Becker11 LIGHT Review

[NoBadMojo]

Got me one of dem der frames all strung up and ready to go ;O
Specs from the frame itself:
10.4 oz / 295 grams
.9 HL / 32cm
16x19
20mm
swingweight = 305 according to Volkl, and seems like that to me
Strung with Klip Excellerator at 58 w. Volkl leather grip. No lead added yet.
Racquet appears to come out of a diff tool than the B11 Standard and I'm sure the layup is different.
This is the first regular production Becker frame I've hit, so it came with packaging. For those who care, it says Volkl Tennis only on one place on the packaging. On the grip wrap. Also on the gripwrap is a 'Serveman' decal...colour black...was going to put it on my car but my car is black :O It also comes with a flimsy cardboard Serveman stencil which works ok once you carefully punch it out at the perfs
I also have a Becker Mega10Bag which is a nice bag w. some nice features..it's kinda nice flying Black and Orange for a change rather than Yellow and Black.
I'll post about the on court experience tommorrow barring a washout, comparing it a bit to the b11Standard (that should make for a bizarre hit). and maybe compare a bit to the dnx9 as this one may perform along those lines but with a diff feel.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

the light is a bit thicker by 1mm and SW was 289 strung compare to 327 on the regular version, it was very light to me and the grip felt hollow and I kept on playing and pressing the rubber circle at the bottom of the grip, very annoying, it did not like it at all

 

[NoBadMojo]

the light is a bit thicker by 1mm and SW was 289 strung compare to 327 on the regular version, it was very light to me and the grip felt hollow and I kept on playing and pressing the rubber circle at the bottom of the grip, very annoying, it did not like it at all

Thats the push start for the V-engine! No wonder why you didnt like it..you kept turning the engine on and off

You mean it was loose or you didnt like that it is squishy? Same grip they used on the reg b11. it didnt hit well?

 

[bagung]

i suppose the intention of having the bb11 295g is to replace the dnx10 295g..? the main difference is 16x19 compare to 18x20...
does anyone had try these, and give some comparison......?

 

[NoBadMojo]

the light is a bit thicker by 1mm and SW was 289 strung compare to 327 on the regular version, it was very light to me and the grip felt hollow and I kept on playing and pressing the rubber circle at the bottom of the grip, very annoying, it did not like it at all

ps.

i'm not getting that the beam width is thicker. they are both marked as 20mm and visually the Light actually looks thinner beamed, perhaps because of the black colour

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Thats the push start for the V-engine! No wonder why you didnt like it..you kept turning the engine on and off

You mean it was loose or you didnt like that it is squishy? Same grip they used on the reg b11. it didnt hit well?

HAHAHA!!! I was waiting for the turbo charge to kick in. Seriously, I did not like the handle as a whole, it felt hollow to me. Nice frame overall, should sell more than the regular version

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

ps.

i'm not getting that the beam width is thicker. they are both marked as 20mm and visually the Light actually looks thinner beamed, perhaps because of the black colour

To me yes the black may have appeared to be thicker, I wish I had my caliper handy,

 

[Amone]

Any information about how it hits, NBM? I was eyeing this frame with some interest.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Any information about how it hits, NBM? I was eyeing this frame with some interest.

one word.........Light.........with a big L

 

[ericsson]

one word.........Light.........with a big L

That's why i dont like light rackets, just too light to hit heavy balls and stay stable.

 

[0d1n]

That's why i dont like light rackets, just too light to hit heavy balls and stay stable.

It's all relative, and very much personal preference . I think Henin hits a PRETTY HEAVY ball, and she uses something like 290 grams unstrung (although with plenty of weight in the head). She can even volley very well with that ... go figure . That's usually where I don't like lighter frames...on the volley.

Edit. On a different note ... I'm about to receive 3 Tour 10 Gen 1 MP's (which I think you're using and loving). I'm very much looking forward to see what's with "all the fuss about it"

 

[NoBadMojo]

Had a good knock with the B11 Lite.

