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Reviews by Luke Rosdahl

900 Global Burner Pearl

900 Global Burner Solid

900 Global Eternity

900 Global Eternity PI

900 Global Reality Check

900 Global Wolverine

900 Global Wolverine Dark Moss

900 Global Xponent

900 Global Zen Gold Label

900 Global Zen Master

900 Global Zen Soul

900 Global Zen/U

Roto Grip All-Out Show Off

Roto Grip Clone

Roto Grip Dare Devil

Roto Grip Dare Devil Danger

Roto Grip Dare Devil Trick

Roto Grip Duo Black/Green

Roto Grip Exotic Gem

Roto Grip Gem

Roto Grip Halo

Roto Grip Halo Pearl

Roto Grip Halo Vision

Roto Grip Hectic

Roto Grip Hot Cell

Roto Grip Hustle Camo Solid

Roto Grip Hustle HYB Hybrid

Roto Grip Hustle INK Solid

Roto Grip Hustle M-M

Roto Grip Hustle PBR

Roto Grip Hustle Purple/Raspberry/Orange Hybrid

Roto Grip Hustle RAP

Roto Grip Hustle RIP

Roto Grip Hustle Silver/Aqua/Yellow Hybrid

Roto Grip Hustle USA

Roto Grip Hustle Wine Pearl

Roto Grip Hyped Hybrid

Roto Grip Hyped Pearl

Roto Grip Hyped Solid

Roto Grip Hyper Cell Fused

Roto Grip Hy-Wire

Roto Grip Idol

Roto Grip Idol Cosmos

Roto Grip Idol Helios

Roto Grip Idol Pearl

Roto Grip Idol Pro

Roto Grip Idol Synergy

Roto Grip MVP

Roto Grip MVP Attitude

Roto Grip MVP Pearl

Roto Grip No Rules

Roto Grip No Rules Pearl

Roto Grip Nuclear Cell

Roto Grip RST X-1

Roto Grip RST X-2

Roto Grip RST X-3

Roto Grip Rubicon

Roto Grip Rubicon UC2

Roto Grip Rubicon UC3

Roto Grip Show Off

Roto Grip TNT

Roto Grip TNT Infused

Roto Grip Tour Dynam-X

Roto Grip UFO

Roto Grip UFO Alert

Roto Grip Wild Streak

Roto Grip Winner

Roto Grip Winner Solid

Roto Grip Wreck-Em

Roto Grip Wreck-It

Storm Absolute

Storm All-Road

Storm Alpha Crux

Storm AstroPhysix

Storm Axiom

Storm Axiom Pearl

Storm Code Black

Storm Code Red

Storm Code X

Storm Crux Pearl

Storm Crux Prime

Storm Dark Code

Storm DNA

Storm Drive

Storm Electrify Hybrid

Storm Electrify Pearl

Storm Electrify Solid

Storm Fast Pitch

Storm Fate

Storm Fever Pitch

Storm Fight

Storm Gravity Evolve

Storm Hy-Road Max

Storm Hy-Road Nano

Storm Hy-Road X

Storm Incite

Storm Infinite Physix

Storm Intense

Storm Intense Fire

Storm IQ Tour 78/U

Storm IQ Tour Emerald

Storm IQ Tour Nano

Storm IQ Tour Nano Pearl

Storm IQ Tour Ruby

Storm Journey

Storm Match Ltd

Storm Match Pearl

Storm Match Up Black Pearl

Storm Match Up Hybrid

Storm Match Up Pearl

Storm Night Road

Storm Nova

Storm Omega Crux

Storm Optimus Solid

Storm Parallax

Storm Parallax Effect

Storm Phaze

Storm Phaze 4

Storm Phaze II

Storm Phaze III

Storm Phaze V

Storm Physix

Storm Pitch Purple

Storm Pro-Motion

Storm Proton Physix

Storm Revenant

Storm Rocket

Storm Rocket Ship

Storm Sky Rocket

Storm Snap Lock

Storm Soniq

Storm Spectre

Storm Street Fight

Storm Summit

Storm Super Nova

Storm Super Soniq

Storm Sure Lock

Storm Timeless

Storm Torrent

Storm Trend 16 Only

Storm Trend 2

Storm Virtual Energy Blackout

Show all reviews

900 Global Burner Pearl
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Burner Pearl features the S62 Pearl coverstock at a 1500 grit polished finish and the controllable Centroid symmetric core. S62 is of similar strength to Storm’s Reactor cover on the Electrify series and Roto’s VTC cover on the Hustle series, and is designed for light to medium volumes. Angel’s layout is the same as always, 5 x 3 ½ x 3 ½, that puts the pin above the bridge and kicks the psa out a couple inches. The Centroid core comes in at a 2.53 RG and .037 differential in 15 pounds and is a bit stronger than the cores in those other lines, but the general overall reaction is still in the light to medium oil and/or transitioned condition category. I’ve dubbed the Burner Pearl “Baby Zen,” as it has a very similar controlled and versatile look. It’s a nice blend of several different things, and will look great for the majority of bowlers on lighter to medium conditions that the Zen may be too much for, or once the Zen has begun to hook too much or too early. I rate the Burner Pearl a 4 on hook, a 7 on length, and a 7 on backend strength.
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900 Global Burner Solid
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Burner Solid features the S62 Pearl coverstock at a 1500 grit polished finish and the controllable Centroid symmetric core. S62 is of similar strength to Storm’s Reactor cover on the Electrify series and Roto’s VTC cover on the Hustle series, and is designed for light to medium volumes. My layout is 4 ¾ x 5 x 2 ½ which puts the pin over my ring finger and stacks the cg below. The Centroid core comes in at a 2.53 RG and .037 differential in 15 pounds and is a bit stronger than the cores in those other lines, but the general overall reaction is still in the light to medium oil and/or transitioned condition category. At the same surface, the Pearl and Solid aren’t terribly different from one another, just a bit earlier and smoother from the Solid, but not significantly enough to reflect a difference in the ratings. I would recommend taking the Solid to something like 3000 grit to create more separation in the reactions to give you a very “solid” pair of complimenting reactions for a very low price. I rate the Burner Solid a 4 on hook, 7 on length, and 7 on backend strength.
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900 Global Eternity
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½

Keywords: CLEAN, SHARP, READABLE

The Eternity is a new asymmetric ball in 900 Global’s 900 series line. It features the S84 Response Pearl coverstock formula from the Altered Reality which is currently the strongest cover they use. The core is the new Epoch core, inspired by the original Break core, but with a reduced intermediate differential to prevent it from losing energy too quickly or “locking up” like stronger asymmetric balls tend to do.

I’ve used the Eternity at a couple different surfaces on a couple different lane conditions. The Reacta Gloss box surface was inconsistent, so I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound to polish it back up. I generally recommend changing/resetting all box surfaces to fine tune them for your game and the conditions you bowl on, or to at least help break them in faster or take the factory “edge” off.

The Eternity, while definitely CLEAN for my wife and others, is fairly early and heavy rolling for me. It may also be SHARP for others, but is somewhat smooth and forward rolling for me. I don’t necessarily think it locks up, it’s just more forward off the spot for me. I don’t generally do well with chuggy, forward rolling balls that roll so heavy and slow down so quickly, so the Eternity was a very poor matchup for me. However, I think I’m the only one I’ve seen it look this way for. My wife’s is clean, sharp, and very READABLE, predictable, and consistent. My experience with the Eternity seems to be isolated to the point where I feel quite comfortable highly recommending it in general and especially as a replacement for the Altered Reality, despite not having great results with it myself.
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900 Global Eternity PI
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Eternity Pi is a new asymmetric ball in 900 Global’s 900 Series line. It features the new Reserve Blend 901 Solid coverstock, which feels similar to the previous S84 solid cover stock used in this line on the original Reality. The core is the Epoch core from the original Eternity which comes in at a 2.49 RG, a .050 differential, and a .014 intermediate differential in 15 pounds. The Eternity Pi acts exactly like you’d expect on paper, it’s a stronger, earlier, and smoother version of the original Eternity. This ball has been used on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces. The surface was initially adjusted from box down to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, then finished with Reacta Skuff to get it up to a 3000ish grit sheen. The result was a fairly clean but stable reaction up front, with a firm, tumbly, directional finish down lane.

The Pi reminds me of a few recent balls, it’s like an earlier and smoother Super Nova or stronger Nova, but it also reminds me of some throwback balls, most notably the Crux, Lock, and Alpha Crux. It’s comfortably lengthy, it gets traction and controls the midlane without starting to HOOK or move too early, and the finish downlane is the right blend of response and control. It punches hard enough to get the pins down, but is controllable enough that you won’t have to fight an overly strong backend move. It’s also somewhat directional, meaning that it goes in the direction you roll it. It’s not predominantly continuous, but it’s also not predominantly forward. It’s not quite as strong of a ball as a Gem or a DNA, it’s in a more frequently usable zone while still handling heavy oil well. No worries of overlap with the Reality, the shapes are completely different, the Reality is more like a stronger Phaze 2 or XPonent, while the Pi is more like a stronger Summit.

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900 Global Reality Check
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Reality Check features the S84 Beta Hybrid coverstock at a 4K Fast finish, and the strong asymmetric Disturbance core from the Reality and Altered Reality at a 2.49 RG, .052 differential, and a .018 intermediate differential. The Check represents a slightly different look from the other two Realities, it seems to be a little more patient and refined, where the Reality and Altered were more aggressive and energetic so to speak. The Check is more of a strong hard arc that resembles a cleaner, asymmetric Phaze 2, and does somewhat resemble a cleaner Reality. Like the other two Realities, it prefers covering boards, but it gets much easier length than either the Reality or Altered. It’s definitely not an Altered replacement, the overall reaction and shot shapes are quite a bit different, and I don’t feel like there’s much if any overlap between it and any of the other big asyms in the catalog right now. It’s longer and faster than the Infinite PhysiX, it’s much longer than the RST X-3, it’s longer and sharper than the Dark Code, plus a little weaker., etc. It’s a definite step down from balls like the Gem, Proton PhysiX, and Reality, but a ball up from weaker asyms like the RST X-2, Rubicon UC2, and the Nova.
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900 Global Wolverine
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Wolverine features the S70 pearl coverstock and Lacerate 2.0 core, which comes in at a 2.54 RG and a .053 differential in 15 pounds. The core is a combination of the top half of the Honey Badger core and the bottom half of the Badger core, and the S70 cover is very closely related to Storm’s R2S formula, so the easiest way to explain the Wolverine is that it’s a stronger Hyroad Pearl. The Wolverine has a very balanced reaction, it’s easy to get down the lane and punchy on the backend, but not excessively. The medium RG of the core keeps it from revving up too soon but the high differential gives it plenty of flare to keep it strong and consistent on the backend. The cover is medium strength so it’s going to be on play for a lot of people on a regular house shot, and those with higher speed might find it to be a good step down from what they start with when transition sets in. For my wife and I, the Wolverine fits as a ball down from something like the Zen, and a ball up from something like a Burner Solid or Pearl.
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900 Global Wolverine Dark Moss
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Wolverine Dark Moss features the S70 Pearl coverstock at a 4K Fast finish, and the Lacerate 2.0 core at a 2.54 RG, and .053 differential in 15 pounds. Basically, the Dark Moss IS the original Wolverine in a different color with a slightly different box surface. The result when comparing the box surface Wolverine to the box surface Dark Moss is of course that the Dark Moss is earlier, stronger, and smoother, however, when compared at the same surface, the comparison remains, BUT is a very marginal difference. Colors do actually factor into ball reaction, however minimally, but just like the IQ Emerald was generally considered to be earlier and smoother than the original IQ Tour Pearl (Gold Ball), the Dark Moss is also generally a little earlier and smoother than the original Wolverine when all other things are the same. It remains a great option in the middle of the lineup, as it’s similar strength to the Hyroad line but with a stronger core to boost the overall strength, rev faster, and roll stronger, but isn’t as strong as the Phaze 3 or Zen. It perfectly fills the gap between the Burners and Zen’s in Global’s lineup, the gap between the HP2 and HP3 lines in Roto’s catalog, and the gap between the Phaze 3 and Hyroads in Storm’s lineup, so it’s a very well placed and necessary option in the SPI catalog.
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900 Global Xponent
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The XPonent is a new symmetric ball in 900 Global’s 700 series line. It features the new Reserve Blend 701 Solid coverstock, which feels similar to Storm’s R2S cover and Roto’s eTrax cover. The core is the Shrapnel 2.0 core from the Ordnance C4, which comes in at a 2.48 RG and a .042 differential. The XPonent feels a lot like a slightly stronger version of Roto’s Hyped Solid, reaction shape is part way between round and an arc and is somewhat directional. It will be continuous if you want it to be or will be forward if you want it to be. The XPonent has been used on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces.

The XPonent’s box surface is 4000, but I find that changing the box surface helps to break the ball in faster, so I resurfaced it to 1000 and then finished it with Reacta Skuff to get it to a 3000ish grit sheen. At this surface, it fit well on the fresh on the Kegel Chromium pattern we use to test. It also feels quite a bit like an IQ Tour with a stronger backend move that’s a little more versatile when moving inside. As it lane shines, it weakens and also gets a little smoother, but this is great because it offers a lot of versatility, but also tames somewhat as the lane begins to transition, which helps you stay in the same place longer, or doesn’t require you to move as often or as much.

With surface, the XPonent can definitely be a first ball out of the bag for most league conditions and is a strong consideration for most sport patterns of medium length and medium volume or below. With lane shine or polish, it can also be a step down from something like a Zen, Zen Gold Label, or a Phaze 2 both on tougher conditions and in league.

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900 Global Zen Gold Label
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs: Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 1/2 x 2

The Zen Gold Label is a new symmetric ball in 900 Global’s 800 series line. It features the new Reserve Blend 801 Pearl coverstock, which is a cleaner cover than the S77 Response Pearl from the original Zen, and which creates quite a difference between the two ball reactions. The core is the Meditate core from the other Zen releases, which comes in at a 2.49 RG and a .051 differential in 15 pounds. The Gold Label reaction reminds me very little of the original Zen, and actually feels to me like a stronger and sharper version of the Fate. I’ve used the Gold Label on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces.

First, the box Reacta Gloss surface hasn’t been great for me, so I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a clean round arc. Like the original Zen, it’s a very balanced reaction, clean without being too long, strong on the backend without being jerky, and the strong core is very stable and rolly which creates a lot of control. However unlike the original Zen, the Gold Label is easier down the lane, sharper, and more naturally continuous which makes it ultimately a quite different look. I ended up taking a worn 3000 pad to it by hand to crack the shine to blend it out a little but still retain the general reaction.

