Diadem Elevate Tour - quick Review

Snaab · Mar 14, 2019

Being a fan of their strings, I had previously demoed the Diadem Elevate and had pretty high expectations. While not disappointed, (for me) the Elevate had a bit too much flex, and while the power level and plow through were fine for a 305g unstrung frame, it wasn't exactly where I'd want it. So when Diadem came out with the Elevate Tour, increasing RA from 64 to 67, and weight from 305g to 315g, I had to give it a shot.
The short story is the Tour version fixes everything that was lacking in the Elevate. The flex is firm but comfortable. The power level and plow through is still dictated by what you put into it, but you are more justly rewarded for the effort. I also use the Wilson ProStaff RF97 and to put it bluntly, there is no substitute for mass. 315g is much more appropriate for the Elevate than 305g. Control, comfort, power, stability are all there. I am not a spin player, so the 16x20 works great for me, but I won't comment on spin potential. I think the target here is more of a Head Prestige player than a Babolat AeroPro Drive type user. My only gripe is that they don't make a 5/8 grip so I had to get a 1/2 and use 2 overgrips. IMO the tweaks to the Tour version speak to the fact that the folks at Diadem are listening to player feedback. Well done!

supineAnimation · Mar 15, 2019

Snaab said:
Being a fan of their strings, I had previously demoed the Diadem Elevate and had pretty high expectations. While not disappointed, (for me) the Elevate had a bit too much flex, and while the power level and plow through were fine for a 305g unstrung frame, it wasn't exactly where I'd want it. So when Diadem came out with the Elevate Tour, increasing RA from 64 to 67, and weight from 305g to 315g, I had to give it a shot.
The short story is the Tour version fixes everything that was lacking in the Elevate. The flex is firm but comfortable. The power level and plow through is still dictated by what you put into it, but you are more justly rewarded for the effort. I also use the Wilson ProStaff RF97 and to put it bluntly, there is no substitute for mass. 315g is much more appropriate for the Elevate than 305g. Control, comfort, power, stability are all there. I am not a spin player, so the 16x20 works great for me, but I won't comment on spin potential. I think the target here is more of a Head Prestige player than a Babolat AeroPro Drive type user. My only gripe is that they don't make a 5/8 grip so I had to get a 1/2 and use 2 overgrips. IMO the tweaks to the Tour version speak to the fact that the folks at Diadem are listening to player feedback. Well done!

What's the grip shape like? More rectangular like Head or octagonal like Wilson? Thanks.

Snaab · Mar 15, 2019

Not rectangular like Head Prestige. Maybe closer to Dunlop or Babolat. I've got 2 overgrips so some of the bevel sharpness is lost.

topspn · Mar 27, 2019

I just tried the Elevate Tour for the 1st time yesterday. Strung it came out to 340g/32cm balance with OG. It is strung with Black Night @48lbs and played with a very nice balance of power and control. I completely agree with OP’s assessment of the frame and comparison to the regular Elevate. This one has more dictating ability and a nice heavy ball while maintaining good touch. I will be trying it in a practice match tonight.

DJ- · Mar 27, 2019

topspn said:
I just tried the Elevate Tour for the 1st time yesterday. Strung it came out to 340g/32cm balance with OG. It is strung with Black Night @48lbs and played with a very nice balance of power and control. I completely agree with OP’s assessment of the frame and comparison to the regular Elevate. This one has more dictating ability and a nice heavy ball while maintaining good touch. I will be trying it in a practice match tonight.

This one might be close to your pure storm tour..... looks interesting. Apparently all foam filled, does it feel like that? like Angell foamcore ?

topspn · Mar 27, 2019

DJ- said:
This one might be close to your pure storm tour..... looks interesting. Apparently all foam filled, does it feel like that? like Angell foamcore ?

I wouldn’t say it feels exactly like my TC95s. However comfort was not an issue at all and it also had this not getting pushed back feel you get from TC95. The PSTGT does have a bit more plush feel but dictating power is there at decent precision. Today will be more telling as I will be trying it in a practice match.

DJ- · Mar 27, 2019

topspn said:
I wouldn’t say it feels exactly like my TC95s. However comfort was not an issue at all and it also had this not getting pushed back feel you get from TC95. The PSTGT does have a bit more plush feel but dictating power is there at decent precision. Today will be more telling as I will be trying it in a practice match.

Sounds good. Might be one of those frames that won't need much in terms of lead. Match play will definitely give you a better indication with angles, defense, attack, e.t.c

haqq777 · Mar 30, 2019

topspn said:
I wouldn’t say it feels exactly like my TC95s. However comfort was not an issue at all and it also had this not getting pushed back feel you get from TC95. The PSTGT does have a bit more plush feel but dictating power is there at decent precision. Today will be more telling as I will be trying it in a practice match.

