16l tour bite too powerful 16g not enough..now what

[datsveryinterestin]

So I've finally gotten around to trying Tour Bite.
I use a Babolat Pure Aero Plus. (Just switched and still getting used to the frame)

I am a hard hitter and big server but going for too much too soon, inconsistency, and overhitting are my weakness.

I love the spin Tour Bite gives me.
But in 16l it sometimes rockets off the strings and I don't feel the ball before it rockets long. Very responsive, lively, and spinny... but very powerful.

So I tried 1.30 16g. Unlike the TWU data. It feels thicker and stiffer instead of the reported 16l stiffer anomaly I'd heard about.
When I REALLY get in good position and absolutely take a huge swing with momentum from legs and hips etc.... I get tremendous height over the net and the ball dips down deep in the court. But I've really got to work for it because sometimes anything less than 110% equals a short ball that could put me on the defensive for the rest of the point. When I am on it feels awesome and I can take huge rips that I know are going to stay in the court. Serves are a little less effective and volleys feel horrible so far with 16g.
Also the 16g makes my shoulder ache a little.
But when I'm on with it it I feel like Nadal hitting with tons of pace and spin and 8ft over the net so I rarely make unforced error.

16l is looking like the better choice but it's frustrating when you feel like you've taken the perfect swing but the ball flies on you.

A buddy mentioned hyper g 16l is a little less lively.
Or I could hybrid the 2 stings...
Dunno!
Strung them both at 54lbs

I just switched to the Aero so it is a lot of adjustments happening already..so maybe I will get used to 16l setup over time too?

Please let me know if anybody has tried these setups or has any ideas. Thanks!

 

[HunterST]

So I've finally gotten around to trying Tour Bite.
I use a Babolat Pure Aero Plus. (Just switched and still getting used to the frame)

I am a hard hitter and big server but going for too much too soon, inconsistency, and overhitting are my weakness.

I love the spin Tour Bite gives me.
But in 16l it sometimes rockets off the strings and I don't feel the ball before it rockets long. Very responsive, lively, and spinny... but very powerful.

So I tried 1.30 16g. Unlike the TWU data. It feels thicker and stiffer instead of the reported 16l stiffer anomaly I'd heard about.
When I REALLY get in good position and absolutely take a huge swing with momentum from legs and hips etc.... I get tremendous height over the net and the ball dips down deep in the court. But I've really got to work for it because sometimes anything less than 110% equals a short ball that could put me on the defensive for the rest of the point. When I am on it feels awesome and I can take huge rips that I know are going to stay in the court. Serves are a little less effective and volleys feel horrible so far with 16g.
Also the 16g makes my shoulder ache a little.
But when I'm on with it it I feel like Nadal hitting with tons of pace and spin and 8ft over the net so I rarely make unforced error.

16l is looking like the better choice but it's frustrating when you feel like you've taken the perfect swing but the ball flies on you.

A buddy mentioned hyper g 16l is a little less lively.
Or I could hybrid the 2 stings...
Dunno!
Strung them both at 54lbs

I just switched to the Aero so it is a lot of adjustments happening already..so maybe I will get used to 16l setup over time too?

Please let me know if anybody has tried these setups or has any ideas. Thanks!

String 16L tighter.

 

[Power Player]

I use the same exact frame - RS Lyon. Enjoy.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

String 16L tighter.

Good point... I could probably go up 1 or 2lbs on the 16l. Because it does many things well. Bomb 1st serves, kick 2nd serves, crisp volleys, and powerful groundies. If I increase tension a little, hopefully I can keep the good stuff and add a little more control.
Hopefully the answer is this easy.
I heard others string Tour Bite at 52 so I am a little hesitant to string at 56... But I guess it couldn't hurt to try it once!

 

[HunterST]

Good point... I could probably go up 1 or 2lbs on the 16l. Because it does many things well. Bomb 1st serves, kick 2nd serves, crisp volleys, and powerful groundies. If I increase tension a little, hopefully I can keep the good stuff and add a little more control.
Hopefully the answer is this easy.
I heard others string Tour Bite at 52 so I am a little hesitant to string at 56... But I guess it couldn't hurt to try it once!

I wouldn't worry. The people who string at 52 string it that low because it feels stiff and low powered at higher tensions. You're clearly in a different boat and a different type of player. Plus 56 isn't insanely tight. If we were talking about stringing it at 62 or something it would be a little dubious, but mid fifties is pretty normal for poly.

