2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Are the Novas similarly low TW? It's what I'm feeling with one I picked up.
Diadem Elevate Tour
- Thread starter lulo
- Start date
Sebastian Prias
New User
Is the Nova based on a The Pure Drive mold? Looks very similar from where I am standing!
BallBasher247
Professional
No, it's Diadem's own mold. Their molds do have similarities to other popular molds out there, like how you pointed out the similarity between the Nova mold and the PD (PK Destiny) mold. The Elevate mold is a lot like the IG Radical mold, just with a true 98 headsize.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Yes and they certainly need weight on the side for lateral stability
I've bought Nova as well. I'm gonna test it out tonight.
It came in 296gr, and 31.6 balance unstrung.
I've strung it, and already customized it with 3gr on each side at 3 and 9 o'clock.
I'm gonna report on this frame in a few days or so. I usually dislike completely opened patterns and 100" head size. But due to tennisnerd comments on this frame, I really had to check it out.
I've strung it with Solstice Power at 24kg..
It came in 296gr, and 31.6 balance unstrung.
I've strung it, and already customized it with 3gr on each side at 3 and 9 o'clock.
I'm gonna report on this frame in a few days or so. I usually dislike completely opened patterns and 100" head size. But due to tennisnerd comments on this frame, I really had to check it out.
I've strung it with Solstice Power at 24kg..
Tennisist
Professional
For me, Nova+ measured TW=12.
The number if kind-of average. To me, Nova+ feels quite stable. I would say more stable than 90% of frames on the market.
The only racquets more stable than Nova or Elevate are RF97, Dunlop Bio M3.1 and my own in-house TW16 mods.
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
If those #s are true, I haven't encountered that low of TW frames since the original youtek prestiges, and they were great hits dead center but extremely buzzy outside of it!
I'm encountering something similar with this 1st gen Nova. However, now have lead running from 1st top cross to 6th bottom cross, its feeling something like what I imagine the 1st gen PD was.
Stratotanker
Semi-Pro
Can anyone comment on the grip sizes with the Diadems? Fairly true to size? Would a Wilson 3 be a Diadem 3, for example? Thanks!
BallBasher247
Professional
IME Wilson grip 3's these days run a little bit big, not as much as Yonex though. A Diadem Grip 3 is slightly smaller than a Wilson Grip 3, more like a Head or Prince Grip 3.
Stratotanker
Semi-Pro
Many thanks! Elevate and Elevate Tour demos on the way! I prefer the feel of the Head TK82S G3 or a Prince G3, myself. My wife's Clash 98 is a G3 and feels way bigger.
BallBasher247
Professional
No problem. And if you don't feel comfortable with Diadem L3's once you get your rackets, there's always the L2's. Comparing my Diadem Elevate to my two Wilson Ultra Pro 16x19's (all three are L2) the Diadem grip feels smaller than either of my UP's. No biggie though, my CX200 Tour (now sold) was L3.
That's interesting, I found diadem's grip size to run a little big compared to head and wilson. Might be the thicker replacement grip?
BallBasher247
Professional
Could be. Diadem's stock grips aren't that thick, they're a pretty thin perforated faux leather.
I just wanted to add some thoughts to this thread. I was previously using a Head Graphene Prestige Mid Touch, but I recently switched to the Diadem Elevate FS. I demoed both the Elevate, Elevate tour, and the new Radical MP all around the same time. For me, the tour version had just a little bit too much power for me with it's stiffer flex rating. The Elevate was a great blend of power, maneuverability, spin, and control. I thought the Elevate and the Radical MP competed very closely with one another. There were some things I liked a little more about the Radical than the Elevate such as slicing, and I found enhanced maneuverability without loss of stability. However, the easy access to depth and spin is what won me over to the Elevate. I think the sweet spot is also bigger due to the string spacing, which makes playing defense easier. I really like how easy it is to play with this 16x20 string pattern. It's easy to both drive the ball flat like I often do, but it's just as easy to play heavy topspin shots. Slicing with it was a little bit of an adjustment, but I have hit some of my better slices with this stick the more that I get dialed in with it. All three are very solid racquets, so I would encourage anyone to try them out.
Cesare
Semi-Pro
Received mine today. Looks like in almost perfect specs, 315 grams , 31,4 balance. We measured the unstrung swingweight, 298 kg/cmq.
DuraWrangler
New User
The Tour is more powerful? That is surprising to me. Do you think the tour is to much racket for a 3.5? I don't have a problem with heavier rackets, but I don't want to hamper my game either if the non-tour version would be a better fit. I should probably just demo both.
I think the standard Elevate (~11.4 oz strung, 305 g) is better for both the advanced and developing player, as it can be customized with two small strips of lead/tungsten at 3&9 and a bit small bit of lead/tungsten under the overgrip or a leather grip. With these customizations, just the leather grip brings the standard Elevate to ~315, then the combined 3 oz weights at 3 and 9 bring it to 318, so with strings the racket comes to about 334 grams with these customizations and plays quite well. The flex of the standard is lower at 64 as well, versus 67 for the tour, and you can feel the difference in more control and longer dwell time for the ball on the strings.
