Tension too low = bad ???

Discussion in 'Badminton String' started by phandrew, Aug 18, 2007.

  1. phandrew

    phandrew Regular Member

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    I use to play at 26x28lbs but i found that i wasn't getting enough power out of it. I got my racket restrung to 24x26lbs and found more power.

    My question is if i go any lower tension. ie 22lbs or 20lbs, will i get less power?

    I know that a lower tension will give more power but would a tension too low have less power?
     
  2. jerby

    jerby Regular Member

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    why don't you wait and see? 24x26 will drop to ~22lbs in some weeks...

    I'd say it's different for everybody.. (I'm just puzzled you started out at 26lbs...) I hit my hardest with ~25lbs or so..
     
  3. phandrew

    phandrew Regular Member

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    i went from 22lbs to 24lbs to 26lbs then back down to 24lbs
     
  4. silentheart

    silentheart Regular Member

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    After a few year of going back and forth and soul searching. I end up with 24lb for oval and 25 for iso. The issue is every one is different and every racquet very a little too.
     
  5. Ah_Shum

    Ah_Shum Regular Member

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    higher tension = requires more WRIST and ACCURATE hitting
    lower tension = sweet-spot becomes bigger..therefore less mis-hits which makes u THINK you have a better pop cuz u screw up less
     
  6. davidcheng

    davidcheng Regular Member

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    different tensions give different feel, no one can say which is best tension.
    different players ask different tension because they hit the shuttlecocks different timing when using over-tension their arms become painful. if using less-tension they can't re-hit quickly.
    try to find the best tension on you, changing tension by 0.5 to 1.0lbs for thick strings (over 0.70mm), 1.0 to 2.0lbs for thin strings (under 0.69mm)
    High Tension = Fast
    Low Tension = Slow
     
  7. LazyBuddy

    LazyBuddy Regular Member

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    Once is come to the term of "too", its usually means you are pushing to the extreme, and already out of your OWN comfort zone. Then, the answer is yes, as once you are out of your OWN range, the performance will take a hit. ;)
     
  8. Dreamzz

    Dreamzz Regular Member

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    everyone has an optimal string tension, ranging from 18/20lbs to 32/34lbs. your power will be maximised at your optimal tension, it doesn't matter whether this is relatively lower/higher than anyone else.

    so the best suggestion is to try different tensions until you find your optimum tension and stick with it. it might take a few attempts, but don't be afraid to cut strings and try again at a different tension. it'll cost a bit in the short term, but i think the benefits are worthwhile in the long run.
     
  9. chessymonkey

    chessymonkey Regular Member

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    don't forget yr stringer plays a big part of this too
    so your personal best tension might changes if u switch stringers
    Also, thinner string feels stiffer when string at same tension as thicker string
    So its a trail and error thing to find yr own sweet combo
     
  10. Matt

    Matt Regular Member

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    Just to add on to chessymonkey...

    It's also due to the fact that thinner strings pull tighter than a thicker one at the same tension.

    I wonder if the above is cancelled out or if not minimized if a electronic machine is used.
     
  11. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    what Dreamzz said. experiment.

    when you do, always use the same stringer and same string. try it out. but it sounds like from your description 24lb is the tension for you.

    also, be aware that sometimes high tension might feel pretty good when you first pick it up. but when you have a off-form or tired day, the stiff string bed will rob all the power away from you.
     
  12. remix441

    remix441 Regular Member

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    I use 24lb tension just recently i can still clear from the other side, yet it takes alittle more strenght than my recent 23lb tension. Too high of tension will seriously injure some people who are not capable of it. It will kill your arm. I'm probably gonna try to increase my strenght and finally end my tension at 25lbs
     
  13. Athelete1234

    Athelete1234 Regular Member

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    I up my tension by 1lb every time I break string...I started at 20, jumped to 22 with a newer racquet, restrung at 23, then strung at 24 with a newer racquet.
     
  14. drifit

    drifit newbie

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    you mean everytime restring not buy new racquet...:eek:
    when do you want to stop? at 32lbs? then only can get the ideal tension for your specific racquet. that will be more or less than ten times restringing. if jump up 2 lbs everytime restringing, less time to achieve your ideal string tension.
     
  15. Matt

    Matt Regular Member

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    Possibly. That would sort of be a werid binary kind of search! :D
     
  16. Athelete1234

    Athelete1234 Regular Member

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    I'm not sure where to stop, I just increase tension a bit everytime I restring. I feel it's safer for me, but it doesn't really matter.
     
  17. morewood

    morewood Regular Member

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    Perhaps, there’s a bell curve for where you can exploit the potential of a racquet and string combination, its different for everyone (physiologically and technique). The only sure fire way to find your happiest combination is to string, play for a week or two, cut the string and repeat at a different tension.

    Or you could (the cheaper option) just be happy with what you have.
     
  18. haifeng7

    haifeng7 New Member

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    just a question about string tension.

    when bg 65 loses tension, does it return to it's orginal tension??
     
  19. drifit

    drifit newbie

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    confusing me. can you further elaborate what is your question?
     
  20. haifeng7

    haifeng7 New Member

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    say my tension is 23lbs using bg 65, after a while the bg 65 loses 2 tensions.
    so the tension is 21lbs, but after a few hours or so.. will the string go back to 23lbs?? hope im not confusing ppl....
     

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