String comparison
ALU Power Rough vs Big Banger Original Rough
Luxilon ALU Power Rough against Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. ALU Power Rough leads on power, spin and comfort. Big Banger Original Rough leads on control, durability and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, ALU Power Rough is the safer choice. Big Banger Original Rough 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 ALU Power Rough if…
- You want more power (7 vs 4 out of 10)
- You want more spin (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (4 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 16)
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
Pick Big Banger Original Rough if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (9 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want to spend less (from $14 vs $21 a set)
- Best for: string breakers wanting spin + durability
- Best for: big hitters with their own power
- Best for: aggressive topspin baseliners
Specs side by side
| Spec | ALU Power Rough | Big Banger Original Rough |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polyester monofilament | Textured co-polymer nylon with fluorocarbon resin |
| Gauges | 16, 16L | 16 |
| Stiffness | High | Very high |
| Set price | $21–22 | $14–16 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $120–150 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 1/5 · Not arm friendly |
| Cost to maintain | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 16 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower. | String 10% lower than usual. 46-50 lbs for textured version. |
ALU Power Rough in short
ALU Power Rough takes the proven ALU Power formula and adds a textured surface for enhanced spin potential. The rough surface grabs the ball at contact, allowing players to generate more RPMs on their shots. Designed to grip the ball for increased spin, though not quite as durable as standard ALU Power due to the texturing.
Big Banger Original Rough in short
The textured version of the legendary Big Banger Original adds enhanced spin potential to the original's legendary durability and control. Same low-power, high-control characteristics as the original but with a textured surface for better ball grip.
ALU Power Rough vs Big Banger Original Rough: quick answers
Which has more spin, ALU Power Rough or Big Banger Original Rough?
Luxilon ALU Power Rough, with a spin rating of 9/10 against 8/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Luxilon ALU Power Rough scores 2/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for Big Banger Original Rough. It is recommended from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough rates 9/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
ALU Power Rough costs about $21–22 a set and Big Banger Original Rough about $14–16, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (ALU Power Rough) and 2025-01 (Big Banger Original Rough).