DuraWrangler
New User
One of the tennis centers near me carries Diadem rackets. I hope to try one out this week. I'll hit with the standard and report back here how it went.
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
Played with both and a Nova. Really like the Elevate Tour. The Elevate also hit well. The Elevate was less stiff, and had less free power than the Tour. The Nova was he surprise. 100 sq. in, fatter frame but it was also wonderful. Hope you enjoy the hit. Really considering moving to Diadem.
I recommend making sure these rackets are strung at 50-52 lbs if polyester or hybrid to make sure it's representative of the racket. I also recommend buying a few tungsten/lead strips (Peter Sampras powerstrips work well) to try at 3 and 9. The nice thing about the standard Elevate is it is easy to customize without making the racket to unwieldy. The swingweight on the Elevate is somewhere around 320, whereas the Wilson Blade is closer to 330. That means the racket can be kept as is for more control, or if you want a bit more stability and plow-through on impact I would add two small strips at 3 and 9. I found playing singles with the customized Elevate (two small 2 inch strips at 3 and 9) to produce fast winners with lots of spin. I also wrapped a 1 strip of lead underneath an overgrip I put on, to keep the balance, it's not hard to do. Most pros customize, I feel like it's more and more normal to expect this with most commercial tennis rackets.
Karma Tennis
Legend
The easiest way to customise racquets without too much fiddling and mess is to use Bostik Blu Tack putty.
Weigh it into equal amounts and place it on the inside of the hoop in a symmetrical pattern. It will stick to the frame. And it will not fly off no matter how hard you hit the ball. It is very easy to add or remove mass on the fly.
Once the racquet feels good, replace the putty with tungsten or lead strips for a more permanent customisation.
Weigh it into equal amounts and place it on the inside of the hoop in a symmetrical pattern. It will stick to the frame. And it will not fly off no matter how hard you hit the ball. It is very easy to add or remove mass on the fly.
Once the racquet feels good, replace the putty with tungsten or lead strips for a more permanent customisation.
I measured both the Elevate and Elevate Tour demos strung as a hybrid and they both came out to have 323 swingweight according to the SwingTool app. I was expecting the Tour to be closer to 330 since that was the popular consensus but I'm actually happier with a lower 320's swingweight.
The tour is stiffer giving it more power, but it is not an overly powerful racquet. I think either racquet would be fine for a 3.5 player. I would definitely demo them and see which you like better. I thought I would like the tour better and I liked the balance of it a little more with the extra weight in the handle, but I just found the non-tour version better suited my game all around. I went from a speed to a prestige which was probably too extreme so I happily ended up in the middle with the Elevate. I think the Elevate also has room to add weight for customization if you're so inclined. I use a double over-grip for a little extra weight myself.
Cesare
Semi-Pro
Strung my Fs tour 98 with Tour Bite soft 1,20 @ 47 pounds and i'm very happy with it.Tons of spin especially on the forehand side, decent power without overhitting, great on flat and kick serves. Sweetspot is very generous, things that needs a period of adjustement are touch and half volleys, but i will fix that for sure with some practice.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
Same experience here. My kid plays these frames, and he is mostly a hard hitting flat baller, He has been playing these since just before xmas 2021 and just broke his first string in these last weekend (Feb 2022). Previous frames he was breaking strings once or twice per week. Of course, past results do not guarantee future performance, and I suspect the other two will break pretty soon as he has been alternating between the three pretty uniformly and he will be spending some quality time with his stringing machine. Kudos to Diadem that he can pick up any one of the three at random and not tell the difference other than string.
Which would you recommend for a ohbh?
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
Between the Angell or Diadem or just overall across all brands ?
BallBasher247
Professional
Angell: ASL2, K7 Lime, TC95/97 w/ your specs
Diadem: Any of them except the Nova XL. Add handle wt to Elevate or Nova to get em more HL. Elevate Tour’s good to go.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
Individual preference notwithstnding, I agree that Elevate Tour is good to go right out of the box (assuming you got it strung by Diadem at time of purchase),
Hm yes, good point. Strings are very necessary.
On a more serious note, yes I absolutely agree. Also, you said something positive about their quality control. Anyone else have input on how good/not so good their QC is? Or maybe @DiademSports could tell us directly what their QC tolerances are.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
I did indeed say something good about their QC. Of the three tours in my living room, two are identical and one is just one gram off of the other two in static weight with no discernible difference in SW. That's pretty amazing as we didn't ask for any customization or matching. I obviously cannot speak to the experiences of others.
