StringSnapper
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And how does it compare to other racquets?
How does it compare to the ezone 98 tour?
Thanks
How does it compare to the ezone 98 tour?
Thanks
Just saw this, thanks for mentioning that post. I was just about to write the Elevate off as a frame that just doesn't work for my game but as I was taking all my lead off it, I decided to ball it up and stuff it under the buttcap, then I threw on a gram of lead split between 10 and 2. Racket came out to 335g and 32.2cm, down from 32.8cm. Racket swings way nicer than before and doesn't feel like a log on my 1HBH anymore. Just doing some volleys against the wall tells me it still feels really stable even though it's whippy. I think I may have hit the jackpot on wt/bal for my game, we'll see as I test it in the coming days. I hope it works cuz I don't wanna buy more rackets and my Ultra Pros are a bit hard to use when it's humid and I'm sweating buckets.Into the Diadem Sports Rackets thread you can read a detailed comparison between the Blade v7 and Elevate 98 from @BallBasher247.
That lower balance (nearby 32 cm) seems a lot better to me as well.Just saw this, thanks for mentioning that post. I was just about to write the Elevate off as a frame that just doesn't work for my game but as I was taking all my lead off it, I decided to ball it up and stuff it under the buttcap, then I threw on a gram of lead split between 10 and 2. Racket came out to 335g and 32.2cm, down from 32.8cm. Racket swings way nicer than before and doesn't feel like a log on my 1HBH anymore. Just doing some volleys against the wall tells me it still feels really stable even though it's whippy. I think I may have hit the jackpot on wt/bal for my game, we'll see as I test it in the coming days. I hope it works cuz I don't wanna buy more rackets and my Ultra Pros are a bit hard to use when it's humid and I'm sweating buckets.
Yup. Didn't understand the importance of balance point until I got my UPs weighted up and really started grooving with em. Still dialed in with em but I need something with a bit more for free in the heat. With the Elevate's natural Blade-like balance, I'd play very "on-and-off" with it–some days I'd hit incredible serves and forehands with it, and others I'd be a complete mess. The BH always felt sluggish, and with almost 4 grams of lead @ 3 & 9 and a gram @ 12, the racket was TOO powerful. I tried a second OG on it which got me to your specs (342g, 32.6cm) but it was still too HH for me. When I was messing with it yesterday, I tried that gram of lead I mentioned at 12, split between 11 and 1, and split between 10 and 2. The 10 and 2 feels the best on this racket. BTW I've got the OG Elevate, which seems to have less weight at the top of the hoop than the FS. Seems to me like these don't need much weight, just a little help at 10 and 2. Racket feels nearly as stable with just that gram as it did with all that weight at 3, 9 and 12.That lower balance (nearby 32 cm) seems a lot better to me as well.
The Elevate FS feels stable enough at volleys when I demoed it in stock condition.
Still a bit too light to me but after I added 4 grams of lead at 10 and 2 and an extra overgrip everything clicked with my strokes a lot better. Especially my serves.
After these customizations the total of that demo became 342 grams and a 32.6 cm balance (Flash 17 and a rubber band at the top of the handle included).
The Elevates seem to sell like hot cakes at the moment here in my country (the Netherlands) as they were out of stock when I wanted to order 2 Elevates last week. I am still waiting for the new stock and then I hope I can choose a pair with a nice solid swingweight (about 295-300) as I want to customize them to strung specs something like 32cm balance 345 grams total and a 330 SW. At least I would replace them with a leather grip (plus an overgrip of course) and a rubberband at the top of the handle and few grams of lead at 10 and 2 if possible (as that seems to work very well with my serves often).
That lower balance (nearby 32 cm) seems a lot better to me as well.
The Elevate FS feels stable enough at volleys when I demoed it in stock condition.
Still a bit too light to me but after I added 4 grams of lead at 10 and 2 and an extra overgrip everything clicked with my strokes a lot better. Especially my serves.
After these customizations the total of that demo became 342 grams and a 32.6 cm balance (Flash 17 and a rubber band at the top of the handle included).
The Elevates seem to sell like hot cakes at the moment here in my country (the Netherlands) as they were out of stock when I wanted to order 2 Elevates last week. I am still waiting for the new stock and then I hope I can choose a pair with a nice solid swingweight (about 295-300) as I want to customize them to strung specs something like 32cm balance 345 grams total and a 330 SW. At least I would replace them with a leather grip (plus an overgrip of course) and a rubberband at the top of the handle and few grams of lead at 10 and 2 if possible (as that seems to work very well with my serves often).
