String comparison
Poly Plasma vs Tour Bite
Signum Pro Poly Plasma against Solinco Tour Bite: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Poly Plasma leads on power, comfort and tension hold. Tour Bite leads on spin, control and durability. For a junior with arm concerns, Poly Plasma is the safer choice. Poly Plasma 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 Poly Plasma if…
- You want more power (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (6 vs 3 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 7 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 15)
- You want to spend less (from $8 vs $10 a set)
- Best for: players frustrated by tension loss
- Best for: control-oriented baseliners
- Best for: players seeking consistent response over time
Pick Tour Bite if…
- You want more spin (10 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more control (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more durability (9 vs 8 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 | Poly Plasma | Tour Bite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Round co-polyester monofilament with added resin | Square-shaped co-polyester with sharp edges |
| Gauges | 16, 16L, 17L | 16, 16L, 17, 19, 20 |
| Stiffness | Medium | High |
| Set price | $8–11 | $10–12 |
| Reel price | $80–100 | $130–150 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 1/5 · Not arm friendly |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 12 | Age 15 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Excellent tension maintenance allows consistent play. | 44-48 lbs for juniors. String low due to stiffness - string feels firmer than it strings. |
Poly Plasma in short
Signum Pro Poly Plasma is the flagship co-poly from the German manufacturer, voted String of the Year 2004 by Tennis Magazin Germany and 2005 by Stringforum.net readers. One of the first colored co-polyester strings available, Poly Plasma is known for exceptional tension maintenance - one of the best in its class. The added resin creates predictable, controlled response that inspires confidence on full swings without feeling overly stiff or anemic outside the sweetspot.
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.
Poly Plasma vs Tour Bite: quick answers
Which has more spin, Poly Plasma or Tour Bite?
Solinco Tour Bite, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 7/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Signum Pro Poly Plasma scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for Tour Bite. It is recommended from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
Solinco Tour Bite rates 9/10 for durability against 8/10.
Which is cheaper?
Poly Plasma costs about $8–11 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 (Poly Plasma) and 2025-01 (Tour Bite).