Just wondering how high the tension is when u string those pg65/66 on your rackets. I had used the ML-XL and was impressed with the string in terms of responsiveness and durability, but it moves a lot during game. I usually string my racket at 24-25 lbs and really would like to try some of those pg66/65 after seeing some good review in other threads. However, based on your report and if those pg65/66 string break so often then I would have second thought abt them. My current string of choice is Gosen bio-root, good repulsive power but it breaks easy during power and fast pace game - have to string my racket for every game night:crying:
I usually string my rackets between 25/28 to 29/32. PG65 Neon has decent durability while PG65 Power has good to excellent durability. I had 3 sets of Bio-Roots and they all broke within the 1st day. Bio-Roots plays well but I cannot use it for lack of durability.
Are you referring to BioRoots 68? If so, I agree with you. The performance and durability is somewhere close to Yonex BG85 for me.
Some players call BR68 "poor man's BG85". Of course, this more regarding to the playability. Now, I can say the word "poor" also applies to the lackness of durability.
The way I see it is that if people want professional tensions, then they should stick with professional strings, ie, thick ones. If you are already strong enough to break strings from just ordinary play, then you don't need the tiny amount of extra power the thinner string is supposed to give you. As for breakage from mis-hitting, this is entirely avoidable by disregarding the standard stringing pattern and put cross and mains on every part of the racket head. So that it becomes impossible to miss-hit
I have been playing with MicroLegend XL for the past 6 months and concluded it was the best string ever for me. After reading positive comments by various posters on PowerGut 65 as well as Ashaway's marketing, I got curious and wanted to try it. I then went to buy it and discovered PG65 was 33% cheaper than MLXL. That immediate stopped me in my tracks as I thought if the string was that good, why was it so much cheaper ? After sitting on the idea for a couple of week, I decided Ashaway couldn't have messed up and made PG65 a lot worst than MLXL. So I bought a 200m reel of PG65 in neon orange. My first impression of the string was that the colour was quite distinctive. But the brand and model number printed on the string weren't all that clear and wasn't done with precision like on Yonex strings. The appearance and tactile feel of the string surface were very similar to Yonex BG68Ti, but less smooth. When I came to string my racket with PG65, I found the string was very easily bent when trying to push it through a shared grommet hole. Once bent, the string lost all penerating strength and had be be cut away and start over. This was quite frustrating. But luckily my stringing pattern didn't need many shared grommet holes. Weaving the crosses through the mains was fairly easy. There was no spiralling twist of the string at all. The racket I strung was a newly acquired 5 year old Ti-10 2u. The racket was modded with my usual momemtum enhancements. As the string was thinner than MLXL, I strung it at 16/17, 0.5LB lower than my current optimum tension for MLXL During play, the string had that characteristic soft feel of Ashaways that I came to like a lot. The clearance power was excellent, the smashing power was less than optimal. So I cut the string and tried again at 17/18LB. This time , both the clearance and smashing were excellent. Compared to my most powerful racket, a modded Ti-10 3u at 16.5/17.5 tension using MLXL, the PG65 racket didn't have as sharp a thrackkkk sound on a hard smash. But PG65 doesn't move as much as MLXL on the racket. Also I think I had better directional control with PG65 (though not completely sure yet). Overall, I don't think PG65 is as powerful as MLXL. But I am impressed with it to come very close. I woud have no trouble choosing PG65 over other strings. But I would still be happy to pay 50% more for MLXL if I have to choose between MLXL and PG65. In terms of durability, I don't think there is contest between these strings: ultra tough and slippery surface of thicker MLXL against friction prone rough but fragile surface of thinner PG65. In the pic, on the left: PG65 on Ti-10 2U at 17/18LB; on the right, the power king of my rackets: MLXL on Ti-10 3U at 16.5/17.5LB.
I have tried the ML-XL, ML, MP, PG66 and PG65. I prefer the PG65. I had all my rackets strung at 27/29.5 lbs, single piece, 2 knots. Never broke a string in play though I smash a lot and slice the shuttlecock. Power and control are better for me as compared to the other strings I used. The string in my racket is already more than 3 months old, I played 4 to 5 timex a week, 3 hours per day, and the feel of my string is still explosive as if it is just recently strung. Same thing with my PG66.
No 3 months' old string, even if seldom played, is as good as new. If your string is 2 months old, I suggest you just cut it and restring. If you cannot feel the difference then something is wrong.
Yes, PG65 = 0.70mm according to Ashaway. However, it plays like a 0.66-0.68mm string. The performance (especially of the neon) is extremely impressive for a 0.70mm string, the best I've tried.
As I string very slowly, 60-75 minutes even on my fast pattern, my stringing time is taken out of playing time. So I prefer to avoid stringing rackets if I can help it. Thicker string helps. Both MLXL and PG65 give me sufficient power for me to not consider thinner strings. In any case, I believe thick strings are better for consistent power as these are less susceptable to plastic transformation, ie, permanent stretching. I have made my rackets heavier. The increased momentum cause them to fly out of my hand in hard smashes. I tried thickening the grip, but found thick grips uncomfortable. The bulges are an experimental compromise. By coincidence, the middle of the bulge is the racket fulcrum.
Sorry, don't mean to turn this into a stringing thread, but is it just me or are there only 18 mains on those racquets? IOW, no 2 outermost mains? Thanks.
Yes, the part of the racket I don't use, I don't need string . Not recommended if you miss hit alot. The only miss hit I ever do is hit the frame at 12 o'clock.
That's good news...Does the tension on PG65 neon last more than 2 weeks assuming it is strung around 25lbs? I know MicroLegend string tension last for a while like months.
Durability is dependent on the person. For me ML lasts between 1-3 days, PG65 Neon has lasted 3-9 days and I'm still testing it. For me, PG65 is at least 2-3 times more durable than ML.
I use a simple test to see how powerful a string/racket combo is by just stand there and bounce the shuttle using a consistent effort of the wrist. The more powerful the string, the higher the the shuttle goes on average. I have yet to find a string that can beat MLXL in this simple test. Having tried the PG65, I come to believe that MLXL just cannot be bettered even by Ashaway themselves. In a fit of paranoia that Ashaway would stop making MLXL, I have just ordered five 200m reels of MLXL. I shall never be tempted by another string again, hahaha.
