Li-Ning No. 1 string: cheap thin repulsion pioneer
Before Li-Ning’s N-labelled strings matured, No. 1 was the main sub-0.66 mm answer in a Yonex-heavy market — many colours, low price, and a reputation players complain about while still restringing it.
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Overview
Before Li-Ning’s N-labelled strings matured, No. 1 was the main sub-0.66 mm answer in a Yonex-heavy market — many colours, low price, and a reputation players complain about while still restringing it. Gauge sits near 0.65 mm with a repulsion-first brief.
Feel versus VBS-66N / 66U-class
Fresh, spring is closer than expected to popular 0.66 mm club strings. Over time No. 1 and softer 66U-class lose tension faster; No. 1 drops harder. Hit can feel stiffer and more wooden — less clean feedback, more “dough” thud — with a bit more shock than 66N. That woodiness sometimes adds smash confidence on soft frames (e.g. older Bladex 500 pairings) — negative traits cancelling into usable attack weight.
Durability and tension
Outside the single main strings, durability is acceptable for the price. Tension holding is poor — beds go noodle while the string still refuses to break, which is its own annoyance until you cut. Players stay because cost is low and thin-gauge slots were scarce when it launched.
Who it suits
Budget thin-string users, club bags that burn string, and soft-frame owners who like a firmer thud. Skip if you want 66N-class feedback and tension stability — pay up for N-series or Victor 66N. No. 1 did pioneer duty for Li-Ning’s thin line; it is not the modern flagship string.
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