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
How is this racket? I see the tour elevate is on clearance.
what other frames would you compare it to? I come from a babolat pure storm days which was a nice stick.
what other frames would you compare it to? I come from a babolat pure storm days which was a nice stick.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
As a fellow ex-Pure Storm user, I suggest you give the Elevate Tour a go.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
The clearance frame is the previous generation. The Elevate Tour FS is the current version. Previous version has the same specs but the FS has an internal rib structure (Flex Stabilization = FS) that makes it even more stable.
tim-ay
Legend
There have been some FS versions out there kicking out for 139 bucks. Not sure if there are any left, but google is a good friend
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
I mean is it really that much better? Sometimes the more firm and crisp frames are better feel than muted.
tim-ay
Legend
Can’t answer that, I didn’t hit the previous versions. But yeah the FS is pretty muted. A crisp string helps and it is a super set of frames, but I do like a bit more connected feel.
BallBasher247
Professional
Depends on what you want. If you don’t mind the older cosmetic but you want a rlly connected (for foam filled racket) & comfortable feel, go w/ the older one. FS is more dampened/muted & very string sensitive; connectedness is there but you gotta work to get it, & multis or plasticky muted polys won’t give it to you. But if you use crisp or connected polys, gut, etc you’ll be rewarded w/ good feel, ball connection & comfort. The Tours are ~64-65RA unstrung so they’re more direct/point-shoot feeling than regular Elevates @ 61-62RA strung, which may help w/ connectedness. Both Cyclone & Focus Hex Soft gave me nice connection to the ball in my EFS. Just restrung w/ T1 Firewire & Co-Focus (m/x) & feel seems to be even more connected than those…we’ll see when I take it out to court.
Compared to Pure Storms both Elevates are more string sensitive (& FS is more muted) but they’re much more comfortable & w/ the right strings they have good connection to the ball.
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Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
You can get spin out of this frame, especially if you choose a good shaped string in it. My kid uses these frames and is a flat ball hitter, but uses spin-oriented strings to help add useful spin that doesn't come naturally to him, and he loves these frames.
Peyote Biornsson
Rookie
Elevate Tour frames 4, 5, and 6 showed up via our friendly UPS carrier the other day for my kid, illustrating how far in we are in his admiration for this frame, all three of them strung by Diadem with Solstice Power 18 at 53 lbs. That makes five frames the kid has strung up that way, with the 6th frame currently strung at 53 with Pro X and will be replaced with Solstice Power 18 @ 53 when it is time. Great quality control on these; they all feel the same to him right out o the box, and all 6 are within a gram of 335 strung static weight (I can't measure swing weight but they are all identically maneuverable in feel, which in the end is what matters).
Peyote Bjornsson
Semi-Pro
My kid has 6 Elevate Tours weighted up to 355. He obviously loves them or he wouldn't have 6 of them. He is a college player. Since he added the weight, he gets incredible power while still retaining a lot of control. These frames are very underrated; most of the kid's teammates play with customized Blades, and whenever they try one of the 6 ETs, they love them but are so invested in their Blades they don't consider switching. Conversely, my kid just says No to the Blades when he tries them, but can't really explain why other than to say that his feel more solid. If the 6 ETs were to be lost or stolen I imagine they would be replaced with the same frames or possibly TF40 315s.
BallBasher247
Professional
Probably. Closest thing to the Elevate is the TF40 in performance, feel, etc. Great frames indeed. Even though I’m probably gonna switch to sth a bit lighter for tournament play (my regular Elevates are about 335g strung & measured btwn 330 & 335SW; I have a much easier time w/ my whippy FH & volleys in long matches/tourneys w/ lighter more powerful stuff) I still plan to keep the Elevates bc they’re such good practice rackets & give me what I put in. I’ll prolly want the extra heft anyway when winter comes around and I’m playing in 40-50° weather
Peyote Bjornsson
Semi-Pro
All six of my kid's ETs came to us strung as we asked and with no other instructions other than us asking that they all be close in weight. All six weighed in at 334 grams static weight, and I have no way to measure swingweight. Now they are all weighted up to 355 grams strung, which I personally thought changed the nature of the frames and was a step too far, but the kid is an adult and is the one who has to go into competition with them, and he is a good enough player to know what is woking or not working for him, so I stay out of it besides throwing out suggestions.
BallBasher247
Professional
I’d guess that static wt would make the frames like softer, more controlled RF97As in nature (if he didn’t add the wt all @12). I guess it works for him but that’s a lot to handle. I guess it depends on how you swing and what you like. Too much for me tho
Peyote Bjornsson
Semi-Pro
Exatly what I thought (not the F97 part as I have no experience with that frame). The kind of weight we are talking about here would be a lot for most players to handle effectively.I’d guess that static wt would make the frames like softer, more controlled RF97As in nature (if he didn’t add the wt all @12). I guess it works for him but that’s a lot to handle. I guess it depends on how you swing and what you like. Too much for me tho
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
Saw the original elevate tour was still available. Looking at the specs - looks rather similar to my old Pure storm tour. I picked it up. Hoping it’s a good one 
