I'm a 26 year old 4.0-4.5 level USTA league player that hits with a lot of spin and a rather consistent kick serve. This string is perfect for enhancing the amount of spin while serving. My groundies have excellent topspin and depth into the court. I have Tour Bite 19g strung at 48lbs in my Flexpoint Prestige MPs. Some of the spin I am able to generate turns forehands into backhands in half a second sometimes. Haha. For a poly string, it's one of the more comfortable strings I've ever tried. I'd recommend the thicker gauges or those who are string breakers or those with open string patterns. While stringing- Tour bite does not kink on itself but does have spring memory- so be careful not to get it tangled on your machine. It surprisingly is not as sharp on the edges as Black Widow or Black Seven, which I like. Overall- great string.
Solinco Tour Bite 19 Review- What are your thoughts about the string?
- Thread starter curazyass
- Start date
nytennis-74
Semi-Pro
I have not tried TB 19. Love TB 18 and I am going to try out TB 17 at 41-44 tension next to see if the lower tension let's me play without elbow pain.
I have an Extreme Pro 2.0 frame. I have a set of the TB 19 but I never used it since I would have thought that playability duration would be quite low. How many hours before you feel that you need to cut the strings out and re-string?
I have an Extreme Pro 2.0 frame. I have a set of the TB 19 but I never used it since I would have thought that playability duration would be quite low. How many hours before you feel that you need to cut the strings out and re-string?
DrewRafter8
Professional
Plays great for a short period of time. I used it in an 18x20 pattern with success. I moved away from it because I did not feel that the playability lasted more then 6 hours.
nytennis-74
Semi-Pro
Thanks DrewRafter. What string/tension do you currently use?
cengland7211
New User
i am pretty bias to the volkl psycho, but before that i used the volkl cyclone and v-torque..i have heard good things about this string, i think i might give it a try in my k blade 98s..
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
I agree Tour Bite is a great string. I'm about to try the 19g in my PT280s, as I'm currently using TB 17 in them with amazing success. Started at 50 lbs, and have worked my way down to 33 lbs, and now settled on 38. I felt that at 50 it was the best control string I had ever used, but playability after 2-3 matches dropped, and was ultimately too harsh for the dense 18x20. I now am getting almost as much control, with way better feel, comfort and longevity at 38 lbs. I have high hopes for TB19 in my racquet, as many thin polys are among my favorite string setups. The one knock for many thinner strings is the short lifespan, which is where the 17g at 38lbs seems to blend just the right amount of feel and longevity in a high control/high spin setup.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Just strung it as crosses at 15lbs.
I prestretched it so I didnt have any of the coil memory. It was kind of fragile as any 19g string is bound to be, and was the first string I thought I might break prestretching.
I'll see how it hits. But there does seem to be some good spin from hitting in the house.
I prestretched it so I didnt have any of the coil memory. It was kind of fragile as any 19g string is bound to be, and was the first string I thought I might break prestretching.
I'll see how it hits. But there does seem to be some good spin from hitting in the house.
nytennis-74
Semi-Pro
JT. Good feedback. May I ask you how many hours do you get with TB17 at 38? Is that 38 for both mains and crosses?
Thanks
Thanks
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
I play with this string a lot. I use it as a cross with the green tour bite 16L mains at 58lbs in an IG Prestige Mid. It is my favorite string set up that I have ever used I think.
I find the 19G poly holds up pretty well. I get about 5-7 hours out of it playing pro level tennis with heavy topspin forehand. I have never feared it breaking pre-stretching and have been pleasantly surprised with its durability, spin potential, and tension maint.
I find the 19G poly holds up pretty well. I get about 5-7 hours out of it playing pro level tennis with heavy topspin forehand. I have never feared it breaking pre-stretching and have been pleasantly surprised with its durability, spin potential, and tension maint.
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Good question. Actually 38/35 to be precise. I typically string crosses 3 lbs under the mains.
Another thought I didn't mention is while most textured strings tend to lose their edges over a few matches, Tour Bite is very durable in that regard as well. Not sure if it is due to the square shape, which naturally should take longer to smooth over vs. a 6-8 sided string, or if it is the durable material of the string itself, as it is also able to take quite a beating without breaking.
nytennis-74
Semi-Pro
JT thanks for the feedback. I am not very concerned about the string snapping. It seems quite solid. I am just wondering how long it takes for it to go dead at lower tensions (e.g. how long before you feel like cutting it out because it does not play well anymore).
