My Dunlop Bio 400 Tour review

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by neverstopplaying

I restung today with full Cyclone 56/54. After 10 minutes of settling in, I definitely prefer the 400T with full poly. Cyclone is quite lively for a poly, and combined with the shaped poly, it was a great experience with power, spin and control. All shots were better except service return, where MCS was better. I could feel the extra stiffness with full poly, but no discomfort.

I hit for 5 minutes with an x10-325 (also full Cyclone) to compare: still a nice stick. not much difference on rally shots, much more comfortable, but less plow through when going for winners. I serve noticeably better with the 400T.

Curious about the tension drop in the crosses. I know Volkl and Yonex for example recommend this but I have not heard of this on a Dunlop with full job of the same string? Is this due to the more rectangular head shape?

[Ross K]

As I'm not so up on Dunlop, I'm just wondering how do the 400 Tour and 500 compare? How do they differ? Thanks

[getsby]

if you believe the reviews and feedback on TW, many speak of the Bio 400 Tour as the control oriented stick. In this regard, may be better to multifilament setup?

[neverstopplaying]

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

Curious about the tension drop in the crosses. I know Volkl and Yonex for example recommend this but I have not heard of this on a Dunlop with full job of the same string? Is this due to the more rectangular head shape?

I read about this in some posts a few years ago and do it with all brands. The rationale had to do with the length of crosses vs. mains to even out the power. Does it make a difference? How knows?As I often use Volkl/BB, I know that they seem to recommend it specifically due to placement of the stiffer nanocarbons, but all racquets use these nano carbons now.

[neverstopplaying]

Originally Posted by Ross K

As I'm not so up on Dunlop, I'm just wondering how do the 400 Tour and 500 compare? How do they differ? Thanks

I've played the 4D-AG500T and own a AG500T, but not a Bio 500T, so my comparisons may not be accurate.

400T (with my mods) vs. 500T:

Both racquets are serving monsters.
500T has more raw power
500T feels hollow
500T has stiffness that has caused discomfort to me and many other posters
500T can be played stock
500T requires fast swing with topspin only to keep balls in play, and I would say is a more 1 dimensional stick
500T has considerably less feel.
400T is more powerful that a traditional players stick but I can't consider it a tweener.
400T with lead has amazing plow though, precision and spin
400T feels solid (with lead and leather)
400T considerably better 1HBH and slice
400T more solid on serve returns
400T is stiff, but not harsh and has not caused any discomfort yet (which I would have felt with a 500T, PD, PB8, BB Pro, etc)

Hope this helps.

[neverstopplaying]

Originally Posted by getsby

if you believe the reviews and feedback on TW, many speak of the Bio 400 Tour as the control oriented stick. In this regard, may be better to multifilament setup?

IMO it will depend somewhat on your game, type of court, and joint health.

I would not say that the 400T is a Dunlop control stick. The 100, 200, and to some extend the 300 are control sticks. The 500, 600 are tweeners. If think that the 400 can be played by either the 300 or 500 players but is different than either of them.

It has a fair bit of power, but very controllable, and a full poly has given me more confidence to hit aggressively. The ball comes at the opponent very quickly and the poly brings it down fast at the baseline, where it kicks up a heavy ball. It's quite addictive.

Note that I play indoors only from Oct-Apr, as close to the baseline as possible and with no wind; I may still choose a hybrid when switching to the outdoor courts on clay, where I'm further back and have to deal with weather.

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by neverstopplaying

IMO it will depend somewhat on your game, type of court, and joint health.

I would not say that the 400T is a Dunlop control stick. The 100, 200, and to some extend the 300 are control sticks. The 500, 600 are tweeners. If think that the 400 can be played by either the 300 or 500 players but is different than either of them.

It has a fair bit of power, but very controllable, and a full poly has given me more confidence to hit aggressively. The ball comes at the opponent very quickly and the poly brings it down fast at the baseline, where it kicks up a heavy ball. It's quite addictive.

Note that I play indoors only from Oct-Apr, as close to the baseline as possible and with no wind; I may still choose a hybrid when switching to the outdoor courts on clay, where I'm further back and have to deal with weather.