It's lower powered than what I expected at my usual tension for a frame like this of 58. Contrast that with the b11 Standard which had more juice than expected. Evidenced by balls landing short at first. After a short adjustment period I hit well with this frame. It's very solid for a light frame and you dont get that flimsy cheesy feeling as though the head is weak like you do with other lightweight more flexible frames. I would describe the feel as crisp but plush whereas the reg B11 is just really plush..the Light is a firmer hit but very solid and comfortable..needs to be firmer because of the other specs.

It does everything well and shots had decent weight to them for a lightweight frame. in particular the serve really jumped for me. what it obviously doesnt have is so called 'plow through'. this isnt a chipping/blocking type of frame. It requires full swings to make it work well especially on the service return. i dont view the lightweight as a flaw of the racquet....it's how it is designed, and you cant expect a light racquet to give all the benefits of a lighter racquet and a heavier racquet both

I would say this frame is good for someone who likes thinner beamed frames, but cant handle the weight of a 'players frame'. Someone whose game benefits by high batspeeds..maybe advanced juniors, older guys, the better female, etc

It would also make an awesome frame to lead up....If I were to use them, i would have them weighted professionally. I think they did a really good job tweaking this frame for max performance given the target specs..i think i would ruin this frame by screwing around with lead, but think it would be fun to try the lead just for the hell of it. I may stick some lead on the grip collar cuff and up high at 3 and 9 just once to see what happens..perhaps 2x the lead down low as up high as I like headlight

So for me, I'll string this up low and teach with it, and play the B11 Standard

 

[ollinger]

Does it do everything well?

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

It's very solid for a light frame. the Light is a firmer hit but very solid and comfortable. It doesnt have is so called 'plow through'. this isnt a chipping/blocking type of frame. It requires full swings to make it work well especially on the service return. i dont view the lightweight as a flaw of the racquet....it's how it is designed, and you cant expect a light racquet to give all the benefits of a lighter racquet and a heavier racquet both

true of all the "lighter" frames out there this BB11L is considered solid. Any comment on the handle? to me it felt hollow like there was air inside the handle. The handle does feel different, please comment on the construction of the handle.

 

[backcourt]

Got me one of dem der frames all strung up and ready to go ;O
Specs from the frame itself:
10.4 oz / 295 grams
.9 HL / 32cm
16x19
20mm

Wow, that is one thin beam for such a light flexible raquet. I cant imagine its got alot of pop to it.

 

[NoBadMojo]

true of all the "lighter" frames out there this BB11L is considered solid. Any comment on the handle? to me it felt hollow like there was air inside the handle. The handle does feel different, please comment on the construction of the handle.

aye...i was going to find out because I was sure I was going to replace the pallets with standard Volkl pallets, but I didnt have trouble adjusting to the new grip shape as it isnt hugely different and found I liked it better than the reg Volkl gripshape on service returns and some backcourt grip changes.

i just put Volkl calfskin on a couple more frames and things appear the same underneath altho I didnt remove the buttcap. The buttcap obviously has a plugged hollow center. The only difference I've been able to detect feelwise is the gripshape. i know you like to take things apart sooooo...

if there are other people who arent idiots who would like more info, i'd be happy to try and help

 

[martin]

how would this compare against the m-fil300?

 

[Amone]

Had a good knock with the B11 Lite.

It's lower powered than what I expected at my usual tension for a frame like this of 58. Contrast that with the b11 Standard which had more juice than expected. Evidenced by balls landing short at first. After a short adjustment period I hit well with this frame. It's very solid for a light frame and you dont get that flimsy cheesy feeling as though the head is weak like you do with other lightweight more flexible frames. I would describe the feel as crisp but plush whereas the reg B11 is just really plush..the Light is a firmer hit but very solid and comfortable..needs to be firmer because of the other specs.

