Bio F3.0T 2nd review

 I had 2 doubles sets playing with Bio F3.0T. In comparison with my regular AG300 was that BF30T because of its thick beam, cant get a topspin backhand; I shanked them. With BF30T, the serves had more power, groundstrokes more power and plush (less spin prob due to string pattern and string selection), volleys were plusher, slices were OK, and overhead were OK. The weight is just right, not light or heavy and at 308g unstrung, no need for lead tape or other customization, just rubber dampener for that ping sound. This is one of those racquet that I be comfortable just bring it to the court. My pinky was still sore but not as bad. 

Syn gut stiffness

 About last year, I experienced sore wrist unlike ever before on the same racquet (Pro Staff 97) but with a different string. I had a really bad wrist pain before but it was from using a light but stiff racquet (Six One Lite). On the PS97, I previously strung it with Prince Topspin, then Babolat multi, and the latest with Prince SG Duraflex. I never had any problem using syngut before (mostly Wilson or Babolat SG). The Prince SGD was thought to be the best, but after reading the TW string comparison, PSGD rates high for stiffness (188 compare to Babolat at 162). Touching by hand, PGSD feels stiff compare to Gamma or Babolat which are strung on my other racquet. PGSD due quite durable, the one in the PS97 had frayed but still unbroken.

Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour (1st tries)

 Have been using my new or mint Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour over several practice hours. The string was vintage Gamma syntgut 17g at 52; the string is smooth at first. The first hitting session were not good, did not connect at all, the backhand was terrible; ball landed on net.

The second time was on game practice, brought also a CX 200 Tour 18x20. Practice game with it and the serves were good, forehand still trying to figure it out (not hugging the ball like AG300), the power was there, volley was OK, backhand drive is still struggling but the control and comfort was OK. Add 1.5grams on 3 and 9. I dont like the porsche-cadillac analogy below, cadillac seems slow and powerless; the author must meant powerful but comfortable.

Note: edited this blog and bold the author comment on modern grip; no wonder, played better with AG version

From tennis.com:

According to Bruce Levine, Racquet Advisor for Tennis Magazine, the F3.0, compared to last year’s Biomimetic 300 Tour, is “clearly a different racquet. Due to its wider head size and throat, the F3.0 felt much more stable than older generations, and played comfortably all over the court without negative vibrations. To take an analogy: It looks and smells like a Porsche. But when you drive it, it has a lot of the characteristics of a Cadillac.” Several of our 4.0 and 4.5 playtesters agreed, claiming that, on groundstrokes as well as volleys, the racquet struck a nice balance between power, maneuverability, and plowthrough. Although baseline grinders might find the racquet’s spin potential lacking due to the closed string pattern—and old-school players may miss the heftier, more traditional feel of the 300 Tour—all-courters with modern grips should profit from the 3.0’s ample, control-oriented pop.

CX 200 Tour 18x20 versions update

 In 2021, Dunlop released update to CX 200 Tour 18x20 with new color (red black) instead of (black red). The newer version, 3rd iteration got lower score with overall less plow through feedback from TW testers.

Racket review: Aerogel 300, Radical OS, CX 200 Tour 18x20

In my playing session, I always bought 2 racquets because I mostly using backpack, at max 2 racquet. Last friday on indoor court, I brought Radical OS and Aerogel 300. After several games using RadOS, I changed to Aerogel 300. Radical OS is not a doubles racquet, really hard to control the volleys. 

On Sunday on outdoor court, I brought the RadOS and CX 200 Tour 18x20. Also starts with RadOS but the volleys were not as confident, so changed to CX Tour. The CX Tour got new lead setup is at 10 and 2 with total of 3 grams. At 12, the lead seems stiffen the racquet. After 2 games, the racquet was stable and comfortable, no pinky pain. The spin was there but not much, the string was moving a lot even though I am using syngut 17g.

Fake equipment

 Been buying equipment online, though read about fake equipment, you never expect until you experienced one. Bought a head liquidmetal, turns out a fake: the paint finish was not good especially on the liquidmetal corner, the condition was also bad, normal but heavy usage. Next was string, the packaging was awful, the print out and paper was different, no gauge size, and the no brand and type printed out on the string. Turns out, previously I bought old prince strings that may as well fake too. Beware of fake equipments especialy string because it may cost little but unusable.

Racquet head shape

 Here are the pictures of head shape taken from TW site. They are pretty accurate as I have them. Six One Team (SOT) looks bigger than PS97 but the SOT beam is thicker. Aerogel 300 is very polarized.