The Gold Label has been a first ball out of the bag for league since I drilled it. The Fate had been that ball previously, but it wasn’t quite strong enough. The Gold Label cover feels extremely similar and the core is stronger, so the familiar feel but extra bit of strength and friction response put it in the perfect place for me to start with it in league. I’ve also been able to finish the set with the same ball as it handles angle exceptionally well, it might be the best symmetric ball at covering boards that I’ve ever thrown.

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900 Global Zen Master
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Zen Master features the S77 Response solid coverstock and incredibly strong symmetric Meditate core. Angel’s layout as always is 5 x 3 ½ x 3 ½, putting the pin above her bridge, mine is 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½, putting the pin in my ring finger, and because this is a symmetric core, the cg placement doesn’t matter. Global covers give you some semblance of their strength with the number in the cover name, S77 is getting up on the strong side and is currently Global’s second strongest cover, and it feels like it’s in Incite territory, or like the solid version of that coverstock would be the best frame of reference, it’s really strong, early, and smooth. The Meditate core is the same one from the Zen, 2.49 RG and an .051 differential in 15 pounds,, and it’s very strong, early, and rolly, reminds me a lot of the Centripetal HD core from the Son!Q and Super Son!Q, so I think that’s why the Zen has been so popular, it’s the best of several different worlds. It’s a really smooth and blendy ball that’s squarely in Phaze 2 territory. I think it’s actually a bit earlier and smoother, it feels like it’s trying to roll a little sooner and it definitely rolls a bit heavier, but realistically the difference is pretty small. There aren’t a lot of nuances to talk about here, the ball reaction is pretty straightforward. It hooks a lot and is really smooth. For ratings, once again it’s solidly in Phaze 2 territory but I think even a bit stronger and earlier, so approaching Axiom strength and length, but a bit slower, so the Zen Master gets a 9 for hook potential, a 4 for length and a 4 for backend.
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900 Global Zen Soul
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Zen Soul is the 3rd entry in the Zen line and is the hybrid version of the S77 Response coverstock on the strong symmetric Meditate core. I find it to be closer to the original Zen than to the Zen Master, but not overwhelmingly so. The overall shape and look on the lane is very close to the Zen, just earlier and stronger, but only marginally smoother. The result is what I think is a more balanced and versatile look on the lanes. It smooths out the edges of the original Zen and removes or reduces the few flaws while not introducing any of its own, so in my opinion it’s a more refined original Zen. The Soul is a good ball sideways from the weaker asyms like the Nova, UC2, and RST X-2, and the stronger syms like the Phaze 2 and Helios. It’s a ball down from the bigger asyms like the Dark Code, Gem, Reality, and Proton, and a ball up from the Phaze 4, IQ Tour Solid, and Hyped Pearl and Hybrid. It fits well as a first ball out of the bag on regular house shots and medium length and volume sport patterns.
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900 Global Zen/U
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Zen/U puts a different twist on the Zen line. The core is the Meditate LD core, and while it’s the same shape as the regular Meditate core from the other Zen releases, the density has been reduced to create a higher RG of 2.56 and a lower differential of .027. The S35+ urethane cover at 1000 grit gives it a urethane look, but with a twist. The differential is just shy of an IQ Tour differential, which allows the ball to flare a small amount and get some ring separation to get fresh cover exposed to the lane on every rotation. The result gives the Zen/U traction early in the lane like a regular urethane ball like the Pitch Black, but also gives it some punch or motion on the backend. For me it acts like an earlier and smoother Phaze 2.

I used a 4 x 4 x 2 layout on the Zen/U, and left it at the box surface. I’m left handed with 17mph speed and about 375 revs. Being a lefty means of course that urethane is a big part of my toolkit, and while I’m a big fan of my Pitch Black, if it’s too early and smooth, and reactive balls are too long and sharp, I haven’t had anything in between until the Zen/U. Not only does the Zen/U allow me to move inside, it affords me the opportunity to almost play the lanes like it’s a reactive ball. Something that acts like urethane in the fronts and a smooth reactive ball down lane could be a game changer for me.

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Roto Grip All-Out Show Off
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The All Out Show Off continues Roto Grip’s infamous tradition in the HP2 line to give you way more than what the price point would suggest. While the All Out is a much more reasonable hook potential for this line than the Show Off, it still keeps up with balls that would cost more. For me it’s very reminiscent of Storm’s Rocket, fairly clean through the front part of the lane with a strong and continuous arc on the backend. It matches up well with the hook of the Show Off, and the big backend move of the Wreck Em, it’s a very good compliment to those two and all 3 would make a pretty complete bag for a very low cost. It’s been the first ball out of my bag since I got it, it’s become my benchmark, and gives me a good read on what the lanes are doing. The controlled shape gives you plenty of warning when the lanes start to transition without suddenly getting jumpy or blowing through the breakpoint, and it’s been a great setup ball for my Dare Devil Danger.
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Roto Grip Clone
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs: Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 2 ½

The Clone is a new asymmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP4 line. It features the new OptiTrax solid cover which is medium strength. The core is the Cloned E.T. core which is modified from the original E.T. core in the UFO and UFO Alert, and it comes in at a 2.51 RG, .054 differential, and a .016 intermediate differential in 15 pounds. On paper it’s a slightly stronger solid version of the UFO Alert, but this cover is a decided step down in strength from the MicroTrax on the UFO and on the balls in the Gem line.

The box surface is Reacta Gloss, but I resurfaced mine down to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine and then finished it with a light application of Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was underwhelming. The ball is significantly earlier and smoother than was expected, and with the shine, it was lazy and flat, so I decided to take a 2000 pad to it by hand. This completely changed the reaction, the surface now better fit what the core wanted to do and I got an incredibly controllable and forgiving reaction. Early rolling without being early hooking, and an even, continuous, climbing arc on the backend.

The Clone feels like an asymmetric version of the TNT. It’s got the same slow, heavy roll, but for me, the Clone has the torque that the TNT lacks to give it more conviction and presence at the pocket. It works best for me on tougher conditions, but it’s surprisingly effective on regular league conditions because remember, the cover is clean enough to where it’s still able to be in play on lighter conditions. It’s a step down from the Gem, a step sideways from the TNT, and a step up from the Tour Dynam-X in my opinion, and for me it’s one of the best sport condition balls out there right now.

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Roto Grip Dare Devil
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Daredevil is the latest ball from Roto Grip in the HP3 line. It's a big backend ball that revs very strongly, but doesn't hook nearly as early as you'd expect it to, it gets down the lane very easily. It has a very hard arc on the backend, it's strong, but not jumpy off the friction. For me it's best from angle after transition forces you inside. It revs strongly enough to keep it stable in the midlane without hooking early, and the transition to the friction is smooth enough that it doesn't dive or cut through the pins, it goes through them properly and keeps them low. This is a ball that allows you to really get a handful at the bottom without it grabbing early and without it being too strong through the pins, but still rolls heavy enough to be consistent from deeper angles.
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Roto Grip Dare Devil Danger
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Dare Devil Danger has been a very polarizing ball for me. At first glance, I wasn’t a fan, it was a little too jerky on friction and a little too lazy in the oil, but once I realized it was right at home once the track had burnt some, this ball will have a solid place in my bag for a long time to come. While it doesn’t remind me much of the other two Dare Devils, it IS a very good compliment as it offers a look and shape the other two don’t. It’s very similar to the Hywire, so it’s long and strong, though not quite as sharp. The low rg of the core makes it rev very strong, but the medium differential keeps it from gaining too much early traction so it can save it for the backend. In terms of hook, it’s right between the Trick and the original for me, but with more backend shape than either, and is absolutely lethal for me once the lanes have a few games on them and I can get inside and really open things up.
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Roto Grip Dare Devil Trick
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Daredevil Trick is Roto Grip's newest in the HP3 line. This is the ultimate sport condition ball, it has enough traction to be in play on heavy volumes and is smooth enough to use on shorter conditions but is most at home on all things medium. Smooth and controllable is the name of the game for the Trick, it's like an updated version of the IQ Tour Solid for today's heavier volumes. This is one of those balls that every serious tournament bowler needs, and should be the first or second ball in the bag. Surface changes show a wide range of condition coverage, it's an extremely versatile ball. The Trick is best from straighter angles, but heavier hands will be able to catch it all at the bottom without seeing it overreact on the backend. It will need polish to be viable on all but the wettest of house conditions, and lower rev or higher speed games may not see the shape they need out of the Trick on a house shot, but this ball will play for every type of bowler on medium sport conditions.
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Roto Grip Duo Black/Green
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Duo features the new low RG symmetric Mentor core inspired by the Madcap core from the DareDevil series which comes in at a 2.49 RG and a .046 differential in 15 pounds, and is wrapped in the MicroTrax Pearl cover which comes out of the box with the Reacta Gloss factory surface. The Duo is a remarkably versatile ball at a virtually perfect strength for most league bowlers. It’s surprisingly clean and sharp considering it shares the cover from the Exotic Gem, and is somewhat directional. You can get it to stop and go forward if you want, or you can get it to be very continuous. It’s a nice blend between user friendly and forgiving and a very high amount of utility that makes the Duo a ball that gets better the better you are. The shape reminds me a lot of a Wrecker but stronger, somewhat tumbly, not quite chuggy, and somewhat hook/set.
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Roto Grip Exotic Gem
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Exotic Gem is the latest release in Roto Grip’s HP4 line, and it’s a pearl version of the Gem. It has the same incredibly strong Defiant LRG core boasting a 2.47 RG, a .053 diff, and a .016 intermediate diff in 15 pounds, and while pearl and hybrid versions of balls in the HP3 and HP4 lines usually get the medium strength and responsive eTrax coverstock, the Exotic gets exotic by featuring the MicroTrax Pearl cover which is the first time it’s been used on a ball stateside. This makes the Exotic one of the strongest pearl balls on the market, if not THE strongest, and the combination of traction, shape, and torque results in a ball you have to throw to believe.

I used a 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½ layout on it, threw it both with the out of box Reacta Gloss surface and took it to 3000 by hand. I’m left handed, 17mph speed, and 375 revs, and what I experienced was simply a cleaner and sharper version of the original Gem. That core creates an unmistakable reaction on the lanes, which is heavy rolling, strong, continuous, and relentless. The Exotic is a perfect step down from the original Gem, or with a little surface could be the strongest ball in your bag.

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Roto Grip Gem
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Gem features the MicroTrax Solid cover that we saw on the UFO, plus the inspired evolution of the Defiant core in the Defiant LRG, producing the lowest RG Roto Grip has ever had in a ball at 2.47. The result is a very strong, heavy rolling and powerful asymmetric solid that’s the strongest ball I’ve ever thrown. Despite this, it’s somehow very usable, it doesn’t see a lot of league action but on challenge and sport patterns, it’s one of my go to’s on the fresh, and being that I’m a lefty and see fresh on every pair I move to, it’s something I can stick with in sweepers and can just move with in regular tournaments where we stay on the same pair. It manages to hook a lot without burning up and hitting flat, I continue to find myself stunned at the versatility and power at the pins. The Gem fits alongside the Reality and Proton PhysiX, it doesn’t necessarily compete with them because they all have different shapes and slightly different hook potentials.
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Roto Grip Halo
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Halo is exactly what you expect it to be, it’s the Idol cover with an asym core. That gives it that predictable and consistent Nano feel for me, and puts it right between the No Rules and No Rules Exist in terms of just about everything. It’s not as continuous as the Idol is, it’s earlier and a bit slower on the backend, but it’s a bit more muscle for when the Idol just doesn’t start up early enough. For a full and detailed review:
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Roto Grip Halo Pearl
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Halo Pearl is the latest asymmetric pearl in the HP4 line, a ball that was needed to fill the hole left by the No Rules Pearl, and a worthy piece to complete the trio of reactions. Like was done with the Idol and Idol Pearl, the Halo Pearl cover formula is quite different from the Halo, but this creates a little more separation and ultimately a ball that is a better compliment. The Centrum core makes the two reactions feel familiar, but the Halo Pearl is several boards weaker, much cleaner and easier down the lane, and sharper. For me this means a couple of great reactions that truly compliment each other without the overlap that some balls with the same core and variations of the same cover formula can create. I have not put the Halo Pearl down since I got it, occasionally I’ll use the Idol Pearl (same cover formula) if the lanes are too dry, but if at all possible, the Halo Pearl has been the ball. It’s already made me quite a bit of money at tournaments, and I’ve also had a couple honor scores with it, I can’t recommend this one enough.
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Roto Grip Halo Vision
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Halo Vision is the third Halo now in the HP4 line, and is a stronger version of the hybrid cover from the Hyper Cell Fused, and it feels like a sanded version of the Fused . . plus 3 or 4 boards, which makes it the strongest ball I’ve ever thrown. Balls like the Sure Lock and Halo have more actual traction in oil, but with the amount of traction the Vision still has, PLUS a stronger backend motion than either of those, the aggregate result is the Halo Vision edging them both by a board or two. It’s big hook with a strong backend move, which makes it one of the better heavy oil balls I’ve ever thrown as well, it doesn’t just feel like one that will keep me in play, it feels like one I could actually score with on true heavy volumes. This means I’ll never be able to throw it in league, but when used for what it’s designed for, it’s one of the best, if not THE best out there.
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Roto Grip Hectic
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hectic is the definition of a benchmark pearl if there ever was one. It's a very smooth, even, and continuous light to medium oil ball, and can be played from anywhere on the lane due to its energy retention and hard arc on the backend. It does not stand up or jerk on friction, nor does it skate in oil. This gives it incredible playability on the vast majority of house patterns for a wide variety of bowler styles, and makes it an excellent choice for sport patterns when the track has burnt and you need push down the lane, finish from deeper angles, but still have a controlled move on the backend. For me, the Hectic is best used from those deeper angles, as I've found it to be very responsive to whatever you want to make it to. I feel like its strength is in playing a bit of angle with a higher rev rate, as you can hit up on it at the bottom and send it out without the need to juice the speed to get it down the lane. With surface added, it is also very good from the corner on fresh shorter or medium sport patterns. The Hectic is a must have ball in the bag, and is complimented well by the Loco Solid for a similar hook potential but different shape.
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Roto Grip Hot Cell
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hot Cell is the latest addition to the HP4 line and is a fresh and bold take on urethane. The cover is 100% pure urethane, and the core is the same original Nucleus core that was used in the Cell line. The result is a urethane reaction elevated. One feature of older urethane was also cores with a low differential that did not flare, meaning that the ball continued to roll over the same oil track all the way down the lane. The strength of the Nucleus core causes the Hot Cell to roll and rev unlike other urethane balls, and the flare the core causes exposes a fresh surface of ball to the lane on every rotation which increases traction but also delivers the key benefit of reducing backend carrydown, which improves consistency at the breakpoint substantially over other urethane options that do not flare and as a result tend to cause a significant amount of carrydown. When you pair that with the pure urethane cover, you get a ball that is the type of reaction and amount of hook that people look for in a urethane ball while significantly reducing or possibly eliminating the negative aspects.
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Roto Grip Hustle Camo Solid
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle Camo features the VTC Solid coverstock and Hustle core, which comes in at a 2.53 RG and .030 differential in 15 pounds. It’s a rolly, light to medium oil ball that controls the lane a lot like an IQ, just a bit weaker. The Hustles have been popular because they’re a triple threat, they’re versatile, they fit the majority of regular league shots really well, and they’re way cheaper than they should be. The Camo brings a bit of the balance back to the line, the PBR before it isn’t too far off a Phaze 2, which is insane back for the buck, but doesn’t quite fit what you’re expecting from a ball marketed as light to medium. The Camo is easy length with a rolly shape, and a firm continuous motion on the backend. It’s going to fit the majority of bowlers well, and even if it’s not a first ball out of the bag for league, it’s a great step down for game 2 or 3, and I think will play well on tougher patterns also.
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Roto Grip Hustle HYB Hybrid
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle HYB uses the same core as all the other Hustles before it, but has a brand new hybrid cover. The HYB hooks several boards more than any other Hustle, and outhooks the price point by a significant amount. If you’re looking for bang for the buck, the HYB is a great place to look, it’s really a budget IQ Tour Solid, but if you’re looking for a true light oil ball, you should probably look elsewhere. This ball is strong enough to be an HP2 ball, and approaches Storm’s Thunder line in terms of overall strength. The HYB is a very smooth and controllable ball, there are no surprises with it once you accept how much it hooks despite the price and being labeled an HP1 ball. The HYB is a great compliment to the Hustle Ink, while the Ink is long and strong, the HYB is earlier, smoother, and stronger.
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Roto Grip Hustle INK Solid
41 of 43 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I truly can’t say enough about this ball. I try to stay as objective as possible when reviewing a ball, but I feel saying this is one of the best balls I’ve ever thrown IS objective. All the buzz words apply here, easy length, good control, very clean reaction, consistent, and it’s continuous through the pins. The Hustle Ink fits best on medium conditions, it’s a bit strong for true light conditions, but will handle anything from light-medium to the heavy side of medium. This is that perfect normal house shot type reaction, it doesn’t transition the lanes quickly due to the surface, it’s not significantly affected by carrydown or track burn, and it’s very comfortable to throw. For me, this is Hyroad level performance. It’s great on a number of conditions, not to mention with it being a solid, it will be very responsive to cover adjustments and should do extremely well on short to medium sport patterns of all difficulties. I’m shamelessly recommending this one, the performance to price ratio is extremely favorable and the reaction is exceptional.
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Roto Grip Hustle M-M
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs: Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 x 2