Thanks for all the great info on this frame. Is it possible to tell us your specs with your mods installed. Where is the placement of the lead on the loop? The static weight? You have a balance point of 6 points HL..correct? What leather grip did you install? Are you using a vibration dampener?

[neverstopplaying]

Originally Posted by SteveI

Thanks for all the great info on this frame. Is it possible to tell us your specs with your mods installed. Where is the placement of the lead on the loop? The static weight? You have a balance point of 6 points HL..correct? What leather grip did you install? Are you using a vibration dampener?

static weight: 350gm
balance: still 9pt HL
est SW: 318 (may be slightly higher as I think stock weight was over spec)

4 - 1/4" TW lead strips installed on each side of strings in hoop, centered on 3 and 9.
Leather grip is TW 1.3mm
vibration dampener is new Dunlop bio original (nice design)

I'm glad the info is helping. I started this thread as all previous posts (except TW Spencer) mentioned that the 400T needs mods, so now we an opinion with mods.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by neverstopplaying

I've played the 4D-AG500T and own a AG500T, but not a Bio 500T, so my comparisons may not be accurate.

400T (with my mods) vs. 500T:

Both racquets are serving monsters.
500T has more raw power
500T feels hollow
500T has stiffness that has caused discomfort to me and many other posters
500T can be played stock
500T requires fast swing with topspin only to keep balls in play, and I would say is a more 1 dimensional stick
500T has considerably less feel.
400T is more powerful that a traditional players stick but I can't consider it a tweener.
400T with lead has amazing plow though, precision and spin
400T feels solid (with lead and leather)
400T considerably better 1HBH and slice
400T more solid on serve returns
400T is stiff, but not harsh and has not caused any discomfort yet (which I would have felt with a 500T, PD, PB8, BB Pro, etc)

Hope this helps.

Thanks very much indeed, that's really helpful... you're certainly tweaking my interest in the 400 Tour. On a different note, I reckon Donald Young's supposed adoption of this frame is going to escalate interest too.

[getsby]

IMO for stiff sticks good choice multi or a very soft poly, regardless of court type and style of your game.

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Thanks very much indeed, that's really helpful... you're certainly tweaking my interest in the 400 Tour. On a different note, I reckon Donald Young's supposed adoption of this frame is going to escalate interest too.

Who is Donald Young???

[getsby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4PES7c5w5k

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by getsby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4PES7c5w5k

It was a joke...he is a "NEVER BEEN".... Him using a Dunlop 400 Tour is not going to selling any frames...

Steve

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by neverstopplaying

static weight: 350gm
balance: still 9pt HL
est SW: 318 (may be slightly higher as I think stock weight was over spec)

4 - 1/4" TW lead strips installed on each side of strings in hoop, centered on 3 and 9.
Leather grip is TW 1.3mm
vibration dampener is new Dunlop bio original (nice design)

I'm glad the info is helping. I started this thread as all previous posts (except TW Spencer) mentioned that the 400T needs mods, so now we an opinion with mods.

Added some weight to the hoop of my 400 tour and will compare with a stock 400 tour to see how much a little weight in the hoop can improve an already great racquet. I want to check the swing weight of my stock stick as I think the swing weight is higher than what TW has reported. Will report back after a bit more court time.

[getsby]

2Murray fan1, how and where exactly lead tape you added?

[Murray_fan1]

I added 1/4 inch lead tape on either side of the strings along the hoop ranging from about 10 -2 . I attached to lead to the hoop the same way as Neverstopplaying with electrical tape on top. I tried to fix it without but the dimple finish on the hoop would not allow the lead tape to stick. If I end up keeping this stick with the lead installed I will end up putting it under the bumper grommets.

[neverstopplaying]

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

If I end up keeping this stick with the lead installed I will end up putting it under the bumper grommets.

Since some grommets are flaired I guess you will have to buy an extra grommet set and also lose the flaires on the new grommets, unless you know how to create the flaire.

Is there another way? I will want to do the same if I stick with the 400t.

[Murray_fan1]

You would have to buy a flairing tool

[Murray_fan1]

Neverstopplaying,


Just thought I would give this thread a bump. I have been concentrating mainly on my Melbourne as of late so haven't had much time with the 400 Tour. Just wondering how your are making out.

[RacketFever]

Any of you guys hit with the 400 tour and the ig prestige pro? Can you compare the two?