That lower balance (nearby 32 cm) seems a lot better to me as well.
The Elevate FS feels stable enough at volleys when I demoed it in stock condition.
Still a bit too light to me but after I added 4 grams of lead at 10 and 2 and an extra overgrip everything clicked with my strokes a lot better. Especially my serves.
After these customizations the total of that demo became 342 grams and a 32.6 cm balance (Flash 17 and a rubber band at the top of the handle included).
The Elevates seem to sell like hot cakes at the moment here in my country (the Netherlands) as they were out of stock when I wanted to order 2 Elevates last week. I am still waiting for the new stock and then I hope I can choose a pair with a nice solid swingweight (about 295-300) as I want to customize them to strung specs something like 32cm balance 345 grams total and a 330 SW. At least I would replace them with a leather grip (plus an overgrip of course) and a rubberband at the top of the handle and few grams of lead at 10 and 2 if possible (as that seems to work very well with my serves often).
How did you lower the balance to 32 cm?Yup. Didn't understand the importance of balance point until I got my UPs weighted up and really started grooving with em. Still dialed in with em but I need something with a bit more for free in the heat. With the Elevate's natural Blade-like balance, I'd play very "on-and-off" with it–some days I'd hit incredible serves and forehands with it, and others I'd be a complete mess. The BH always felt sluggish, and with almost 4 grams of lead @ 3 & 9 and a gram @ 12, the racket was TOO powerful. I tried a second OG on it which got me to your specs (342g, 32.6cm) but it was still too HH for me. When I was messing with it yesterday, I tried that gram of lead I mentioned at 12, split between 11 and 1, and split between 10 and 2. The 10 and 2 feels the best on this racket. BTW I've got the OG Elevate, which seems to have less weight at the top of the hoop than the FS. Seems to me like these don't need much weight, just a little help at 10 and 2. Racket feels nearly as stable with just that gram as it did with all that weight at 3, 9 and 12.
If you get rackets with a ≥295SW, you might only need leather + OG. That'd put it at 335-340g and ~32cm. Try it both this way and at 345g; the extra static weight might work if you use ~350g rackets but these seem to be fine with the minimum weight needed to fit your playing style.
Lately I've been going by feel more than specs when customizing; my Elevate originally had 3.5g between 3 & 9, .75g at 12, and .75g between 5 & 7 (5g total), all of which got redistributed under the buttcap along with a 2g weight I already had in there. Then I added 1g between 10 & 2 and stopped. Racket feels exactly how I want it now. Sure enough, the racket was 335g and just over 32cm.How did you lower the balance to 32 cm?
Yesterday I just received my 2 EFS (strung with Diadem Flash 17 at 23/kg) with the following specs:
Frame #1 unstrung: 309.1 grams 31.9 cm balance 291.5 SW / strung: 324.7 grams 32.8 cm balance 320.5 SW
Frame #2 unstrung: 310.7 grams 31.8 cm 291.5 SW / strung: 326.2 grams 32.7 cm balance 320.5 SW
Now I would like to customize them to about 345 grams - 330 SW with a balance at 32 cm (strung).
First I replaced the standard grip with a leather grip in order to lower the balance. Together with an overgrip, rubber band at the top of the handle and a Diadem dampener the total weight of my frame #2 is now 334 grams strung.
However I was really disappointed that the standard grip seems to be as heavy as my Oehms leather grip (23 grams). Now I need to add a lot of lead (about 10 grams) at the bare handle as well. Besides that I also want to beef up the swingweight a bit by adding ca 4 grams at 10 and 2.
What is the best way to add lead around the handle? Spread like wrapping a grip or a few layers at the very bottom of the handle (towards the edge of the buttcap)? The latter manner will lower the balance more but I guess it'll create a more noticable bulge in your grip.
I already tried all euro coins but only the 2 and 5 euro cents fit under the butt cap. Both weigh only 4 grams.Lately I've been going by feel more than specs when customizing; my Elevate originally had 3.5g between 3 & 9, .75g at 12, and .75g between 5 & 7 (5g total), all of which got redistributed under the buttcap along with a 2g weight I already had in there. Then I added 1g between 10 & 2 and stopped. Racket feels exactly how I want it now. Sure enough, the racket was 335g and just over 32cm.