I am trying the crosses higher than mains. You may want to read this thread about the benefits. Plays well so far.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=455836
I am trying the crosses higher than mains. You may want to read this thread about the benefits. Plays well so far.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=455836
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Ahh, forgot to mention my play hours. I found TB17 at 38/35 plays great for a good while. I rarely break strings in my 18x20 (cut them out after a few sessions), and honestly this string plays well longer when you drop tension. For me it is the most consistent poly I've tried: starts stiff, stays stiff and control never wavers, even at low tensions.
I was getting 2-3 good matches at 50 lbs, but then it became harsh for me over time, and now at 38 I'm getting solid control for 6-8 matches. It might be able to go longer but I like to try different strings too much (string addict), and also don't want to risk my arm on dead strings (learned the hard way with dead PHT a few years back). Poly is the best when it's fresh, IMO, but if you aren't breaking it after 8+ matches, i would replace them anyhow.
Short answer is it plays great throughout my max time that I'll leave a poly in, while others usually go dead anywhere from 2, 3 to 6 matches max.
I was getting 2-3 good matches at 50 lbs, but then it became harsh for me over time, and now at 38 I'm getting solid control for 6-8 matches. It might be able to go longer but I like to try different strings too much (string addict), and also don't want to risk my arm on dead strings (learned the hard way with dead PHT a few years back). Poly is the best when it's fresh, IMO, but if you aren't breaking it after 8+ matches, i would replace them anyhow.
Short answer is it plays great throughout my max time that I'll leave a poly in, while others usually go dead anywhere from 2, 3 to 6 matches max.
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darklore009
Hall of Fame
stringing it scares me because it so thin and feels it's fragile. after stringing it successfully, i like the feel of the string and the playability. however, it broke on me by the second day.
parasailing
Legend
I tried Tour Bite 19g on Graphene Speed Pro and it works really well. The only downside is that the string doesn't last very long maybe 4 to 5 hours of solid hitting.
If you got a 18x20 string pattern, thinner strings work better but if you have a 16x19, I would not go past 17gauge or 1.20mm.
If you got a 18x20 string pattern, thinner strings work better but if you have a 16x19, I would not go past 17gauge or 1.20mm.
Hi I'm Ray
Professional
TB actually has 5 sides despite the advertised "square shape"
naturallight
Semi-Pro
The TW ratings for the 18g version are pretty remarkable (I don't see 19g ratings yet). It has the highest spin potential rating for a string of this gauge (that I've seen). Also a super low stiffness rating and a low energy return, so it looks like the trampoline effect you get with some of the softer polys shouldn't be here.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Played with it for about 30 minutes. I liked it with the kevlar. It just felt great and I had great bite on the ball. At 15/15lbs I could keep the ball in and it was arm friendly.
But there is a "ting" sound. It could be the racket, I think it might be cracked. But has anyone had a ting sound with the tour bite?
Still plays great.
But there is a "ting" sound. It could be the racket, I think it might be cracked. But has anyone had a ting sound with the tour bite?
Still plays great.
StringingIrvine
Semi-Pro
Originally i tried tour bite 17g and didn't like it that much in my 18x20. I tested out the 18g 1.10mm which is the same gauge of msv hex that i've been using the past 3+ years.
So far so good, I definately liked tour bite more than cyclone at this gauge. It seems to have a little more pop than msv hex and bite is definately there.
Hopefully they last the 15 hours my msv is lasting. I'm not sure if i'll end up switching though as the strings are almost twice the price of a reel of msv hex. Its good but its not TWICE as good as msv hex.
So far so good, I definately liked tour bite more than cyclone at this gauge. It seems to have a little more pop than msv hex and bite is definately there.
Hopefully they last the 15 hours my msv is lasting. I'm not sure if i'll end up switching though as the strings are almost twice the price of a reel of msv hex. Its good but its not TWICE as good as msv hex.
StringingIrvine
Semi-Pro
Played very well the first two hours, after that it just went down hill. I ended up cutting them out at about 6 hours. I'm sticking to my MSV hex
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
How else would you compare the TB 1.10 to MSV Hex 1.10?
Spin, feel, control? Your setup is similar to mine so I'm curious how else it compared. When you say "went down hill", are you referring to control, power, spin?
Spin, feel, control? Your setup is similar to mine so I'm curious how else it compared. When you say "went down hill", are you referring to control, power, spin?
StringingIrvine
Semi-Pro
MSV Hex 1.10 vs Tour bite 1.10.
Durability - I noticed notching after the first session. With msv hex strung at the same tension It usually doesn't start to show until the 2nd or 3rd session.