The Hustle M&M is a new symmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP1 line. It features the VTC Pearl coverstock, which is a medium to lower strength cover. The core is the Hustle core, which comes in at a 2.53 RG and .030 differential in 15 pounds. On paper, it’s a reskin of the Hustle Wine, but on the lane it’s surprisingly different. I’ve used the Hustle M&M on several different conditions at a couple different surfaces.

First, the box Reacta Gloss surface hasn’t been great for me, so I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a surprisingly heavy and early roll, but that still responded very sharply down lane. The easiest way to describe it is that it feels like a baby Duo, same exactly reaction shape and attributes, just weaker across the board. I ended up taking a worn 3000 pad to it by hand to crack the shine to blend it out a little but still retain the general reaction.

The Hustle M&M greatly overreaches its price point, delivering a strong and powerful reaction considering what it should do on paper, reaching up to be even stronger than a Phaze 5 for me. It rolls stable enough to act like it has a stronger core in it than it does, and the cover is also strong enough that with a little surface, it can reasonably play on most typical league shots and even be a great ball down option on some tougher ones.

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Roto Grip Hustle PBR
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle PBR features the trademark Hustle core with this year’s version of VTC Solid. The PBR is the strongest Hustle we’ve seen so far, strong enough to reasonably be an HP2 ball, and that’s saying something. It’s also stronger and earlier for me than the IQ Tour Solid even, albeit a little smoother out of the box. It feels like a weaker and smoother Phaze 2, but for those that remember the IQ Tour Nano, it feels more like a weaker version of that. Strong, controllable, but playable on most regular conditions. Like the RAP, it’s more a bang for your buck ball than a true lighter oil ball, and I feel like it’s the most hook that’s ever been offered for this price. While strong doesn’t always equal effective, I’ve seen a lot of these on the lanes, in tournament bags, and it’s even been on a couple of the PBA shows so far. If you’re looking for this type of a ball, the PBR is a no brainer.
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Roto Grip Hustle Purple/Raspberry/Orange Hybrid
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle PRO, which uses the Stoked Hybrid cover (2 parts solid, 1 part pearl), is the slightly earlier, slightly more aggressive, and slightly smoother of the two Hustles. I feel like both of these balls are much better once you touch up the cover, as strong as the cores are for this line of ball, the box surface seems to make them a little inconsistent on the backend. I'd recommend 1000 abralon, then lightly reapplying the polish. These balls represent a brand new shape to the light oil ball category, they offer the hard arc, control, and continuation of heavier oil balls, but for lighter conditions. The vast majority of light oil balls have weak cores, which can make them too sharp at the breakpoint, or too sensitive to carrydown. The 2.53 rg and .030 diff of the Hustle core gives you a heavier roll, which translates to greater control both on the lane and at the pocket, resulting in a wider pocket and better pin carry.
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Roto Grip Hustle RAP
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle RAP is the latest in Roto’s HP1 line, featuring the Hustle core and VTC P-20, or this year’s version of VTC Pearl. The simplest way for me to describe it is that it’s a baby Idol Pearl, it’s got a very similar look on the lane, it plays well from similar zones, it does all the same things the Idol Pearl does, it’s for lighter oil volumes. I’m a big fan of the Idol Pearl, but sometimes it’s too much ball, so to have a similar look that’s usable more often on typical conditions is great. It’s rolly and fairly continuous, and it’s got a nice balance between control and pop on the backend. I think it’s a bit too strong for drier or lighter oil conditions, it’s more of a bang for your buck ball than a true dry or light oil ball, but it’s perfect for the vast majority of regular league conditions for the vast majority of bowlers.
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Roto Grip Hustle RIP
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs: Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 x 2

The Hustle RIP is a new symmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP1 line. It features the VTC Solid coverstock, which is a medium to lower strength cover. The core is the Hustle core, which comes in at a 2.53 RG and .030 differential in 15 pounds. On paper, it’s a reskin of the Hustle Camo, and on the lane it’s very close, while also giving very strong Hustle Ink vibes. I’ve used the Hustle RIP on several different conditions at a couple different surfaces.

First, the box Reacta Gloss surface hasn’t been great for me, so I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a clean round arc. It’s rounder than the Camo and very close indeed to the Hustle Ink, and is the same overall strength as both. For whatever reason I think the Camo handles angle better, and the RIP is marginally cleaner. I ended up taking a worn 3000 pad to it by hand to crack the shine to blend it out a little but still retain the general reaction.

The RIP is very similar to a longer and sharper IQ Tour, which makes it very usable and throwable on a wide variety of conditions. It’s a little too clean and weak to be a first ball out of the bag in league unless you have a lot of friction, and I would recommend using a slight bit of surface on it to strengthen and blend the reaction a little. Overall it fits well in its price point as far as total hook potential, but overshoots it quite a bit when it comes to performance, it’s one of the best bangs for your buck on the market.

