Volkl / Becker11 Info and Playtest

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
I've got a Becker11 and will be playtesting, but thought to provide some prelim info for those interested:

Specs taken from the frame itself:
98
11.5 oz - 325gms
1.3" HL - 31cm
20mm
18x20

There will be two other Becker11's forthcoming
-a 295grams one with 16mains - i think avail in August
-a limited edition of 500 numbered and autographed Tweaked in Germany frames with Beckers' exact specifications - availablity unknown ...price=expensive ;)

This frame is bright glossy orange and the attention to detail is really quite excellent even for Volkl standards. The DNX material is a silver finish and there are black/gray accents

They have a new handle/grip system called Sensor Plus which offers even more shock absorption I am told. THE GRIP SHAPE IS DEFINITELY MORE SQUARE

The DNX material has been expanded and repositioned compared to the regular Volkl DNX frames. It has been elongated and positioned on the outside of the frame rather than the inside with some additional material at both ends which wrap around the frame. On the collar cuff, they have extended the material up the inside of the shaft. Composition unknown, but I think Hi Mod Graphite/Fiberglass/DNX.

This frame is closest to the DNX10MP which I have been using, so am really looking forward to hitting this one. It is a totally new frame and not from the same mold as the Gen1/dnx10MP

I've got it strung w. Klip Excellerator17 at 53 which matches what I have in one of my dnx10mp's. I'll post a playtest review when I've spent enough time with her, and am hoping this hamstring wont cause me too much trouble.

later on.......Mojo
 
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meh

Semi-Pro
NBMJ, could you provide as guesstimate on the SW of that BB11 (along with your DNX10 MP)? I was surprised that you switched from the T10 MP thinking it felt too heavy; the two you sold me came in at 318g and 320g, respectively, and IMO they swing much easier than the DNX 9 and are more stable as well. The DNX 10 MP for me was a log too, the demo swung even heavier than the Wilson 6.1. I think you mentioned that the later DNX 10 MP's were a bit more headlight though. Looking forwards to your observations.

Now I'm excited for the BB11 295 though. After playing with those trimmed T10 MP's, the similar spec line on the BB11 295 sounds perfect (maybe I'll need just a bit of lead).
 

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
NBMJ,
I had a few questions I hoped you could answer...

1. Is this frame produced by Volkl?
2. If it is, when the need to badge it as a Becker?
3. What is Servman, and how much prescence will it have here in the states?

I have just been a bit confused at the reasoning for the racket given that is very similiar to current Volkl rackets.

I think Becker is trying to position the racket as an independent product, which is fine, but I will always inevitably compare it with other volks because of becker's relationship with volkl, and becase I think volkl produces the frame...

I am interested in playing with the racket, it is very similiar to the Volkl classic 7's of the old days...
 

bagung

Hall of Fame
THE GRIP SHAPE IS DEFINITELY MORE SQUARE

i love that.......
really looking forward to know how it plays against dnx-10 mid too.
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
NBMJ, could you provide as guesstimate on the SW of that BB11 (along with your DNX10 MP)? I was surprised that you switched from the T10 MP thinking it felt too heavy; the two you sold me came in at 318g and 320g, respectively, and IMO they swing much easier than the DNX 9 and are more stable as well. The DNX 10 MP for me was a log too, the demo swung even heavier than the Wilson 6.1. I think you mentioned that the later DNX 10 MP's were a bit more headlight though. Looking forwards to your observations.

Now I'm excited for the BB11 295 though. After playing with those trimmed T10 MP's, the similar spec line on the BB11 295 sounds perfect (maybe I'll need just a bit of lead).

I would say 320 for both. they swing similarly. the bb11 feels a bit heavier pick up weightwise, but seems to take the same energy to swing fast. I hit the BB11 just now for just an hour so have a good idea <it hits great!>.
I dont see how my old surgically enhanced Gen1's could swing easier than the DNX9's..i was going back and forth between the two for a long while and my batspeed picked up significantly with the DNX9.

