The Laserfibre JB Tour 100 tested by Mike! This string offers a lively playing feel and fine touch combined with good tension retention. Alternative for the Luxilon Alu Power.
Now that the new outdoor season is underway, it is high time to test new strings. We will be doing that a lot in the coming weeks! Mike has tested this JB Tour 100 on the crushed bricks the past 2 weeks. Before that, he has also made a lot of flying hours with this string on the carpet in the hall.
Specifications:
Judgement:
- Durability : 8
- Voltage retention : 8.5
- Spin : 7
- Ball feel : 7.5
- Power : 8
- Control : 8.5
- Comfort : 7.5
Mike tested the Laserfibre JB Tour 100 in a Diadem Elevate 98 racket, strung at 22/21 kg .
Durability/Voltage maintenance
The JB Tour 100 is positioned by Laserfibre itself as one of the best alternatives of the moment for the Luxilon Alu Power. This string is co-developed by former number 4 of the world James Blake, hence the addition JB.
If we compare the JB Tour 100 with the Alu Power in terms of durability, I dare say that the JB Tour 100 is more wear-resistant. This string also plays consistently for longer due to less tension loss. However, the string does not have the lively feeling that a fresh Alu Power offers. The string does last longer.Spin
This JB Tour 100 feels a bit thicker than the Alu Power 1.25. In terms of thickness, both strings should be the same, but the Laserfibre string feels a bit more massive. In my opinion, that has advantages in terms of consistency, but in terms of liveliness and spin you lose something compared to the Alu Power. The spin is reasonable to good, but not exceptional like a Diadem Solstice Power 17 or Babolat RPM Blast. This string is not really built for that. For easier access to ball rotation, Laserfibre has, among others, the Laser EDGE and Laser REV.Ball feel and comfort
The ball feel of this string is pleasant, certainly at a lower number of kilos. There is more touch in it than in the Alu Power. The so-called 'ball pocketing' (grabbing the ball in the strings) is easy, which allowed me to play nice touch volleys, slices and controlled lobs. With the Alu Power the balls pop off a bit more. An additional advantage of this ball pocketing is also a pleasant dampening playing feel. Not so much as a Luxilon Element or the new Luxilon Smart, of which an extensive review will follow soon. The comfort is above average for poly concepts.
