X1 biphase 57 lbs in K90: not what i expected

[leeroy85]

Used Klippermate drop weight at 57lbs on Wilson K90 with X1 Biphase 16G. I did not pre-stretch it. Result: fells way tooo tight, very boardy, need to swing harder to get depth on groundstrokes, underpowered. I have previously only used PSG 16G and Gosen Micro 16G at 60 lbs and it did not feel as tight as with the X1 at 57 lbs. Heard of break in period for X1. Only hit for a couple of hours but it was for an important match. Anyone have similiar experience? I'm glad that I did not pre-stretch because I want X1 to loosen up. Disappointed so far.

 

[scotus]

If it doesn't loosen up in your next hitting session, go a few pounds lower.

Simple as that.

 

[DE19702]

Its boardy when its first strung and then there is a period after 5-6 hours when it feels pretty good and then after 4-6 more hours it becomes too powerful. Like you, I wanted to like this string. Try Black Code instead.

 

[ClubHoUno]

Try X-One 17 or even 18 next time. They play softer and better as main strings in my view......

If you want something softer in feel, try VS NAT GUT next time.

If this is too expensive, then try Tecnifibre NRG2 17 and Babolat Xcel Power 17 next time!

X-One's major problem is that it plays very stiff for the first 2 hours, then plays great for 6-8 hours (if you don't break them by then) and after that plays ok for 2-4 hours until it turns into an eleastic rocket launcher........

I only use X-One in my 2 BLX 95 racquets for rainy weather and wall practice hitting for the same reasons..... But still have to say that X-One along with Xcel Power and NRG2 are my 3 favorite multis, now that Laserfibre SuperNatural Gut Prostock is not available any longer......

 

[parasailing]

I only use X-One in my 2 BLX 95 racquets for rainy weather and wall practice hitting for the same reasons..... But still have to say that X-One along with Xcel Power and NRG2 are my 3 favorite multis, now that Laserfibre SuperNatural Gut Prostock is not available any longer......

I agree with ClubHoUno on his top two but would go with Kirschbaum Multi Touch Fiber as my third best string.

 

[DrpShot!]

I've posted that same experience with X-1 about half a dozen times. I find that even though it does loosen up after the first two hours, its response remains somewhat unpredictable. It feels a lot stiffer than NRG2 and any natural gut I've ever played, even when its down to its last few threads and is about to break.

I strung X-1 16g at 58 this last time in my YTK Prestige Pro (16x18 pattern) and liked it better right off the bat than at 60lbs in my Prestige 18x20s, but I can't stand the string movement it gives in the 16x18 (not a problem in the 18x20s). Even if it continues to feel good after 6-8 hours of play I don't think I can stick with it due to the movement. I plan to hybrid it with poly crosses. If that's too low powered I'll try NRG2 and a poly.

In my 18x20s I've never gotten totally comfortable with X-1. I thought about going back to NRG2 but the durability bites. I'm not trying a new string by Unique - Quasi Gut - saw an article on here from RSI and decided to give it shot. Its NRG2-like but crisper and is holding up better over time. Will try to do a full review after I break it and try another set at a different tension.

 

[tball]

The boardiness goes away with time

I had the same experience. Previously, on the racquet I've tried it on, I had Prince Syn Gut 15L @ 58 lbs. This is a fairly thick and stiff string. It felt good, because the racquet is soft (Volkl C7). When that string broke, as an experiment, I put on X-One BiPhase (red) @ 55 lbs. I was looking for a softer feel. Boy was I shocked, when I found out the string stiff and the racquet plays like a board -- I could not even recognize it. I could not play with it.
I carried it in the bag with me, using ifor practicing serve. (My other racquet has natural gut, so I am not practicing serve with it).

Luckily, after about 7 hours of practicing serve (read: hitting as hard as I can possibly muster), the string has loosened up, and softened. It has quite a bit more power compared to the former Prince Syn Gut 15L (which makes me still difficult to play with it), but the softness and the wonderful feel of the racquet has returned.

So, just keep hitting, the boardiness will soon go away.

-- Nick

 

[JoelDali]

Really liking this string at 62 in an 88.

Best gut like feel I've experienced methinks.