I've already read some of the pros and cons of having a lower tension to a higher tension. What is actually considered a lower tension? What range are we talking about? Same goes for higher tension...what range?

There's NO "universal" answer for anyone. You need to do some test (string racket with different tension) for yourself. For someone, 22lb is high, and 18 is low. For others, 23 might be low, 28 might be high. For some pros, 35 is high, 30 is low. Who's right, who's wrong? Just different answers click to different users. Think about this, does sweet taste better than spicy? Well, depend on what kinda food you prefer, right?

To start with the test, if you have a bit playing experience, I think 20-23lb might be a good range to start your test with. Then, adjust the tension according to your own "feedback". ;)

The type of stringing machine makes a difference. Constant pull Vs. crank.

In the old days champions used to play with 17-19lbs tension, but they were using very heavy (115g-125g) non-graphite racquets. Even during the days of Han Jian, Misbun or Yang Yang, when graphite racquets became very popular, 24-26lbs would be considered high even by the top players. A former Hong Kong champion and a one time China player, who is now in his mid-sixties, still plays with 18lbs tension on his new and more modern racquet. With newer and more advanced racquets and better strings that have much greater repulsion and control, top players are now routinely using 30 lbs or thereabouts. It is now easier to handle high tension with today's modern racquets than was the case before.
It is true that some players cannot handle high tensions of 26 plus lbs. But you will be surprised how many more players, including beginners, would prefer such tensions. Modern racquets and modern strings have moved the tension notch higher. I firmly believe that you are not exploiting the full potential of modern racquets and strings if you still stick to the late 1980s and early 1990s tensions.

The type of stringing machine makes a difference. Constant pull Vs. crank.

In addition, the type of string, weight and flexibility of the racket plays an important role.

In general, the lighter/more flexible the racket, the higher the tension. The heavier, more stiff racket, the lower the tension.

Low Tension Range: 18-22lbs.
Medium: 23-26lbs.
High: 27-30+lbs.

As a newbie who recently found my ideal tension for my newbie skill level by trial and error restringing, I second the notion that there's absolutely no point trying to figure out what's your ideal tension by reading badmintoncentral postings.

You need to get your racquet strung and try it for yourself. If you have an existing racquet, spend a little $ and get it restrung at 2lbs higher than the existing tension (unless its already 30lbs :p ) and try the racquet. If you don't like it, then higher tension is not for you (yet).

People who post these kind of question should do a search first.
Just a general rule of thumb I use for my friends. Any tension higher than recommanded by manufacture is high. Any tension near the lower or lower than recommanded is low. If someone ask me to string the racquet @ medium feel, I will string the main @ middle of recomanded tension - 2lb and cross @ middle of recommanded.
These are just my opinions.

People who post these kind of question should do a search first.
Just a general rule of thumb I use for my friends. Any tension higher than recommanded by manufacture is high. Any tension near the lower or lower than recommanded is low. If someone ask me to string the racquet @ medium feel, I will string the main @ middle of recomanded tension - 2lb and cross @ middle of recommanded.
These are just my opinions.

Does your rule also apply for Yonex Mid-lower end rackets as well? If so, then they will get strung around 16-18 range I suppose. To me, that's really quite low for most of people. :rolleyes:

Does your rule also apply for Yonex Mid-lower end rackets as well? If so, then they will get strung around 16-18 range I suppose. To me, that's really quite low for most of people. :rolleyes:

Yes LB. Since the owner does not tell me the specific weight, it is up to me to do the best guess. I think you know that I am just tring to cover my butt...:D

By the way, how is the weather in NY? Does snow give you touble on the way to play badminton?

Yes LB. Since the owner does not tell me the specific weight, it is up to me to do the best guess. I think you know that I am just tring to cover my butt...:D

By the way, how is the weather in NY? Does snow give you touble on the way to play badminton?

