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Reviews by Zach Trevino

Roto Grip Critical

Roto Grip Devour

Roto Grip Eternal Cell

Roto Grip Haywire

Roto Grip Hectic

Roto Grip Hyper Cell Skid

Roto Grip Menace

Roto Grip Unhinged

Storm IQ Tour 30

Storm Phaze

Storm Phaze II

Storm Ride

Storm Rocket

Storm Street Fight

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Roto Grip Critical
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)

Just when we thought the incredible HP3 line couldn't get any better....Roto Grip dropped this bomb on us just in time for the holidays! The new Critical not only adds a Hybrid option to the line but also an asymmetric core that is truly the definition of "continuous". I'll be honest, I thought that my eyes (or the colors) were playing tricks on me when I first threw this ball because it revved up so well in the mids but didn't check up and quit. The shape is truly unique in the sense that the Triliptic Core gets into motion so soon but doesn't compromise the balls energy or skid. The 67MH hybrid cover glides effortlessly through the heads and handles surface changes quite well. I've tried 2000, 3000, and 4000 grit finishes and have found that (as expected) the ball can definitely handle higher volumes with a little rougher surface. I think that is the biggest upgrade from the famed Critical Theory. For tournament bowlers, this ball should be a benchmark staple for 38-43' patterns alongside the Haywire. For league play, this ball will allow players to be left of the track on these 10:1 or higher house shots while maintaining superb read in the oil which translates to continuation and a smooth consistent flip downlane. #OwnIt
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Roto Grip Devour
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I originally held off drilling this ball while dabbling between various layouts and concepts. What I was looking for was a smooth solid that gave me more length than my Haywire and retained more energy than most solids without having to shine the cover. I've had great success over the years with symmetric solids and lower flaring layouts due to the wet/dry that is created with our house shot here in Central Texas. What I ended up with was EXACTLY what I wanted. I used a strong pin/tame PSA placement with a fairly neutral buffer and it gave me excellent midlane read without using up too much energy, saving plenty of angle downlane. The new and improved Late Roll 56 core is sneakily angular. It's provides a very controlled motion but does not lack "flip". It is an excellent step down from the Menace and Haywire but, as proven with the HP2 line, can absolutely stand it's ground on it's own. This ball is plenty strong for the price tag and will find its way into a variety of players' bags. #OwnIt
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Roto Grip Eternal Cell
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Eternal Cell fits perfectly in the HP4 series of balls. With the Menace being the strong arcing solid and the Hyper Cell Skid being the lengthy flippy pearl, the Eternal Cell offers a motion that is sooner than the Skid but more angular than the Menace. This cover (75M Solid) is a superb shell for the strong Nucleus Core that's already proven to be extremely dynamic. Having thrown the original Cell, Cell Pearl, Rogue Cell, Mutant Cell (solid & pearl), Hyper Cell & Hyper Cell Skid, it's incredible that Roto Grip is still engineering new ways to utilize this excellent core shape. For those who remember, the Cell Pearl, this will offer a similar reaction but with more teeth in the oil. The 1500 grit finish is a home run that gives this ball the cleanliness of a pearl without losing the traction of a solid. Having thrown this ball on our house shot, as well as the PBA Chameleon and Scorpion patterns, the Eternal Cell is a viable weapon for medium/long lane conditions. With it's smooth/shiny cover, lower rev players will be able to use it on all but the driest of lanes. Regardless of your style, the Eternal Cell continues the Roto Grip legacy of excellence. #OwnIt
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Roto Grip Haywire
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Haywire by Roto Grip is an absolute must in any bowlers bag! For league bowlers, this will be the perfect ball that allows lower/mid rev players to open up the lane and spray pins around like the crankers. The proven Middle Roll 70 core revs up easily and provide such an effortless move towards the pocket while still saving all the devastating energy needed destroy the rack. Wrap that legendary core with the 80H Microbite cover, one of the best coverstocks that we've seen in recent years, and you've got unmatched traction in the oil that reacts great to surface changes and a variety of lane surfaces. This ball can handle all the medium-heavy oil that you can throw at it. It could very easily become ball of the year and should find its way into every bowlers arsenal.
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Roto Grip Hectic
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Roto Grip Hectic adds a much needed angular pearl to the stellar HP2 line. The Late Roll 56 core returns from the excellent yet somewhat "overlooked" Devour, and is wrapped by the all new 50ML Pearl Coverstock. Right out of the box the ball is absolutely gorgeous. It has excellent appeal and catches the eye very well both on the rack and the shelf. I've had good success with symmetric pearls in the past, so I was very eager to get my hands on this ball. The layout I chose is one to consider for a ball like this. As PJ mentioned in his review, it's crucial to drill the "weaker-core" balls with strong pin positions. The 4x5x3 layout (for me) puts the pin under my ring finger with the CG/PSA out with a balance hole low. On shorter patterns, this ball shows it's strength big time. It has plenty of length and superb angle downlane but transitions from the midlane to the backend very very well. It is by no means "squirty". Where I've been most impressed with this ball is it's ability to contend on medium to medium/long patterns. Yes it needs a little friction and wouldn't be the first ball out of the bag, but it doesn't need much. It is easily my go-to ball as our house shot breaks down. Again, the layout is crucial because it allows this ball to be more versatile on these types of patterns. It's an excellent step down from the Critical or Haywire and higher rev players should absolutely scoop one of these up right away. This ball also allows the tweeners and lower speed players to stay square to the pocket, which for most is in their comfort zone. If you feel like you are forced to play more hook than you'd like on your league nights, consider the Hectic for sure. Yet another excellent addition to the #OwnIt family.
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Roto Grip Hyper Cell Skid
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
If you were to look up the term "long and strong" in the bowlers dictionary, there would be the factory write up/picture of the Hyper Cell Skid! The ball simply "wow's" me every time I throw it. The most challenging thing that I face with this ball is keeping it IN my bag and not in my hand nonstop. It absolutely eats up house shots and most patterns other than the slickest or driest. The Nucleus core is just as great as it always has been and the new 73MH Pearl coverstock is so responsive and strong off of the dry. The layout I chose was 5"x3"x4" buffer. Even with that smooth of a buffer, the ball is still so quick in transition. With a little surface on the ball, the cover can handle some higher volume patterns with appropriate speed. It's offers a "flippier" shape than the Hyper Cell and saves all of the energy for the back end. The ball hits like a truck and sprays pins everywhere. Bottom line, the Hyper Cell Skid is a strong, flippy, savage, asymmetric pearl that belongs not in your bag...but in your hand! #OwnIt
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Roto Grip Menace
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)

