so i have the racquet strung with bg85@24lbs. used for about 1 month now. theres fraying corners of the strings near the entry/exit point on the grommets. i have a diagram here, with points 1 and 2. i have damage at point 1. however, usually, if its the grommets cutting into the string, the fraying should originate between the string and the grommet, no? as in point 2. my friend suggested that it might be because of the weather here. its recently dropped quite a bit. stringing was probably done at about 21*C. and lately, the weather outside has hit about -5*C to -10*C. sometimes colder, when wind is factored in. i'm assuming the strings contract when its cooled, and so would it be causing the fraying? excuse the crudity of this diagram.
Picking up the shuttle If the damaged grommets are around the area where you pick up the birdie, then I would suggest that the damage MAY be from the contast friction between the floor and your racket from picking up the birdie. My own racket has the same damaged string as yours, but then the damage is located near the 1-2 and 10-11 o'clock positions only. Happy Playing, Charzord
unfortunately, the damage is at various locations... 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11. i've noticed a wearing of the string too, (smooth -> slightly rough feeling of the strings) where you pick up the bird. but its only where there's two going through the same grommet, where one is pushing the other slightly higher than the edge of the racquet. so that is understandable. i just try to pick up the bird on the other corner when i remember. =\
chickenpoodle, i have encounter that problem too from one of my customer who inspect his entire racket (MP100) after every session. After about 4 weeks, he point out the fraying at one bend of the string, 9 o'clock. It is due to dryness of alberta winter climate. Extreme temp. swing doesnt help either. The string was the thicker and coarser bg70 at 25 lbs. I dont know why your thinner bg85 fraying at so many points. I play at U of C, if u see me show me your racket.
i think when the REAL winter months hit (say, in maybe a month or so), i might rent a locker at school and leave my gear in there. perhaps it IS indeed the temperature swings that is affecting it, as i think 30*C differences can't be good for something as highly tensioned and thin as racquet string. unfortunately i'm up at the UofA =\
would BG80 or soemthing be an advisable alternative, if i feel this BG85 snaps too early due to these frays?
-23C is typical of a wintery day -35C to -40C days occurs every winter in edmonton, that makes a temp swing of 60+ C degree. That's when poodle is chicken to go outside, aka chickenpoodle
hrm... i guess i have no choice. bg85 it is. haha. doesn't calgary get dips to around minus 35-40*C? its even worse when theres flash storms. the moment it snows overnight or something, everyone forgets how drive and dozens of traffic incidents occur city wide. i saw on the news last night, calgary was such an example too.