String comparison
Lynx Tour vs Cyclone
Head Lynx Tour against Volkl Cyclone: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Lynx Tour leads on control, comfort and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Lynx Tour is the safer choice. Cyclone 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 Lynx Tour if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Best for: players wanting spin + control combo
- Best for: those who find Hyper-G too stiff
- Best for: control-oriented baseliners
Pick Cyclone if…
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 14)
- You want to spend less (from $9 vs $14 a set)
- Best for: spin-oriented players on a budget
- Best for: powerful baseliners who hit with heavy topspin
- Best for: players seeking excellent value for money
Specs side by side
| Spec | Lynx Tour | Cyclone |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | 6-sided co-polyester monofilament with low-friction surface | Decagonal (gear-shaped) co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 17, 18, 18L, 19 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Medium high |
| Set price | $14–18 | $9–12 |
| Reel price | $150–180 | $120–140 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court | Baseliner, Big hitter, All court |
| Junior tension | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Plays well at mid tensions. | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Gear shape grabs ball well so you can string lower. |
Lynx Tour in short
Head Lynx Tour features six spin-friendly edges and a low-friction surface for powerful snapback at impact. It fills the gap between the softer original Lynx and the stiffer Hawk. A crisp poly with consistent, predictable response that never felt harsh. Above average tension maintenance for a co-poly makes it a favorite among playtesters. "The high degree of control, easy access to spin and better tension maintenance than most co-polys make Head Lynx Tour one of my favorite strings." Plays very similar to Hyper-G but with slightly more comfort.
Cyclone in short
Volkl Cyclone is a gear-shaped co-poly that has become one of the best value strings in tennis. The unique decagonal profile provides excellent ball bite for spin generation, while the firm construction offers predictable control. Playtesters found it surprisingly comfortable for a firm control string, and its exceptional price-to-performance ratio makes it a favorite among competitive players who break strings frequently.
Lynx Tour vs Cyclone: quick answers
Which has more spin, Lynx Tour or Cyclone?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Head Lynx Tour scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 2/5 for Cyclone. It is recommended from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: Lynx Tour 8/10, Cyclone 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Lynx Tour costs about $14–18 a set and Cyclone about $9–12, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Lynx Tour) and 2025-01 (Cyclone).