 

[RafaBabolat]

Try Hyper g at 17g. Hyper g feels more "dead" and truly let's you take full and big swings, especially with the Pure Aero. Tour Bite has more pop to it, so this might be why you overhit. Also, the 17g will make up for the power, and it will come when you need it. Tour Bite just has the livelier feel that just doesn't give you control sometimes.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I've also considered going lower at 50lbs with 1.30 Tour Bite. But I don't really enjoy buying strings and experimenting only to cut it out immediately if it is a rocket launcher.

But I have one more set of 16l and 16 so I can go up with one and down with the other in the hopes of finding the best for me. Wanted to buy a reel this weekend but I guess I need to try hyper G first too.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[WhETHANs]

Tension change would be my first option to go to because a slight change in gauge shouldn't make a tremendous difference to the majority of players. My second option, if necessary, would be to hybrid two of the tourbite gauges. 16 in the mains, 16L in the crosses. Let us know how it goes!

 

[kiteboard]

INcrease tension on crosses higher than mains and deflection will decrease and won't be as powerful.

 

[MarTennis]

Put L in the mains and G in the crosses.

Sent from my Z955A using Tapatalk

 

[monfils is my homeboy]

Try Diadem Solstice Pro! Much better spin and feel than Tour Bite. Co-poly strings are more powerful when strung tight so try loosening them not tightening. I string my frames with Solstice Pro at 35 and I have zero trouble with control.

 

[Rabbit]

OP....take up golf.

 

[LeeD]

Go regular STBite16 at lower tension.
I use it on racket's as stiff as PD's, but at 35 lbs tension.

 

[seekay]

I use a Babolat Pure Aero Plus. (Just switched and still getting used to the frame)

Give yourself a chance to groove with the frame before you worry too much about string details. I'm guessing either gauge of Tour Bite could work well for you if you gave yourself some time to get used to everything you've just changed.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I won my last doubles match 6-0 6-0 (with good partner and against outclassed opponents).
I started with 1.30 and it helped because I made zero unforced errors in the 1st set. Especially on return of serve where sometimes I go for way too much and launch the ball. With 16g I was able to hit safely deep cross court and felt very confident.

The thicker string just gives this solid feel that I know there will be no trampoline. My partner smartly reminded me that most matches are lost by UE so the mindset and control of the 16g seem like a good combo as long as my opponents don't take advantage on the occasional shorter return... But as I get used to it ..I think I'm learning how hard I need to swing too.

I switched in the 2nd set to 1.25 and except for more action on the ball... wasn't too different.
Against higher level opponents, I feel like I might need the increased power and spin from the 16L.

But as @LeeD suggested...going lower tension with 16 could also work great. Currently the 16 still slightly tougher on my arm so I am thinking about continuing to experiment with 16l and also trying a gut cross just to see what happens.

Thanks for the help!
finding the right string setup will be a process that I will just have to endure and learn to enjoy! Wish a buzzer would go off when you have found the best string and tension! (Because I am terrible at making decisions!)
Also a tougher match will reveal more about if I need more power or control, etc.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

The 16l I strung at 54lbs became a trampoline so I restrung again at 56lbs. Felt fine off the stringer not too boardy but when I played doubles match, there was no feeling of dwell time and the ball shot off like a Lazer beam instead of the spinny arc I'm trying for.
Serves were still huge though and even though overall I made way too many errors..we won 6-3 6-2.

I practiced the next day and I think it had more feel but the strings definitely notched.

So I'm still not settled on string.
I bought some more Tour Bite and Rpm Dual that I plan to try a VS gut hybrid with soon.
Sounds like I owe it to myself to try Hyper G 16l too.

Other players I know string poly at 58lbs and keep using it for 8 months. But after 2 weeks I just can't play well with poly. Hoping a hybrid helps.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Update!
I have played most of my matches with 16l tour bite and have been undefeated in that time! I strung my other Aero plus up with RpM Dual & VS gut but I have more confidence with the Tour Bite frame.
16l holding tension great and I've gotten used to the power level so i'm not overhitting long as much anymore. so I am almost to the point of buying a reel.
But...
I still have memories of hitting with the 16g where I was blasting serves so hard that I nailed a guy in the chest on the 2nd serve. A few times when I crushed the ball I could feel the strings snap back and the results were amazing.
However the strings seemed to lose their snap back resiliency after 4 hours and the feel on volleys is much duller. If I get lazy the 16g can also easily produce a short ball.. so not for the timid or the weak. Still, this thicker gauge intrigues me!
Have 1 more set of 16g and now 4 sets of 16l as i continue testing. Wondering if I should try Rpm blast 16 or 15l on sale or just stay with Solinco? Hrmmmm

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Still testing....

