Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power comes in four different versions. ALU Power 1.25 mm is the original version and still one of the most popular. The composition is a copolymer with fluocarbon resin and aluminum fibers. ALU Power Rough 1.25 mm has the same composition, but is textured to generate more spin. I have been told that the process of making the string textured may also give it a softer feel. One of the final processes is the string being crimped to give it the texture. ALU Power Spin 1.27 mm also has the same composition, but is in a pentagonal shape for added spin. The string is a little thicker than the others because of its shape, but still has about the same durability. The last version is ALU Power Fluoro 1.23- mm is enhanced with fluorofibre carbon during the extrusion process. This is the thinnest and softest of the ALU Power line.
Why is Luxilon ALU Power the most popular string on the tour? The answer is control, power, and spin. Polyesters and co-polymers give players the ability to hit out on the ball and keep it in the court. I think what separates ALU Power from all of the other polys is the feel and comfort. It’s softer than any other poly I have ever tried. In my opinion nothing comes close. I play test new strings all the time and I always go back to ALU Power.
As a club pro and a tour stringer I am asked what the pros are using and if it’s something they should try. In some cases the answer is no. I remember one case several years ago of someone in his seventies wanting to try the Federer set up of natural gut and ALU rough. The player was using natural gut and a soft synthetic. I recommended not trying it and sticking with his current set up, but I lost and did what he wanted. A week later he was back to his old set up. So, the original question is does it translate to the club player? That depends on how you string it, if you use the right tension. Looking back, if I would have recommended dropping off 10 pounds maybe it would have worked for him. In more recent years I have had several senior men and women try ALU Power at low tensions and had success. The trick is shoot low, the string responds and plays better at lower tensions anyway. With senior players I normally start dropping off ten pounds. You get more power and depth on your shots without sacrificing control. Luxilon recommends dropping 10% when going from a synthetic string to a Luxilon string. I usually drop a couple more pounds off that. If 10% comes out to 6 pounds I usually drop 8 pounds.
In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with any of the four versions. Just make sure you start of low and work your way up in tension. It may take some time to find the right setup, but when you do, I think you will stick with it. I can’t tell much difference between the different versions, but I use the ALU Power Rough. I feel like I get a little more spin on the ball than I do with the fluoro and the smooth. I also love the spin version. If you’re looking for more control, power, and spin try one of the Luxilon ALU Power strings. There is a reason over 60% of the ATP Top 100 players and approximately 30% of the WTA Top 100 players use Luxilon strings. The majority of them are playing with one of the ALU Power strings.