Yes, for some reason, the pre/early production runs of many Volkls tend to spec a little heavier than their mainstream prouction runs which i find to be spec'd right on target with the very rare screw up...happened with the Dnx10mp and Dnx10Mid..earliest ones where heavier

I too am looking forward to the lighter BB11....

wow..only 2 grams off for the 2 frames..i never weighed them..they all felt the same. you enjoying them?

NBMJ,
I had a few questions I hoped you could answer...

1. Is this frame produced by Volkl?
2. If it is, when the need to badge it as a Becker?
3. What is Servman, and how much prescence will it have here in the states?

I have just been a bit confused at the reasoning for the racket given that is very similiar to current Volkl rackets.

I think Becker is trying to position the racket as an independent product, which is fine, but I will always inevitably compare it with other volks because of becker's relationship with volkl, and becase I think volkl produces the frame...

I am interested in playing with the racket, it is very similiar to the Volkl classic 7's of the old days...

Hi...yes, made by Volkl. Serveman is the logo for the Boris Becker range of products (clothes and racquets so far). I think what they are doing is just giving the consumer more options and rather than buying pros to endorse the products are using the Boris Becker name which is already a part of the Company to help promote the product line...this costs them zero extra dollars. Think they will let the customers decide if they prefer to buy Volkl or Becker...if they gravitate more towards the Becker name in certain parts of the world, they will offer more becker stuff there, and vice versa

THE GRIP SHAPE IS DEFINITELY MORE SQUARE

i love that.......
really looking forward to know how it plays against dnx-10 mid too.

remind me in a few days after i spend more time, and i will let you know, altho i think i can tell you now with confidence.

NBMJ,
Can you post a couple of good photos of the BB11?
thx

have none..try borisbecker.com
 

bad_call

Legend
NBMJ - take care of that hamstring. i've popped one playing soccer and it's no fun. anyway thanks for the boris becker link. it says that the 18x20 version is the limited model. lucky u. looking forward to your review. btw - how long do u get to demo them before u have to send them back?
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
NBMJ - take care of that hamstring. i've popped one playing soccer and it's no fun. anyway thanks for the boris becker link. it says that the 18x20 version is the limited model. lucky u. looking forward to your review. btw - how long do u get to demo them before u have to send them back?

aye..hamstrings can be very nagging. the Becker11 frame I have is the regular one..it has 18m's and is 325 g's

Thanks for answering my questions NBMJ.

Are you demoing these for TW, or independently?

you're welcome. i'm not playtesting for TW.
 

Richie Rich

Legend
aye..hamstrings can be very nagging. the Becker11 frame I have is the regular one..it has 18m's and is 325 g's



you're welcome. i'm not playtesting for TW.

looking forward to your review. i liked the dnx 10 MP so hopefully the becker 11 gives a little more pop than the 10 and is a little less tinny than the 9.
 

FedUp

Rookie
NBMJ, looking forward to your thoughts about the BB11. I'm a little surprised that it's not from the same mold as the DNX 10MP. Just to clarify, by saying the BB11's grip is a bit more square, does it still have the semblance of the classic volkl feel or does it feel completely different?
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
looking forward to your review. i liked the dnx 10 MP so hopefully the becker 11 gives a little more pop than the 10 and is a little less tinny than the 9.

yes..more juice, and it's got a very nice feel, albeit different than what might be expected. I'll post more after my next hit

NBMJ, looking forward to your thoughts about the BB11. I'm a little surprised that it's not from the same mold as the DNX 10MP. Just to clarify, by saying the BB11's grip is a bit more square, does it still have the semblance of the classic volkl feel or does it feel completely different?

The grip is slightly less oblong/slighty more square in shape. The racquet feels a little less muted and even sounds less muted
 

LoveThisGame

Professional
NBMJ,

You stated "with some additional material at both ends which wrap around the frame." I'm not grasping this; please clarify.
 

