Overview
Solinco Tour Bite is a firm and durable co-polyester that delivers an almost unbelievable combination of spin and precision to players with long, fast strokes. This explains its growing popularity at the collegiate level where control at high head speeds is a must. Our testers noticed immediately how well the shaped profile gripped the ball. The low power level allows big hitters to load up on head speed and attack the ball at an extreme angle. In the right hands this string produces a very heavy ball.
- Gauge: 17/1.20mm
- Length: 328ft/100m
- Construction: Co-polyester
- Color: Silver
String Comparison: Solinco Hyper-G vs. Tour Bite
Videos
Similar Strings to Consider
Other Items to Consider
Customer Reviews
Making the switchI bought Solinco Confidential and Tour Bite for my daughter who started playing college tennis recently. She uses Wilson NXT but she needs more control and spin. I searched the internet for a few months and I was really surprised by the comments made by other tennis players regarding both of these strings. She’s really excited about her switch to polyester strings (on her own racquet) because she tried them on other player’s racquets before! We love your service!!! Thanks!
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Great feel, pockets niceStrung at 54 pounds on a Yonex Ezone 100 (current version). Lots of power and ability to direct shots. Easy on the elbow.
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Durable, good feel, soft on armThe most notable thing is that it lasts long, playing everyday
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Good stringsMid range pricing and great results!!
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Solinco Tour Bite 17/1.20 StringGreat strings, personally I think I like them at a lower tension.
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Easy to carryI think is an excellent option for kids that do not break strings all the time because it is smaller than the big one and easy to carry in the bag.
Pleasantly surprisedI've been playing for over 30 years, on and off, and in using my original equipment since returning to tennis, I've been slowly discovering newer racquets and strings. Having never tried poly's until this summer, I hadn't even heard of Solinco, having always stuck with my 15L synthetics since the 90's. This was my second attempt at a poly after trying for Luxilon's ALU Rough first. I'd quickly broken a lot of 16L synthetic guts earlier in the year so I was leery of trying thinner strings until learning that poly's don't break as easily. The first 16L Luxilon was fine, nice even, but when I tried the Solinco Tour Bite 17, I wasn't ready for the magic to come.
I always string as tight as the pros in the 90's did with my Prince Oversize Graphite II's, baseliner here with 110 sq. in., so I'm always fearful of over-hitting. Having been given certain guidelines by my stringers that thinner strings get lower tensions, we kept my tension of 63 for the 16's on the 17's, after I'd said I'd still want them a little tighter.
And BOOM, the 17's at 63 landed every single ball in. Every. Single. Ball. It was like going on court with a magic wand. I'd hit with tougher, more experienced baseliners and have them scurrying around the court like never before. In short, this string and racquet and tension combination has changed my game for the better.
Now, because I can't comment on other 17's just yet, I can't say this is the best, but I did buy more of it. As others point out, they'll drop in efficacy after a few hitting sessions. Also, this string is likely going to contribute to some tennis elbow. I bought them knowing that, having had it longer term for the first time this year. So I'll gladly recommend it but it is hardly perfect. It might just be perfect for me, at least for the first dozen hours or so. Six weeks in, I'm still hitting well with it, though.
Better The Second TimeThis is the first time I tried Solinco strings. I strung in a Prince Phantom O3 100x. Hybrid in the mains with with Premier Power 17 crosses. Both were strung at 55 lbs.
Tension dropped 6 lbs the next day before I hit one ball. When I finally played, I was very disappointed with the results. The strings felt dead and no power what so ever.
I used it on another day and I got better results. The ball was pocketing and I felt that I could swing full out and not fear it going out. It was a totally different string to me.
On the third session, I was hitting much harder and the balls were blazing. They were going deep and heavy.
I measure the tension and after 8 days with 3 sessions for about 8 hours play, the tension is 47 lbs. (dropped 8 lbs)
Tour BiteI like the consistency, durability and definitely the spin this textured string provides.
Great Shaped PolyI’ve been hitting the last 2-3 weeks regularly with this string and it’s been wonderful. Great bite on the ball and ample control. The ball has a great sound when it makes contact. Not as firm as I thought it would be, I haven’t had any arm issues. I strung at 53lbs in a Yonex Vcore 95 (2021).
Awesome poly strings, great spin decent powerI've been playing with Pro Line II the whole last year and after testing this strings I made the switch. It got more spin almost same power and great durability (thing that Pro Line II didn't have). If you're looking for controlled power and lots of spin this could be your go-to string.
like it, but like the SOFT better!I am rated as 4.5-5.0. I bought this TOUR BITE just see how it like honestly. I normally string my rackets around 56-57 lbs but for this particular string I dropped the tension to 52 lbs just because I felt it might be stiff. Overall, I liked it. However, on another racquet I strung with TOUR BITE SOFT at 56 lbs and loved it...arm friendly! Hope this help and "TENNIS 4 LIFE!"
Previous Feedback
Comments: I bought this string because I had the pleasure of playing with a really good play, 5.0 level, in a couple of club doubles leagues and wanted to hit like her so I bought her strings and had it strung to the same tension. Well, not a good idea if you are a 4.0 and don't hit is as well as a higher level player. I used the racquet twice and ended up with tennis elbow that took over five months to recover from. I went back to my Wilson Champions Choice strings. Expensive, but my elbow thanks me.
From:Susan, 3/10/20
Comments: Great spin with plenty of power, good control and easy on the arm. Strung at 47 lbs on the mains and 42 lbs on the crosses, good durability. Fully satisfied. Do not change a thing.