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Roto Grip Hustle Silver/Aqua/Yellow Hybrid
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle SAY features the Psyched coverstock (2 parts pearl, 1 part solid), and is the longer and stronger of the two Hustles. I feel like both of these balls are much better once you touch up the cover, as strong as the cores are for this line of ball, the box surface seems to make them a little inconsistent on the backend. I'd recommend 1000 abralon, then lightly reapplying the polish. These balls represent a brand new shape to the light oil ball category, they offer the hard arc, control, and continuation of heavier oil balls, but for lighter conditions. The vast majority of light oil balls have weak cores, which can make them too sharp at the breakpoint, or too sensitive to carrydown. The 2.53 rg and .030 diff of the Hustle core gives you a heavier roll, which translates to greater control both on the lane and at the pocket, resulting in a wider pocket and better pin carry.
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Roto Grip Hustle USA
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle USA features the VTC Hybrid cover at a 3000 grit finish, and the Hustle core at a 2.53 RG, and a .030 in 15 pounds. The USA is a quite different shape from the Wine and Camo, it’s earlier and smoother, plus it has more of a tumbly gradual roll and shape rather than the longer and quicker round roll of the Wine and Camo. However, the USA is a very similar strength to the Wine and Camo. The Hustle line as a whole is a very solid light to medium oil choice that succeed on regular house shots as well as tougher sport patterns. Bryanna Cote notably just won on the PWBA with the USA because of its strong, gradual roll and control. They’re definitely more of light to medium condition performance balls than entry level balls, they are a great choice for a novice or beginner bowler to help them start understanding about bowling balls that hook, but they’re obviously also a great tool for the best in the game at the highest levels of competition. The USA fits as a ball up from the Tropical Surge line, a ball sideways from the other Hustles, the Burners, and the Electrify Pearl, a half step down from the Hyped line, and a ball down from the IQ Tour and Hyroad.
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Roto Grip Hustle Wine Pearl
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hustle Wine features the VTC Pearl coverstock and Hustle core, which comes in at a 2.53 RG and .030 differential in 15 pounds. It’s a rolly, light to medium oil ball that controls the lane a lot like an IQ, just a bit weaker. The Hustles have been popular because they’re a triple threat, they’re versatile, they fit the majority of regular league shots really well, and they’re way cheaper than they should be. The Wine brings a bit of the balance back to the line, the RAP is virtually an Idol Pearl, which is insane back for the buck, but doesn’t quite fit what you’re expecting from a ball marketed as light to medium. The Wine is easy length with a rolly shape, and a firm continuous motion on the backend. It’s going to fit the majority of bowlers well, and even if it’s not a first ball out of the bag for league, it’s a great step down for game 2 or 3, and I think will play well on tougher patterns also.
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Roto Grip Hyped Hybrid
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyped Hybrid is one of two in a new line for the HP2 category, and features the VTC Hybrid cover, and the new Hyped core coming in at a 2.52 RG and .036 differential. The core numbers are a very unique combination, differentials are very seldom seen in the upper .030s, and the overall reaction is somewhat heavy rolling but not quite chuggy. It’s also not very quick revving, which gives it a very methodical continuous reaction, it reminds me a lot of the MVP Pearl and Wrecker going back a bit further. It has a firm climbing motion on the backend and plays well from multiple angles. The Hyped Hybrid should be a perfect choice either to start a league set out with or as a step down later in the set or block at a tournament, and is a little earlier and smoother than the Pearl
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Roto Grip Hyped Pearl
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyped Pearl is one of two in a new line for the HP2 category, and features the VTC Pearl cover also found on the Hustle Wine, and the new Hyped core coming in at a 2.52 RG and .036 differential. The core numbers are a very unique combination, differentials are very seldom seen in the upper .030s, and the overall reaction is strong, but not quite heavy rolling. It’s also not very quick revving, which gives it a very methodical continuous reaction that’s virtually on top of the IQ Emerald. It has a firm but not sharp move on the backend and plays well from multiple angles. The Hyped Pearl should be a perfect choice either to start a league set out with or as a step down later in the set or block at a tournament, and is a little longer and sharper than the Hybrid.
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Roto Grip Hyped Solid
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyped Solid features the VTC Solid coverstock at a 3000 grit finish, and the Hyped core at a 2.52 RG, and a .036 differential in 15 pounds. As it shares the same coverstock, the Hyped Solid is very reminiscent of the Hustle Camo, however the extra strength out of the core gives it a stronger roll overall. It has the same clean, but rolly and round shape throughout the lane. The Hyped Solid’s most notable feature is the calm and consistent roll, it doesn’t seem to really rev up at any point and take off, nor does it kind of lope down the lane. It hits the lane and has a very stable and continuous roll, but doesn’t necessarily roll strong or heavily, it allows you to control the overall reaction and is constantly ready to do what you want it to. It’s medium strength, not quite as strong or early as the IQ Tour Solid, but close enough to almost be a sideways compliment because it does handle angle better. It shares more in common with the Hyped Pearl than it does with the Hybrid, though the Pearl is longer and a couple boards weaker, they have a similar roll. The Hybrid is earlier and heavier rolling with more of an arc shape, but they’re all of a similar strength. The Hyped Solid is not quite a full ball up from the Hustles, Burners, and Electrify Pearl, and not quite a full ball down from an IQ Tour Solid, but is a “solid” compliment to them all.
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Roto Grip Hyper Cell Fused
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
If you’re looking for a lot of hook, or specifically a lot of backend, the Fused is going to be the ball of choice. It features the Nucleus core from the Cell series, but has a new hybrid cover on it. Despite the shiny out of box finish, it’s still an aggressive ball, and just keeps coming on the backend. I find it to be best either for very straight games that need help with some punch on the backend, or for higher rev games to get very deep and be able to be firm with it without worrying about it getting down the lane OR finishing on the backend. If you miss your Hyper Cell Skid, this is that ball, but with a little more punch.
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Roto Grip Hy-Wire
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hy-Wire is the ball to own if you want or need easy length and perhaps the strongest backend move on the market. The hybrid cover is 2 parts pearl and 1 part solid, and shows that with a very pearl-esque motion on the lanes. However, the solid shows itself in midlane revving and control at the pocket. Despite an exceptionally strong move on the backend, the Hy-Wire exhibits a surprising amount of control at the pocket and through the pins. It goes through the pocket the correct way, offering a very high carry percentage often missing on flush or solid pocket hits from other balls with similar strength on the backend, which can sometimes be too strong through the pocket leaving odd "stone" or "solid" back row pins standing. It's also a very versatile ball, with a few minor physical changes allowing you to play virtually anywhere on the lane, which can be a critical part of scoring well: the ability to make small adjustments without having to go to your bag.
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Roto Grip Idol
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol features new everything, new core in the super aggressive symmetric Ikon core, and Micro Trax-18, their strongest Nano cover to date. This is easily the strongest ball Roto has released in the HP3 line, stronger than the Haywire even by a couple boards, and challenges the GB3 for the most hook in a symmetric ball and at that price point on the market. The result is a very smooth, even, controllable, and naturally strong ball that due to the characteristics of the Nano cover is more versatile than most balls that strong, as well as very continuous and great at blending wet/dry transition without jerking or burning energy on friction. The Idol should be a serious consideration for sport tournament bowlers and especially collegiate bowlers looking for a strong symmetric 1 ball.
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Roto Grip Idol Cosmos
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol Cosmos features the XtremeTrax Pearl coverstock that debuted in solid form on the Idol Helios, and it comes at 4000 grit. The core is the strong and rolly Ikon core the Idol series is known for, and it’s a 2.49 RG and .052 differential in 15 pounds. The Cosmos is very strong and round shaping, just like the Helios, but obviously a slightly weaker version. The Cosmos feels like a stronger IQ Tour Nano Pearl that’s firmer down lane, it has the control of an IQ with some extra teeth and punch. If both are at box, it’s a very good step down from the Helios because it gives you the same type of look but that’s a bit weaker and easier down the lane. It’s a step sideways from something like the Zen, Zen Soul, and Phaze 3, because while technically it’s stronger, it’s also not as sharp, and would be a good ball up from something like an IQ Tour because it’s the same general look and shape but in a stronger package. While the Cosmos might be quite useful for higher rev rates on easier patterns, it’s better suited to tougher conditions I think because of the combination of strength and control. It could be a ball down, or a first ball on medium length and/or flatter patterns.
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Roto Grip Idol Helios
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol Helios is the latest release in the HP3 line, and looks to both replace and improve on the original Idol. The famed Ikon core is the same at a 2.49 RG and a .052 differential in 15 pounds, while the cover has been upgraded to the new XtremeTrax solid, which is an evolution of MicroTrax and increases traction, shape, and durability. The good news is that it accomplishes all of this, it’s the same Idol shape and look on the lane, but a little sharper and with more longevity of reaction. It also doesn’t seem to burn as much energy or straighten out on friction as much as the original Idol sometimes could, so for me, it IS actually an upgrade. It’s at least as strong or stronger than the Axiom, Zen Master, and Phaze 2, and I think it’s the sharpest one of the bunch, so if you’re in need of a big strong symmetric ball that almost feels like a mild asym, take a look at the Helios, which already has a 900 series to its name!
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Roto Grip Idol Pearl
3 of 7 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol Pearl is Roto’s newest release in the HP3 line, featuring the same Ikon core as the Idol, BUT with the Pearl version of the Hyper Cell Fused coverstock. Because of this, I find that the Idol Pearl actually shares more in common with the Fused than the Idol. Like the Fused, it’s very very clean through the fronts, and sharp and readable on the backend, but with a bit straighter motion rather than a continuous one. With it lacking the asym torque, it’s not quite as early or firm downlane, but it’s a ball that you can control every part of the motion with, it responds incredibly well to speed, rev, and hand position changes and will do exactly what you want it to. Personally, I’m very disappointed in the fact that it’s not the pearl version of the Idol cover, I was excited for a truer compliment, but for me they’re so different that I feel the Marvel Pearl is a closer reaction to the original than the Idol Pearl is.
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Roto Grip Idol Pro
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol Pro was a bit of a surprise for me, I’d expected a hybrid Idol since we already had a solid Idol, but the Idol Pro is a much different ball from the original Idol. It features a stronger solid version of the Idol Pearl cover, which is far removed from the characteristics of the Idol. The Idol Pro is longer and firmer at the breakpoint, though a little weaker than the original Idol, but with the very characteristic motion of the Ikon core. This results in a ball that’s more usable, has greater versatility, and perhaps the most user friendly ball I’ve ever thrown, meaning that regardless of how you throw the ball, it’s hard for me to think of a style this ball wouldn’t look good for. In other words, it’s such a universally versatile ball that if it doesn’t look good for you, you’re likely doing something wrong. It’s an easy top 3 Roto Grip ball all time, and the easiest way to describe it is that it’s the next evolution of the IQ Tour: more versatile, more user friendly, more usable, more scorable.
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Roto Grip Idol Synergy
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Idol Synergy features the clean and responsive eTrax hybrid cover and powerful symmetric Ikon core. The eTrax formula has been featured on the majority of HP3 and HP4 balls the last couple years in a few different forms and strengths, but only one other time as a hybrid in the Halo Vision. The clean and responsive nature of the cover formula in combination with Roto’s heavy rolling and dynamic stronger cores like Ikon in the top end of the catalog creates a balanced reaction that offers both stability and lane control with plenty of steam left for a strong move down lane. The Ikon core comes in at a 2.49 RG and .052 differential in 15 pounds and creates a very recognizable round and even ball motion reminiscent of the Centripetal core from the Marvel series. The Idol and Idol Pearl have been popular choices among many of the pros, being involved in big money and major tournaments over the last couple years, and the Synergy takes the Idol idea and injects a little caffeine. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, I rate the Idol Synergy a 6 on hook, a 7 on length, and an 8 on backend.
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Roto Grip MVP
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The MVP is the latest monster in the HP2 line for Roto, which has become the biggest rule breaking line in bowling. Everything hooks too much for way too cheap, and while hook doesn’t automatically equal performance or value, Chris Schlemer also doubles down on that to make HP2 releases the very definition of bang for your buck. While the All Out Show off and Winners had a mixed reception, the MVP represents a return to form for the HP2 line, which is namely embarrassing the competition for the price. While I expected a hybrid Idol instead of a solid in the Idol Pro, I think we actually got a hybrid Idol, it’s just called the MVP and is in the HP2 line. It’s one of the strongest shiny balls I’ve ever thrown period, and if you’re a once a week league bowler that only buys one ball a year, this is it, you’ll be stunned at what it does for the price. It has the early, chuggy, rolly feel of balls like the Frantic and Punch Out, with the clean and strong roll of balls like the Wrecker.
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Roto Grip MVP Attitude
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The MVP Attitude is the 3rd MVP in Roto’s HP2 line, and while it’s a hybrid like the original MVP, it’s quite a bit different on the lane. The MVP was strong, heavy rolling, and really quick on friction. The Attitude is rolly, but doesn’t feel like it wants to be quite as early despite the sanded cover, and blends the backend part of the lane very well. It’s very continuous like the previous MVPs, and the shape and look on the lane is familiar, but for me it takes the idea of the original MVP and makes it more usable and effective. Not as heavy rolling and relentlessly strong on friction, but still rolly, still continuous, and quite versatile. It’s controlled enough to play straighter, and has enough wheels and continuation to not just play from deep, but be effective from deep. The Attitude is a quite refined reaction, it’s good at blending cliffs on house patterns, and giving you controllable strength on tougher patterns.
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Roto Grip MVP Pearl
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The MVP Pearl features the Neutron NXT core, which was inspired by the original Neutron core found in the Wrecker series, and is also featured in the MVP. The MVP Pearl shares a lot in common with the MVP, and is really just a cleaner and sharper version of it. It has the same heavy rolling chuggy feel but still creates a lot of pop down lane. While it’s heavy rolling, it’s not super quick revving due to the medium to high RG and medium differential, so it helps the ball slow down and manage the midlane without digging in too quickly. This should create a lot of lane control and ball motion for lower rev rates, and should also be good on burn when you’re forced left. It will create a rollier motion to help the ball stabilize while clearing the fronts and giving you a sharp and decisive move from deeper angles when ball reaction can get tricky.
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Roto Grip No Rules
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
No Rules is a very apt name for this ball, because it seems to "break" a few rules of ball reaction as this ball does several things that you normally wouldn't be able to combine. Namely, for as strong as it is, it's very easy through the heads, and very clean at the breakpoint. It's also continuous, handles angle well, and doesn't burn up on friction. While it's not sharp enough on the backend to just fling through a puddle, it's very responsive to speed, rev, and hand position changes, as its characteristics are not ball dominant, it's more of a precision tool. As far as total hook, it's on par with the Menace and Alpha Crux, with its shape being directly between them. It's not as smooth and arc-y as the Menace, while not as sharp off the breakpoint as the Alpha.
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Roto Grip No Rules Pearl
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
No Rules Pearl is the newest ball in Roto Grip's HP4 line. This is the most aggressive pearl ball I've ever thrown. It hooks continuously throughout the lane, it has a very strong arc, it is a GREAT ball to use from deeper angles on heavier volume patterns once the transition has forced you inside. It rolls heavy enough and has enough traction that you can project it or fade it through the soup in the middle knowing it's going to pull up and make a STRONG move through the pins. It's just a strong ball in all phases of motion, but the surface finish gets it down the lane without bleeding energy. It's quick off friction, but it doesn't burn or stand up. It also doesn't need the shine taken off to compete on sport patterns, in fact it's better with the factory polish on it. This is one of my personal favorites at the moment, it's very easy to throw with confidence.
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Roto Grip Nuclear Cell
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Nuclear Cell is Roto Grip’s latest ball in the HP4 line. It features the popular Nucleus core from the previous Cell releases, and the updated pearl eTrax formula, P20. The Nuclear is maybe the quickest response ball I’ve ever thrown, it definitely rivals the Phaze 3 for strength of motion off the dry. I think the out of box finish makes it a little too sensitive, but I took it 3000 and that helped tremendously. It still has a very strong backend motion, but handles wet/dry significantly better. This is definitely the strongest shiny ball I’ve ever thrown, and when sanded, it nearly rivals the Halo Vision and UFO for hook potential. Due to the overwhelming strength of the ball, it’s not usable very often for me, but when you need effective traction and especially a stronger backend motion on heavier conditions, this is one of the first balls I’d reach for.
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Roto Grip RST X-1
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The RST X-1 features the nano based MicroTrax hybrid cover formula and new dynamic and high torque asymmetric RST or Roto Star Tour core. MicroTrax is very similar to Storm’s NRG coverstock, though is a little stronger to my knowledge, and the 3000 grit hybrid version instantly reminds me of the PhysiX. The RST core comes in at a 2.53 RG which is medium and fairly high for an asymmetric ball, an .053 differential and an .016 split or intermediate differential. The medium RG is going to help the ball scoot through the fronts a little easier while the diff and split create plenty of torque and motion down lane. The overall package reads like a slightly smoother PhysiX or more usable Halo Vision to me, all of which is good news. The PhysiX could offer a little too much boom down lane sometimes and the Vision was strong enough to take it out of play on all but the heaviest of conditions, while the RST still provides plenty of hook to tackle heavier stuff but also play more comfortably than I expected on a house shot. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, I rate the RST a 9 for hook, a 5 for length, and a 5 for backend strength.
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Roto Grip RST X-2
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The RST X-2 features the newly adjusted etrax plus pearl coverstock and rst or roto star tour asymmetric core. Angel’s layout is the same as always, 5 x 3 ½ x 3 ½, that puts the pin above the bridge and kicks the psa out a couple inches, my layout is 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½, which puts the pin in my ring finger and kicks the psa out a bit further. eTrax plus pearl is a bit earlier and slower than the base etrax cover on the Rubicon UC2, but still offers a lot of length up front and boom down lane. The asymmetric rst core is medium strength for an asym, not quite a mild asym like the Tensor core in the Incite or the Rondure core in the Rubicon’s, but not as strong as something like the RAD4 core in the Code series or the Atomic core in the PhysiX series. It comes in at a 2.53 rg, .053 differential, and an .016 split or intermediate differential in 15 pounds, and it creates a very round and continuous motion on the lanes that has plenty of torque without being too early or aggressive. The X2 is a great compliment to the X1, as it shapes virtually identically, just being longer and quicker as well as a couple boards weaker. For ratings, I’ve got the RST X2 at an 8 for hook, a 7 for length, and a 9 for backend strength.
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Roto Grip RST X-3
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The RST X-3 features the MicroTrax hybrid cover at a 4K Fast surface, and is 2 parts pearl and 1 part hybrid. The RST or Roto Star Tour core comes in at a 2.53 RG, a .053 differential, and a .016 intermediate differential in 15 pounds. The combination is fairly wild considering that the X3 shares absolutely no similarity with the X1, which had the exact same cover formula and was also a hybrid, but was 2 parts SOLID and 1 part PEARL rather than the other way around, and the difference on paper is completely negligible. The X1 was much longer, a bit sharper, and a rounder shape. The X3 is very heavy rolling, chuggy, and early, but also manages a lot of shape, so it’s a very strong ball that also covers a lot of boards. It’s somewhat directional though, so you have a lot of control over the shape. If you want it to stop and go forward, it will, and if you want to get it to chase the 7 pin off the deck (for righties), you can get it to do that too. The downside is that the combination of the extreme strength and shape doesn’t put it in play on many conditions for most bowlers. However, on the flip side, if you have trouble with getting ball motion and/or shape, if this ball doesn’t help you in the strength and power department, I don’t know what will.
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Roto Grip Rubicon
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Rubicon features the etrax s20 solid coverstock and the new mild asymmetric Rondure core. Etrax is a cleaner and more responsive formula like R2S, but stronger overall. The new Rondure core in 15 pounds has a 2.49 RG, .052 differential, and an .011 split, or intermediate differential. The rg and diff are exactly the same as the Idols, and there’s somewhat of a shape difference, but especially when comparing it to the Idol Pro, which shares the same base cover formula, you can see extra traction and extra aggression down lane out of the Rubicon. It’s very reminiscent of balls like the Code X and Alpha Crux, which were higher traction balls with a firm and predictable motion down lane, but still with a focus on control. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, my hook rating is 8, my length rating is 5, and my backend strength rating is 6.
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Roto Grip Rubicon UC2
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Rubicon UC2 features the etrax pearl cover and mild asymmetric Rondure core. The eTrax formula has been used in several iterations in the HP3 and HP4 lines over the last few years, and this version of the formula is the pearl version of the Idol Synergy cover. The Rondure core comes in at a 2.49 RG, .052 differential, and .011 split or intermediate differential in 15 pounds, the idea again being to mimic a stronger symmetric ball with a weight hole. The original Rubicon was already pretty quick on friction despite being a solid, with the cleaner eTrax base formula on it, it definitely punched a lot, and the UC2 takes that up to 9000. It’s very quick on friction and very easily controlled and manipulated with physical adjustments, I can play virtually anywhere I want to with this ball as you’ll see here in a few seconds. It’s becoming a favorite of both Angel and mine because it’s very easy down the lane and turns quickly on friction, while being a lot more consistent than you might expect it to be. It gets easy length for Angel and more punch than she gets out of literally anything else in her bag, and for me it’s something I can float out of and still get a sharp and visually comfortable move on the backend. In addition, if I need to get deep, there are no angles it won’t recover from, at least if you’re on the right conditions for it. The Rubicon UC2 is a ton of fun, it’s moved its way into both of our main league bags, and paired with the Rubicon, they’re a pretty devastating combo. I give the Rubicon UC2 a 7 for hook, 7 for length, and a 9 for backend strength.
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Roto Grip Rubicon UC3
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The UC3 was a quite unexpected release in the HP3 line, and is a pearl urethane Rubicon. The mild asym Rondure core is the same at a 2.49 RG and an .052 differential with a .011 intermediate differential, with the tour-ethane pearl urethane coverstock. The result is also unexpected, the UC3 controls the lane like urethane, it’s early, very stable in the midlane and fairly strong, but also has a surprising amount of shape down lane. The shape it creates is a bonus to the urethane idea, and it successfully bridges the gap between urethane and reactive in a way I haven’t seen done before. It really acts like a smoother Incite or Omega Crux. Due to the higher flare created, this is also a urethane ball that you can use in league without worry of creating extra carry down or “ruining” the shot.
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Roto Grip Show Off
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Show Off represents the best bang for your buck on the market. It features the original No Rules coverstock with a new core in the Hot Shot. Because of the cover, this ball has the most amount of traction at the price point by several boards, but because the core strength has been dialed back, it allows the ball to get further down the lane without hooking early or bleeding energy. While the Show Off isn’t quite enough ball for the heaviest of patterns, it’s aggressive enough to cover everything from medium to heavy, and feels like a longer and stronger Haywire to me. If you want a lot of hook for a lower price, or have a high rev rate and are looking for traction out of a ball that doesn’t roll too heavy or hook too early, the Show Off is going to be the ball you want.
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Roto Grip TNT
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ½ x 2

