Both the Powernick 18 and 305 are pretty durable strings, I've had both on my rackets and they both last for a long time as long as they're strung to the right tension.

You can go for the thicker variants of the strings if you're worried about durability.

Back to top

Thanks weiran.

I'll change the strings soon. I've found that I've much more control (which helps me slow down my game and concentrate on line and length more) with Aerogel Ultimate compared to Wilson nCode 135 which I'm currently using, but I lost all the power and feel in my shots.

What would be the reliability level of Powernick 18 or Technifibre 305 in Aerogel Ultimate, I play 2-3 times a week and mainly a hard hitting player.

Back to top

yaehbhi: I found the strings on the Aerogel range quite dull and stiff, so I've replaced them with both Powernick 18 and Technifibre 305. Personally, I prefer the feel of the Powernick, especially at a medium-low tension of 25lbs.

But to be honest, almost anything is an improvement from the stock strings.

Back to top

I've a Ultimate Aerogel which I've recently started using but the strings feel very dull to me, has anyone replaced the stock strings on this racquet. I would be interested to hear what you've used and your experiences.

cheers,

Back to top

I have a tennis string in mine, the technifibre dual metal platinum and it does feel pretty good and seem to last well so far with no notching or anything.  If gets good power and i dont think my drops shots have dropped!  it is strung at 32lb i think

Back to top

I completely agree with Sparty! It depends on which machine type your stringer is using as to how the tensions are set. On a crank machine, there is usually one point of tension reference (e.g. 60lbs for a tennis set machine or 25lbs for a squash set machine etc.) If you have your machine set for tennis then it can be WAY out of synch for squash use. Best way to find out is to ask your stringer to check the tension they are using on a calibration tool. That way you'll know reasonably accurately which tension is being used.

 

The difficulty with thinner strings (like the powernick 18) is that the string stretches during stringing and has less "creep" that a thicker string. Creep is where the string naturally loses tension after stringing (think of tying a rope tight between two posts. After a while the rope will naturally begin to sag due to finite stretching). When you string a racquet, you set the tensions at the point of stringing. Creep will always lower that tension AFTER completion of the stringing. In the case of a thin string, there is less creep than with a thick string (as more percentage of the fibres are stretched at time of stringing). This is why it is recommended that thinner mutlifibre strings are strung at lower tensions (also similar to Tecnifibre 1.10 guage strings).

 

Persoanally I'd try to find out a point of reference from another string type that your stringer uses. Something like this:

1.30mm string (Tecnifibre 305) @ 25lbs - Try powernick 18 @ 22lbs (mild tension)

1.20mm string (Technifibre 305) @ 25lbs - Try powernick 18 @ 23lbs (firm tension)

1.10mm string (Technifibre 225) @ 25lbs - Use powernick at the same tension (tight tension)

 

Hope that helps a little! Out of curiosity, does anyone have any suggestions on a VERY durable string that gives good feedback for touch shots? So far I've tried a friend of mine on:

Tecnifibre equivalent (1.25mm) - Broke in 3 days

Technifibre 1.20mm (305) - Broke in 3 days

Ashaway Supernick XL Pro - Broke in 4 days

I'm tempted to put Babolat Pro Hurricane 17 (the tennis string!) in it for him, but I know that it won't give the feel needed! The other downside is that he used Dunlop ICE Tour racquets which aren't suited to two-piece stringing (only 4 stringing holes - not 6). Suggestions on a post-card to "Damn did he really break that many strings in a week and a half!"

 

Adz

Back to top

who advised you to string powernick 18 at 32lbs?

ashaway recommend you tension this string 15-20% lower than normal - not higher! although I have found this to be unecessary personally.

although you must bear in mind it depends on the stringer and the machine they use. one man's 32lbs is actually another man's 25lbs on different machines. the guy i used last time has the babolat electronic machine, and anything above 26lbs is ridiculous on that IMO, although I had a squash racket strung once at a local racket shop and I had to have it strung at "38lbs" to get any tension!

if you are used to say 28lbs on tecnifibre 305 as refernce tension, for example, i would tension powernick 18 around 26lbs and try that as a starting point, although there will be some trial and error with all the variables.

Back to top