BruceG

Rookie
NoBadMojo, if youre hitting with the Becker 11 is there any chance you'll be testing the BB V1 MP as well? Id really like to know how that one matches up to the Dnx V1 MP and the Classic V1 MP.
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
NBMJ,

You stated "with some additional material at both ends which wrap around the frame." I'm not grasping this; please clarify.

I'll try. a picture paints a thousand words and all that abba dabba.

The DNX material on the Volkl racquets is fused to the inside of the hoop at 3 and 9. On this frame, they fused it to the outside of the hoop instead and extended it farther in both directions. At both ends on both sides, they wrapped the DNX material completely around the racquet.

If you go to borisbecker.com you may find a clear image of this. The DNX stuff is the material with the brushed silver finish.

NoBadMojo, if youre hitting with the Becker 11 is there any chance you'll be testing the BB V1 MP as well? Id really like to know how that one matches up to the Dnx V1 MP and the Classic V1 MP.

I have one but havent hit it yet. I'll start a thread.
 

bagung

Hall of Fame
NBMJ,just a friendly reminder, don't forget to compare becker 11 with dnx-10 mid....thanks....
the volkl agent in my country will only bring in the 295g version in end june. which is no good to me.....
 

bagung

Hall of Fame
a volkl rep in my country told me that becker 11 limited edition will be price somewhere arround usd 500.... ???????????
so, it is something like the wilson excalliber.....? for display only....
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
Does anyone know the stiffness of the frames?

The 325g one is 60

The Special Edition = 62

The 295g = 62

These are unstrung preliminary specs

Thought people would be interested in the Special Edition Specs (Beckers specs). they are:
11.9oz - 338 grams
.6 HL
18x20
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
a volkl rep in my country told me that becker 11 limited edition will be price somewhere arround usd 500.... ???????????
so, it is something like the wilson excalliber.....? for display only....

Mojo, do you know anything about the price of the BB11 in particular the special edition?

yes, the suggested retail i believe is $500US. dont know what the selling price will be. The reg BB11 has a suggested retail of 200 i believe.
 

bad_call

Legend
The 325g one is 60

The Special Edition = 62

The 295g = 62

These are unstrung preliminary specs

Thought people would be interested in the Special Edition Specs (Beckers specs). they are:
11.9oz - 338 grams
.6 HL
18x20

uh oh. i think the 325g has my name on it. :p
 

ClimbK2

New User
Ignore my request for info on the other thread -- I had not seen this one yet. I look forward to reading more.
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
I've got about 2.5 hours in with the Becker11 frame now. Today was 1.5 hours of a variety of drills on the dirt, some 7-11 games, tiebreakers, etc, and some hitting alongside the dnx10mp and cool down using the Becker V1

This is a really really solid frame, which does everything well in typical Volkl fashion. I had a little trouble with sliced backhands and the serve but thats because the grip feels more square...just something to adjust to, having nothing to do with the frame. everything else was crisp, comfortable, powerful, and solid and precise with zero weaknesses

It's less muted in ball feel and even the sound is less muted. It's got a crisper but soft feeling to it, and is very precise, but provides you with a good amount of power and spin if you are good at creating those sorts of things...ie; it doesnt let you get away with sloppy technique or slap it all over the stringbed.

The frame I have feels hefty to pickup, but seems to swing rather easily considering....This could have something to do with them repositioning the Dnx material from the inside of the hoop to the outside.

