Yonex different main versus cross tension

[Turbo-87]

I have been messing around with a 2022 Yonex Ezone 100 (300g). I read that they recommend a couple of pounds less for cross tension compared to main tension. I initially strung the racquet at 48 pounds for both mains/crosses with Solinco Confidential 18ga and it seemed to hit pretty well compared to my regular 2018 Vcore Pro 100, same string/tension. I decided to try Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 18ga in the Ezone just to see how that string was. I went with 48 pounds on mains and 44 on the crosses and it became an absolute rocket launcher. I couldn't keep anything in and reactive volleys to hard-hit shots seemed to fly long constantly. I realize the strings themselves were probably more powerful than the Confidential they replaced but is that too much of a difference in tension for mains versus crosses for a full bed of poly?

 

[Rabbit]

My inclination is to blame the difference in strings, not a 4 pound decrease in tension. The cardinal rule is: change one thing at a time.

 

[ryushen21]

I would not have changed both string and tension at the same time. On pretty much all my frames, I string with a 2-pound difference between the mains and the crosses. I don't know if there's really much difference and I would imagine that it would get more noticeable with a greater differential, but I tried this way one time and I liked it, so I've stuck with it.

 

[Chalkdust]

Lowering tension on crosses vs mains will result in raising the launch angle, all else being equal. So that gives the illusion of more power since the ball goes deeper.

That's a general rule, hard to say whether that is what was happening in your specific case since you also had different strings.

As to whether this is a good thing or too much, again that depends on what you're looking for. I play with the EZT and I use a 3 lbs difference since that results in the launch angle I like using my preferred strings.

 

[MathieuR]

. I went with 48 pounds on mains and 44 on the crosses

What type of stringer are you using? If you don't use a cp the end-result with a more stretchy string can be much lower as the ref.tension.

 

[Turbo-87]

It is just a $250 Gamma X drop weight stringer.
Thanks for the responses. I realize I changed a lot and got a wild result and now I know why. Aside from being totally different string, I hadn't considered the launch angle change with the cross vs main tensions. I restrung it last night with the same string but going 50/48 instead of 48/44 like I had before. We'll see how it goes tonight.

 

[Rabbit]

Don't overthink it too much. If you do, it'll start to affect your game because you'll think more about your gear than not thinking at all.

 

[Turbo-87]

Don't overthink it too much. If you do, it'll start to affect your game because you'll think more about your gear than not thinking at all.

Good point.

 

[papado]

I believe others here also mentioned previously that dropping cross tension was old Yonex guidance and new frames don't have that requirement/suggestion. Certainly people do it for playability concerns, but not a requirement for yonex sticks.

 

[Turbo-87]

Just an update. I restrung the racquet at 50/48 with the same string and it played a lot better for me. I may be in the sweet spot right now so I will probably not change it further.

 

[norcal]

I actually string my Yonex cross tighter than the mains to lower launch angle. Strung it this way dozens of times, no worries (older ezone).

 

[ryohazuki222]

I believe others here also mentioned previously that dropping cross tension was old Yonex guidance and new frames don't have that requirement/suggestion. Certainly people do it for playability concerns, but not a requirement for yonex sticks.

this seems to be the most accurate. It used to be a thing then at some point it wasn’t anymore.

every time I go back to look it up the answer seems to be that yonex recommended lower cross than main tension.