Played a match today with injured Achilles so my movement was slow and painful! Not a good recipe for tennis success!
I had good and bad moments with both 1.25 and 1.30.
The 1.25 @56lbs is crisper with a faster and lower trajectory ball. I can hit more winners but can also hit long.
The 1.30 @55lbs is deader with high spinny trajectory and slower ball. If I was in better shape and playing more often I think I would pick this one because the lower power level encourages full swings which in turn put wicked spin and kick on the ball. It didn't slice as well but it volleyed fine this time.no dead upper hoop like I experienced last time.
Really wanted to buy a reel by now... But I guess just more sets of both for the moment.

I won the match after being down 2-4 I won 6-3 6-4.
Vamos!!!! I started with 1.30.... but switched back and forth after that. Probably won more games with 1.25 though. Hrmmmm

 

[LeeD]

Now what?

Good play tennis, forget about the strings, learn to watch the ball as you start your forward swing.

 

[hoodjem]

So I've finally gotten around to trying Tour Bite.
I use a Babolat Pure Aero Plus. (Just switched and still getting used to the frame)

I am a hard hitter and big server but going for too much too soon, inconsistency, and overhitting are my weakness.

I love the spin Tour Bite gives me.
But in 16l it sometimes rockets off the strings and I don't feel the ball before it rockets long. Very responsive, lively, and spinny... but very powerful.

I would use the 16L and raise the tension 3-4 pounds.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I bought a reel of the 16l!

I feel like the 16g was just a little too dead for my liking and maybe lost tension faster.

The 16l is powerful, especially in a Pure Aero, but still controllable and I've gotten used to it.
I should be settled on string and can focus on fitness and technique now!
It will be nice to have 2 identically strung racquets in the bag again too! Thanks for the tips!

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Geez, could not control the ball at all tonight with the 16l so I played most of my match with the 16g! Trying not to freak out about it..... Aaaagh ..nope, I'm freaking out! Guess I'll have to keep testing the 2 longer!

 

[seekay]

Geez, could not control the ball at all tonight with the 16l so I played most of my match with the 16g! Trying not to freak out about it..... Aaaagh ..nope, I'm freaking out! Guess I'll have to keep testing the 2 longer!

Everyone has up and down days. It sounds like you're a much bigger variable than the string diameter, which is completely normal. It sounds to me like you should pick a setup that's close enough and stick with it for a few months so you can more easily build the consistency you're looking for in your strokes.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Everyone has up and down days. It sounds like you're a much bigger variable than the string diameter, which is completely normal. It sounds to me like you should pick a setup that's close enough and stick with it for a few months so you can more easily build the consistency you're looking for in your strokes.

You are quite right. Dunno if my strings had lost tension since my last match (2 days ago in humid 90 degree weather). But my control, even in warmups, was atrocious! Good news is I am winning even when my control is not up to the level I want it at.
I was winning 6-1, 4-1 when I tried going for more and ended up winning 6-4 in the 2nd.
I'm mainly relying on my serve though...and want to get more confidence in my big forehand again instead of just placing it.
I have a few more sets to restring with before deciding whether to return the reel.
Might get RPM blast another shot while on sale too.

 

[LeeD]

Just go regular 16 at 5 lbs lighter tension than you use for 16L, like I said all along.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Just go regular 16 at 5 lbs lighter tension than you use for 16L, like I said all along.

If @LeeD is right..it will further cement his Leedgendary status! Maybe hyper g or rpm is the better choice for me though! Ack!

 

[LeeD]

STBite 16 is one of the stiffer poly's around, so needs the least tension to maintain playabiilty, with the advantage being, it lasts longer than most other poly when strung at LOW tensions.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I played singles with 16l and played well although it is a lively/jumpy feel (in the open pattern of the Pure Aero Plus)...works great when I am on...could be disastrous when off.
Waiting for 1 last set of 16g before I decide on which reel to keep.
BUT....
I played with 15l Rpm Blast tonight! Fresh it felt amazing! Tons of spin looping high over bet that drops down viciously! Plus when I got a short ball I had total confidence in putting it away with hard accurate spin down the line knowing it wouldn't sail on me.
I have a huge match in a few days...I hope the Rpm is still good in 72hrs! Only drawback was Maybe 5mph less on 1st serve but 2nd serves had wicked spin and hop!

