String comparison
Polylon vs Tour Bite
Gosen Polylon against Solinco Tour Bite: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Polylon leads on comfort. Tour Bite leads on power, spin, control and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Polylon is the safer choice. Polylon costs less per set.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick Polylon if…
- You want more comfort (5 vs 3 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 2/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 14 vs 15)
- You want to spend less (from $2 vs $10 a set)
- Best for: big hitters on a budget
- Best for: players seeking maximum control
- Best for: home stringers and tennis teams
Pick Tour Bite if…
- You want more power (5 vs 4 out of 10)
- You want more spin (10 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more control (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: control-obsessed advanced players
- Best for: aggressive topspin baseliners
- Best for: string breakers (excellent durability)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Polylon | Tour Bite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Round polyester monofilament with high-tech polyester resin | Square-shaped co-polyester with sharp edges |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 16L, 17, 19, 20 |
| Stiffness | High | High |
| Set price | $2–4 | $10–12 |
| Reel price | $40–60 | $130–150 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 1/5 · Not arm friendly |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 15 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Classic control string - string at normal poly tensions. | 44-48 lbs for juniors. String low due to stiffness - string feels firmer than it strings. |
Polylon in short
Gosen Polylon is a good old-fashioned polyester string without extravagant chemical additives. What it does have is remarkable control, especially at the highest swing speeds, and tremendous spin potential. Its response is so predictable and low-powered that it enables big hitters to attack the ball at extreme upward angles. At only $2.95 per set, it's one of the all-time best options for big hitters on a budget. Extremely durable - one 16 gauge set survived about 35 hours of tennis.
Tour Bite in short
Launched in 2009, Tour Bite not only became a staple with collegiate level players, but it also helped vault Solinco into a top-tier string brand. This firm co-polyester is designed for advanced players who demand the ultimate in control, durability and spin. The square profile with sharp edges is ideal for aggressive topspin players who like to rip the felt off the ball. With its stiff response, slippery surface and grippy edges, Tour Bite specializes in hitting spin-loaded balls that drop hard and hop powerfully off the court. One of the very best polys out there with the best combination of spin, price, durability and feel.
Polylon vs Tour Bite: quick answers
Which has more spin, Polylon or Tour Bite?
Solinco Tour Bite, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 8/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Gosen Polylon scores 2/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for Tour Bite. It is recommended from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (9/10). Tension maintenance: Polylon 5/10, Tour Bite 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Polylon costs about $2–4 a set and Tour Bite about $10–12, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Polylon) and 2025-01 (Tour Bite).