They are in sq inch: MW 200G (95), Six One Team (95), PS97 (97), AG 300 (98), Bio F3.0 Tour (98), Tour 100L (100), Warrior 107 (107), Radical OS (107).

Fed Backhand Volley

 Just noticed from watching online video of Fed practicing volley, Fed preparation for backhand volley is high and the swing is long. The result must be full of spin. From the picture: the ball was dipping but Fed takeback was still from high position.

Racquet Balance: polarization and stiffness

Racquet customization will impact with racquet polar, making it polarized or depolarized. In my short experience, a polarized racquet may benefit lead at 3 and 9 making it slight depolarized for more stability, for example on Aerogel 300 with 3grams total at 3&9. A depolarized racquet with wide body and low power such as CX 200 Tour may benefit with lead at 12 for polarized effect. The 6.1 BLX team added at 10 and 2 because has that elongated but flatten top corner. 

In addition, adding lead at 12 can feel like it stiffen the racquet by making it more powerful and plow through. The addition of lead at the top made it the upper hoop to bend less and might send the shock to the handle. 

 

Racquet finder (con't)

I am going to continue the post, I wrote about my racquet line up. The last time was on Prince Tour 100L. 

In 2018, I bought another Pro Staff 97 v10 as a backup for the first PS97. This racquet is now been sold at 2/3 of its purchase price. As mentioned in the previous blog, I had wrist pain from using this racquet and moved on to other arm-friendlier racquet.

In 2019, I bought a brand new old stock Head Youtek Radical OS at a bargain (half off from $189). I put a leather grip on it but kind of made it too big with overgrip and hurt my thumb. As of now, I put back a synthetic grip and played better. The grip was Head traditional rectangular grip so a leather grip made it one size up. With a tight string pattern (18x19), the strokes are flat, swing easy, good power. Currently with technifibre syngut 16g.

In early 2020, I was then browsing online and found a used Prince Textreme Warrior 107. New Prince racquet is rare in Indonesia, so at about half off a new one ($80), I bought it. The racquet is great at slicing but still not be able to maintain the power, may need spin a friendly string. It does not need dampener because already muted from the big headsize and thick frame. 

After several weeks not playing due to the pandemic, I found that the Pro Staff 97 gives me wrist pain. I actually felt it for a long time, I sometimes wear wristband day after playing with it which I thought was normal. But then, I read tennisnerd where he mentioned about the stiffness of PS97, it had me thinking to try others, especially player's racquet.

I remember a friend was selling Wilson Ultra Tour, I regretted not buying it because having fun with PS97. He mentioned that the UT was very low powered. But, then he told me that he is trying to sell Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20. Then, I read about it and was interested but at the same time I found online, someone selling the 16x19 version. So, I bought the 16x19 version at secondhand price around $80, the racquet is like new and clean. The 18x20 comes with some knicks and scratch but overall good. These racquet plays similar but very lighthead that it needs lead, most of the shots landed short and a bit unstable on stock. My current setup for both are around 3-4 grams of lead at 12 o'clock.

After that Dunlop, starting reading and found a seller selling brand new old Dunlop racquets. First, I bought the Hot Melt 200G, for around $15, which is heavy and low powered. It is so soft that it needs leather grip. The price was bargain, so I bought another one (might sell the unstrung one). 

Then, I bought another Dunlop, Aerogel 300, for around $50, just for trying but turns out, it is my go to racquet now. With current setup 3 grams on 3-9, synth grip, rubber dampener, and spin friendly string, the power and balance are just right, not too light or heavy. I have another one for spare. The tinny feel is there and with leather grip, it send shocks to my pinky. 

Bought a Prince Blade 107, for $25, might be an asian version of Precision Lite 107, in purple. Lend this to a friend for use.

I just myself another Dunlop, Biomimetic F3.0 Tour which have not strung and will see how it goes.

[to be continue]

PS97 and Radical OS setup

 For the last two tennis sessions, I brought my Wilson PS97 v10 (synth grip + 2 over grip) and Head IG YT Radical OS (synth grip + 1 over grip). In the first session, we were using weeks old balls, so the control from the ball was hard, using the PS97 works better. But in the second session, we were using new balls. Dont know whether my swing speed was off or the string has softened up, I just cant find any power or control from PS97 on the new balls. So, I switched to Rad OS which has bigger head size but tighter string in the center. Voila, the power and control was better, and I can swing more confidently. Summary: Rad OS with synthetic grip and overgrip feels good. Reminds me of Dunlop Aerogel 300 of its power and easy swing. 