Keywords: EARLY, FORGIVING, DRILLER-FRIENDLY

The TNT is a new symmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP3 line. It features the solid version of the RST X-2 cover in eTrax+ solid, which is a clean and responsive cover formula, and the new Torpex core which bears a “striking” resemblance to the Orbital core from Storm’s Axiom. Its 2.47 RG in 15 pounds is the lowest RG Roto has featured in a symmetric ball, while the .052 diff is on par with the other strong cores we’ve seen in the line like the Ikon core from the Idol series. This creates a very heavy and strong roll that elevates the overall strength of the ball beyond what you might assume from the specs on paper.

I adjusted the surface of the TNT prior to using it, I took it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, then finished it on a spinner with a light coat of Storm’s Step 2 compound to shine it slightly. My speed is too slow for the 2000 box surface to be effective for me on most conditions, however I think the box surface is generally appropriate for the ball design. I’ve used this ball on both a house shot and Kegel Chromium (challenge pattern)

The TNT is definitely an EARLY rolling ball, also very smooth, and somewhat directional. For me it preferred straighter angles, and I think in general it will for most due to the shot shape and type of reaction. While it was better than I expected on the house pattern, I think its best used on tougher conditions because of how extremely well it manages the midlane and how consistent and FORGIVING it is. It’s a very stable reaction, controlling the lane and pattern both front to back and left to right better than virtually anything else I’ve thrown. This is an elite level sport ball in my opinion, on par with the Idol and Phaze 2. While it’s not quite as strong as those 2 due to the much weaker coverstock formula, it’s much closer than it appears to be on paper. The core’s contribution to that is significant due to the heavy roll and how fast the ball wants to slow down. Being symmetric, the ball is very DRILLER-FRIENDLY, and I feel like you could have a couple of these with different layouts and surfaces together in the same bag. The TNT reminds me of the Zen Master, just refined and dramatically improved.
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Roto Grip TNT Infused
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The TNT Infused is a new symmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP3 line. It features the eTrax plus hybrid cover, which is a clean and responsive cover that we’ve seen before on the RST X-2 in pearl form, and on the TNT as a solid. The core is the relatively new Torpex core which comes in at a low 2.47 RG and a .052 differential in 15 pounds. The Infused feels like a longer and sharper version of the TNT, but it’s remarkable how much that improves the quality of the ball reaction. I’ve used the Infused on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces. The factory gloss is too inconsistent and sensitive for me, so I resurfaced it down to 1000 on a resurfacing machine, then finished it lightly with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a strong rolling, but clean, firm, and slightly forward arc.

The TNT was known for being surprisingly early and strong despite the cleaner cover formula, and unfortunately the front to back shape was too front heavy which made it lazy and apathetic down lane. The Infused adjusts that shape, giving it a lot more balance and resulting in a perfect balance of core and cover. The heavy rolling and early core gives a lot of stability to the reaction shape, while the cleaner and sharper cover gets the ball further down the lane and adds punch. This makes the Infused a surprisingly effective and versatile ball that reminds me a lot of the original Zen, just cleaner and sharper. Like the TNT, the reaction shape wants to be slightly forward, but the cleaner cover allows the bowler to control the shape a little better because you can get around it more without it digging in so early or being flat like the TNT was. It fits well for a variety of bowler styles on most league conditions, and will be a great option for getting into transition on more difficult patterns.

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Roto Grip Tour Dynam-X
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs: Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 2 ½

The Tour Dynam-X is a new mildly asymmetric ball in Roto Grip’s HP3 line. It features the new TourTrax cover which is medium to lower strength. The core is the new Rondure Tour core, which shares the shape of the original Rondure core from the Rubicon series, but the density has been adjusted to lower all 3 numbers down to 2.47 for the RG, .026 for the differential, and .010 for the intermediate differential in 15 pounds. On paper, this is a mildly asymmetric IQ Tour type of ball.

The box surface is 2000, and it’s surprisingly strong at this surface. However, because it’s a medium to lower strength cover, it weakens significantly as it shines. However again, this makes it incredibly versatile. With surface it has the traction and stability to be in play on tougher sport patterns, and with shine it’s surprisingly usable and effective on league patterns. The super lower RG helps the ball control the midlane, while the low differential and mild asymmetry helps keep it very stable and controllable.

The Tour Dynam-X feels like a smoother and weaker version of the Phaze 2. The shape is identical, the same slightly directional arc that’s very responsive to hand changes and physical adjustments. I think it’s an evolution of the IQ Tour Solid in that it does all the same things the IQ Tour does, but the versatility is increased substantially. Like I mentioned, the TDX is a step down from the Phaze 2 but a step up from the Hustle RIP.

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

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The UFO is the latest solid offering in the HP4 line, replacing the Halo. Not only does it replace it, but I think it improves on it. The UFO features the MicroTrax-S20 cover and the new E.T. (Equalizer Technology) core. The core contains slots at the bottom meant to mimic a weight hole, and the reaction on the lane is dynamic, especially for a nano based solid. The UFO has plenty of traction, and doesn’t seem to burn energy on friction like some other bigger hooking balls can. The more friction there is, the more the UFO is going to hook, but the more oil there is, the better it’s going to perform, because oil is what it was designed for. The UFO reacts like how I would expect a solid PhysiX to react, it has an aggressively continuous and energetic motion throughout the lane.
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Roto Grip UFO Alert
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The UFO Alert features the asymmetric ET or Equalizer Technology core wrapped in the clean and responsive eTrax hybrid coverstock. ET comes in at a 2.52 RG, .054 differential, and .016 split or intermediate differential in 15 pounds, and is quite dynamic. With a little higher RG than is quote unquote typical for asyms, a big differential, and a medium intermediate differential, it wants to get down the lane a bit further than typical asyms and help deliver a big move on the backend. The eTrax hybrid cover helps to further that intent by breezing through the fronts and responding quickly to friction. The overall package is strong enough to handle medium to heavy volumes, it’s a little stronger than I expected on paper, but that puts it in prime territory to be a ball down from something like and RST X-1 or Incite, or be the first ball out of the bag for league, and is something you can chase the shot in with all night if you have a higher rev rate, or if you’re lower rev rate, it’s something that can help you keep your angles more closed and still look like you have more revs than you actually do. I rate the UFO Alert an 8 on hook, a 6 on length, and an 8 on backend strength.
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Roto Grip Wild Streak
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Wild Streak is the latest ball in the HP3 line, and a “wild” departure from what we’ve seen for the last several years. The HP3 line has been known for low RG values, and strong, rolly, continuous shapes from balls like the Dare Devil and Idol series. The Wild Streak jumps up into Hyroad-esque numbers with a higher RG and medium to high differential, and creates a completely different shape on the lanes from anything else in the Roto catalog. It gets easy length up front, which you’d expect, but the stronger cover helps prevent it from being too long, while at the same time avoiding a core/cover imbalance. It’s also very responsive to physical changes. The Idol series does what it’s going to do and is very good at hiding physical mistakes, while the Wild Streak gives you full control over the ball reaction, with the caveat that if you miss, you’re probably going to pay for it. Or in other words, the better you are, the better the Wild Streak will be. This makes it an excellent ball for tougher conditions because it will allow you to manipulate the reaction and be much more precise than you can be with other balls that have more dominant characteristics.
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Roto Grip Winner
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Winner is both an anomaly and completely expected. For one, it outperforms the HP2 line by a staggering amount, but this is also a normal thing for Roto to do with that line. It nearly has the highest symmetric core differential on the market right now, and is higher than anything in Roto’s HP3 or HP4 lines. However, it has a medium RG and the combination contributes to making it a ball with great length and a strong backend move. I think it’s a bit TOO easy down the lane, but it has looked very good for all Tamer’s testers
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Roto Grip Winner Solid
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Winner Solid features the same Altered Hot Shot Core from the Winner, plus the solid version of the same coverstock, and the result is the second coming of the Torrent for me. Very smooth and controllable, good length for a solid but with the traction to really blend wet/dry and hook. For me it seems most at home on difficult conditions or on house shots with really strong backends. It’s been really hard for me to put down unless there’s just too much oil out there or the backends are soft, it’s been a personal favorite of mine since I’ve gotten it and it’s gone everywhere with me. It’s a great compliment to the original Winner as they both feel very familiar, the solid version is just earlier, smoother, and a couple boards stronger. Very highly recommend this one for medium conditions.
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Roto Grip Wreck-Em
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Wreck Em is yet another ball in Roto Grip's HP2 line that performs well above its price point. It feels like two different balls to me, it glides down the lane with ease like the Hywire, but when it hits the friction on the backend, it slows down and turns into the Daredevil. It's also remarkably consistent for how shockingly easy it gets its length. The overall reaction shape allows the Wreck Em to cover a lot of boards from deeper angles, or for straighter players to get both length and backend pop they may not usually get. The Wreck Em can compete with much higher dollar balls and is extremely versatile, there aren't many bowling styles I don't see benefiting from how it reacts, ESPECIALLY for the price, and continues the trend of the HP2 line being the best performance for the cost in the industry.
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Roto Grip Wreck-It
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Wreck-It is surprisingly and insanely strong for the price point. This ball outhooks balls two "lines" higher than it, as it hooks more than Storm's Thunder Line and MOST balls in the Master line. This ball could easily be in Roto's HP3 line, and bears no similarity to any other ball in the HP2 line, aside from being recognized by shape as a Wrecker on HGH. I feel this ball is best used with some polish on the conditions it was designed for if you have average speed and average revs, the box surface prep makes it too strong for the conditions it's designed for, but the core isn't quite strong enough to make it better than other options on heavier oil conditions. This is a continuous, hard arcing ball that you can be firm with and project with confidence on light to medium conditions.
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Storm Absolute
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½

The Absolute is a new asymmetric ball in Storm’s Premiere line. It features the R2S Deep hybrid coverstock, which is a cleaner version of their R2S formula, or it’s basically a longer and sharper version of the original Hy-Road coverstock. The core is the new Sentinel core, featuring a single density with no flip block to still provide torque but prevent it from locking up, in addition to cavities on either side to limit the amount the core is altered when drilling holes, this preserves the pre-drilled numbers and core dynamics.

I’ve used the Absolute at several different surfaces on several different conditions. First, the box Reacta Gloss surface combined with the cleaner nature of the cover just made it too long and inconsistent for me, so I took it to 3000 grit by hand initially. This made it more controllable and consistent, but it’s difficult to get very deep by hand, so as I continued to bowl, it shined back up and was still cleaner than was comfortable for me. I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound. After that, the reaction was much improved, still clean and sharp, but much more stable, much more controllable, and the more games I got on it, the stronger and better it reacted.