I'd take the rubber band off, it's dead weight. Instead, throw some lead, putty, or coins under the buttcap until you like the balance–probably 5-7g worth. Weight there has the biggest effect on the balance since it's at one polar end of the racket, and it's easier than putting it under the base grip, so that's the best place to put it. I will warn you that these can become rocket launchers with too much hoop lead though...even when I reduced the lead to 2.5g at 3 & 9 and .75g at 12 it was still a bit too powerful. I'd start with 2g between 10 and 2, then go from there depending on the stability/plow. This all should get you to around 343g strung with about a 31.7-32cm balance. Again, don't mind the numbers too much, just customize it to where you like how it swings and plays.
Is packing the handle with lead going to get more weight? Probably just a few grams at most but how about some tape in the handle?I already tried all euro coins but only the 2 and 5 euro cents fit under the butt cap. Both weigh only 4 grams.
Do you mean adding lead within the hairpin or around the grip handle? The whole frame is foam filled so I would only be able to try the latter option if possible.Is packing the handle with lead going to get more weight? Probably just a few grams at most but how about some tape in the handle?
I've been asking them to make a custom racket for me with less foam or less dense foam or no foam on the 3 and 9 area of the head.
Right I'm acknowledging that the racket is already totally stuffed. So yes, around the handle mold. I haven't tried with these but I generally think tape sticks poorly to the PU molded handles.Do you mean adding lead within the hairpin or around the grip handle? The whole frame is foam filled so I would only be able to try the latter option if possible.
And for packing the handle I meant in the same area you're trying to put coins. Maybe you'd get a little more weight trying the same with lead tape but perhaps not enough.Is packing the handle with lead going to get more weight? Probably just a few grams at most but how about some tape in the handle?
I've been asking them to make a custom racket for me with less foam or less dense foam or no foam on the 3 and 9 area of the head.
I take it you're talking about the standard Elevate. What's your usual strung weight/balance for your other rackets?Only thing I don't like is that the twistweight feels high and also all their rackets a little head heavy and hard to counter balance without bringing overall weight up too much.
Trying to get used to it because their rackets and QC otherwise are so good!
Anyone else think the TW is a little high? Just like uncustomize-ably high in some ways. I like my sticks with more handle heavy balance at this weight and more weight around the top and bottom vs the sides. But the foam prob is why it's so high tw but it's nice on Volleys for this reason.
Some people will love them as they are but they leave little room for weighting as you like in the head especially.
Do they weigh 4 grams a piece or 4 grams together?I already tried all euro coins but only the 2 and 5 euro cents fit under the butt cap. Both weigh only 4 grams.
Do they weigh 4 grams a piece or 4 grams together?
I'll see if I can add a few more grams by that way.You'll probably want to fold about 5 grams of lead and stuff it under the buttcap then. You can tape some weight to the underside of the buttcap since it's indented, and sit the rest on top of the foam.
I'm talking about all of them. They all are subject to the same characteristics in this way.I take it you're talking about the standard Elevate. What's your usual strung weight/balance for your other rackets?
Twistweight (weight @ 3&9) on these frames is moderate, and swingweight is usually around 320, so adding around 6-7g of weight under the buttcap and getting this frame to 330g static or above and under a 32.5cm strung balance will get you a whippy racket.
Do they weigh 4 grams a piece or 4 grams together?
You'll probably want to fold about 5 grams of lead and stuff it under the buttcap then. You can tape some weight to the underside of the buttcap since it's indented, and sit the rest on top of the foam.
I stuffed 7 grams under the handle of mine. It's possible with lead/tungsten tape.And for packing the handle I meant in the same area you're trying to put coins. Maybe you'd get a little more weight trying the same with lead tape but perhaps not enough.
Oh, weren't you @Jay Sean on these forums before? In that case, we've talked about this stuff before. I think the Elevate has too much weight in the lower hoop, like from 4 and 8 downward, for extended play. As much as I like the racket idk why they went for a more even balance if they weren't gonna do a high SW like the Blade...with strings and the extended length the Elevate would have a ~34cm balance/3-4pts HL before mods. The EZ/VC are lighter in the lower hoop and easier to swing while still having similar effective mass (plow) through the ball. In other words, I'm saying the weight distribution on the Elevate is too centralized, especially if you extend it. If there was less weight at 3&9 that could help, but there really needs to be less weight in the lower hoop and more in the handle.I'm talking about all of them. They all are subject to the same characteristics in this way.
