I have got an Isometric 53 MF racket. I first had it re-strung with the SOTX Titanium 1040Ti-65 String at 18lbs. The control and power was great. My string broke about 2 weeks ago and I decided to try the BG-80 string. Same racket was re-strung with BG-80 at 18lbs. So far I have played about 3-4 games and the string does not feel right. The control and drop shots are ok but there is no power in this string. The string feels dead when I try to smash and do clears from one end of the court to the other. I have to use twice as much power for these shots and I can feel the soreness in my wrist the next day after a game. Is this normal for the BG-80 or is the SOTX string a much better string? My thoughts are the SOTX is better but I could be wrong. Also I did the re-stringing both times on my racket. Thanks.
I think you are just not use to it yet. I have both BG-80 and SOTX 1040-Ti65 strung on my Woven 8 before and I liked them both. It is hardly to say which one is better that depends on your playing style. But I find that the SOTX string does have better repulsion and sound, while the BG-80 has better feel(rougher surface) and controls. Both strings last about the same. P.S: If you're looking for the SOTX strings, I do have a bunch at home FS if you needs it.
1040Ti65 is 0.65mm, and BG80 is 0.68mm. Therefore, the thicker the string, the more "loose" you can feel, if strung at the same tension. Also, do you have the same stringer do the same 2 string job? If 2 different ones, might be 1 of them was off the mark. If you still having trouble to get used to BG80, either go back to 1040Ti65, or string BG80 with 1-2 lb higher tension next time.
I did the stringing and I also strung it the same way. I was thinking of going to BG-85 String. Would you still recommend stringing the BG-85 1-2 lbs higher tension. Making it 19-20 lbs.
If you are wanting the closest effect, then you would add about 10% of tension to the thicker string, which is true in the case, where the BG-85 is 0.67mm and the SOTX string is 0.65mm. In response to your PM. According to my experience, I found the SOTX last longer than the BG-85, although it is thinner, that it is more close to the BG-80 in terms of durability. And that maybe because of the material used.
Agree, BG-80 is a first-rate string at higher tensions. I never tried it below 23/25lbs. The SOTX string is good too but I prefer BG-80 overall.
My experience is a bit different. I feel the SOTX string is closer in durability to BG-85, though it is more durable than BG-85. For me, BG-80 is a lot more durable then both BG-85 and the SOTX string.
my main go-to string nowadays is the bg80 @25 it's working great for me i'm trying out the nbg98 @24 right now that might be my next set of go-to's
Wow.. revival of an ancient thread... Indeed, I think BG80 only shows its true colours at higher tensions (imho >24lbs). I recall I had my 2 Cab30s strung at 24 and 26lbs and they exhibited very different characteristics. Without exception, I kept going to the 26lbs racket. The 24lbs just felt normal but the 26lbs felt very lively. Now I run BG80@28lbs. No complaint at all .
I know a lady that uses BG80 at 18 lbs. Not a big hitter but have a decent technical game. Plays 3 times per week for many years. The funny thing is, a stringing job can last her for a year. Then again, if she loves that set up, why change. By the way, she tried different strings and hated BG65. I am using BG80 at 21 X 23 lbs. Using nylon shuttles most of the time.