It does everything well and shots had decent weight to them for a lightweight frame. in particular the serve really jumped for me. what it obviously doesnt have is so called 'plow through'. this isnt a chipping/blocking type of frame. It requires full swings to make it work well especially on the service return. i dont view the lightweight as a flaw of the racquet....it's how it is designed, and you cant expect a light racquet to give all the benefits of a lighter racquet and a heavier racquet both

I would say this frame is good for someone who likes thinner beamed frames, but cant handle the weight of a 'players frame'. Someone whose game benefits by high batspeeds..maybe advanced juniors, older guys, the better female, etc

It would also make an awesome frame to lead up....If I were to use them, i would have them weighted professionally. I think they did a really good job tweaking this frame for max performance given the target specs..i think i would ruin this frame by screwing around with lead, but think it would be fun to try the lead just for the hell of it. I may stick some lead on the grip collar cuff and up high at 3 and 9 just once to see what happens..perhaps 2x the lead down low as up high as I like headlight

So for me, I'll string this up low and teach with it, and play the B11 Standard

Thanks for the commentary, NBM. To me, it sounds intriguing the way you describe it, but for one question:

Any word on serving with it? (Power and spin are my main questions, but I assume other people might like other information.)

 

[dave108]

NBMJ, this is a little off-topic, but I was wondering if you could comment on the power level of the Becker11L versus the Becker V1 MP and the old Volkl 8 tour v-engine (if you've hit with it). I hit with a friend's V8 last night, and really liked it, but am also intrigued by the B11L and V1 MP.

thanks,
-dave

 

[NoBadMojo]

how would this compare against the m-fil300?

the mFil300 was one of the frames I was thinking of when i said the following. the specs may be similar aye?

. It's very solid for a light frame and you dont get that flimsy cheesy feeling as though the head is weak like you do with other lightweight more flexible frames.

Thanks for the commentary, NBM. To me, it sounds intriguing the way you describe it, but for one question:

Any word on serving with it? (Power and spin are my main questions, but I assume other people might like other information.)

yw. It served surprisingly well and volleyed surprisingly well..oh wait! that is what I do best. ;O surprisingly good work on the serve both in mph and spin

NBMJ, this is a little off-topic, but I was wondering if you could comment on the power level of the Becker11L versus the Becker V1 MP and the old Volkl 8 tour v-engine (if you've hit with it). I hit with a friend's V8 last night, and really liked it, but am also intrigued by the B11L and V1 MP.

thanks,
-dave

yw. a friend who i turned on to the becker V1 just asked me this very same thing via email. and i've hit the 8VE. the b11L is the lowest powered of the 3 from the backcourt. it doesnt feel as stiff as the 8VE and will give you an entirely different feel out there as the 8 is longer, wider beamed, and stiffer...and more powerful. you may get a better sense of control with the b11L comapred to the 8VE. the BV1 is a little easier to work on most all of the shots and hits bigger from the baseline than the b11L
if there is nothing you dont like about the 8VE, i would just go with that one and call it a day..hard to say more as i dont know your game..the BV1 really is a worthwhile demo as that one is the closest i've ever seen to the one size fits all racquet.

 

[dave108]

[/quote] yw. a friend who i turned on to the becker V1 just asked me this very same thing via email. and i've hit the 8VE. the b11L is the lowest powered of the 3 from the backcourt. it doesnt feel as stiff as the 8VE and will give you an entirely different feel out there as the 8 is longer, wider beamed, and stiffer...and more powerful. you may get a better sense of control with the b11L comapred to the 8VE. the BV1 is a little easier to work on most all of the shots and hits bigger from the baseline than the b11L
if there is nothing you dont like about the 8VE, i would just go with that one and call it a day..hard to say more as i dont know your game..the BV1 really is a worthwhile demo as that one is the closest i've ever seen to the one size fits all racquet.[/quote]

thanx. don't exactly know my NRTP - not used much in Canada, which also means no TW demo 'cause they don't ship demos here. Play 'A' level singles tourneys and do OK. So maybe 4-4.5 level?? Play with LM prestige MP, 1-2 a week. Feeling like I'm getting older, and don't have the power I used to. So that's why contemplating a change to something lighter, but still controllable. Not many Volkl racquets here, so unlikely that a V1 or B11L would come my way. But still very intrigued because i really liked the feeling of the V8.