Compared to the dnx10mp: A definite increase in power and a more crisp ball feel although you can feel the underlying softness to the frame. I think they did a great job in expanding the use of the DNX material which is very stiff, but still keeping the frame soft and comfy

Compare to the dnx10Mid - a little more power, a firmer ball feel and less damped and muted. similarly sized sweetspots

In conclusion, this frame is a totally new frame..you can definitely tell it's Volkl 10 series heritage but the ball feel is way different. I think it is great for people who like a traditional ball feel and the feel of thinner beamed frames, but can use the extra juice to better compete with tennis how it is often played today....with power. It did generate a nice amount of power for an 18 mains frame. Volkl did a really really good job with this frame.
 

bad_call

Legend
...It's less muted in ball feel and even the sound is less muted. It's got a crisper but soft feeling to it, and is very precise, but provides you with a good amount of power and spin if you are good at creating those sorts of things...ie; it doesnt let you get away with sloppy technique or slap it all over the stringbed...

the one thing i really like about the T10V mid is that i can hit the ball all over the stringbed. mishits often turn into winners. the BB11 may be for a better player than me or at least a younger one.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Interesting review. I wonder how the frame would perform under adverse conditions? I'm sure the performance would drop dramatically, especially if I play someone a lot better than me.
 

bad_call

Legend
Interesting review. I wonder how the frame would perform under adverse conditions? I'm sure the performance would drop dramatically, especially if I play someone a lot better than me.

HA! adverse conditions are always a good test. for me it's not the racquet that breaks down...it's the wheels.
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
the one thing i really like about the T10V mid is that i can hit the ball all over the stringbed. mishits often turn into winners. the BB11 may be for a better player than me or at least a younger one.

misshits turn into winners? meaning the misshits send the ball to places you or your opponent havent planned for? I found the T10VMid to be more demanding than the Becker11. The sweetspot on the 10VMid is plenty long, but just isnt very wide.

NoBadMojo, do you have any preliminary thoughts on the V1? Looking forward to your V1 thread and thanks for all the help so far.

yw. i started a thread with some preliminary info (it may be on the 2nd page), but only hit for 5 mins with it today. i plan a full hit with it on Weds and will post thoughts in that same thread then. you can sure tell it's a V1...all the nasty harsh stuff is eliminated and you get presented with a very solid low thud.
 

bad_call

Legend
misshits turn into winners? meaning the misshits send the ball to places you or your opponent havent planned for? I found the T10VMid to be more demanding than the Becker11. The sweetspot on the 10VMid is plenty long, but just isnt very wide.

well in that case...it's definitely worth a play test from this neck of the woods.
 

Orly_Yarly

Rookie
I've got about 2.5 hours in with the Becker11 frame now. Today was 1.5 hours of a variety of drills on the dirt, some 7-11 games, tiebreakers, etc, and some hitting alongside the dnx10mp and cool down using the Becker V1

This is a really really solid frame, which does everything well in typical Volkl fashion. I had a little trouble with sliced backhands and the serve but thats because the grip feels more square...just something to adjust to, having nothing to do with the frame. everything else was crisp, comfortable, powerful, and solid and precise with zero weaknesses

It's less muted in ball feel and even the sound is less muted. It's got a crisper but soft feeling to it, and is very precise, but provides you with a good amount of power and spin if you are good at creating those sorts of things...ie; it doesnt let you get away with sloppy technique or slap it all over the stringbed.

The frame I have feels hefty to pickup, but seems to swing rather easily considering....This could have something to do with them repositioning the Dnx material from the inside of the hoop to the outside.

Compared to the dnx10mp: A definite increase in power and a more crisp ball feel although you can feel the underlying softness to the frame. I think they did a great job in expanding the use of the DNX material which is very stiff, but still keeping the frame soft and comfy

Compare to the dnx10Mid - a little more power, a firmer ball feel and less damped and muted. similarly sized sweetspots

In conclusion, this frame is a totally new frame..you can definitely tell it's Volkl 10 series heritage but the ball feel is way different. I think it is great for people who like a traditional ball feel and the feel of thinner beamed frames, but can use the extra juice to better compete with tennis how it is often played today....with power. It did generate a nice amount of power for an 18 mains frame. Volkl did a really really good job with this frame.

whoa... this sounds like a perfect frame for me, it has everything i look for from a racquet. wish it was released under a different brand, i wasnt really a big fan of BB....
 
