Alternatives to Dunlop Biomimetic 200

[Sir Shankalot]

Hi,

I would appreciate any guidance and opinions here.

I have been playing with the Dunlop Biomimetic 200 for a couple of years now and just love the racquet. I string it with Touna BHBR at 42/40, and own two frames.

A bit of background: prior to using the Dunlops I used to play with the Wilson BLX 6.1 95, also strung with poly. Very similar in spec to the Bio 200 apart from stiffness - the Wilson is rated as 65, as against the Dunlop at 57 according to the TW specs. Basically, when I was using the Wilson I suffered from pretty bad episodes of TE, and when I switched to the Dunlop this went away. I have never had any TE since, even though I string with full bed poly. So it seems very likely that racquet stiffness is, for me at least, a very big deal.

Now, the other day I unfortunately managed to crack the hoop of one of my Dunlop frames, so I am now down to one racquet. I checked on TW and see that the Bio 200 is now out of production and has been replaced with the Bio F2.0 Tour, which has a stiffness rating of 67. 67!!!!!. The M2.0 is even worse, at 70. Thanks, but no thanks. Well done Dunlop, you've just lost a customer.

I don't want to change racquets but unfortunately Dunlop have left me with no alternative. I played around with the racquet finder tool on TW and the closest alternative I can see, in terms of spec, is the Prince EXO3 Rebel 95 which looks to be the closest alternative to the Bio 200 in terms of headsize, balance, weight, swingweight, and (crucially) flex.

Does anyone here have any experience of hitting with both frames, the Bio 200 and the Rebel 95? How similar are they? Any other suggestions for getting something very close to my beloved Dunlop?

Unfortunately playtesting is not an option for me. I live in Kenya and to buy a racquet I have to wait for a friend to travel to the UK and then bring it back for me.

Would appreciate any input and advice.

 

[Lavs]

Völkl Organix 10 MP

 

[Dmorg78]

Check out an Angell TC95.

 

[oest10]

Hi,

Does anyone here have any experience of hitting with both frames, the Bio 200 and the Rebel 95? How similar are they? Any other suggestions for getting something very close to my beloved Dunlop?.

Hello! I have hit with both a while back whilst I was playtesting a bit. I have been playing APD strung full poly since the 2013 version came out, without issues. So I cant really relate to any TE-like complications.

I strung both rackets with Oehms Black Pearl (reasonably soft round poly, 1.23mm) at 25 kgs and the main difference for me was that the Rebel had more power. I didn't measure any specs but i felt that the bio was harder to swing with, and because of the faster swingspeed i generated with the Rebel I feel that spin and power were both better with that frame. Volleys (where you need a lot of plowthrough) and the returning of fast shots were easier with the Bio.

I would definately put them in the same "spectrum", so I think you should easily adapt to the Rebel, but again, I have no idea whether it would be "harder on the arm" for you.

Good Luck!

 

[Imago]

http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-biomimetic-200-tennis-racket-743002

 

[robbo1970]

Looks like TW has grip 3's in stock.

 

[Sir Shankalot]

Check out an Angell TC95.

Thanks, I had never heard of Angell but I looked at their website and it looks really interesting. Businesses like that deserve to succeed so I will take a closer look. How is their service?

I strung both rackets with Oehms Black Pearl (reasonably soft round poly, 1.23mm) at 25 kgs and the main difference for me was that the Rebel had more power. I didn't measure any specs but i felt that the bio was harder to swing with, and because of the faster swingspeed i generated with the Rebel I feel that spin and power were both better with that frame. Volleys (where you need a lot of plowthrough) and the returning of fast shots were easier with the Bio.

I would definately put them in the same "spectrum", so I think you should easily adapt to the Rebel, but again, I have no idea whether it would be "harder on the arm" for you.

Good Luck!

Interested that you find the Rebel easier to swing - it actually has a higher swing weight than the Bio.

I doubt that the Rebel would give me arm problems - the stiffness is even lower than the Bio and as I explained upthread that seems to be the main factor for my TE. I hope that Prince don't follow Dunlop's lead and change their specs when they update the Rebel.

http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-biomimetic-200-tennis-racket-743002

Doh! Thanks. Actually I'm so p!!ssed off with Dunlop for following the crowd and stiffening up what was previously an arm friendly racquet I think I'll switch anyway.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

As a long time user of teh bio 200, I suggest having a look at Donnay

I use the Platinum 99, but you might like one of their quite excellent 94s, either the gold or the platinum..

they play very arm friendly, despite what looks like higher flex..

and, of course, the VOlKL MIDS are terrific frames and easy on the arm

 

[pmata814]

I've played with both the bio 200 and the rebel 95 and I found the opposite to be true of what the previous poster experienced. To me the 95 felt much heavier to swing, and lower powered than the bio 200 (not a big difference but still noticeable). I also found it to be more plush than the Bio 200. I personally loved the bio 200 but both racquets were too demanding for me due to the static weight, so I sold them both.

If you wanted to stay with the 200 I'm pretty sure you can find it. there's still plenty around. *bay, TW, etc.

good luck.

 

[RetroSpin]

Get the new POG.

 

[Dmorg78]

Thanks, I had never heard of Angell but I looked at their website and it looks really interesting. Businesses like that deserve to succeed so I will take a closer look. How is their service?

Paul is great to deal with. If you have a search for the Angell threads at TT you'll see that there is a lot of comment of Paul's level of service.

He was the Head of Design at Dunlop for many years and Angell frames have similar designs to a number of Dunlop frames. Not to mention they play great.

