Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite for a kid?

[Stardust]

Hi fellows,

I’ve got a problem and I’d be happy to hear from you some competent opinion. Here is the case:
My 13 y.o. daughter is a tour player. She hits so far with Wilson BLX Bold - leaded and balanced to 209 gr. strung weight, 304 swingweight, bal. point at 32.5 cm. (5 pt. HL).
Two weeks ago a friend of mine gave her a brand new racquet Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite which he’s bought for his girlfriend last year but she hasn’t used it at all. My daughter tried it out once and now she wants to hit only with it! She likes it very much but I’m not so happy – it seems to me too heavy. It’s matter of fact the girl looks a bit elder (14-15), but I’m bothering about her arm! Really, the swingweight is not too much – 308, the flex rating is low – 57, but I’m stared at these 326 gr. weight and can’t sleep… :lol:
Is there some risk or negative influence by such a heavy stick in a kid’s hand? Are there some other kids playing with 11.5 oz. racquets?
Thanks!

 

[SteveI]

Hi fellows,

I’ve got a problem and I’d be happy to hear from you some competent opinion. Here is the case:
My 13 y.o. daughter is a tour player. She hits so far with Wilson BLX Bold - leaded and balanced to 209 gr. strung weight, 304 swingweight, bal. point at 32.5 cm. (5 pt. HL).
Two weeks ago a friend of mine gave her a brand new racquet Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite which he’s bought for his girlfriend last year but she hasn’t used it at all. My daughter tried it out once and now she wants to hit only with it! She likes it very much but I’m not so happy – it seems to me too heavy. It’s matter of fact the girl looks a bit elder (14-15), but I’m bothering about her arm! Really, the swingweight is not too much – 308, the flex rating is low – 57, but I’m stared at these 326 gr. weight and can’t sleep… :lol:
Is there some risk or negative influence by such a heavy stick in a kid’s hand? Are there some other kids playing with 11.5 oz. racquets?
Thanks!

Interesting question....my short answer would be... two parts. What frame would win her the most matches and which frame would protect her young arm..shoulder... wrist.. etc.

 

[Prodigy1234]

The SW is relatively low, its 4 points higher than your customized BLX Bold. And for the strung weight of the Bold, I presume you mean 309 grams. I think if she likes it and can handle it, she should use it

 

[Stardust]

.... And for the strung weight of the Bold, I presume you mean 309 grams. ...

Yep, you're right - 309 gr.! Sorry, my mistake!
Thanks for the answers, guys!

 

[cknobman]

If she can handle the racquet well and it is comfortable for her then by all means let her use it.

The racquet is not going to giver her arm/shoulder problems. Problems like that usually develop because of flawed form/technique. A heavier racquet can accelerate the onset of any problems due to form/technique.

I played with (still play with) a Bio 200 lite and I can definitely say that I thought it was a very comfortable frame and very easy to swing.

 

[slowfox]

I assume the grip size is okay for her. The extra weight isn't that much, but it really depends on your girl. Also, that 57 flex rating seems low to me; I demo'd the frame last year and it felt stiffer than that but still flexible.

 

[Stardust]

Thank you people for your inputs! I’ll let her play and will be cautious for eventual bad indications, if any …

Thanks again and have a wild party tonight !

 

[kazamzaa]

I also bought this racquet for myself. I found it odd that I did not like it at all??? Because i liked the regular bio 200 right away, even with original dunlop silk strings (although i use gut/poly now). And in the past I used to like 16 mains.
From what I've read, this racquet needs lead tape upwards from 3&9. I would be glad to hear if it's worth the hassle to find right amount of lead and right strings for this bio 200 lite? The problem is instability and unpredictability in heavy hitting.
Please share if you have found a great string setup for bio 200 lite.
What I was trying to find with a switch from bio200 to bio200lite was bigger sweet spot, more spin an pace. My bio200 with gut/poly does it all... But you guys know how it is... always trying to find something even better. Especially after you've lost a match.

 

[db10s]

Are there some other kids playing with 11.5 oz. racquets?
Thanks!

I'm 14... I play with 12.1 oz.

 

[kazamzaa]

I'm 14... I play with 12.1 oz.

In my opinion my friends 12 year old son did hit better with the regular wilson six.one than with the 10,7 oz six.one team. The boy agreed and insisted his dad to buy six.one regulars. Anyhow his dad did not want him to switch because the kids hand would not swung it with ease in long matches. He is 14 now and developed rapidly. Maybe the dad was right. I have to ask if he uses heavier racquets nowdays.

 

[TimothyO]

My sons used my Pure Storms this afternoon to hit with each other and really enjoyed it. They weigh about 11.6 oz modded. My 11 year old also enjoys my Dunlop 200s which come in around 12 oz. Finally, my wife used a heavy wood frame as a girl that easily weighed over 12 oz. The Bio Lite shouldn't be a problem.

 

[PrincessAdam]

When I was 13, I used a 6.1 95. I handled it well

 

[Philipp Kohlscheriber #1]

I am 13 and use the PS six one 95 and it needs LEAD TAPE!!!

 

[Stardust]

Hi guys! Thanks for the last inputs!
I’ve had the chance to throw a glance at the training of my daughter these days and here is some short report: I’ve noticed essential, not to say great improvement in her serves and better, more solid backhand (2H). Slower “brushing” with the forehand however and less top spin, but she insists on that she’s going to get over it. There is some slight inconsistency in the hitting the sweetspot, temporally I do hope, but in general she feels the racquet more forgiving. She promised to tell me if she feels some unusual weariness or pain.
I were just thinking – I don’t see many of top WTA players hitting with sticks less than 98-100 sq. in. head size – there are only few with 95 sq. in. Is there some specific reason for that, concerning the women’s tennis?

 

[cknobman]

I were just thinking – I don’t see many of top WTA players hitting with sticks less than 98-100 sq. in. head size – there are only few with 95 sq. in. Is there some specific reason for that, concerning the women’s tennis?

Women like the extra power they get from larger head sizes. Since men are naturally stronger they are more likely to use the smaller head sizes which let them generate their own power more than the racquet does.