Category Archives: Tecnifibre
Take a Guess?
A very good player and client came into the World Headquarters Wednesday with his three (3) Tecnifibre TF40 315’s wanting to re-string. There is nothing unusual about that except this time he wanted to discuss different strings. So we did!
The final three (3) strings under discussion were:
- Tecnifibre Razor Soft 17 (current string)
- Volkl V-Star 17
- MonoGut ZX Pro 17
The first two are considered to be polyester, however, I am not sure V-Star fits entirely in that category, and PEEK is the material with the MonoGut ZX Pro name. All of the strings are monofilament.
We learned in a previous post “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so we are including a picture to help in our guessing.
Take a Guess?
Here are some basic properties of the subject racquet that may contribute to your guess
- Weight=342
- Swing Weight=327
- RDC Flex=63
- Flex Four Flex=50.8
- Grip Size= 3
We hope you will make a guess in the “comment field” below and if you do you can use the string name or the color…we will figure it out, and thank you for you guess!
More Linearity
Every string we use and even string we do not use goes through our Questron testing cycle. We have discussed this before, and a video on this site shows the Questron in action. We have updated the Questron significantly since the video was made…and it isn’t quiet.
We want to discuss “linearity” and how it can help when choosing a string setup.
We used these strings recently, and they were not chosen for any reason other than availability.
The first graph shows highly linear strings. The straighter the line from “0” to “fail,” the more linear and consistent the string is throughout its life.
So, what does linearity do for me?
- Maintains tension
- Minimizes energy loss
- Maintains playability
- Maintains consistency
- Maximizes control
- Maintains predictability
- Provides confidence throughout your match
This property is essential to us. That is why we offer an alternative to non-linear strings.
If you would like this information for your favorite string, please let us know, and we will try to provide it for you nd all other readers!
Strings are made to Work (and wear out)!
If tennis strings are doing what they should, they will wear out!
What happens between the time strings are installed and the time they need to be replaced?
- Strings are under tension (stress)
- Strings are subject to fatigue due to hits
- Strings are subject to frictional notching due to sliding
- Strings are elastic but will lose tension
- Strings break
All of the above actions are subject to many variables, of course!
- String Bed Pattern (16×19, 18×20,,,)
- Sring Bed Size (90, 95, 98, 100, 110… square inch)
- Racquet head speed
- Racquet head angle
- String wear
- Environment (wet, dry, hot, cold…)
What does this actually look like, though?
This will give an idea of what a really good wear pattern will look like
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- COP View
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- Full String Bed
after about ten (10) weeks of use. This is a 17-gauge multifilament in a 98-square-inch head size at a reference tension of 55 pounds (24.9kg).
In fact, the COF (coefficient of friction) is greater than when the string was fresh!
COF_ M: 23%, X: 31.5% greater! This means if you have the nerve (no fear of breaking string), you can continue to play and enjoy the grabbing of the ball by the tiny tentacles that get caught in the ball fuzz.
This will not last forever, though!
COP View
This wear pattern is typical of high-quality multifilament strings.
When making a string selection, think about how long you want the string to perform well, not necessarily how long it will stay in your racquet.
If you need some ideas, go to our String Frequency Calculator. This will give you some high performance stringing cycle recommendations.
Have fun … and use up your string!
Can Your String do This?
Of course, your string can fail, but can it retain the elasticity of this one?
The string is Tecnifibre HDMX, which is in their PolyFusion Series.
This is a terrific selection for players seeking comfort and a reasonable Power Potential of 8.76!
With a string bed stiffness of 137.8, this racquet will deliver a whopping power index of ≈12.5 when striking the ball!
In this case, the open string pattern contributes to comfort and ball grabbing.
The string exhibits so much elasticity that its long-term performance will not suffer due to premature tension loss and low string bed stiffness.
By the way, the racquet is the latest Head Extreme MPL. This racquet and string combination is a winner!
We can help!
Racquet Quest, LLC