I'm a little different. I have several rackets all about 12oz and 9-11pts HL but I use extended length frames exclusively. Currently liking my vcore and ezone 98+ the best these days and it's been the way for a while. Did have custom elevates made for me at 27.5 and that was somewhat unwieldy. Using the nova plus right now. Feels playable and ok but just not quite how I want but in the mood to try and make it work. I did add about 4g worth of weight right in the area under the trap door so that maybe helps a little. If I could somehow, I'd loooove to remove about 10 grams in the head in general especially around the 3/9.
Just to know what it feels like. Then work backwards from there to some middle ground maybe.
Lol check my posts about my recent tenx experience. It's turned a few people away from the company permanently.Oh, weren't you @Jay Sean on these forums before? In that case, we've talked about this stuff before. I think the Elevate has too much weight in the lower hoop, like from 4 and 8 downward, for extended play. As much as I like the racket idk why they went for a more even balance if they weren't gonna do a high SW like the Blade...with strings and the extended length the Elevate would have a ~34cm balance/3-4pts HL before mods. The EZ/VC are lighter in the lower hoop and easier to swing while still having similar effective mass (plow) through the ball. In other words, I'm saying the weight distribution on the Elevate is too centralized, especially if you extend it. If there was less weight at 3&9 that could help, but there really needs to be less weight in the lower hoop and more in the handle.
I did a little experimenting with weight distribution between my UPs when I was customizing them; one of them was way off spec and badly underweight in the throat/lower hoop/upper handle and the other was fine. When I first matched them to the same weight/balance I noticed that the off spec UP swung way faster and was easier to generate spin with—in fact, too easy—because the middle of the racket lacked mass. So I added lead along the entire throat, under the base grip near the top of the handle, and at 6, and the racket started to swing normally like the other UP. I doubled the lead in those locations just to see how it'd swing, and it became a log that was hard to hit anything other than flat with. That taught me that weight and even balance aren't as important as weight distribution.
I personally don't do extended stuff but a lot of people in the holic forum have been raving about PK's extended frames like the Q+ 5X Pro and 7G. There's also this company called TenX that does 27.5" rackets (they now do normal 27" stuff too); their XCalibre (either the 300g or 315g) could be right up your alley, and their prices are REALLY good.
Dang that's bad. I definitely won't buy from them. Guess QC worse than Wilson's exists...Lol check my posts about my recent tenx experience. It's turned a few people away from the company permanently.
I went with Dahcor since the paint jobs are not customizable and I'm just more intrigued by them anyhow. I'll be doing a review on my YouTube time410s of this and other things. Dahcor racket probably arriving in about a month.Dang that's bad. I definitely won't buy from them. Guess QC worse than Wilson's exists...
It night be worth it to invest in an Angell Custom if you want an extended players frame around.....maybe something like the TC97 16x19?
What leadtape did you use and how did you fold it so that it fits under the trapdoor?I stuffed 7 grams under the handle of mine. It's possible with lead/tungsten tape.
Thanks. That seems even easier to do and more secure than adding lead. Can you just push them into the foam and you don't need to hammer? Also to remove again if possible?Push a couple nails into the foam under the trap door if you want to add more weight that you can get from blue tack. This pic is from the original elevate, but the FS version has even denser foam to hold them better
cheap diesel close to me
Even better than nail use screws. Just screw them in and they'll grab to the foam better. To remove just unscrewThanks. That seems even easier to do and more secure than adding lead. Can you just push them into the foam and you don't need to hammer? Also to remove again if possible?
Yes they just push in and pull out with very small amount of force. Screws would be good tooThanks. That seems even easier to do and more secure than adding lead. Can you just push them into the foam and you don't need to hammer? Also to remove again if possible?
Push a couple nails into the foam under the trap door if you want to add more weight that you can get from blue tack. This pic is from the original elevate, but the FS version has even denser foam to hold them better
cheap diesel close to me
Even better than nail use screws. Just screw them in and they'll grab to the foam better. To remove just unscrew
I took the challenge and I did it!
The standard Elevate FS 98.Which elevate are you playing?
The standard Elevate FS 98.
Before I purchased my 2 FS98s I demoed both the standard and Tour FS version. Though in stock condition it is a bit too light to my taste the lower flex (64RA) of the standard FS feels so much better to me (and more like my TC95 16m 63RA).
Actually the Tour version I demoed had a pretty low swingweight of 317 whereas the standard FS98 had a 321 SW (strung with Flash 17). Even after I added 4 grams at 10 and 2 it didn't feel right to me. Just too stiff to me. The FS Tour has a more pronounced crisper feedback than the standard version. Similar comparison like the feel of the Angell TC97 vs TC95 63RA.Did you feel the Tour version was playable in stock form? Diadem doesn’t list the SW but it seems it will be in the 325-330 range based on the specs of the regular Elevate.