Really??? :eek: Personally, I just think 18- is simply un-playable... :rolleyes: Usually, if a racket appears to be lower end, I usually suggest the customer at least strung it to 18-20lb, as that should be the minimum acceptance lvl to most manufactures these days.

Weather is cold in NYC region. A bit snow here and there, no major impact on traffic.... yet... ;)

Really??? :eek: Personally, I just think 18- is simply un-playable... :rolleyes:

Agree, the lowest I've strung a racket so far was 18/20 on an MP30. The owner of the racket hit with it 3 times, didn't like it and asked me to restring it to my "recomended tension". I told him "OK, but no warranty is expressed or implied." He agreed. I restrung the racket at 22/25 and he was very happy with the results. :D

I sort of agree with both of you on your points. I like mine @ 21X23. However, The mid to lower end of Yonex come pre stringed already and they are quite low to start with. Many players got use to that low tension already. If my friend does not like to tension I gave him or her. I will restring it up or down according to the players request (only happen once) and record it on my list so I will have a record. However, some one did complain to me one time that he felt a BG85 @ 16.5X18 on a Yonex Ti-5 is higher than he thought while he had BG65 before. I think we agree that BG 85 holds tension much better and have better repulsion. He got use to it and has been using BG85 since.

However, some one did complain to me one time that he felt a BG85 @ 16.5X18 on a Yonex Ti-5 is higher than he thought while he had BG65 before.

16.5*18 is high??? :eek: Man, guess your guys live in a different world than I do. I remember once I strung my own racket with bg85 @ 20*22 instead of usual 22*24 by mistake. I can immediately feel the difference, as I was playing with a fish net. Have to cut it right after the session, and re-do the work. :rolleyes:

16.5*18 is high??? :eek:

No comment........

No comment........

Sorry buddy, I have no intention to offense anyone. I was totally speechless when I read that "tension"... :rolleyes:

Sorry buddy, I have no intention to offense anyone. I was totally speechless when I read that "tension"... :rolleyes:

No problem. I agree with you on 16.5X18 is low in my opinion. However, that is his preference. Also, I forgot it was you who came up with the idea of useing old string tide to a key ring as a starting pin. Have a nice x-mas.

Also, I forgot it was you who came up with the idea of useing old string tide to a key ring as a starting pin.

Well, I came up with this, simply because they only gave me a starting pin for tennis, and left me no other choice. :rolleyes:

16.5*18 is high??? :eek: Man, guess your guys live in a different world than I do. I remember once I strung my own racket with bg85 @ 20*22 instead of usual 22*24 by mistake. I can immediately feel the difference, as I was playing with a fish net. Have to cut it right after the session, and re-do the work. :rolleyes:

16.5*18 can be higher than you think.

Lets look at the problem in a simplistic way:

Assuming a constant tension of 18 lbs
BG85 thickness = 0.67
BG65 thickness = 0.70

Each unit of thickness in BG85 experience 18/0.67 = 26.87 pounds of tension

Each unit of thickness in BG65 experience 18/0.70 = 25.71 pounds of tension

Relatively speaking, unit-of-thickness for unit-of-thickness, the BG85 is under (26.87-25.71)/25.71*100 = 4.51% greater tension than BG65.

Now imagine Yonex inventing BG8000Ni (Nannite Ingrained) super string that has a thickness of 0.10. If you were to tension this string at 18 lbs, each unit of thickness for this string would experience 18/0.10 = 180 pounds of tension.

Now, my friend, if you dare to tension the BG8000Ni at 18 lbs and play, I can gurantee your arm will fall off with in 5 seconds.

Given the current trend of the string thickness, low tension will be the way of the future. So lets not write it off too quick.

Now, my friend, if you dare to tension the BG8000Ni at 18 lbs and play, I can gurantee your arm will fall off with in 5 seconds.

I don't know about your math but there's no way my arm will fall off with an 180lbs. tension racket. At 180lbs., it would be like hitting with a solid wood frame. The shuttle would just not go anywhere; at least I think. :p