 

[Amone]

yw. It served surprisingly well and volleyed surprisingly well..oh wait! that is what I do best. ;O surprisingly good work on the serve both in mph and spin

Thanks again. Have a nice weekend!

 

[ericsson]

It's all relative, and very much personal preference . I think Henin hits a PRETTY HEAVY ball, and she uses something like 290 grams unstrung (although with plenty of weight in the head). She can even volley very well with that ... go figure . That's usually where I don't like lighter frames...on the volley.

Edit. On a different note ... I'm about to receive 3 Tour 10 Gen 1 MP's (which I think you're using and loving). I'm very much looking forward to see what's with "all the fuss about it"

Yes you are right but don't forget i was talking personally, you will never hear me say light (er) rackets are bad, not at all, Talk about Henin, she uses massive spin, i'm kinda flat hitter, especially on the backhand side, anyway i trimmed my gen I 's and lead them a little, swingweight is great at a static weight of 333 grams. Perfect, i have all the things i want. I will sure take the BB11's to test drive when i get the chance...

 

[Macenrios]

Hello NoBadMojo,
Could you compare with DNX9 after you lead up BB11Light, specially on its power level and sweetspot?

I like the power level of DNX9 and its swingweight and my results are better than ever, but am looking for a racket with more flex and larger sweetspot since my elbow is very sensitive.

Thank you.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Hello NoBadMojo,
Could you compare with DNX9 after you lead up BB11Light, specially on its power level and sweetspot?

I like the power level of DNX9 and its swingweight and my results are better than ever, but am looking for a racket with more flex and larger sweetspot since my elbow is very sensitive.

Thank you.

Best I compare them now as I'm really not inspired to screw around with lead on this frame just now. if I get curious, i'll slap some lead on it and post something. They should serve and volley for you in a similar manner. You may find returns of serve require bigger swings and your groundstrokes wont produce the same amount of work. The firmness feels similar to me, but hard to tell because the ball feel is entirely different..i would just go by what TW has the stiffness rated. the sweetspot is very nicely sized for a frame without a lot of mass to it..a bit larger than the dnx9.

I dont think you are going to gain by buying the B11L and then trying to get it to play like the DNX9. If you're having better than ever results w. the dnx9, I would suggest you just call it a day and stay with them. I dont know what string and tension you are using, but the dnx9 is a comfortable frame. The DNX9 has a very highly tweaked layup...they somehow managed to keep the swingweight low on a frame which is headlight and has a fair amount of mass to it.

For the record I wasnt saying the dnx9 has a small sweetspot. i was saying the sweetspot is smaller than most of the 10series Volkls. Things often get distorted around here

What string and tension are you using? if you're using leather replace it with a cushioned grip.

 

[Macenrios]

NoBadMojo, Thank you for your advice. I am using Klip excellator strung at 55 and not using leather grip, though I prefer a leather grip. I tried Klip Legend/IsoPro and leather grip before and liked the feeling very much, but that made DNX9 too heavy for me to swing fast and the leather grip gives a little bit pain on my elbow after a long session. So, I was wondering BB11L would be ideal for me as it is flex enough with leather grip and light enough with Legend/IsoPro and may provide the same power level that DNX9 gives me.

I don't find DNX9's sweetspot small at all. It is just I was using T10gen2 before which I like as it has a very big sweetspot, but not enough power for me. I used Cat8V and find almost ideal as it also has a big sweetspot, flexy, has good power for service and I can hit penetrating volley, but only drawback for me is my ground strokes does not penetrate and ball often fell too short.

Maybe it is tradeoff thing and I am expecting too much with a racket.

Anyway, please post about BB11L with lead up if you try in the future. Meanwhile I stick with DNX9 with cushioned grip and Excellator.

Thanks.