The Absolute is a remarkably versatile ball. The roll of the core is unique, it feels like a strong symmetric core because of how it rolls and revs, but it handles angle much better. At the same time, it expends energy a little slower than regular asymmetrics so that it doesn’t lock up or roll forward. It’s very forgiving and predictable, and is in play on some fresh league conditions, but is a great 2nd or 3rd ball out of the bag in transition on either house patterns or sport conditions. On the left side of the lane, it’s a little too angular for me to use on a regular basis, but it stays in the bag in case the backends start or get too slow or soft. What it reminds me most of is the Rubicon UC2, just a touch weaker and a touch smoother.
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Storm All-Road
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The All-Road features a combination of the inverted FE2 core found in the Hyroad series with the hybrid version of the NRG cover, which is found on the PhysiX and Super Son!Q, the solid version of which was on the Hyroad Nano. The All Road is surprisingly controllable and a bit weaker than I expected. I expected the length that the Hyroad series is known for, but I also thought it would be quite a bit stronger and boomier down lane than it actually is. This is a relief, however, because it establishes it firmly as a compliment to the balls in the Thunder line instead of reaching up to overlap anything in the Master line. It’s a great compliment to the Hyroad, because while the OG is long and really responsive down lane, the All Road offers a couple boards more hook and that same length, but a smooth, round, arcing shape that offers a shape alternative if you want a similar amount of hook that will blend the end of the pattern better.
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Storm Alpha Crux
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Alpha is a fitting designation for this ball, as it is the premier choice on the market when it comes to balls that flat out hook. However, the Alpha gives you a look that other heavy oil balls won't or can't. Most heavy oil balls are smooth and rolly and don't like angle, or simply burn up too much energy trying to make the turn. The Alpha Crux is a ball that can be played from any arrow on the lane, and is a ball that won't just recover from deeper angles, it will drive through the pocket with authority. I can't remember the last time I saw a ball hook this much and be this versatile all at the same time. At box surface, it will hook on even the wettest lanes, but with a bit of polish, it will be in play on medium heavy to heavy house conditions. Make no mistake, this ball still loves oil and simply will not make it down the lane on lighter conditions, but on heavy conditions when the heads start burning up and you need traction in the middle and finish on the back end, this is a ball you can chase the shot in with all day.
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Storm AstroPhysix
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Astro PhysiX is the latest release in the Premiere line, and the biggest thing to say is that it’s very similar to the popular Code Black. Atomic core from the PhysiX but with the R2S Pearl cover from the Code Black among many others. This makes it very similar to the CB but with a familiar overall motion to the PhysiX that is a very good compliment to it as well. It also pairs nicely with the IQ Emerald for an early option on heavier volumes than the Emerald can handle, or a later option when you’re forced deeper and need the length out of the cover but the torque of the core on the backend.
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Storm Axiom
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Axiom is Storm’s newest ball in the Master line, it features the new NeX cover, which stands for nano extreme, and the new Orbital core, which features a high density inner ball to help create and maintain a super low RG. Throughout their testing, NeX was shown to be earlier and more durable than any previous nano formulations, and while it’ll be a bit before I can get an idea about the longevity, it’s definitely strong. However, throughout my several comparison videos, the versatility of the Axiom surprised me, because I thought that’s one area it would suffer in due to the strength. It handles angle decidedly better than any other nano cover I’ve thrown, and the core performs as advertised, creating a motion that’s somewhere between symmetric and asymmetric. It winds up better and is more consistent and firm at the breakpoint than the majority of stronger symmetrics, but doesn’t have as much torque as most asyms. This gives it a somewhat unique look on the lanes, it acts a lot like a baby UFO. It’s not as strong overall, but it shares the same kind of motion.
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Storm Axiom Pearl
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Axiom Pearl features the NeX pearl coverstock and symmetric Orbital core. NeX Pearl is the strongest pearl formula in the catalog, and is nano based, so while polish and the pearl helps it clear the fronts, it’s still fairly strong and on the smooth side for a pearl. The Orbital core comes in at a 2.48 RG and .050 differential in 15 pounds, it’s very early rolling, strong, and slightly forward rolling. It’s deceptively strong for how easy it gets down the lane and how smooth it is, but it gets traction through quite a bit more oil than something it seems to be similar to like a Trend or an Idol Pearl. The Axiom Pearl has quickly become a bowler favorite, netting some huge scores because of its balanced blend of shape, control and hook. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, for hook potential I rate it a 7, for length I rate it a 6, and for backend I rate it a 6.
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Storm Code Black
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Code Black is a new entry to the Premier line and a new release stateside, but it was originally an overseas release in 2014. The R2S coverstock is one of Storm's most popular and successful covers, and it's housing a super strong core. Together, this ball feels to me like a supercharged Hyroad, very clean through the heads, but revs up well and delivers a very hard arc through the pocket. For all you old school Storm fans though, this ball really reminds me of the original X-Factor. It's extremely versatile, consistent, and controllable. This is one of my favorite Storm releases over the last couple years, and that's saying something considering how great everything has been. Definitely my first ball out of the bag for virtually anything.
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Storm Code Red
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Code Red is Storm’s newest Premier line release, and like the Code Black, it was an overseas ball released in 2014 that they brought to us here. It features the strongest core they produce, and the R2S Hybrid cover, perhaps better known as the Hyroad cover. It acts exactly like you would expect given the information, it’s a stronger, earlier, smoother Hyroad. The reaction and overall shape is very familiar, and while the revving of the core makes it look like it’s going to turn sideways on the backend, it’s surprisingly smooth and controllable. It’s a very comfortable ball to throw, I don’t feel like I have to throw it hard to get it down the lane, but I also don’t feel like I really have to catch it at the bottom to get it to finish. Like the Hyroad, this is an extremely versatile ball that will cover a very wide variety of conditions for many bowlers despite the Premier label and strong numbers. It offers a ball motion that isn’t available elsewhere due to the uncommon pairing of a tamer cover with that strong of a core.
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Storm Code X
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
In the simplest terms, the Code X is the Alpha Crux reborn. LIke the Code Black and Code Red, it features the R2S coverstock, just in solid form. This is a weaker cover than the Alpha had, but the core is stronger, delivering more flare and overall torque, which provides the familiar roll, but in a vehicle that’s even more versatile. Due to the medium strength of the cover, it is usable on a wider range of conditions and is easier down the lane, also providing a bit more downlane shape than the Alpha. Compared to the Black and Red, the X is several boards stronger than both, as well as firmer on the backend than the Red, but not quite as sharp as the Black. The math is very simple on the Code X, R2S + RAD4 = X, which to me is one of the simplest yet most effective formulas in bowling.
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Storm Crux Pearl
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Conditions: THS 38', THS 40'
Layout: 65x5.25x40, P3 hole
Box surface

The Crux Pearl is quite an amazing ball for a few different reasons. For a ball that hooks this much and rolls this smoothly, it gets down the lane extremely easily and cleanly, and makes a nice hard turn on the backend. It's a very versatile ball that will react consistently and strongly from any angle on the lane. Despite the easy length, it revs well in the midlane. When carrydown will make other weaker balls slide or skid at the breakpoint, the Crux Pearl cuts through it well and finishes strong. The Crux Pearl is an excellent ball on medium to heavy house patterns or longer sport patterns where you need a ball that will both allow you to play the oil and give you a sharp move on the back. This is a ball that you can use for a very long time as the lanes transition, it still gets good length and hit from deep angles. Where other balls will burn up on the turn from deep, the Crux Pearl retains energy very well and still rolls through the pocket. If you liked the original, this one definitely compliments it well.

Luke Rosdahl
In The Zone Pro Shop
Storm Advisory Staff
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Storm Crux Prime
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Crux Prime features the return of the Catalyst core from the original Crux series, and a new cover called SPEC. The benefits of SPEC are greatly increased durability and longevity due to a nearly non existent oil absorption rate. Another feature is an improved friction response, unlike other heavier oil balls that can lose energy and burn up on friction, SPEC actually increases its entry angle on friction, so no matter what kind of condition you’re on, burning up and quitting isn’t something the Prime is going to do. It IS however very smooth, it blends wet/dry very well and is slower on friction, so it’s very consistent and predictable and seems for me to ignore the pattern more and offer a truer read than other balls, but that’s at the expense of a more typical and familiar long and strong resin reaction. It is speed sensitive due to the slow response to friction, so higher speed/lower rev combos will likely not get along with it well, and it’s not backend in a box, but personally I’m a huge fan, I haven’t put it down, and I’ve heard nothing but positives from everyone I’ve talked to.
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Storm Dark Code
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Dark Code features the new ReX pearl coverstock and extremely strong asymmetric RAD4 core. ReX is a blend or combination of the NeX pearl cover from the Axiom Pearl, and the legendary R2S pearl cover from balls like the Hyroad Pearl, IQ Emerald, and Astro PhysiX to name a few recent ones. Together they combine the strength and lane blending of NeX with the consistency and friction response of R2S. The RAD4 core which has been in dozens of Code line releases has a 2.50 RG, .058 differential and a .020 split or intermediate differential, making it one of the strongest cores out there. It creates a very familiar strong, rolly, and continuous motion which feels a lot like a stronger symmetric core with a lot more torque. ReX and the RAD4 core together in the Dark Code makes for the strongest shiny ball I’ve ever thrown outside of maybe the Parallax Effect. The Dark is slightly earlier and rounder, but also a bit smoother. The ball motion and shape reminds me naturally of balls like the Code Black and Astro PhysiX, but orders of magnitude stronger. You’ll feel the difference less on regular league conditions, but on any kind of volume, the Dark is still going to dig hard while the Black and Astro begin to fade. I rate the Dark Code a 9 for hook, a 5 for length, and a 7 for backend strength.
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Storm DNA
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½

Keywords: INTENSE, COARSE, POTENT

The DNA is the newest asymmetrical solid in Storm’s Premiere line. It features the new EXO coverstock that is now the strongest cover formula in production. The core is also new in the Supercoil, another single density core that’s nearly the strongest they make as well, even stronger than the core from the Gem and Exotic Gem. The core design also helps to retain most of the predrilled specs (for righties) due to a cutaway in the side, in addition to creating a heavy midlane roll for more control and stability.

I tried using the DNA at the box surface of 2000 grit, but I’ve never had a ball hook less out of the box before. It seemed to be burning up on the first couple shots, but after 4 to 5 shots, like the Reacta Gloss balls it got slick, the oil wouldn’t absorb or wipe off without ball cleaner, and I decided to resurface it to 1000 on a resurfacing machine and then polish it with Storm’s Step 2. With my softer ball speed and heavier roll, I rarely use asyms to begin with, let alone super strong sanded solids, so a shinier surface was going to be the best option anyway. The result was night and day from out of the box, strong but extremely stable and controllable.

Currently, the Reality Check and Rubicon UC3 are the only asyms in the SPI lines that are usable for me, the rest are too strong, too early, too sharp, too much torque, etc., but the DNA uses the asymmetry for midlane control and stability rather than for torque or shape so it reacts more like a super strong symmetric ball. The DNA has an INTENSE amount of midlane control, which makes moving around on the lane extremely easy because it does the same thing front to back in the same place regardless of where you’re at left to right. At a rougher surface, the COARSE finish helps it dig in and create traction to go along with the extreme strength of the core to create an incredibly POTENT ball reaction that will dig through the heaviest of oil volumes. For me, the DNA doesn’t overlap with any other big solid asym in any of our lines right now, it’s strong without being early or heavy rolling, and firm at the breakpoint without being sharp or jumpy. It really reminds me of the Alpha Crux, it’s fairly clean up front and then just rolls and rolls off the friction while maintaining the utmost amount of stability and control.
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Storm Drive
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Drive is the second ball released in Storm’s Signature line, and is another collaboration with Jason Belmonte. The most interesting feature of the Drive is that it’s a blend between their Nano cover and R2S. The Drive in my opinion solves all the issues that anyone may have had with the Timeless, namely that it could go too long and/or be flat at the pocket. The Drive uses the same core as the Timeless, but being that the coverstock is more aggressive, it’s both earlier and smoother than the Timeless which helps make it much more controllable and consistent. In my opinion, it’s going to be an excellent choice for the USBC Open Championships this year.
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Storm Electrify Hybrid
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Electrify Hybrid along with the Pearl is a rework of the Hot line, replacing the Match Up’s. The Electrify’s go the way of Roto Grip’s Hustles, with a lower RG, lower differential core, much in the vein of the IQ line. The Electrify Hybrid for me is actually a bit weaker and longer down the lane than the Pearl, but has a cleaner and more decisive move on the backend. The Pearl is a rounder shape more like the IQ Emerald, and while the Hybrid isn’t exactly sharp, it’s a very crisp and readable look. The Hybrid for me is better from straighter angles, while the Pearl is better from deeper angles, but these two will get a lot of use from me in situations where I need or want an IQ Tour type look, but the IQ’s are too strong.
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Storm Electrify Pearl
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Electrify Pearl along with the Hybrid brings a rework to the Hot line, replacing the Match Up’s. The Electrify’s go more the way of Roto Grip’s Hustle line, which are lower RG and lower differential, which create a more IQ Tour-like shape and look on the lanes. Using the same Reactor cover formula from the Match Ups, the Electrify Pearl is an IQ Emerald feel for lighter oil. This creates more control and consistency on lighter volume patterns or when regular league patterns break down and transition. The Electrify Pearl for me feels like a more performance lower end ball than a higher performance entry level ball, meaning that while I rarely would have used a Match Up in a competitive situation, I’ll use both Electrify’s with frequency, or in a majority of situations that I want an IQ type reaction in when the IQ’s are too strong.
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Storm Electrify Solid
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Electrify Solid features the Reactor solid coverstock and Circuit core, coming in at a 2.51 RG and .030 differential. The E Solid has very strong IQ Tour Solid vibes, I think it rolls even a bit heavier, is slower or smoother on the backend, and a couple boards weaker. While it’s a deceptively strong ball, I don’t think it’s excessive for the line and with as smooth as it is, it makes it more of a compliment to balls in the Hustle and Burner lines rather than competition with them. It’ll offer plenty of control with a strong roll for straighter players, and some shape dampening for higher rev players who usually have issues with too much friction response or ball motion. The Electrify Solid should be incredible on tougher patterns requiring blendy ball motion and pocket control, either as a first ball out on shorter and drier patterns or as a transition ball for later in the block.
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Storm Fast Pitch
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Fast Pitch features the Controll XL solid urethane coverstock and the Tour Block core. The coverstock comes in right between the Pitch Black and Pitch Purple, with a look that’s very reminiscent of old school 80s urethane. It’s not as early and slow as the Black, but not as long and quick as the Purple, giving you a look that fits that gap. The Tour Block was used in the Fever Pitch and is basically the Hyroad core with the internal ball removed, this gives the ball an even higher RG at 2.61, but a differential on the low side of medium at .030 in 15 pounds, and the result is a ball that controls the lane and acts like balls like the Blue Hammer of yesteryear. Urethane balls are hard to rate because they do hook quite a bit, but are so early and smooth that they don’t visually read like resin balls. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, I give the Fast Pitch a 5 on hook, a 2 on length, and a 2 on backend strength.
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Storm Fate
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Fate is the latest collaboration between Storm and Jason Belmonte, and features the well known ReX Pearl cover from balls like the Dark Code, Infinite PhysiX, and Night Road, with the new F-8 core which comes in at a 2.52 RG and a .053 differential in 15 pounds. The Fate is an exceptionally well rounded and versatile ball. It’s fairly clean and responsive, but that’s tempered by the strength of the ReX cover formula which gives it strength and control. It can be in play on a very wide range of conditions for a wide variety of bowlers because of its very balanced ball reaction.