Doubles positioning

 Below is picture of Bryan brothers, see how they position themselves at ready position; closer to service line then to the net. They are tall but this is to avoid lobs. At this position, be ready for low volleys.

PS97 update

 Sold a PS97, so only have one PS97, which is the 1st one I bought. This one is lighter than the latter one, it swings easier. Strung with a prince syngut 16, it has now started to frayed and will using it until it breaks. Used to put leather grip, had great feel but it may sends vibration to the wrist, making it sore. The current setup from last session was: synthetic grip, 2 thin overgrips, and rubber band dampener. The spin was there but was using worn balls, control was good but nothing special. The 2 overgrips seems a bit big but more stable. Overall: muted, might need spin friendly strings.

Radical OS update

 Been using the YT IG Radical OS, the current setup is using synthetic grip, overgrip, and rubber band dampener. The feel is still the same, feels soft and a bit flimsy. The power is certainly there, need to spin on it, without the spin the ball will bounce really high. Overall, a fun racquet for singles game.

Six One Team customization

 Six One Team (SOT) was my first racquet that I bought after using Ultra 95 from early 90s. Have not customized it until 2019. It is a light but balanced racquet, so I thought it may not need customization. But, there was something missing from this racquet, it is missing stability and plow through, plus a small sweetspot. Tried leather grip but grip was too big. Add lead on 3 and 9 but loss of power. Then, moved the lead to 12 (11 to 1) around 3grams (6 inches * 2). Tried it yesterday, plow and stability was better. 

Current racquet swingweight

 Below is the swingweight of the frames in collection, the swingweight is taken from TW website:

Racquet	Weight unstrung (grams)	Weight strung (grams)	Swingweight strung (grams)	Current modification
Pro Staff 97	315	324	329	Overgrip, rb dampener
CX 200 Tour 18x20	315	330	318	Leather grip, overgrip, lead 3g
CX 200 Tour 16x19	310	325	317	Leather grip, overgrip, lead 3g
Aerogel 300	290	305	316	Overgrip, lead 3g, rb dampener
Hot Melt 200G	320	336	316	Leather grip, overgrip
YT Radical OS	295	315	315	Overgrip, rb dampener
Six One Team	289	303	318	Lead 3g, dampener
Warrior 107	300	318	317	Leather grip, overgrip
Tour 100L	270	285	285	Lead 3g, overgrip

PS97 and AG300 (and additional power)

 Had two tennis sessions in the past 2 weeks: all doubles games and indoor. The 1st week using PS97 and then AG300. Less playing with CX due to sore pinky from leather grips (culprit maybe) on AG300. There was a slight change when I was playing AG300. The week before when playing with PS97, teammates mentioned that my strokes could have more power and it made me think, this PS97 should have more power than my regular CX. I was feeling slugish when using the PS, several of my overheads hit the net. 

So, watched videos of Patrick Mouratoglu, and one of his advice is to add power from your leg by going forward. I tried that advice combined with AG300 current setup (rubber band). The result were better from my perspective, more power and more control even from AG300. The current AG300 set up is lead at 3 and 9, syn grip, overgrip, rubber band dampener.

New balls

 My past two sessions were doubles, using new balls, and using CX 200 Tour: the 16x19 on indoor court and 18x20 on outdoor court. Total of 3 wins and 2 loss, thats is not bad. Tried also the AG300 but felt too bouncy, less control. Using the CX 200T esp. the balls rarely goes far, mostly dips on the service line. Also not using AG300 because gave my sore pinky. Will also try the Head RadOS 107 after changing the grip to synthetic. 

Practice set match CX 200 Tour 16x19

 Had a practice set with CX 200 Tour 16x19. The AG300 (with leather grip) hurts my pinky and tried other racquet. I won 7-5. Pretty frustrated at 5-5 because my opponent was starting to realise my low powered racquet. But then I just embraced this low powered racquet and slices bounced low. Ball flies higher compare to 18x20 but with not much spin and bounce. If you look at TNerd using it you can see that his opponent struggle with the low bounce. I changed the grip with leather and add 4.5grams at 3 and 9. The new version on red are more appealing but the this old version is more stealthy.

Prince Precision Blade 107

Recently got a mint condition Prince Precision Blade 107. Strung weight at 312grams w/o overgrip. No information in WWW for this one. Slight head heavy. Tested playing with it, and pretty decent despite heavy swing. Not as lively as Warrior 107.