Boris Becker (BB) London Club

[coolblue123]

Hi TMav: Do you know when's the new gripper coming out? I saw it on TW website that it mentioned Gripper as a new string? So I was wondering. Dying to try it on my 315 and London.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by coolblue123

Hi TMav: Do you know when's the new gripper coming out? I saw it on TW website that it mentioned Gripper as a new string? So I was wondering. Dying to try it on my 315 and London.

It's not coming-up until February, and will probably retail between $14-$16. Send me an email; I may have a set...I'd have to look later today.

[djNEiGht]

what's new/different with the gripper being released in february? gripper is on my short list in my string hunt and I wonder if i should just wait for the new one.

cheers

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by djNEiGht

what's new/different with the gripper being released in february? gripper is on my short list in my string hunt and I wonder if i should just wait for the new one.

cheers

They took the silver spiral out. The new Gripper plays livelier and cups the ball more. It's like a non-gummy NRG2. What you lose in dwell time, you gain in cupping action. I really liked the old Gripper in my PB 10 Mid because it enhanced the already long dwell time of the stick. Someday, I will throw the new Gripper in to check-it-out, even though I am playing with the London Tour, where the new string helps the 18x20 string bed with more control/spin.

[TennisTulku]

So, I have been playing primarily with the Volkl Organix 8 300 the last three months and also have the BB London in the bag with me whenever I play. Up until now, I haven't been able to fully wrap my mind / body around the London. I play the X8, really like the balance, spin, power, serve but find the control just a little erratic. At times, the flight path of the ball seems too exaggerated given the shot attempted. Yet, I do enjoy the spin this racquet allows. I've also played with lead, and find that going beyond 1 gram (seriously!) feels too heavy for me on this racquet.

Moving on to the London... occasionally I take the London out for warm up, or practice the serve or play a set with it. I notice tighter control but I can't seem to do it all with it yet.

I wonder if there is a gradual acclimation going on here... I played almost 3 hours of singles tonight and was getting in the groove so I pulled the London out in set #2. I felt like I was really clicking with it. Hitting with more control than the X8. Serving just as well, and then swinging out with full power on some obvious forehand shots. Strange. When I first got this racquet I was on the fence about it and thought there was a 50/50 chance it would work with my game. I think it just may have taken some time to warm up to it.

If anyone else has used the X8 and the London, is there another racquet that you also liked? In the London's favor, I'm in love with the idea of the 98 inch head size and will be demoing the Volkl X10 295 and PB9 soon.

Thanks everyone

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by TennisTulku

So, I have been playing primarily with the Volkl Organix 8 300 the last three months and also have the BB London in the bag with me whenever I play. Up until now, I haven't been able to fully wrap my mind / body around the London. I play the X8, really like the balance, spin, power, serve but find the control just a little erratic. At times, the flight path of the ball seems too exaggerated given the shot attempted. Yet, I do enjoy the spin this racquet allows. I've also played with lead, and find that going beyond 1 gram (seriously!) feels too heavy for me on this racquet.

Moving on to the London... occasionally I take the London out for warm up, or practice the serve or play a set with it. I notice tighter control but I can't seem to do it all with it yet.

I wonder if there is a gradual acclimation going on here... I played almost 3 hours of singles tonight and was getting in the groove so I pulled the London out in set #2. I felt like I was really clicking with it. Hitting with more control than the X8. Serving just as well, and then swinging out with full power on some obvious forehand shots. Strange. When I first got this racquet I was on the fence about it and thought there was a 50/50 chance it would work with my game. I think it just may have taken some time to warm up to it.

If anyone else has used the X8 and the London, is there another racquet that you also liked? In the London's favor, I'm in love with the idea of the 98 inch head size and will be demoing the Volkl X10 295 and PB9 soon.

Thanks everyone

There is a cross-over with these two frames. The London has more touch, and the X8 300 has more club, but they are both for players whose swing approaches the ball less violently. The London works best for groundstrokers who grind the ball on-contact, hit spin, slice in-particular serves, and have a follow-through on their volleys. The X8 300 works best for topspinners whose racquet head speed is not crazy fast/violent. It also clubs short balls and can handle volleys with short volley technique. Basically, if you hit with spin but your racquet head speed is moderate, then both of these stick may work. If you're more of a basher, go with the X8; if you are more nuanced, go with the London. If the ball flies with the London, increase your racquet head speed or string tighter.

[coolblue123]

Originally Posted by TennisTulku

So, I have been playing primarily with the Volkl Organix 8 300 the last three months and also have the BB London in the bag with me whenever I play. Up until now, I haven't been able to fully wrap my mind / body around the London. I play the X8, really like the balance, spin, power, serve but find the control just a little erratic. At times, the flight path of the ball seems too exaggerated given the shot attempted. Yet, I do enjoy the spin this racquet allows. I've also played with lead, and find that going beyond 1 gram (seriously!) feels too heavy for me on this racquet.

Moving on to the London... occasionally I take the London out for warm up, or practice the serve or play a set with it. I notice tighter control but I can't seem to do it all with it yet.

I wonder if there is a gradual acclimation going on here... I played almost 3 hours of singles tonight and was getting in the groove so I pulled the London out in set #2. I felt like I was really clicking with it. Hitting with more control than the X8. Serving just as well, and then swinging out with full power on some obvious forehand shots. Strange. When I first got this racquet I was on the fence about it and thought there was a 50/50 chance it would work with my game. I think it just may have taken some time to warm up to it.

If anyone else has used the X8 and the London, is there another racquet that you also liked? In the London's favor, I'm in love with the idea of the 98 inch head size and will be demoing the Volkl X10 295 and PB9 soon.