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bagung

Hall of Fame
thanks NBMJ, great review...
does it mean the becker 11 is more easy to swing, not as demanding as dnx-10mid? what do you think about the "feel" difference among this 2 frames....?
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
thanks NBMJ, great review...
does it mean the becker 11 is more easy to swing, not as demanding as dnx-10mid? what do you think about the "feel" difference among this 2 frames....?

sure..you're welcome. the preliminary specs I have on this bat say 315 swingweight. the one I have swings heavier, but not as heavy as the Dnx10Mid which is 325. It is normal for the prelim run of a brand new Volkl to run slightly heavy. I'm interested in finding out the final swingweight too because 15 would be perfect for me, so i will post it when i find out. The one I have seems right on with the static weight, but I can feel more weight in the head than I can with the dnx10mp's i have, and they are to be the same static weight and balance..this could be because of the the way they tweaked the dnx material too

as far as the feel goes, the Becker11 feels more crisp than the dnx10Mid but has soft undertones to it..the dnx10mid just feels plain soft to me..I am talking about well struck shots in the sweetzone. the Becker 11 is a 62 stiffness and I think the dnx10Mid may be around 58?
 

bagung

Hall of Fame
thanks again ,NBMJ.....
your information is so helpfull.
and i suppose you are using full excellerator in the becker 11?
 

meh

Semi-Pro
I would say 320 for both. they swing similarly. the bb11 feels a bit heavier pick up weightwise, but seems to take the same energy to swing fast. I hit the BB11 just now for just an hour so have a good idea <it hits great!>.
I dont see how my old surgically enhanced Gen1's could swing easier than the DNX9's..i was going back and forth between the two for a long while and my batspeed picked up significantly with the DNX9.

Yes, for some reason, the pre/early production runs of many Volkls tend to spec a little heavier than their mainstream prouction runs which i find to be spec'd right on target with the very rare screw up...happened with the Dnx10mp and Dnx10Mid..earliest ones where heavier

I too am looking forward to the lighter BB11....

wow..only 2 grams off for the 2 frames..i never weighed them..they all felt the same. you enjoying them?
Thanks...yes, I'm playing very well with them. I just have to adjust my serve to a lighter racquet, as I'm coming off a 13-oz Wilson ROK. I just picked up a brand new one, got lucky on *bay.

I guess I may have had an early DNX 9, as it was a demo. I did have a bad day of sorts when I hit with the 9, but it felt heavier than the trimmed Gen I's.
 

RyanC

New User
NoBadMojo, will you be getting the Becker 11 295g to test?

Im looking for a compromise between the easy to swing nature of the 10GenII and the better power and shot penetration of the C10. The Fischer M Speed Pro Number One is one option and I'm hoping the Becker 11, 295g might be another. The 325g is a better weight for me but I don't like an 18x20 pattern and was disappointed to find that was the only format available on the dnx10mp. Am I being too optimistic with the BB 295g or do you think it could fit what Im looking for?
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
NoBadMojo, will you be getting the Becker 11 295g to test?

Im looking for a compromise between the easy to swing nature of the 10GenII and the better power and shot penetration of the C10. The Fischer M Speed Pro Number One is one option and I'm hoping the Becker 11, 295g might be another. The 325g is a better weight for me but I don't like an 18x20 pattern and was disappointed to find that was the only format available on the dnx10mp. Am I being too optimistic with the BB 295g or do you think it could fit what Im looking for?

Hi..yes..I will have one. They're coming out after the regular one, and I'll post something after I have the chance to hit with it. I think it will be a great racquet for the customizers
 

RyanC

New User
NoBadMojo, slightly off topic but I saw that you had been using the DNX9 and you seem to know the Volkl line well. Hope you don't mind a few questions. Ive just hit with the 10 VE-MP and found it to be a fine hit. Only a couple of things I didn't like. #1 was a less than firm feel in the upper hoop and #2 wasnt as spinny on serve as I was expecting. In your opinion, would the DNX9 offer me a remedy for those two issues? I see many comments about a smaller sweetspot. Is that small in relation to other Volkl racquets but sizable compared to other brands Or just small in general? How would you compare sweetspot size and feel to the Becker 11 youre currently testing?
Thanks for any help you can give.
 