 

[NoBadMojo]

NoBadMojo, Thank you for your advice. I am using Klip excellator strung at 55 and not using leather grip, though I prefer a leather grip. I tried Klip Legend/IsoPro and leather grip before and liked the feeling very much, but that made DNX9 too heavy for me to swing fast and the leather grip gives a little bit pain on my elbow after a long session. So, I was wondering BB11L would be ideal for me as it is flex enough with leather grip and light enough with Legend/IsoPro and may provide the same power level that DNX9 gives me.

I don't find DNX9's sweetspot small at all. It is just I was using T10gen2 before which I like as it has a very big sweetspot, but not enough power for me. I used Cat8V and find almost ideal as it also has a big sweetspot, flexy, has good power for service and I can hit penetrating volley, but only drawback for me is my ground strokes does not penetrate and ball often fell too short.

Maybe it is tradeoff thing and I am expecting too much with a racket.

Anyway, please post about BB11L with lead up if you try in the future. Meanwhile I stick with DNX9 with cushioned grip and Excellator.

Thanks.

will do. i understand. it might be a good idea if you can try and isolate whatever move is causing the pain and see if there is something technically you can do about it. I dont think you will find the b11Light more comfortable than the dnx9

 

[Paul_Mascala]

do I get any chance for this Becker 11 Light?

Ok, I thought about making a separate thread but I think this will do as long as I don't get too offtopic.

I am a 2.5 or 3.0 with indulgence, I am a casual tennis player. I am decently fit, 1.93 in height about 93 kg, and 26 y.o. I have the ability to hit pretty strong but nothing spectacular. At the moment I play with a Yonex RQS5, which seems pretty ok but a little light sometimes. I don't experience a serious feeling about it, like it has no salt and pepper. I have this opportunity to pass this racquet to a friend of mine (a girl player).

I got hooked by the looks or the marketing of this rocket (becker11 light), no flames or anything intended but I would be hypocrite to say that I know exactly what I am talking about. While in theory I can pull a few conclusion, the practical evidence is irrelevant.

I follow this forum for some time, although not on a regular basis. For what I have read I understood that is a tendency for new inexperienced players to get hooked into player racquets and maybe I am getting the same syndrome.
Whilist I might be phisically fit for this racquet it may be still demanding for me. I hope this lighter version is not so demanding though.
I have no opportunity to test this becker 11 light however, so if I decide to buy it, I would buy it "blindly" . Money is not a big problem but I don't want that to sound like I'm throwing money away.

So, without further ado, I want some advice if should I consider approaching this racquet or if I should stay away.
I am not a native english speaker, so please pardon my french

 

[NoBadMojo]

Ok, I thought about making a separate thread but I think this will do as long as I don't get too offtopic.

I am a 2.5 or 3.0 with indulgence, I am a casual tennis player. I am decently fit, 1.93 in height about 93 kg, and 26 y.o. I have the ability to hit pretty strong but nothing spectacular. At the moment I play with a Yonex RQS5, which seems pretty ok but a little light sometimes. I don't experience a serious feeling about it, like it has no salt and pepper. I have this opportunity to pass this racquet to a friend of mine (a girl player).

I got hooked by the looks or the marketing of this rocket (becker11 light), no flames or anything intended but I would be hypocrite to say that I know exactly what I am talking about. While in theory I can pull a few conclusion, the practical evidence is irrelevant.

I follow this forum for some time, although not on a regular basis. For what I have read I understood that is a tendency for new inexperienced players to get hooked into player racquets and maybe I am getting the same syndrome.
Whilist I might be phisically fit for this racquet it may be still demanding for me. I hope this lighter version is not so demanding though.
I have no opportunity to test this becker 11 light however, so if I decide to buy it, I would buy it "blindly" . Money is not a big problem but I don't want that to sound like I'm throwing money away.

So, without further ado, I want some advice if should I consider approaching this racquet or if I should stay away.
I am not a native english speaker, so please pardon my french

Your safest bet if you are intrigued by the Becker line and since you cant demo, is to go with the becker V1. It would better suit your current level and you are unlikely to outgrow it. Do a search for info on it if you like..it's a really nice racquet.