I used a 4.5 x 4 x 2 layout and left it at the Reacta Gloss box surface, I’m left handed, speed of 17mph, and rev rate of 375. The Fate gives me a reaction I don’t normally get out of shiny balls on the left side, typically I have to use surface on something to get this kind of reaction, but the Fate puts me in a strong but smooth and controllable reaction while not transitioning the lane as fast as something with more surface does.
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Storm Fever Pitch
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Fever Pitch is Storm’s newest release in the Thunder line, and it’s a new take on urethane. It’s not technically urethane, the Pwr + Ctrl cover is a urethane-like material that’s meant to give the feel of urethane with a more resin-like shape to bridge the gap from traditional urethane like the Pitch Black to low end reactives as far as shape is concerned. It’s both easier down the lane and more responsive on the backend than urethane without being as long and flippy as something like a Hustle Ink might be. As far as hook goes, the Pitch Black and Hot Cell are still both stronger overall, they’re just much earlier and smoother. If you’re a resin fan, this one will be more approachable than typical urethane, and if you’re a urethane fan, this will give you a more resin shape but with the urethane control you like to see.
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Storm Fight
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Fight is eye candy that backs that up with substance. It has a new core and coverstock, and the core is the largest weight block Storm has ever produced. It has a very high rg at 2.62, but also has a high differential at .043, so it gives you easy length through the heads, while the solid cover and differential gives you traction in the midlane and a booming backend. The Fight reminds me more of a solid version of the Hyroad than the Hyroad Solid did, it has many of the same characteristics of the Hyroad, but with more overall hook. It's an absolute house shot killer that will come back from virtually anywhere. It acts like a benchmark solid with more pop on the backend, and that allows you to open the lane up, or to continue to use this ball as the lanes transition and you're forced inside. This ball will be great for strokers and crankers alike, as it gives strokers pop on the backend they don't usually have, and crankers length and recovery. Put some Fight in your game!
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Storm Gravity Evolve
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Gravity Evolve is the latest Premier line release and features the Shape Lock HD core from the famed Virtual Gravity, and the new SPEC coverstock that was on the Crux Prime. The result is a ball that feels like a blend between the original Virtual Gravity and the Virtual Gravity Nano, earlier and smoother than the OG, but a bit longer and stronger than the Nano. This is definitely the most shape we’ve seen out of the SPEC coverstock thus far, which is a strong, early, and smooth cover, but the aggression of the core helps create a nice balance of strength and control. Due to the shape differences, I don’t see any overlap with the Crux Prime, but there may be some with the Halo. If you were a fan of the original VG or the VGN, the nostalgia is strong with this one, it will definitely take you back and remind you of those two.
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Storm Hy-Road Max
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyroad Max features the NeX solid cover and famed symmetric inverted FE squared core. NeX solid was launched on the Axiom, and was most recently on the Proton PhysiX, and is an evolution of NRG. More durability, more entry angle, and more strength, and so far the Axiom has been a favorite among the touring players, while the Proton is picking up steam as well. There isn’t much to say about the inverted FE squared core that hasn’t been said, it’s the Hyroad core coming in at a 2.57 RG and an .046 differential in 15 pounds. The higher RG helps the ball get further down the lane while the medium high differential helps it recover and punch down lane. The blend of the longer and stronger core with the super strong cover creates a unique look that helps you get traction and predictability without it starting up as early as something like an Axiom or a Proton PhysiX, and would be a nice step down from either of those when they get too early. It should also be a great option on shorter but heavier sport patterns and on heavier patterns overall when chasing the shot inside. As the lane transitions, you sometimes need stronger covers to dig through the volume without stronger cores making the ball start up too early. The Hyroad Max gets a 7 for hook, a 5 for length, and a 5 for backend strength
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Storm Hy-Road Nano
24 of 27 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyroad Nano has been a very anticipated ball, and for me it doesn’t disappoint. It’s just as good as you’d expect it to be from the name, but the reaction is very humble and simple, it’s easily the most balanced ball in terms of reaction I’ve ever thrown. It’s been hard for me to come up with good descriptive terms for it because it’s so even across the board. If anything, it’s on the smooth-ish side with a slow-ish response to friction, so lots of control, but still a surprising amount of hit. For regular use on a house shot it will likely need some polish, but on medium to heavier volume sport patterns, this ball will be a factor. This ball DEFINITELY reminds me of the Hyroad, very similar shape, just earlier and smoother and about 4-5 boards stronger overall. Very near the Phaze 2 in terms of overall hook, but with a smoother move on the backend. For me, the hype is well deserved, I very confidently recommend this ball.
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Storm Hy-Road X
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Hyroad X uses the classic inverted Fe2 core from the original Hyroad, with a polished R2X solid cover. The result is a ball that feels like a stronger Hyroad Pearl across the board to me, and a great compliment to the original. The original feels a little sharper to me, and is a little straighter on the backend, where the X is still quick, but blends the back end of the lane a bit more, and is a rounder shape. The original for me is best from straighter angles, while this one is good from anywhere on the lane I want to use it. It’s great on the fresh going straight, but also very good in garbage time when the track gets beat up and you need to get inside. Due to the polish and super high RG, it gets down the lane easier than most balls on the market, but the medium-high differential helps it gain traction down the lane, and remember that despite being polished, it’s still a solid cover and also responds well to surface changes. You could really have a case of these with different layouts and surface preps and cover 90% of the conditions that you see on a regular basis.
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Storm Incite
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Incite features the not new but first trip stateside R4S hybrid cover and new mild asymmetric Tensor core. We saw R4S a couple years ago on the Fight and Street Fight, and the short version is that it’s a buffed or stronger version of the Phaze 3 cover. It creates a very strong but very blendy motion on the lane, almost like a slightly quicker NRG or MicroTrax formula. The new Tensor core comes in at a 2.50 RG, .053 differential and an .013 split or intermediate differential in 15 pounds, and it reminds me a lot of cores like the Ikon in the Idols and the Orbital from the Axioms but with a bit more torque. Very rolly but not really chuggy, strong revving and it rolls in the direction of the rotation. The total package reminds us a lot of the Omega Crux, and with the Omega getting released right before the Covid crisis and being almost a year old now, the writing may be on the wall, and getting a quasi-replacement in the line before we have another Idol and Emerald situation is probably a good idea. I gave it the same numbers as the Omega, 8 for hook, 4 for length, and a 4 for backend strength
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Storm Infinite Physix
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Infinite PhysiX features the ReX Pearl coverstock that debuted on the Dark Code, and which comes at 4000 grit over the strong and dynamic asymmetric Atomic core, which comes in at a 2.48 RG, .053 differential, and an .017 intermediate differential in 15 pounds. For me, the Infinite features a bit of a different shape from the previous balls in the Physix line. The other PhysiX balls seem to be more angular and slightly forward off the end of the pattern, and while the Infinite is stronger on the backend than the Proton at least, it’s a very round and continuous shape. The Infinite is very similar in strength to the Dark Code, but is longer and sharper, so despite looking nearly identical on paper, there are appreciable and noticeable differences. The Infinite is a nice ball down from the strong solid asyms in the line like the Gem, Proton PhysiX, and Reality, but a ball up from balls like the Nova, RST X-2, and Rubicon UC2. It will fit best on medium heavy to heavy conditions, and while I think its overall reaction makes it best for the first ball out of the bag at league, it will also be useful on medium heavy lengths and volumes of sport patterns once transition sets in and you have to open the lanes up.
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Storm Intense
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Intense is very appropriately named. For me this is a very aggressive reaction throughout the lane, I said on my videos for it that it almost seems angry, if that word could be used to describe a ball. It starts revving and hooking and chewing and just never gives up, it keeps coming all the way down the lane. I don’t know how but it seems to continually use energy all the way down the lane but never seems to run out or burn up. The new core IS called RAD-E, E is for energy, and that also feels like a very appropriate name. This is the most aggressive pearl ball I’ve ever thrown, and it truly has been a gamechanger for me, I have such a high level of confidence in this ball. I know it’s going to keep coming back from anywhere and everywhere, it very noticeably digs 10s out on shots that I would probably leave them on with other balls, the Intense for me fits my game and what I like to do better than anything else out there at the moment. It’s an incredibly strong ball, so oil or a higher speed/lower rev game is needed for this ball to be in play, but it was worth it for me to adjust my game a little to take advantage of what this ball offers.
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Storm Intense Fire
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Intense Fire is a hybrid companion to the Intense, but I don’t find the two have much in common. Where the original was very early and aggressive throughout the lane, the Fire is much easier through the fronts, getting even an extra foot or two further down the lane than you expect, before delivering an above average backend move and covering nearly all the boards it’s going to at the end of the lane. The RAD-E core keeps the ball very continuous, there’s no burning of energy or standing up with the Fire, even when the lanes start to dry up, it doesn’t get weak, it just hooks more. For a full and detailed review:
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Storm IQ Tour 78/U
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The IQ Tour 78-U is a new symmetrical ball in Storm’s Master line. It features the Controll Solid urethane cover from the Pitch Black, but updated to 78 hardness to meet the new PBA rules for urethane balls. The core is the very well known Centripetal C3 core from the IQ Tour series which comes in at a 2.49 RG and a .029 differential. The IQ 78 is a different but familiar look for urethane, the stronger core gets the ball rolling and revving earlier to offset the reduced amount of cover traction the cover will get from having the hardness increased. I decided to throw this one out of the box, as a lot of surface is important to creating the traditional urethane reaction. The result is a ball that rolls exactly like you’d expect, the early and smooth front to back control of the Pitch Black with the strong round rolly continuous reaction of the IQ Tour.

The IQ 78 gets remarkably close to the Pitch Black. I had thought that the hardness bump would reduce the traction of the ball too far, and that going with that much stronger of a core would make it too much too early and that it would give up down lane. It will if you put too strong of a layout on it, I’d personally recommend drilling it just like an IQ Tour, because if you try to drill it stronger “because it’s urethane,” you’re not going to get what you’re after. In some situations, the Pitch Black will still be the better choice because again, it’s not as hard of a cover, and it’s not quite so early. However, the IQ 78 will be better in some situations like shorter and heavier patterns because it will get more traction earlier, and the stronger core will stabilize sooner and give you the same control on the backend.

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Storm IQ Tour Emerald
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The IQ Emerald is the rebirth of the insanely popular and successful “gold ball,” the original IQ Tour Pearl, which has been sought after, requested, and demanded since it was discontinued years ago. The IQ Emerald is extremely close to the original, to the point of splitting hairs on the reaction among the highest level players who can notice even the smallest details. It has Wes Malott’s seal of approval, and the proof was the MVP trophy at the PBA League using the Emerald exclusively and virtually never missing with it, he has a lot of good history with the IQ Tour Pearl and its return is a sigh of relief for him among thousands of others. It combines one of the best cover formulas in bowling history, R2S Pearl, with one of the best cores in bowling history, the low RG, low differential Centripetal C3 core, and the result is a ball with an amazing amount of versatility, control, and power. It pairs very nicely with the Astro PhysiX for a similar feel out of the cover, but for different angles and situations, in addition to the Pro Motion as a familiar shape but a great ball down option for transition.
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Storm IQ Tour Nano
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Conditions: THS (38 feet, medium-heavy volume, also 38 feet, medium volume)
WTBA Tokyo

The IQ Tour Nano is the result of pairing the Centripetal Core from the IQ series with the NRG coverstock. The thing that stands out to me the most about this ball is the versatility. It can handle more oil than the IQ Tour Solid, but the core also keeps it usable on just as many conditions, and perhaps more. In the current lineup, it fits just under the Crux in terms of hook, and is complimented well by the IQ Tour Fusion.

On a typical house shot (THS), the Nano clears the fronts extremely well, has a good midlane roll without wanting to hook early, and makes a strong, continuous backend movement from anywhere on the lane. This is a ball that you can continue to use the entire set by simply moving as the lane transitions. It experiences no loss of energy, carry, or drive as you get deeper on the lane, in fact that is one of its strengths.

On WTBA Tokyo, the versatility is even more apparent. I have the same roll, hit, carry, and continuation from straight down 5 as I do laying the ball down on 35 out to 14. This ball offers a combination of power and control that will give you a look on sport patterns that isn't offered by any other ball out there. As illustrated so well by PBA champions Anthony Pepe and DJ Archer, this ball can be used by a wide variety of styles on very different conditions.

In summary, the IQ Tour Nano is quite possibly the most versatile ball I've ever thrown, and if you're looking for the "it" ball for tournaments like the USBC Open Championships, I feel very strongly that this is the one. It takes extremely well to coverstock changes to really dial it in for your specific game. The attractive black/hunter/red color combination also makes it easily recognizable, and the apple cider scent makes you look forward to opening your bag every time.

Luke Rosdahl
In The Zone Pro Shop
Storm Advisory Staff
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Storm IQ Tour Nano Pearl
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The IQ Tour Nano Pearl features the same Centripetal C3 core from the IQ Tour series, and a cover we haven’t seen stateside in a while in Nano Pearl. The Tour Nano Pearl uses the pearl version of the IQ Tour Nano cover, which makes it longer and stronger than the Tour Nano, but a similar shape to the Tour Solid and Emerald. However, it’s 3-4 boards stronger than the Tour Solid, and is one of the most continuous balls I’ve ever thrown. It continues to gain momentum and climb on the backend, and builds on the classic IQ Tour idea that is about control and consistency. The Tour Nano Pearl reaches up to handle heavier volumes, more zones and bigger angles on the lane.
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Storm IQ Tour Ruby
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ½ x 2

Keywords: SHARP, GLOSSY, QUICK

The IQ Tour Ruby is the latest release in Storm’s Master line, and is simple math. The Ruby is a reskin of the wildly popular IQ Tour Pearl, AKA the “gold ball.” The coverstock is a Storm staple in R2S Pearl, polished with the new Reacta Gloss finish, and the core is the famed symmetric Centripetal C3 Control Core. Together, they create the iconic Storm reaction: rolly and controllable but clean and firm on the backend.

Once again, I found the Reacta Gloss finish to be much too clean, also resisting oil absorption and wiping off, so I resurfaced it to 1000 on a resurfacing machine and shined it back up with Storm’s step 2 compound, which is what they used to use to get to the old 1500 grit polish, and I ended up in much better shape. I’ve used the IQ Ruby quite a bit on several different patterns at several different centers. The resurface/refinishing created a much more consistent and dynamic reaction that’s very reminiscent of other IQ Tour releases.