The new Menace is a MONSTER on the thicker and longer patterns seen these days on the lanes. The 74H Solid coverstock is a great match for the Cage Core due to it's ability to be tweaked with surface without sacrificing the read of the pattern. Out of the box the Menace is excellent for longer sport shots and even house patterns for bowlers who have less RPM or higher speed. Having thrown it on the 47' Scorpion pattern, I simply added a little surface with a 1000 grit pad by hand and it gave me the same strong and smooth shape without losing energy or being erratic. I was a fan of the Cage core, first showcased in the Sinister, but felt like a smoother/shiny surface was the only combo that worked for me. This is not the case with the Menace. I've even shined it and thrown it on our house shot with success. I chose a "lengthier" layout as a safeguard against the ball burning up but have since drilled several for customers with 3 1/2"- 4" pin placements, all of which have been very satisfied. The Menace is a great strong asymmetric solid for players across the board. #OwnIt
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Roto Grip Unhinged
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Drilled up my Unhinged to be a solid benchmark pearl to throw on a variety of patterns. 3.5" Pin to PAP x 5.25" PSA to PAP x 3" Buffer. This is a layout that I like to use a lot simply because of the high friction surface that we have here. The back ends are squeaky clean and everything just flies off the spot, so often times I try to tame the cores a bit to gain a little predictability downlane. With that being said, this ball is by no means tame! Very very clean through the fronts but really reads the mids better than most pearls. This is especially true with the 3.5" Pin to PAP measurement. The motion that the ball makes at the end of the pattern is not sideways but reminds me of the motion that the original Storm Reign had. Strong and very continuous with a quicker change of direction. The ball retains energy phenomenally. As the pattern breaks down I'm able to move my angles in and really bank this ball off the spot downlane. It has enough power to open up the lane with a little friction for anyone who has a rev rate over 325-350rpm and appropriate speed. All in all, it's an excellent benchmark ball that provides a consistent and thorough read of the pattern with enough pop downlane to be versatile and dangerous! For those starting the night with a stronger solid or hybrid (aka. Crux, Hyper Cell, IQ Tour Nano), this ball will be a wise step down when those covers start to tear up the lanes or use up too much energy.
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Storm IQ Tour 30
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)

The much anticipated return of the IQ Tour Pearl certainly interests the vast majority of bowlers who either used or saw the "gold ball" in action when it was in production. However, the IQ Tour 30 only resembles the original IQ Tour Pearl in the sense that they share the same core. While some will argue the differences between dyes and colors and optical illusions, the truth is, the IQ Tour 30 is not the original gold ball....it's better. Having thrown both balls, the Tour 30 is noticeably stronger in the oil and seems to have more teeth in the middle part of the lane that doesn't make the ball "squirty". As a driller, there's no need to accentuate length and flip, simply because this ball has plenty of that already. I used a strong pin placement matched with a fairly smooth PSA & Buffer and it resulted in a superb shape with plenty of devastating power downlane. I've thrown it on various patterns and am a fan on all but the heaviest or driest conditions. It's a versatile ball with a proven cover/core combo that sums up what Storm is all about...easy length, great read, incredible downlane movement, and all the pin spraying ridiculousness you could ask for!