Power - It had a little more pop but very similar. After the 3rd hour or so it was not as crisp and i felt the stringbed wasn't as linear as I was used to with my msv hex. Linear in terms that the power level was very predictable. by the end of the 2 hour match i felt as if my volleys no longer had that nice pop. I'm not talking about match conditions but i hit a couple volleys after the match and you could tell the difference from when it was fresh.
Spin - the spin was always there while i was playing. It was a tad better than msv hex but seriously nothing that would make me switch.
My arm was definately tender after using the tour bite.
If tour bite price was reduced to that of MSV hex in a reel, I would still use msv hex.
I know a lot of people say tour bite is amazing and it might very well be for that person. However for me, in the 110 gauge, I prefer msv hex.
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
I would be afraid of a 18 or 19g string breaking fast in a 16x18. For some, this may be ok because it'll break after the playable life of the string, but for others it may break in under and hour which is not good.
Try the 17g first, and if that lasts, then maybe the 18. The 19 is very thin, and best for a dense pattern where it should last longer.
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the comparison, much appreciated!
I finally strung up my TB19 for this weekend, will see how it goes...
BLX_Andy
Professional
Well it takes 4G in 16L to break in my racquet. And obviously the string is dead. That's why I'm wondering if 19 is a good gauge
mmk
Hall of Fame
Seriously, 15 pounds?
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Totally serious. Keep in mind it had kevlar mains at 15lbs, so the string bed is firmer than you think.
Tried Tourbite 19 again as some crosses in my Prostaff 85. Strung it at 20lbs. Its amazing because the racket is very underpowered with this tension and combo...thats great for me!
Though this Tourbite is creating tons of vibration at these tensions that I dont seem to have with other strings.
Anyhow there is a long long thread about extra low tensions if you search. Long story but I would complain about spraying balls going from 63lbs to 61lbs, so when I saw that thread and first strung at 30lbs I was totally skeptical. All I can say is that what you think you know about tension changes in the 30lb range and lower. At least for me it did.
Oh and one advantage of the low tension was related to me by my coach at our weekly lesson yesterday. He said that the sound from the racket wasnt like a normally tensioned racket and that he was having a hard time knowing if the ball was hit harder than the other shots. So he said that some balls would "sneak up" on him.
Not saying that low tensions are for everyone but if you are using anykind of stiff string, try dropping down to the 30lb range and just commit to hitting with it for one session. There is an adjustment period. For me though the comfort and ball pocketing are well worth a small adjustment period.
You would be amazed at how the body can adapt. I used to play with rackets strung with kevlar at 63lbs in a 93" frame that was 120z. In the course of 8 months I added 4oz of weight, dropped tension by 48lbs and even went from 14/18 to 14/10 in the string pattern. Imagine that, a 16oz racket strung at 15lbs with a 14/10 pattern. Yet I could control it and win points. Would have lost money on that!! Now I am hitting with an 85" and a dense 16/18 pattern strung at 20lbs.
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Can you share your experience with the TB19? I want to buy it but not sure if the TB 19 or the TBS 18. Thanks
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Sure thing. Finally finished my playtest of it over a few matches.
I will say that when fresh, this string (TB 19) is truly amazing for my game and racquet. It is very thin, but in a dense 18x20 MP racquet, you want a nice, thin string (as long as it doesn't break too soon).
Compared to TB 17, in the same racquet, TB 19 had easier power, spin and decent feel. I found TB 17 to have better overall control, and also much better longevity. I usually can get a good 6-8 matches on TB 17, whereas the TB 19 was done after 4 sessions. However, the pure spin and controlled power of those 4 sessions was a lot more fun than any of the 6-8 matches on the 17 gauge.
If I had the time and money to restring every 3 matches, I would use TB 19 exclusively. It also plays how I like it to immediately without break-in. I felt TB 17 needed a good 30 minutes or so to settle in to where I liked it. Perhaps this is simply due to a thicker string being stiffer, so perhaps a tension adjustment would alleviate the need for a break-in on TB 17.
In summary:
Spin, power & feel: TB 19
Control, tension stability & durability: TB 17
At this point, I now have to try TB 18, and TB 17-Soft, to round-out my test of this string. The differences are all subtle, but I will say that over the past 3+ years of string experimentation, the pure control and confidence boost of this string has me hooked. I've tried a good 30+ strings and hybrids, and if you need control and spin, and are willing to sacrifice comfort, feel and power... TB is quite awesome. It is great that it comes in so many gauges, to accommodate the array or racquet types out there.
If you have a tender wrist or any history of TE or GE, I would stay far away from this string.