You tried the regular Elevate too I remember? Do you think the Tour is better in every aspect by comparison? I have yet to find anything in 16x20 like the PSTGT. I would be surprised if Elevate Tour is on par. Look fwd to your feedback!

topspn · Mar 30, 2019

haqq777 said:
You tried the regular Elevate too I remember? Do you think the Tour is better in every aspect by comparison? I have yet to find anything in 16x20 like the PSTGT. I would be surprised if Elevate Tour is on par. Look fwd to your feedback!

Yes, I did try the regular one a while back. The tour is better in every way for me. It does have good touch feel (even better then PSTGT in that regard) and i feel well connected. This one certainly has dictating power and hits a heavy ball and produces a nice big serve (not as big as TC95). I played a match with it Wednesday night and my partner and I had an easy time with our opposition. So in an easy match were I wasn’t pressed much, I hit beautifully with it and volleys were very good. I played my TC95 this morning and will do same tomorrow since it’s a real match but I’ll continue trying to hit with the Tour. The 16x20 is more open then the PSTGT but has good control, just not the precision quality of PSTGT. It is however a bit more forgiving then the PSTGT with a pretty good sweet spot. Overall, pretty nice racquet that I am enjoying.

haqq777 · Mar 30, 2019

topspn said:
Yes, I did try the regular one a while back. The tour is better in every way for me. It does have good touch feel (even better then PSTGT in that regard) and i feel well connected. This one certainly has dictating power and hits a heavy ball and produces a nice big serve (not as big as TC95). I played a match with it Wednesday night and my partner and I had an easy time with our opposition. So in an easy match were I wasn’t pressed much, I hit beautifully with it and volleys were very good. I played my TC95 this morning and will do same tomorrow since it’s a real match but I’ll continue trying to hit with the Tour. The 16x20 is more open then the PSTGT but has good control, just not the precision quality of PSTGT. It is however a bit more forgiving then the PSTGT with a pretty good sweet spot. Overall, pretty nice racquet that I am enjoying.

Nice! Might have to take it out for a test ride. Do you know the specs? Unstrung (along with swingweight?). You mentioned strung weight and at 340g it is about 10-12g lighter in static weight (strung) compared to PSTGT stock (with OG). Has to be a healthy swing weight I bet since it has good dictating power you mentioned?

topspn · Mar 30, 2019

haqq777 said:
Nice! Might have to take it out for a test ride. Do you know the specs? Unstrung (along with swingweight?). You mentioned strung weight and at 340g it is about 10-12g lighter in static weight (strung) compared to PSTGT stock (with OG). Has to be a healthy swing weight I bet since it has good dictating power you mentioned?

Oh, SW is not high I don’t think. PSTGT is supposed be 295 stock unstrung and the Tour is probably close to that or a bit under. Weight wise it’s only 5g under stock PSTGT so 315g and demo I have was 316.8. PSTGT is 320g unstrung. The RA is a bit higher on the Tour so does give a solid response. It’s worth a try

BHold81 · May 11, 2019

Did anybody that played with both versions of the Elevate hit with the regular one leaded up? If so, how did the customized Elevate compare to the Tour?

Nadalsitchyuknowwhat · May 24, 2019

Just waiting to receive my elevate tour... how is it on the arm? (Arm/Shoulder issues!) also does it have a nice plush feel as a result of the foam? Thanks!!

topspn · May 24, 2019

Nadalsitchyuknowwhat said:
Just waiting to receive my elevate tour... how is it on the arm? (Arm/Shoulder issues!) also does it have a nice plush feel as a result of the foam? Thanks!!

Yes, yes and yes

Nadalsitchyuknowwhat · May 24, 2019

Thanks, thanks and thanks!

MarioRich · May 24, 2019

BHold81 said:
Did anybody that played with both versions on the Elevate hit with the regular one leaded up? If so, how did the customized Elevate compare to the Tour?

This is a good question for comparison...

pico · May 29, 2019

How does it compare to the HEAD Graphene 360 SPeed Pro?

gsy · Jun 19, 2019

I had a short hit with the Elevate Tour. For reference, my primary racquet is a Donnay Quad GT. Actually, I am amazed how similar these racquets are. The Elevate is definitely stiffer, launch angle slightly lower, but more natural power in the racquet. Seems like it will have decent control, but the string bed did seem a little unpredictable--could be the strings.

fundrazer · Jun 19, 2019

gsy said:
I had a short hit with the Elevate Tour. For reference, my primary racquet is a Donnay Quad GT. Actually, I am amazed how similar these racquets are. The Elevate is definitely stiffer, launch angle slightly lower, but more natural power in the racquet. Seems like it will have decent control, but the string bed did seem a little unpredictable--could be the strings.