Thanks everyone

Currently, I am using the X8 315 and the London (as my backup, although it's turning into my primary again) Iam one of the prescribers of TMav's "One foot on two boats," of tennis racquet selection. Thankfully, unlike with woman, it's not tearing me as badly apart yet.

Let me guess, the X8 feels too heavy while swinging vs the London? Does the racquet seem like it's swinging and not you? Is the net play not as responsive as the London? I've wrapped around 0.5 oz of lead around the handle and 0.2 oz around the 5 and 7. Total weight of my X8 is now around 12.6 oz. Now it swings more similarlly like a weighted London.

Primary, I use the X8 for singles and "Old Reliable London," for practice and doubles. IMO, I felt that with the X8, it keeps me on top of my game because, although it's a very comfy and has a large sweetspot; if I become lazy on the X8, chances are it'll fly off the baseline. The London is more forgiving in my groundies, if I am semi-sloppy: still keeps the ball in, and placement is still where I wanted around. On the other hand, with the London, I can't generate the effortless power and as much spin of the X8.

Depends on the game you like to play. I play different styles, my singles game is mostly bash or crash. My doubles is mostly touch and placement (my doubles partner always yells at me when i mess up. =( )

[coolblue123]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

There is a cross-over with these two frames. The London has more touch, and the X8 300 has more club, but they are both for players whose swing approaches the ball less violently. The London works best for groundstrokers who grind the ball on-contact, hit spin, slice in-particular serves, and have a follow-through on their volleys. The X8 300 works best for topspinners whose racquet head speed is not crazy fast/violent. It also clubs short balls and can handle volleys with short volley technique. Basically, if you hit with spin but your racquet head speed is moderate, then both of these stick may work. If you're more of a basher, go with the X8; if you are more nuanced, go with the London. If the ball flies with the London, increase your racquet head speed or string tighter.

TMav: I am eagerly awaiting that in between racquet coming out you mentioned before? X9, if I remember correctly?

[AndrewID]

Hi! Could someone write the most popular mods for London?
im getting stick next week and want to be prepaired.
Thanx in advance

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by AndrewID

Hi! Could someone write the most popular mods for London?
im getting stick next week and want to be prepaired.
Thanx in advance

The London is tricky to mod, so here is my recommendation:

Take 1/4" tape and cut it in half (or 1/2" tape and quarter it) to 1/8" wide. Cut four strips either 8" or 10" long.

I personally run 4 strips of 1/8" tape 10" long starting at the top of the DC material (the maroon material on the sides of the hoop), approximately the third cross from the top down to around the 7th main from the bottom center, or just wherever that runs out. I put two 3" strips of 1/4" tape inside the throat on each side--the "Y" below the hoop. I also put 2 layers of athletic tape over the bumper, from the beginning of the lead on each side with no overlap. Finally, get a leather grip or heavy synthetic. I use the Gamma Hi-Tech, which is just a little lighter than the leather.

And btw, the London Bridges thread is full of customization and string recommendations. Check it out.

[AndrewID]

Many thanx Pneumated1
yep, alot of info there and hard to decide which way to go )

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by AndrewID

Hi! Could someone write the most popular mods for London?
im getting stick next week and want to be prepaired.
Thanx in advance

Why don't u try it stock with no mods first? Becker made it that way for a reason. Its amazing that people assume a racquet NEEDS any mods before first trying it stock. Mods can also make the racquet less playable.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Why don't u try it stock with no mods first? Becker made it that way for a reason. Its amazing that people assume a racquet NEEDS any mods before first trying it stock. Mods can also make the racquet less playable.

You modify a racquet to your own personal specs to remove all possible variables except for how the stick fits each and every shot. Unless you are specifically play testing a frame for its own worth, modifying the frame before bringing it on-court is SOP and what players typically do. Which is why 5-10 minutes tells you all you need to know, if that much; there is no variable but the player.

[AndrewID]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Why don't u try it stock with no mods first? Becker made it that way for a reason. Its amazing that people assume a racquet NEEDS any mods before first trying it stock. Mods can also make the racquet less playable.

Of course i will try! Just want to hear few most popular mods - thats all)

[coolblue123]

Originally Posted by AndrewID

Of course i will try! Just want to hear few most popular mods - thats all)

Jack's right. Nowadays, I bring a roll of lead to the courts and mod it after testing it naked on the court. Usually first feel is the best.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by AndrewID

Of course i will try! Just want to hear few most popular mods - thats all)

Read through the "London Bridges" thread. The Truth Is In There...

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by AndrewID

Of course i will try! Just want to hear few most popular mods - thats all)

The London doesn't take well to lead tape. If you like it stock, you will be much better off. Its got a respectable swingweight and doesn't get pushed around, so I never saw a reason to add lead. If you really insist it feels too light for you, just add a leather grip and add 1 or 2 grams at 12 o'clock. That should be all you need.

[coolblue123]

imo, I think it really depends on personal preference on lead. For me I felt the london was alittle light. I added a total of 2oz of lead on the handle and 5 and 7 position and out serves better and I can handle hard hitters.
just take it out and adjust accordingly...

[coolblue123]

sorry. I meant 1.5 oz total of 12.5 oz..
cool thing was that it didn't swing heavy at all...

[msalamon]

Add me as a member--I love the London---play it stock --I found that the best setups are:
full bed of B5E
B5E main, tech biPhase cross
Genesis Twisted Razor main, biphase cross

I tried optic nerve, hyperion, and typhoon as well but dod not like them as much