Google Angell Tennis and drop him a message

 

[Payam]

You can always buy a used racket from TW. They keep selling their ex-demos and most of them are in really good shape.

 

[tball]

I played (very briefly) with both Rebel 95 (old, mostly green frame, fading to black) and BIO 200 Lite. Rebel was harder to swing; its power was lower than Bio 200 Lite. Other than that, they felt pretty similar to me. I could not generate spin with both of these racquets.
A racquet which is similar to them is Becker London Tour. It has a smaller head (93"), but it is not noticeable in play. It hits very similar to the two above. For power-hitting, I would prefer it to the other two.

 

[ProRadTour]

I have played with both the 200 and Rebel. The Rebel has a different feel because of the port grommets. It's either something you will love or hate.

I would suggest you look at the Head IG Prestige MP. Plays really similar to the Bio 200. I prefer the Prestige, even though TW rates the 200 with a low stiffness value to me it plays stiffer than the Prestige, but still very close.

 

[Triskadekaphilia]

Hi,

I would appreciate any guidance and opinions here.

I have been playing with the Dunlop Biomimetic 200 for a couple of years now and just love the racquet. I string it with Touna BHBR at 42/40, and own two frames...

I don't want to change racquets but unfortunately Dunlop have left me with no alternative...

Would appreciate any input and advice.

It sounds like you found a racquet you really like. If you switch you may not like any other frame as much. Like an old pair of ski boots nothing else will feel as comfortable

So you could just buy used frames. I am sure there are some in the used racquet section of TW, on the TT for sale board or other sites.

Good luck

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

I am not looking for alternatives, but for Biomimetic 200's!

 

[raguhtheman]

I am not looking for alternatives, but for Biomimetic 200's!

I have couple L2 in excellent condition. PM me

 

[Deki]

I am not looking for alternatives, but for Biomimetic 200's!

One of the best PJ ever!!!

 

[Roland G]

It looks and feels even better in the flesh. Great looking PJ and super quality also. The frame was a bit much for me so I sold it but will probably pick up a 200 Plus, same PJ but lighter/larger headsize

 

[Winners or Errors]

It looks and feels even better in the flesh. Great looking PJ and super quality also. The frame was a bit much for me so I sold it but will probably pick up a 200 Plus, same PJ but lighter/larger headsize

Meh. The 200 Plus has a much less direct, more "trampoliney" feel, and a lower launch angle compared to the M-Fil 200, which is quite similar to the 200. YMMV, but the 200 Plus is quite different.

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

I found Biomimetic 200 not so distant from HEAD Radical Tour 630 – but due to SW/balance a bit easier to swing with.

 

[Deki]

Also QC by Dunlop was superior compared to others. I’ve always had 2-3 of them per model and weight, balance was by every racquet same, without differeneces.

 

[Crocodile]

I used to use the bio 200 and just sold off my last quantities. Just before I sold the last one I took it out on the court for testing purposes to see how it stacks up now in July 2019. Mine was strung in bi phase at 50 lbs and was stock. What I can say is that the best 2 features of this racquet is its amazing feel and control. The two worst features that show up now in 2019 is the lack of easy power and the work required to produce the energy in your shots. If I was to use this racquet now it would need a leather grip and some lead at 9 and 3 to get the power level up to scratch and maybe drop the tension.
At present the racquet that does what the Dunlop does but with updated power is the current Pro Kennex Q Plus Tour 325. This is an excellent frame, it's extremely solid and gutsy yet great for your arm. So many people overlook this racquet and it's their loss.
The other alternative is to look at one of the new Dunlop Srixon frames which I haven't hit with yet but would need customisation to get it up to spec.
The other 2 options is the old Bio 300 which has a 98 head and 65 RA and it responds very well to customisation and Angell V3 97 or K7 Lime.
In conclusion, as already mentioned here, there are many Dunlop's on the used market going cheap so if you are prepared to look out for them they do come up.

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

The two worst features that show up now in 2019 is the lack of easy power and the work required to produce the energy in your shots. If I was to use this racquet now it would need a leather grip and some lead at 9 and 3 to get the power level up to scratch and maybe drop the tension.

I must say that I really like to put strings with lower tension if I need extra power. It is also healthy. I can't play with Bio 200 good enough for more than 3-4 hours – then I need to take lighter racket (during my Prestige years I just used Liquidmetal/Microgel/IG Radical MP if I wanted to play the whole day tournament).

At present the racquet that does what the Dunlop does but with updated power is the current Pro Kennex Q Plus Tour 325. This is an excellent frame, it's extremely solid and gutsy yet great for your arm. So many people overlook this racquet and it's their loss.

I have both QTour 295g and 325 – I guess they are 2014 edition (really low flex – 57RA). I can confirm there were both great during my TE misery. However once recovered I got back to Prestige again (just avoided stiff polys as main).

 

[Deki]

I must say that I really like to put strings with lower tension if I need extra power. It is also healthy. I can't play with Bio 200 good enough for more than 3-4 hours – then I need to take lighter racket (during my Prestige years I just used Liquidmetal/Microgel/IG Radical MP if I wanted to play the whole day tournament).



I have both QTour 295g and 325 – I guess they are 2014 edition (really low flex – 57RA). I can confirm there were both great during my TE misery. However once recovered I got back to Prestige again (just avoided stiff polys as main).

I went from Bio 200 to Pestige YTIG Pro, took away leather grip, changed to Thin syntetic Tourna.
now its 316g unstrung with still heavy SW.
the only downside is that Prestige Pro have a really small sweetspot. Now waiting that Ultra Tour will go Down with the price then I’ll customise it the desire specs.