the Multifeel breaks.
 
Velocity is my go to spin and control multi but sometimes a player wants more of that traditional powerful experience like a Sensation.

But I can't stomach the sticky, gumminess that Sensation and NXT become, where Velocity holds up pretty good for string movement.

Is there a multi that is super slick like Velocity with a more traditional lively feel?

Does Multifeel/Velocity liven it up?
Dyreex Cloud 9 or DX Feel (much cheaper)?
 

tele

Hall of Fame
ak pro cx would be worth a look.

however, I do not recommend the other "ak" string, ak control. it checks all your boxes, but only for the first 30 mins or so, after which it locks up.
 

ey039524

Hall of Fame
Monogut ZX as a cross will allow the mains to snapback, just as in a poly hybrid, but plays really soft. Careful when pulling knots, though.
 
Technifibre Triax or RPX.

Velocity is cheaper and has somewhat better tension maintenance but Triax/RPX has a far better crisp feel and a longer lasting snapback.

Velocity gets snapback from its coating which wears off very quickly. Triax/RPX are semi-polys so you get better durability and playability.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Velocity is my go to spin and control multi but sometimes a player wants more of that traditional powerful experience like a Sensation.

But I can't stomach the sticky, gumminess that Sensation and NXT become, where Velocity holds up pretty good for string movement.

Is there a multi that is super slick like Velocity with a more traditional lively feel?

Does Multifeel/Velocity liven it up?
Try Reflex
 

Knife

Professional
Multifeel 16 / Velocity 16 plays crisper than the typical multi setup IME. The strings do not get sticky for me before the Multifeel breaks.

My current setup, like it a lot, excellent value.

gut/velocity hybrid?

Your elbow will thank you for such a hybrid. I used it for a while when my elbow was healing up from TE. You can restring the Velocity crosses only and keep the gut in for say 3 or 4 stringbeds, makes it quite economical also.

Technifibre Triax or RPX.

Velocity is cheaper and has somewhat better tension maintenance but Triax/RPX has a far better crisp feel and a longer lasting snapback.

Velocity gets snapback from its coating which wears off very quickly. Triax/RPX are semi-polys so you get better durability and playability.

Velocity has been my go to string for several years, I would have appreciated it even with a higher price tag. Triax played so well but upset my elbow, had to cut it out after 3 sessions. I'm done with everything that contains even the slightest poly.
 

suriyakis

New User
I strang wilson sensation at 55/52 - initial feeling great, but within 10 minutes, feeling is gone, no snapback. Now, testing it with Multifeel black as cross, i want that feeling but to last hours not minutes. MF is different than any other string i tried - instead of notching, it just peels off layers, frays and then breaks. i guess i'll find out tomorrow. Fingers X.
 

Odub1

New User
Has anyone tried xalt or addixion plus? These are new babolat hardened multifilaments that supposedly answer our prayers. Tennis nerd mentioned he still prefers triax to xalt when it comes to playability duration but I’m wondering if xalt is used mainly as a cross string in a hybrid (because apparently it snaps before it frays) with either xalt or addixion plus in the mains it could be a winner.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Not in the save price range but I’ve been really impressed with Yonex Rexis Speed. Great playing characteristics and long lived. Very comfortable and good power.
 

Odub1

New User
3 hours in with Triax mains and xalt crosses, no string movement. This is contrary to what I had before which was a full bed of Wilson sensation. The feel is slightly less good but you get 90% of the feel for 1000% more time which is well worth it.
 

tele

Hall of Fame
3 hours in with Triax mains and xalt crosses, no string movement. This is contrary to what I had before which was a full bed of Wilson sensation. The feel is slightly less good but you get 90% of the feel for 1000% more time which is well worth it.
is that setup working better for you than a full bed of triax?
 

hadoken

Professional
I would try Solinco X Natural. It has a texture but it's pretty nominal and it has that slick feel. Good power when strung couple pounds lower than my reference tension. Plus you can order a pack with free shipping from a certain prime place...
 
Honestly, softer, round poly at 40lbs is probably better than Velocity. If that gives anyone joint problems they are either playing in freezing conditions, playing with a “live” injury and nothing will help them or they need a fix for their technique (e.g., late hitting, too close of a contacts point).
 

JK208

Rookie
Honestly, softer, round poly at 40lbs is probably better than Velocity. If that gives anyone joint problems they are either playing in freezing conditions, playing with a “live” injury and nothing will help them or they need a fix for their technique (e.g., late hitting, too close of a contacts point).
I'm using Tour M8 at 42 and am getting 75-80% of the power of a natural gut hybrid at 57lbs. Order 2 sets- string one full bed at 42, string the other with the poly main and X-1 crosses at 42/46. If you give a little more context regarding level and racket, I can give a better and more custom recommendation.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
What about poly at 40lbs with multi crosses?

Putting anything soft in the crosses with a poly main is a bad idea. The poly chews up the crosses and the whole thing locks up and actually plays firmer than it would if you just went head and put a softer poly in the cross.
 

JK208

Rookie
Putting anything soft in the crosses with a poly main is a bad idea. The poly chews up the crosses and the whole thing locks up and actually plays firmer than it would if you just went head and put a softer poly in the cross.
Thank you for the input. I was just about to try the multi/poly combo I suggested above so I can give additional feedback but maybe that isn't the best idea. I guess then you could try full bed Polytour Air, which is quite soft too. However, I still love Tour M8 at low tension.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Thank you for the input. I was just about to try the multi/poly combo I suggested above so I can give additional feedback but maybe that isn't the best idea. I guess then you could try full bed Polytour Air, which is quite soft too. However, I still love Tour M8 at low tension.

Really I think you need to try what you think will be best for you. I am sorry, I was just in some crazy thread out here so a bit distracted and perhaps sounded harsh. I am sorry.

I actually string a lot of multi/poly racquets for friends and they like them. For me I really can't deal with a locked bed so can't do poly/multi or poly/synthetic gut setups and so I search for a softer poly as a cross and I think there are a variety of poly strings out there to choose from.

If I need softer I put a multi in the mains. If I need a bit more control I will put a stiffer poly main in my racquet.
 

JK208

Rookie
Really I think you need to try what you think will be best for you. I am sorry, I was just in some crazy thread out here so a bit distracted and perhaps sounded harsh. I am sorry.

I actually string a lot of multi/poly racquets for friends and they like them. For me I really can't deal with a locked bed so can't do poly/multi or poly/synthetic gut setups and so I search for a softer poly as a cross and I think there are a variety of poly strings out there to choose from.

If I need softer I put a multi in the mains. If I need a bit more control I will put a stiffer poly main in my racquet.
Haha all good- no worries. I just wanted to get a little more pop off of my big serve with a lower tension. If I could take it from being a consistent 95 to 100/105 mph without losing much control on groundstrokes that would be ideal. I can restring as often as I like, so that is not an issue. My biggest question is did you notice less spin with Poly/Multi? I'm just looking for more power without a loss of spin and control. I could try poly/poly hybrid, but I've had consistency issues with them in the past.
 

Dunlop300g

Rookie
Has anyone tried xalt or addixion plus? These are new babolat hardened multifilaments that supposedly answer our prayers. Tennis nerd mentioned he still prefers triax to xalt when it comes to playability duration but I’m wondering if xalt is used mainly as a cross string in a hybrid (because apparently it snaps before it frays) with either xalt or addixion plus in the mains it could be a winner.
Yes. We did a string review of Babolat XALT this past year; it's also on the String Forum. It's a superb string in this category. It would be a good one to try. Price would be a major consideration, though.
 
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