maybe its the weather. at tropical weather here, im using ZM62@27lbs(digital) on 4 of my rackets and so far all seems to be holding well after 3 weeks and i play 20 hours a week.
Yeah time is also a major factor, if stringing took 10mins, and the strings were only a few $ then it wouldn't be an issue, but atm that's not the case. Yeah, even more reason not to try the ZM62, temperatures atm barely rise above 2^C so at my usual tension this won't last 5 minutes.
At 27lbs my strings only last about 1-2 sessions for ZM62 where as the ZM67 will last me over 6 sessions. I can attribute it to mishit so I don't fault the string, but I'm going to bring it down to 26-25 range and see. I string my own racquets as well and I have a 200m spool of ZM62 so I have to at least go through it. My wife's Ti-10 at 26lbs has lasted about 4 sessions already, but she doesn't swing as hard as I do and her mishits aren't as stressful to the strings.
kwun, have you thought about trying very thin Teflon tubing (like that used in tennis) to protect the exposed tops of the mains? Z62 is just too good a string for me not to try outlandish measures like this
That's what Panda suggested to Kwun. Panda provides extra long top grommets for people that are prone to mishits up top.
Using long grommets that protrude into the string bed is not a good idea because it reduces the string bed's surface area and hence adversely affecting the string's power and resilience. The mains are longer and need to stay at their possible maximum length for playability. Long grommets at both the top and bottom that are used by the mains should be as short as possible. You can actually try this by using a sharp cutter to trim all the grommets' length to be almost level with the frame surface or slightly above it. There will be an improvement in playability. For those who like to use thin strings, high tensions, and whose timing is less than ideal and is often the cause of mis-hits, they can either string an extra very thin cross string at the top or stop using rackets that have a larger exposed top part.
While using longer grommets does decrease performance, it's not that significant, not that big of a deal. Especially if one insists on using very thin string and continually breaks it. Using longer grommets is a safe way to test and easily reversible. 100% disagree with adding an extra string on the top as this weakens the structural integrity of the racket very significantly. This is true especially for higher tension users. For lower tension, non-racket breakers, it maybe OK but Panda does not condone it. A prime example is back in the day Panda's go to racket was the Cab 20. Panda, listening to another, added an extra cross string at the top. While it helped with less string breakage and made the string bed stiffer, Panda started breaking the racket frame at the 11 or 1 o'clock position from mishits. At least eight Cab 20s broke like this. Panda stopped adding the extra cross string and stopped breaking rackets from mishits up top. Another prominent, ranked player used to add an extra cross to the top of all his rackets, even isometric rackets. He did this because he liked the feel. He would break rackets from mishits pretty frequently as well. Panda told him to remove the extra top string to reduce stress to the frame. He tried it for a few months, came back and told Panda no more breakage. However, since he's sponsored by the Evil Empire and gets rackets for free, he continued to add that extra top string because he liked the feel. The question should be what is most important to the user. As a stringer, Panda's first concern is trying to maximize the racket's structural integrity. Racket performance comes second.
Update: Panda confirmed with Ashaway that all ZyMax string in each respective thickness is created equal, worldwide.
to recall back something more than 15 years ago on adding extra string at the top of a racket: i think i just found the answer from you, lol i have used and broke 8 pieces cab 20 before and i did put an extra string there and it was high tension as well those extra string with high tension must be the culprits
Please note that what I have said earlier is an extra cross string at the top, meaning it is a separate one-pc string that you weave across the top and not an extension of the existing cross string. This extra cross string at the top is strung after the normal stringing job is finished and it can be strung by hand without mounting the racket on the stringing machine. It does not have the tension of the normal cross string and is there to share the load with the top mains from mis-hits. In other words there are two pieces of cross strings, one piece is the normal piece that forms the normal crosses of the string bed and the other is a very short and very thin cross string at the top that is strung by hand.
I cant believe that some of you would string the racket to 25/27lbs using Zymax strings , you guys must be either professional or just risk takers. For most advance players 24lbs would be enough to have good control on shuttle and good power. increase durability also it would reduce injury to your shoulder .
More emphasis should be put on string thickness and string stiffness. If you use a string that's stiff and thin (such as ZM62), it's going to play a significantly tighter than it's actual tension. For instance: ZM62 plays ~2lbs. tighter than ZM67 and ~3lbs. tighter than ZM70. So, Panda using BG65@32lbs. or ZM70@31lbs. is about the same as another using ZM62@ 27-28lbs. With the trend in badminton influenced by: 1) faster, more explosive, more fit players... 2) going to lighter and lighter, more aerodynamic rackets... 3) the game getting faster due to the rally scoring system... ...players are going higher and higher in tension. 26-28lbs. electronic constant pull (ECP) is normal for intermediate and above players here. And Pros regularly use 30-31lbs. with BG65, BG70, ZM70 Is there a limit? Based on current materials, yes. Roughly: For thick string: 0.70mm or thicker:33-34lbs. For medium string: 0.67-0.69mm: 30-32lbs. For thing string: 0.66m or less: 27-29lbs. Anything higher than the above referenced, respective tensions, it will be very difficult to continuously maximize the string potential (flex the string for max power). In fact, Panda believes most (including pros) will agree lowering the referenced tensions by 2lbs. would even be sensible. Panda has said many times on this Forum: "Play with the lowest tension you can tolerate." Meaning play with the lowest tension you can still comfortably perform all your shots and still play with. It's beneficial for three excellent reasons: 1) Maximizes racket life due to lower stress from lower tension 2) Maximizes string life 3) Minimizes arm, joint stress
Wow! That's a very good and simple method. Panda will try this for a few of his friends that are notorious for mishitting. Thanks Eeepak!
Been using Zymax .67 at 20 x 21 lbs and haven't had a break yet. Been using it for three months. Tons of power and control.
The two ends should be tied to the grommets that are further down on either side of the frame. Look for the nearest ones that have a visible hole which indicates it has enough space for a very thin string. Try to use a string that is very thin, say about 0.62mm diameter, as thicker strings will not get through. Most likely the two grommets will be the nearest shared grommets that are already occupied by the main and cross, the intersection between the last or second last main string at the two sides of the frame that meets their shared crosses.
*facepalm. Just trashed my third Z62 (a prototype, this time) in three sessions. Sign me up for some of Dink's roofing-nail grommets... taneepak's separate top cross is an excellent idea, but I think Liam Nolan of UKRSA will scream "theft" - he did it once years and years ago after forgetting the top cross on a racketball racket. taneepak's method can be used with a thicker string if a couple of single-pass grommets are replaced with share-sized grommets (or you can engineer it in while doing the mains and leave a huge loop on one side that will reach your puller).
Well, it finally broke. roughly 10 sessions with zm62 at 27-28lbs (12,5kg) and it popped in the center. I don't see the problem But it's remarkable how well it played even at the end of it's lifespan, good till the last hit. Even more fun is to see the faces of people who play with bg65 at 31-32lbs: pressing with your thumbs on the stringbed it feels a lot looser, but the pitch is a tad higher. lot's of fun