Actually the Tour version I demoed had a pretty low swingweight of 317 whereas the standard FS98 had a 321 SW (strung with Flash 17). Even after I added 4 grams at 10 and 2 it didn't feel right to me. Just too stiff to me. The FS Tour has a more pronounced crisper feedback than the standard version. Similar comparison like the feel of the Angell TC97 vs TC95 63RA.
However the Diadem Elevate FS98 has a more comfortable feel and it feels arm friendlier as well than my Angells.
I just asked my tennis shop for frames a bit higher swingweight but unfortunately they only had frames with a lower swingweight (< 285) in stock. That's why he ordered 5 more EFS with a higher swingweight and measured them so that I could choose 2 (closely matched) frames with a 291.5 SW (320.5 SW strung with Flash 17) from these ones.
So the swingweights of the Diadem rackets still seem to vary a little bit unfortunately.
Isn't the tour more HL? Should be higher anyway I thought...Weird, you would think the Elevate Tour would have a higher SW than the regular version. Maybe your demo was unfortunately under spec though. Thanks for the info
Isn't the tour more HL? Should be higher anyway I thought...
Actually the Tour version I demoed had a pretty low swingweight of 317 whereas the standard FS98 had a 321 SW (strung with Flash 17). Even after I added 4 grams at 10 and 2 it didn't feel right to me. Just too stiff to me. The FS Tour has a more pronounced crisper feedback than the standard version. Similar comparison like the feel of the Angell TC97 vs TC95 63RA.
However the Diadem Elevate FS98 has a more comfortable feel and it feels arm friendlier as well than my Angells.
I just asked my tennis shop for frames a bit higher swingweight but unfortunately they only had frames with a lower swingweight (< 285) in stock. That's why he ordered 5 more EFS with a higher swingweight and measured them so that I could choose 2 (closely matched) frames with a 291.5 SW (320.5 SW strung with Flash 17) from these ones.
So the swingweights of the Diadem rackets still seem to vary a little bit unfortunately.
I think I still need more time with my new Elevate FSs (and with my desired specs) in order to give a fair comparison between these ones. Besides My TC95 (that I bought used) has a pretty high swingweight.So neither elevate or tour would have the dictating power of TC95 but with 16x20 less launch, more control and better directional control?
No wonder you wanted a lot of lead on your Elevate. Those TC95s are hefty...I think I still need more time with my new Elevate FSs (and with my desired specs) in order to give a fair comparison between these ones. Besides My TC95 (that I bought used) has a pretty high swingweight.
With the Elevate FS 98 demo that I customized with 4 grams at 10 and 2 and an extra overgrip, rubber band and a dampener (342 grams in total) I served equally well as with my TC95. Similar power and control. Just a little easier to accelerate because of the slightly lower weight and swingweight.
It is also a little more forgiving than the TC95 especially during defending situations.
After a few more hitting sessions with my EFS98 I'll let you know my experiences.
No wonder you wanted a lot of lead on your Elevate. Those TC95s are hefty...
I customized my Elevate FS with only 2 (in stead of 4) grams at 10 and 2 as you suggested. I also screwed 2 screws (8 grams) into the foam under the trapdoor.
This week I only hit a few times against the wall and practiced my serves on the court (due to lack of serious hitting partners this vacation period).
First impression: rock solid! The stringbed only still felt a bit stiff as it was still fresh and not enough broken in yet.
The second hitting session time it already felt a little better into this respect but my serves still hadn't the same power as with my demo with 4 grams at 10 and 2 or with my TC95.
My TC95 16m still feels a little bit heavier and more powerful. However my TC95 has a little heavier thicker gauge string (Triax 1.28) whereas my Elevate has a Flash 1.20 stringbed.
Tonight I'm gonna play with my team mates that would be a more serious test. Maybe then the strings will be broken in more as well.
I've hit with it a few times this week, no mods, and I can see how the racquet is lacking in some power, or really weight of shot. I play with the Gravity Tour and side-by-side with overgrip and dampener, both come in at 330g. But clearly the weight is more in the lower half of the hoop with the Elevate. I may play around iwth some added weight, but not much.Keep us posted. I'm considering getting an Elevate FS98 and tried to read up on people's impressions... so really appreciate yours and those of the others here. Hope the racquet only gets better and better.