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Storm Phaze
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Storm Phaze is perfectly unique. This much anticipated pearl created quite a buzz with all of the videos and social media attention pre-release, and for good reason. First off, yes the coverstock is THAT tacky. However, this ball's motion is what makes it special. It's not the traditional skip/flip pearl that we are accustomed to seeing. The best way to describe the motion would be "pure roll"; meaning that when the Phaze gets to the breakpoint it simply rolls off the friction so effortlessly and so smooth. There's no "jump". No "snap". Just "roll". These are typically motions that are synonymous with solid coverstocks. However, the brand new AX-16 Pearl shell glides this ball downlane and allows the ball to easily clear the heads before making its move. For some, the out of box finish may be excessively shiny and exaggerate the over/under for higher volume house shots. I hit mine with a 3000 pad on the spinner and it gave the ball better teeth in the middle part of the lane and smoothed out the reaction even more. The way that this ball goes through the pins is incredible. I'd like to say that it keeps the pins low, and on pure pocket shots it does, but the pin action that I've seen with light pocket hits has been nothing short of explosive. Messengers galore! Match all of that with its gorgeous color scheme and you've got a ball that is quick to catch the eye and sure to boost your game. #StormNation
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Storm Phaze II
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Storm Phaze II is the newest edition to the Master line and provides a great addition to the series. While the Phaze and Phaze II share the same namesake and Velocity Core, the similarities between the two stop there. The Phaze II comes equipped with the all new TX-16 cover that provides excellent traction in the slick part on the lane while still retaining energy well enough to make a nice strong move down lane. This cover/core combination is a superb pairing and the Phaze II is the perfect blend of benchmark ball and strong solid. The lower rev players and strokers will find this ball to be plenty strong and will be pleased with its overall hook. The higher rev and faster speed players will find that this ball gives the player a nice consistent read of how the oil pattern plays and is definitely strong enough to throw on fresh oil. Many players have compared this ball to the infamous Marvel-S. While there are similarities, the Phaze II is cleaner through the front part of the lane and saves energy much better than the Marvel-S. It's a wonderful edition to Storm's lineup and is often the first ball out of my bag no matter where I'm bowling.

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Storm Ride
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
With it's smooth Cruiser Core, The Ride is an absolute must for any bowler looking for effortless skid with a smoother turn towards the pocket. I absolutely love this ball on short patterns that allow me to play the gutter. It gives me a much better reaction than urethane without being too jumpy. After knocking the shine off and going with a smooth 4000 finish, the Reactor Hybrid cover reads the mids even better and can handle some of the thicker volumes that are seen in the WBT short patterns. For the lower speed and/or senior bowlers, this ball is exactly what many have been looking for. It allows players to play in the dry and go up the boards without forcing them left into the puddle that we see in most house shots. There have been countless senior/low speed bowlers who struggle with keeping the ball on the correct side of the headpin either due to ball speed or unwillingness to move in due to habit/comfort. The Ride is the perfect fit for those bowlers on a house shot. For the tournament bowler, this is a rock that's excellent off of the friction or in the burn. It's a smooth rolling, reliable piece that fits perfectly below the mid ranged pearls/hybrids without losing the pop and power downlane that occurs when dropping to entry level reactives.
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Storm Rocket
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I was very eager to drill a Rocket for various reasons. The hype and talk of this ball amongst advanced/tournament/tour players made this a very attractive piece for me personally but that is not to say that this is strictly a "tour" ball. Given the success of the Hyroad, one can not help but to immediately compare it to the Rocket. However, this is no Hyroad. The core revs up more easily and really reads the mids well. It's definitely a more dynamic and more powerful core. The pin carry certainly shows and the corners get snapped out with ease. On the fresh, it was absolutely solid by every aspect. Length was easy, read was strong, finish was powerful. The 1500 Grit Polish box finish gives the ball some nice angle off the spot. Where I was most impressed was the cover's ability to be tweaked. When hitting the ball with 2000 the arc definitely increased and the midlane roll was showcased very well without sacrificing energy. Haven't smoothed and shined the surface yet but I would think that it would, again, respond well. The smoother 2000 grit finish works great for me on a number of medium/heavy patterns and this has proved to be an extremely versatile weapon that will most definitely be in my bag for The Open in El Paso
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Storm Street Fight
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/2" x 1" up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
218
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)

The new Street Fight from Storm is a pearlized follow up to the original Fight. The simply massive Iron Cross core returns but is now wrapped in the brand spankin new R4S pearl shell. This new iteration of the hugely popular Reactor cover that's been seen in great Storm balls throughout the years really blurs the line between mid range and high end reaction. Match that with the 3000 grit surface that comes from the factory and you get a unique result: a symmetric ball that gives you the length and snap of a pearl with the easy revving mid lane read of a solid. Out of the box, this ball flat out HOOKED down lane! I was astonished as I kept moving further and further left and had to keep reminding myself that this was a Thunder Line ball. The amount of friction built into the RS4 cover is excellent and the Street Fight had no problem recovering from even the steepest of angles. I'm also a big believer in a 3000 or 4000 grit pearl because with todays over/under house shots it's not uncommon to see the ball simply skid way too much on shots pulled inside of target. Overall, I was very impressed with just how strong this ball turned at the end of the pattern. The Iron Cross core gives the ball just the right amount of skid and is an absolute beast in the pins. The amount of energy transferred to the pocket is crazy. Get use to knocking pins around everywhere cuz the gloves are off with the new Street Fight.
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