From:Anthony, 7/4/18
Comments: Few years ago I only use Tour bite 16L full bed on my Pure Strike, now I'm using the Pure Strike Project One7 and found full bed polly is a little too stiff so I'm looking for the best multi to hybrid with my trusty tour bite. I've tried pretty much every major brands' multi and Vanquish is still the best imo, not the overall best multi out there but the best to hybrid with tour bite. I tried both options and I prefer putting vanquish on the main rather than cross. Vanquish itself has decent spin already as a multi and it has excellent comfort. I put vanquish/tour bite at 54/52lbs and it works great. It does break in 3-4 hours for me but since Tour bite is sharp basically it will cut throw any string easily. I'm a 4.5 player.
From:Russell, 5/31/18
Comments: Very, very similar to Alu Power which is a very good thing but because this is a 1.2 mm diameter you feel just a bit more feel a bit more spin an a tad more pop. For the denser patterns this has the advantage over the 1.25 Alu. Very good string if not one of the very best.
From:Anonymous, 2/1/18
Comments: This is the only string I use in the mains at 53 lbs (Volkl Organix One). I use a softer poly in the crosses at 51 lbs. These strings have just the right amount of power with descent feel and the spin generated is extraordinary. Solinco hit a homerun with this string. Please leave well enough alone and don't change the formula.
From:Alex, 12/13/17
Comments: My arm started hurting after 10 minutes of practice. It has spin and power for sure. But buyer beware, this string is stiff. I bet they last forever. Solinco calls them Heaven, I call them something opposite.
From:Wes, 9/16
Comments: I really like these strings because of how much spin they can produce. One interesting experiment is that I've traded racquets with two different hitting partners who were using RPM Blast, and the difference was immediate: their topspin shots were diving into the ground and jumping forward much more than before. I found the effect extremely unnerving to play against. A few times I've tried to go back to Luxilon or RPM Blast, but shots that used to go in due to topspin were sailing long. So I'm for now happily stuck with these strings.
From:Philip, 9/16
Comments: I was looking for a poly that could temper the power/plow through of the Wilson RF97. I switched from the Head Youtek IG Prestige Pro and thought it wouldn't be too big of a departure. Boy, was I wrong there! I had previously tried Kirschbaum Pro Line 2 and Weis Cannon Scorpion, both 17g at 54 lbs. PL2 felt great the 1st 3-5 outings but just dropped tension to where I lost confidence especially on my forehand, my stronger shot. Scorpion feels firmer but not as responsive/comfortable as PL2. Definitely could feel more vibrations and less pocketing with Scorpion. My stringer suggested Solinco TB 17g. Apparently, it has a bit of a cult following, especially with high school and college players. I had previously used ALU Power/Rough, 4G, RPM -- all good but Solinco TB 17 rocks! Very reminiscent of ALU Rough but with much better feel/ball pocketing while still firm, yet forgiving. The true test will be how it is after the 2nd full day of hitting to see how tension drop will affect its play in RF97. For now though, I've drank the Kool-Aid and I'm hooked!Definitely worth it if you like polys. A blend of all the best attributes at a relatively decent price.
From:Poodini, 9/15
Comments: I string it at 61 lbs, which is just about right for my high swing speed. Generates plenty of power and spin. Popped one and switched to a TNT2 -- ugh. The difference was enormous. I won't go back. My only thing is it seems to drop tension quickly. Unsure if that is a factor of the glossiness or a crappy stringer. Either way, still very playable.
From:Joe, 7/15
Comments: I agree with Chris: I'm quite disappointed with these strings. I've strung my ProStaff 95 with them at 23 kg mains 22 kg crosses. They felt dead from the first moment, no pop at all. They became better after 2-3 hours of play, but nothing special, I have to say. They aren't durable (two weeks of medium intensive playing). Not buying them anymore.
From:Mauro, 1/15
Comments: I've put it in my Prince Tour 95 at 22/21 kg (49/47 lbs) and it is absolutely great string. Plenty of control, good power, a huge spin potential (little bit less comparing to number one string in spin for me -- Volkl V-Torque), nice touch and enough durability for big hitting intermediate players. It seems to me that it could be hard to find many better strings in overall. One weakness -- Tour Bite is rather expensive.
From:Przemyslaw, 10/14
Comments: I tested a lot of strings in my Steam 99 S. Finally settled on Tour Bite 17 at 52 lbs. Excellent spin and control. Lower power than Luxilon. Stiffness is not that bad. Highly recommend.
From:KP, 8/14
Comments: A really good string, lots of topspin, but it's so stuff on my Babolat PD. Better to hybrid it.
From:Zixuan, 2/14
Comments: Finally pulled the trigger and purchased a reel. First time stringing the TB on my own. The coating on the string offers smooth glossy grey color which I found to be slippery on the clamps. I had to tighten up the clamps to hold it. This string is stiff and can be a challenge to weave especially towards down the throat. Strung a full set on the RQiS Tour 1 at 52/54 lbs. Took the Yonex on court to a match - WOW! Great performance. No doubt there's ample power and spin; the biggest change I noticed was the control. Pairing the right string tension and the frame is paramount to reap the benefit, otherwise, your frame will feel like a board.
From:Anon, 3/13
Comments: Plays great at 56/52 lbs in my 18x20 Graphine Speed Pro, not the smoothest of feel, but gives tons of bite and spin. Gives me great swing confidence and touch. I swing aggressively with a good dose of brush up and yet this string still plays good after 30 hours of court time!
From:Anton, 3/13