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Around 2 years ago, stock of my favoured Nanogy 99 string started running dry and I began trialling 3 modern strings. I decided to look into thinner strings around the 0.65mm mark as I was transitioning from a control-based MS play style to playing mostly social doubles. So in the last many months, I've tested extensively the Yonex Exbolt 65, Kizuna Z66 and Gosen Ryzonic 65 in the 26 to 28 lbs range. Here are some thoughts expressed by way of comparisons.
Durability:
All three strings similarly durable in terms of physical integrity, but when it comes to maintaining great playing feel, Ryz65 > Exb65 > Z66. If you wish to minimise re-strings, Ryz65 is your friend.
Feel:
(Soft) Exb65 -- Ryz65 -- Z66 (Hard)
Exb65 offers a softer and dampening string bed. Ryz65 gives you a more direct sense of the birdie while being medium-firm. Z66 is fairly hard and provides a meaty experience.
Repulsion/Long shots:
Exb65 > Ryz65 > Z66
The Exb65 is extremely repulsive, to the point it can become unmanageable. Ryz65 is bouncy to the right degree, for me. Both strings help shoot the birdie further out, whether it be clears or drives. The Z66 offers very little additional bounce, and on long shots your get as far as the power you've generated yourself.
Flat play:
Exb65 is for the aggressive speedster who favour quickness in flat exchanges. Ryz65 offers a balance of immediacy and hold. Z66 can feel a bit sluggish here.
Control/Net play:
Ryz65 is the clear winner here, enabling tight and controlled net experiences with its rougher surface and better hold. Exb65's repulsion often leads to excessively high bounces at the net. Z66 feels dead and can be unpredictable once the swing speed / impact force drops, and is poor with smaller movements.
Lobs & drops:
Ryz65 and Exb65 perform well here. Z66 again, suffering from poor performance with smaller/softer movements, lacks the sensitivity of the other two when it comes to low shots and shots landing close to the net.
Power transmission/Smashes:
Z66 > Ryz65 > Exb65
Hands down the Z66 offers the best power transmission and smashing ability here. Better than even many thicker power strings. Ryz65 is pretty good in this department. Exbolt 65 just average, seemingly eating some power and making deep angles a bit harder.
Defense:
Exb65 and Ryz65 allow easy backhand and forehand defence, granting strong and accurate returns. Z66 suffers here, and has poor directionality under duress and struggles to lift the birdie, in comparison.
Sound:
Ryz65 > Exb65 > Z66
Ryz65 offers a solid and crisp impact sound, and resonates well. Exb65 has more of a metallic zing, but doesn't offer significant volume. Z66 can offer a deep crackle but generally is more muted in sound. Ryz65 wins.
Overall:
Exb65 is well suited for socials, new players and casual fun - it offers excellent repulsion for a medium thickness string. Z66 is mostly a big hitter's string - it is optimised for power on big hits, and little else - not the easiest string to use. Ryz65 is nicely balanced and does everything just a little better than older strings in the medium thickness category - best suited to balanced play styles.
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