The unpredictability has maybe been the one thing that's bugging me about mine lately, but I also think it's partly the strings. I've still got the same solstice power stringjob in there and it's notching a bit. Has been more of an issue in the two matches I've played recently, just a few too many balls flying on me.

I think it does virtually everything well though. Serving maybe the one area I'm not quite sure about...I've had patches with it where I can serve super well, and other days where I feel like I'm not getting enough easy power from it. Not that I was necessarily expecting it. Just means I need to practice a bit more.

ry_laplante · Jul 5, 2019

Is the only place to demo these straight from diadem?

blai212 · Jul 6, 2019

can anybody compare the head extreme mp/pro to the elevate tour?

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Crocodile · Jul 6, 2019

I'm keen to get one of these frames to do some testing. They look great,

blai212 · Jul 6, 2019

elevate and the tour supposedly play very similarly to the radicals but more comfortable because of the foam injected frame

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RelentlessAttack · Oct 1, 2019

I just ordered one of these so I'll post a review after a few weeks. Been playtesting tons of different rackets for 2 years and not really digging any of them. I like my old blade 93s but the frames are dead. Main thing I've found I've been liking lately is an older radical pro that a friend lent me but the current head lineup isn't doing it for me. Tried to fall in love with the Vcore Pros but each one has something I don't love about it.

I'm hopeful that the specs on this thing fall right at the intersection of what I was looking for. 315 is a good moderate weight, relatively high RA but foam filled for comfort, moderate beam, 16x20 like the Duel G, etc, 98 in.
Will be back with an update in a bit, hopefully it won't be because I'm selling the racquet.

Crocodile · Oct 1, 2019

I just customised 2 Diadem 305's with lots of lead under the handle plus a leather grip and 4 strips of 6mm lead at 3 and 9 and strung it up with biphase 1.3 at 50lbs. It's a decent racquet with the best cosmetics on a racquet right now. If I had to change anything it would be to make the frame more box beamed.
The tour would be easier to weight up but I'm not sure the 67 unstrung RA would be preferable to the 64 of the non tour model.
All in all, the elevate frames are pretty good frames and priced right should find quite a few buyers.

tiger_ob · Jun 16, 2020

I just switched from a Pure Strike Tour over to the Elevate Tour. Despite having similar stiffness ratings, the Elevate felt far more comfortable due to the foam injection. I also think the Elevate has better "feel" than the Pure Strike, as that one felt a bit too muted for me. I get comparable power and better spin, but am also given more predictability and feedback from the racket. To me, this is an exceptional racket for an all-courter that wants a racket that can do everything well.

swizzy · Jul 24, 2020

i feel pretty lucky to go and pick up a used elevate tour a few weeks back. i rarely buy rackets completely blind. i have now played 12 sets with it and it is undefeated. loved it from the very first hit and don't feel any need to customize it. so maneuverable and comfortable with surprising power. this is my first 16x20 racket and it was great to be rewarded when hitting flat or with spin equally. my first serve % is up and has been since the first day. my service motion has always been very repeatable with good results but now it is almost automatic. i play with a ton of variety and this racket has opened up a few possibilities that my ps90 just couldn't due to the the smaller face. the one area i struggled with was when hitting completely sideways on the ball and i would clip the frame of the diadem as i had been hitting with a narrow beam so many years. i made that adjustment and it has been pretty wonderful. ironically i bought another cheap racket years ago when tons of people abandoned the original red and black rf97 for the black one. i played with it a few times but never gave it the time to commit to it, and i had 5 ps 90's in my bag. 5 years later and i have 2 left. the unexpected bonus of the diadem is that i am now comfortable and dialed into hitting with a bigger frame and when i went to rf97 i finally was using it the way it is meant to play and i now i have two weapons that i love and can use as needed. very surprising place to be after all this time. demo one..or pick one up new, but don't outbid me as i will be looking to get a few more

Regord · Dec 10, 2020

ry_laplante said:
Is the only place to demo these straight from diadem?

Some retail stores may have them available for Demo. You can check if a retail store in your area has them available for demo.

cmmarcoux · Dec 11, 2020

I'll have to try out the tour some time. I was looking for a comfortable midplus frame to replace my old Wilson Ultras . . . and potentially also my Phantom 100. I didn't set out with the goal of repping Diadem, but that's where I ended up. The Elevate just feels right to me. The Flash strings were okay -- replaced them with RPM Blast, which worked better. Just tried them out with Solstice Power . . . which gave me pretty much everything I was looking for. The only real downside is that I almost feel as if I should bring a wireless speaker with me and play the Miami Vice theme on a loop while I'm on the court. So much teal.

Jay Sean · Feb 20, 2021

Snaab said:
Not rectangular like Head Prestige. Maybe closer to Dunlop or Babolat. I've got 2 overgrips so some of the bevel sharpness is lost.