 

[datsveryinterestin]

Still using the RPM blast 15l! Strung it up on my crank at 57lbs. Feels perfect!
guess I have found my string!


I played the best match of my life vs very good player.
There was tons of pressure as my team put me at #1 singles against the best team in our league. They brought out a guy 20 years younger that was hitting hard and accurately in warmups and I was sweating bullets!
I knew I would have to start strong and go for my shots. My slice serve was so Nasty and had many aces as it took off sideways on the deuce side! I pounded a huge ace out wide on the ad side to seal the best first set I've ever played. I was able to crush forehands cross court or down the line at will. Opponent was pretty quick but was left scrambling and whiffing in vain at my shots. Won 1st set 6-2.
I sputtered for a bit in the 2nd set so I tried 16l tour bite racquet for a few games. Immediately sent a ball 10ft long on a huge swing. But I did adjust and the thinner, more powerful string did help on return of serve. I regrouped and broke back and serving at 5-4 I went back to rpm15.
2 good serves before he played best point of the match as he ran around his backhand to crush a forehand down the line. I just brushed it off as his last gasp as I closed out with 2 more strong serves!
Anyway...I've never been so confident as I was that night!

To save some cash I'll probably keep 16g Tour Bite on hand for practices. Great string too... but I guess I am a Nadal lookalike with the Aero (plus) and RPM15! It just works!

 

[Rabbit]

yeah, I can see where the .05 mm would make a tremendous difference not only in power levels but in weight and balance as well.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

yeah, I can see where the .05 mm would make a tremendous difference not only in power levels but in weight and balance as well.

16l and 16g tour Bite play totally different...mr.funny guy! But you are right (if I can get anything out of your sarcastic comment) that I can adapt my game to use either...but 1.30 tour bite or 1.35 rpm work better for me in the Pure Aero.
Ball flies a little too fast with 16l so I don't have the confidence to CRUSH the ball like I do with the thicker string.
However I did notice while RPM15 is the perfect power level for my forehand...I do struggle with depth off my more compact backhand. Might just need practice or hybrid with Tour Bite to get just a bit more power.
Thanks for chiming in Rabbit!

I've yet to drop a set in 10 matches so I'm pleased I was able to soundly go undefeated during this playtest period! Vamos!!!!

 

[leafnose]

new arrival to the tour bite.
tried hyper g and didn't fall in love
went to the "square-ish" cut of the tour bite and enjoying the results

have been playing the RPM blast for at least 5 years; tbh has to be so many more year than that as I was also playing on "knock-offs" of the rpm blast previously to going "factory" mfg.

tension at 54# on a Radical graphene mp
not seeing deterioration. seem to be lasting longer than the RPMs as far as holding up
to me, very similar to the blast, but with a grit /grab sensation

just a note
to the more critical observer I am seeing some difference in dye lot. The severe barb wire type edge (that I prefer) seems lacking from reel to reel. Any one with connections might get us some feed back from Solinco on this issue?

anyhow, as a newcomer to the string thought I'd add my two cents.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

new arrival to the tour bite.
tried hyper g and didn't fall in love
went to the "square-ish" cut of the tour bite and enjoying the results

have been playing the RPM blast for at least 5 years; tbh has to be so many more year than that as I was also playing on "knock-offs" of the rpm blast previously to going "factory" mfg.

tension at 54# on a Radical graphene mp
not seeing deterioration. seem to be lasting longer than the RPMs as far as holding up
to me, very similar to the blast, but with a grit /grab sensation

just a note
to the more critical observer I am seeing some difference in dye lot. The severe barb wire type edge (that I prefer) seems lacking from reel to reel. Any one with connections might get us some feed back from Solinco on this issue?

anyhow, as a newcomer to the string thought I'd add my two cents.

If I was using a less powerful racquet, I would really enjoy the crisp, powerful, spinny 16l Tour Bite that holds tension amazingly well! But in the Pure Aero I really have much more confidence using RPM. I tried 16g Tour Bite for 1 game yesterday and lost my serve with shots flying long so I put it back in the bag and played RPM the rest of the match.
The RPM is old and dull now after 2 weeks.. not as magical as before but still keeps the ball in the court!

If you are looking for longevity of crisp feel, Tour Bite wins. But 16l was superior in every category to me over the 16g. It seemed to be sharper edged too.