Tim

Rookie
NoBadMojo, Any thoughts on arm friendlyness of the BB11 vs. the DNX 10? I was looking to pick up the DNX10 (currently using a V1 cat) but if the 11 might be even easier on the arm I may wait.
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
NoBadMojo, slightly off topic but I saw that you had been using the DNX9 and you seem to know the Volkl line well. Hope you don't mind a few questions. Ive just hit with the 10 VE-MP and found it to be a fine hit. Only a couple of things I didn't like. #1 was a less than firm feel in the upper hoop and #2 wasnt as spinny on serve as I was expecting. In your opinion, would the DNX9 offer me a remedy for those two issues? I see many comments about a smaller sweetspot. Is that small in relation to other Volkl racquets but sizable compared to other brands Or just small in general? How would you compare sweetspot size and feel to the Becker 11 youre currently testing?
Thanks for any help you can give.

I've been using the dnx10mp. After using the dnx9 for some while, i couldnt get use to/didnt like the feel of it, but liked the performance. Yes, the dnx9 is firmer in the hoop thatn the 10VE and it is more spinny because you can get more bat speed with it because of the lower swingweight. the sweetspot is smaller compared to other Volkl 98's but comparable to MP frames from other manufacturers.

The Becker11 has a dense string bed and I dont think that's going to help you much with your soin issue.

NoBadMojo, Any thoughts on arm friendlyness of the BB11 vs. the DNX 10? I was looking to pick up the DNX10 (currently using a V1 cat) but if the 11 might be even easier on the arm I may wait.

which dnx10? the Mid or MP? they are all 3 arm friendly anyway. dont use a poly and string at a reasonable tension and choose whichever you play the best with..of the 3, the dnx10Mid is the softest.
 

Tim

Rookie
I am trying out a DNX10MP which is strung with prince synth 16(ick) and even with that string it feels great. My current string is nxt 17 @58lbs in the V1 cat, does the same string in the 10MP at 55lbs sound reasonable?
 

NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
I am trying out a DNX10MP which is strung with prince synth 16(ick) and even with that string it feels great. My current string is nxt 17 @58lbs in the V1 cat, does the same string in the 10MP at 55lbs sound reasonable?

sounds like you have an easy decision then. you would likely find a little more power with the Becker11, and obviously a little different ball feel...the specs are very similar.

as an example, i was stringing the dnx9's at around 58-59 <ditto for my old gen1's>, and am stringing the dnx10mp's at around 53, so i lost 5 pounds, and that worked out fine for me..it may take you two stringjobs to get the tension just right for you.
 

Oscarg

New User
takes about 15-30mins to make the grip shape of Volkls into anything you like while perfectly preserving the bevels...it just isnt a big deal



very well might be.
How do you change the Volkl's grip shape to a regular grip? Does Volkl sells some accessory to change this?
 

mileslong

Professional
Becker_11_325g_1_02.jpg

Becker 325

Head Size 630 cm² | 98 in²
Cross Section 20 mm
Length 68,5 cm | 27 in
Weight 295 g | 10,4 oz
Balance 32 cm | 0.9 in HL
String Pattern 16 x 19 PCP
String Tension 25 (±2) kg | 55 lbs

Becker 11 Special Edition

Becker_11_SE2a1_01.jpg


Head Size
630 cm² | 98 in²
Cross Section
20 mm
Lenght
68,5 cm | 27 in
Weight
338 g | 11,9 oz
Balance
32.7 cm | 0.6in HL
String Pattern
18 x 20 PCP
String Tension
25 (±2) kg | 55 (±2) lbs
 
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