Why not use heat shrink to increase grip size and maintain a lot more of the grips edge?

Jay Sean · Feb 20, 2021

cmmarcoux said:
I'll have to try out the tour some time. I was looking for a comfortable midplus frame to replace my old Wilson Ultras . . . and potentially also my Phantom 100. I didn't set out with the goal of repping Diadem, but that's where I ended up. The Elevate just feels right to me. The Flash strings were okay -- replaced them with RPM Blast, which worked better. Just tried them out with Solstice Power . . . which gave me pretty much everything I was looking for. The only real downside is that I almost feel as if I should bring a wireless speaker with me and play the Miami Vice theme on a loop while I'm on the court. So much teal.

I like mine a lot but yet to try any other strings on them yet. Very versatile and stable. Stiff kinda but also comfortable. Stiff but not in a bad way just in a way you appreciate the predictability and energy transfer. That being said it's a pretty control oriented racquet that will definitely reward the power if you can access it. So it can be powerful but you need to be able to really swing. Takes a good player to get the best of this but it's there! Many racquets don't do everything well but I think this does, it's just on you to access that.

Maybe pretty similar to head speed pro or something. Maybe the pure strike tour. But it's a racquet worth trying and has it's own identity for sure.

Snaab · Feb 20, 2021

Jay Sean said:
Why not use heat shrink to increase grip size and maintain a lot more of the grips edge?

Shrink sleeve adds more weight and changes the balance point more than 2 overgrips.

Jay Sean · Feb 20, 2021

Snaab said:
Shrink sleeve adds more weight and changes the balance point more than 2 overgrips.

Not really. A half size heat shrink build will be around 7-10 grams. Overgrips about 6-8 grams. And it's only weight in the handle and just a couple grams different at most and you maintain the bevel shape much better. I think it's the way to go.

Jay Sean · Feb 20, 2021

A

Jay Sean said:
Not really. A half size heat shrink build will be around 7-10 grams. Overgrips about 6-8 grams. And it's only weight in the handle and just a couple grams different at most and you maintain the bevel shape much better. I think it's the way to go.

Full size heat shrink build will be about 17-20 grams. My half size buildup was exactly 9 grams and that was on an extended length handle.

Snaab · Feb 20, 2021

The way to go is whatever works for you.

Jay Sean · Feb 20, 2021

Snaab said:
The way to go is whatever works for you.

Exactly. But I made a point about the weight difference and it's basically not a real factor if that's your reasoning. Some overgrips will weigh more than the half grip sleeve.

Snaab · Feb 22, 2021

Jay Sean said:
Exactly. But I made a point about the weight difference and it's basically not a real factor if that's your reasoning. Some overgrips will weigh more than the half grip sleeve.

Your point assumes for a full size sleeve that a 10+ gram weight differential (and the accompanying change in balance point) is immaterial.
I don't think there would be consensus there.
Personally, there is a huge difference between a 320 gram frame and a 330gram frame.
For a half sleeve - yeah, ok.

Jay Sean · Feb 22, 2021

Snaab said:
Your point assumes for a full size sleeve that a 10+ gram weight differential (and the accompanying change in balance point) is immaterial.
I don't think there would be consensus there.
Personally, there is a huge difference between a 320 gram frame and a 330gram frame.
For a half sleeve - yeah, ok.

Yeah just half sleeve. I imagine a half sleeve to be more like the amount an overgrip will build up the size. That's why I suggested it but it's also right about the same weight.

jlnjca · Oct 25, 2021

Contact me for Diadem products. I am a distributor.

time410s · Oct 25, 2021

Or me, I am as well

Booger · Oct 25, 2021

We are all Diadem distributors

time410s · Oct 25, 2021

Booger said:
We are all Diadem distributors

I've wondered how this works as a business model. All of us undercutting each other while the retail stores, if they get in there, have to compete with us who are all undercutting one another. Seems weird.

Booger · Oct 25, 2021

time410s said:
I've wondered how this works as a business model. All of us undercutting each other while the retail stores, if they get in there, have to compete with us who are all undercutting one another. Seems weird.

I think once they capture enough market share, say 10% MSS, they kick everyone out except the big guys and start doing the ~~price fixing~~ "minimum pricing" collusion stuff.

Last I heard the requirements to sell Wilson or Babolat stuff were pretty silly.

time410s · Oct 26, 2021

Booger said:
I think once they capture enough market share, say 10% MSS, they kick everyone out except the big guys and start doing the ~~price fixing~~ "minimum pricing" collusion stuff.

Last I heard the requirements to sell Wilson or Babolat stuff were pretty silly.

Hope it works. I think they need to expand the lineup and hopefully offer more headlight balance rackets that play the same otherwise.

time410s · Oct 26, 2021

Maybe update the look a little especially on the elevate.

Diadem Elevate Tour - quick Review

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