The IQ Tour Ruby is one of the best rolling balls I’ve ever thrown, unfortunately it tends to be a trap ball for me more often than not. I’ve not had good history with low RG symmetric balls with R2S Pearl, so this was to be expected, however how good it rolls was not. The GLOSSY finish creates a clean motion up front before a quite SHARP and QUICK finish on the backend. It’s a very round and rolly shape, and that’s my favorite type of reaction. However, the cover is a little clean for how strong and early rolling the core is, so it puts me into angle issues. It either is a little too early or too long and tends to result in just enough over/under to tap/trap me too often. However again, it rolls so good, it’s so easy to stay around the pocket with but it’s hard for me to keep from using it OR put it away when it’s not effective. I’ll continue to use it and carry it with me because it reacts so well that there has to be a use case for it that I haven’t found yet, or some adjustment needed on my part to dial it in. The reaction reminds me a lot of a weaker Marvel Pearl, and when it comes to the previous (stateside) IQ Tour Pearls, it rolls the most like the original “gold ball,” just not quite as sharp, more length and shape than the Emerald, and rounder than the IQ 30.
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Storm Journey
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Journey is a new symmetric ball in Storm’s Signature line, and is Belmo ball number 7. It features the TX-16 Pearl coverstock, which is the first time we’ve seen the pearl version of the Phaze 2 cover. The core is the F-8 core from the Fate, which comes in at a 2.52 RG and a .053 differential in 15 pounds. The Journey at first glance instantly reminds me of a stronger version of the Frantic or Rocket. I’ve used the Journey on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces. The factory gloss is too inconsistent and sensitive for me, so I resurfaced it down to 1000 on a resurfacing machine, then finished it lightly with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a ball that’s exceptionally clean for the first 30 feet before transitioning into a sharp tumble down lane.

The Journey is kind of a wild experience. Like the Fate, it doesn’t really rev much, so it gives the appearance of loping down the lane. The tumbly shape and medium high cover strength keeps it stable before then delivering a unique shape on the backend. The shape typically creates smoother and slower ball reactions, but the Journey is very sharp on the backend. However if you back your rev rate off or increase your speed slightly, you can really straighten out the ball path. Also like the Fate, the reaction is somewhat ambiguous. The Fate acted clean and sharp, but also got a lot more traction and actual hook than it looked like it was, plus could be very controllable on the backend. The Journey is a quite a bit different shape than the Fate, but retains the same jack of all trades feel, it can be both very long and sharp, but early and smooth depending on physical adjustments.

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Storm Match Ltd
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Match Solid is one of the more versatile balls currently on the market. Out of the box, it's strong enough to use on medium-heavy conditions, but with a little polish, it can also be used on lighter conditions. Despite the number differences and the slight difference in shape, I feel that the Match Solid has a bit of IQ Tour Solid in it with the way it moves on the backend and the shape it has through the pins. It is longer through the fronts and sharper on the backend, but it has a very good blend of strength and control. Out of the box it's very much at home on medium length, medium volume sport patterns, and with a bit more surface, it will play on heavier volume, medium length patterns. With a bit of polish, it will be ideal for the vast majority of house shots, and between it and the Match Pearl, you have a 2 ball arsenal that will cover all but extreme wet or dry.
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Storm Match Pearl
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Match Pearl is Storm's newest house shot killer for higher rev players, and/or drier conditions. It reminds me quite a bit of a weaker Sky Rocket. This ball will be in play on the medium side of light to medium oil, and is several boards stronger than both the recent balls in the Hot line. Both this and the Match Solid are definitely bang for your buck releases, as both will be in play on all but very heavy conditions, and with the proper surface prep, the Match Pearl is a good choice for later games in sweepers or when dry heads have forced you left on sport patterns and you need something with good length and recovery. The Match Pearl is 3-4 boards weaker than the Match Solid and is a great compliment to step down to when the Match Solid begins to hook too much or too early.
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Storm Match Up Black Pearl
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Match Up Black Pearl was a real surprise for me, I didn’t like the original Match Up Pearl, and had fairly low expectations but the Black Pearl is nothing like the original for me. First of all, the out of box 2000 grit finish makes it stronger, earlier, and smoother, but it feels more like a Thunder line ball than a Hot line ball. If they’d made a sanded pearl version of the Torrent or Rocket Ship, this ball is what I would have expected to get. It’s very controllable, very readable, and predictable. For a full and detailed review:
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Storm Match Up Hybrid
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Match Up Hybrid is simple and straightforward, same core as the Match Up Solid and Pearl, but with the Hybrid Reactor cover. This ball for me is very clean and readable and predictable. It’s a no frills, no nonsense, just get to it and get it done type reaction. The overall hook potential is very close to the Pearl and the Solid, for me it seems like the biggest difference between the 3 balls is shape being that they all have the same surface finish. The Hybrid like the other two doesn’t really seem to rev, but for me it rolls truer, if that makes sense, it’s very consistent. It’s easy down the lane, I feel like I can really catch it at the bottom and not worry about it getting down the lane or being lazy at the breakpoint if I get too firm with it. It is occasionally sensitive to carrydown, but it seems to take quite a bit of carrydown for it to not at least make it to the pocket, most commonly though it’s just a flat corner which is something I can live with when it comes to what I call “information reaction.” I would recommend this ball to virtually anyone looking for something for medium oil.
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Storm Match Up Pearl
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Match Up Pearl is the latest of two new releases in the Hot Line. It has the same coverstock as the original Match Pearl, Reactor Pearl, but the core has been adjusted to both increase the RG and differential, theoretically creating a longer and stronger motion. Mine however is fairly heavy rolling and smooth, but it’s very close to the hook potential I was hoping for. A lot of lower end balls on the market end up being much stronger than they’re supposed to be, but this one to me fits the price point. With the higher RG, it doesn’t rev very strongly, so it’s not something that’s going to hit friction and take off, it has a nice slow transition on the dry boards that will enable you to play straighter on the lane without worrying about it jumping. This also makes it very controllable. This ball motion will allow you to be able to stay in the same place on the lane for a very long time without having to adjust much. I found that it was more difficult to play deeper angles with this ball however, for me the straighter I played, the better it looked. I feel that the Match Up Pearl is one of the better light to medium oil balls out there because it does what a weaker ball is supposed to do, it controls the pocket well and keeps you out of trouble.
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Storm Night Road
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Night Road features the new and popular ReX pearl cover that we’ve seen on balls like the Dark Code, Infinite PhysiX, and that will also be on the upcoming Fate, and the ever popular Inverted Fe2 core from the Hy-Road series. While we had a little trouble getting it to do much out of the box, a surface adjustment made a world of difference and now they see quite a bit of action, I even drilled an additional one with a different layout for a complimenting look. ReX is quite clean and sharp for the overall strength, so when you combine that with the natural length the core wants to get, it feels like a stronger Hy-Road X or Hy-Road Pearl. It’s the same rounder shape, but with a higher amount of traction and a firm but not sharp move on the backend. It’s very naturally continuous, and while it’s a rolly ball, it’s not early rolling or chuggy. The round and continuous shape allows it to be in play all over the lane because the length can help you be firm and direct or loop the whole lane if the situation calls for it. I don’t find it to be too sensitive to friction, it’s a very strong cover of course, but it doesn’t puke or burn up on friction and handles a decent amount of oil, though again, it does naturally want to get down the lane easily so it can play on volume if you have the hand for it, but it may or may not be a good choice for heavier patterns depending on a few different things.
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Storm Nova
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Nova features the R2X hybrid cover at a 3000 grit sanded finish and the new to us asymmetric Ignition core coming in at a 2.49 RG, .052 differential, and a .019 intermediate differential in 15 pounds. R2X hybrid isn’t new, but it’s only been used twice before for the Virtual Energy and Modern Marvel, while we’ve seen the solid version most recently on the Hy-Road X. The Ignition core is a new core to the US, it’s been used several times overseas, specifically in the Gate series, and is strong, very continuous and tumbly. The overall package gives the Nova an incredibly versatile reaction. The cover is medium strength, so while surface will help it hook on heavier volumes, shine will help it reach down to drier conditions than you might expect. The core gives the reaction a more gradual but climbing and momentum building look to it. If you raise your speed and/or lower your revs, the Nova can be very smooth and blendy, but if you slow roll it, you can hook the whole lane and get a sharper and more dynamic reaction. The Nova is asymmetric but a medium strength asym and fits below something like a Proton PhysiX, and above the Phaze 3.
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Storm Omega Crux
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Omega Crux is the 5th in the Crux line, all featuring the Catalyst core, but is the first to feature the GI-20 pearl cover, which comes factory sanded at 3000 grit. The Omega feels like a throwback to the original Crux, and the reaction is what made the original so popular. There’s traction, but not too much, a strong move down lane, but not too strong, and a very good control to power balance. This means the Omega was built for versatility, both on the lanes, and in the hands of several different styles of bowlers. There’s enough backend punch and hook to help higher speed or lower rev bowlers create an effective shape, but it’s not too strong or angular for slower speed or heavier hands. It feels like a smoother and more controllable PhysiX, it has a strong and continuous motion, but it’s not quite as aggressive or “angry” as the PhysiX. The Omega will do well both on house shots and on sport patterns for a wide variety of bowlers.
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Storm Optimus Solid
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Optimus Solid is a great benchmark ball for heavier conditions. As far as reaction shape and hook potential, it fits directly in between the Marvel S and IQ Tour Nano. It's very consistent and predictable, and easy to keep in and around the pocket. Unfortunately, I don't find myself being able to use it very often because for me it doesn't seem to have a real identity. It's not as early and rolly as the Marvel S, and it's not as long and strong as the Nano, however that's really the definition of a benchmark ball. It's a great first ball out of the bag, and if nothing else seems to be working, this is definitely a go-to ball. If you bowl on heavier conditions and need something that's just going to keep it simple and get to the pocket, this is a great choice.
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Storm Parallax
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Parallax features new tech across the board in Storm’s Premier line. Pairing the Traction X7 hybrid cover with the Aeroflo core, the result is a shiny asym that’s both stronger and smoother than you expect it to be. It’s definitely not an Astro PhysiX or Nuclear Cell, it’s almost more like you polished an Omega Crux and added a few boards. It’s early and strong despite the polish, and smooth, controllable, and continuous. It reminds me quite a bit of an NRG/Nano pearl type of reaction, it’s not your typical chuck it at the gutter and watch it checkmark type of reaction. I think this ball is going to be best for heavy hands that want a strong and shiny reaction that’s also going to allow them to control the motion rather than being too much boom on the backend, but it’s also going to be good for those looking to blend out wet/dry without having to sand something and making it earlier or stronger than they want.
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Storm Parallax Effect
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Parallax Effect features Traction X7 Pearl and the asymmetric Aeroflo core, and is basically a pearl version of the Parallax. However, that’s where the similarities end for me. While the original was very strong but very smooth, the Effect uses that same strength as shape. The coverstock is extremely strong, even polished, and this allows the Effect to both dig hard through the soup and make a big move when it hits the end of the pattern. The Aeroflo core isn’t necessarily super torquey, but it’s continuous and relentless, it keeps the ball motoring and going strong. For those that didn’t get along with the Parallax, you don’t have to worry about this one, it’s quite a bit different, but if you DID like the Parallax and are wanting something with more shape, this will be what you want. The Effect reminds me a lot of the original Intense from a couple years ago, it’s strong and chuggy but still manages a bunch of shape down lane. I gave the Effect a 8 for hook, 5 for length, and an 8 for backend strength. In the current lineup, it’s closest to the Incite in hook, the Parallax in length, and the Idol Synergy in backend strength.
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Storm Phaze
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Phaze is a ball completely unlike any other on the market. It features both a new coverstock and core, and is one of the brighter and more colorful balls available. It is both visibly and texturally different, but the biggest difference you will find is its reaction shape. The Phaze offers a lot of hook, but it is very smooth on the backend. The vast majority of balls on the market, even very aggressive sanded balls still have sharper motions on the backend. This can be problematic when looking for control on over/under patterns. The Phaze's combination of hook and control puts it in play on a wide variety of lane conditions. The slow response to friction makes it ideal for controlling wet/dry, whether on a house shot or sport conditions. This also makes it less sensitive to transition which means you will stay in or near the pocket more often. Another key result is that the ball retains more energy because it doesn't bleed much, if any when it hits friction, so it offers superior hitting power. The coverstock also reacts more to surface adjustments, giving you much more versatility with just a single ball. For me, the Phaze is a must have ball!
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Storm Phaze 4
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Phaze 4 features a combination of two of the most successful components in bowling history with the R2S Pearl cover and symmetric Velocity core. R2S Pearl has been around for 15 years and is still performing well on recent balls like the Astro PhysiX, IQ Emerald, Trend and the Hyroad Pearl that’s still in the current lineup. The Velocity core at a 2.48 RG and .051 differential was introduced in the Phaze and made popular in the Phaze 2 which is still in production, and the combination of this cover and core creates a strong rolling but clean and sharp reaction that’s a perfect step down from the Phaze 2 when it gets too strong, early, or smooth. Out of the box, it’s best used as a transition ball behind something else, but with surface added, it becomes strong and controllable enough to be the first ball out of the bag. The Phaze 4 doesn’t replace the Phaze 3, though it does compliment it. The cover on the Phaze 3 is a decent amount stronger, so if the Phaze 4 looks good but is a little too long or over under, the P3 gives you a similar shape with more strength, and if the P3 is a little too strong, the P4 gives you the same look in a cleaner and weaker package.
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Storm Phaze II
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Phaze 2 joins the Master line, and is a solid version of the Phaze. This is a ball I knew had to be coming, as good as the Phaze was, I was greatly anticipating a solid version, and it does not disappoint. I'm finding it to be a stronger and earlier version of the Rocket Ship. At box surface, it handles heavier volumes well, and with a little polish, it plays on medium conditions also. It's a very versatile ball, it's virtually the perfect benchmark ball for heavier conditions. It does all the right things in all the right places, it has great midlane traction, but isn't too early, and has a strong arc on the backend without being too sharp or too smooth. The solid cover responds very well to adjustments, and this is just a very easy ball to get to the pocket.
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Storm Phaze III
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Phaze 3 is a long awaited and highly anticipated release in Storm’s Master line. It’s a pairing of the clean and ultra responsive R3S hybrid cover from the Intense Fire with the revered Velocity core from the Phaze 2. The Phaze 3 is a traditional Storm reaction, long and boomy, and will fill a void in the current lineup. The combination of the windy, fast revving, and aggressively continuous core and the clean and sharp cover create a ball motion that is relentless. It loves angle, and the motion on the lane is very recognizably Phaze 2-esque, it’s a great compliment for when you need to get left and open the lane up. It’s now currently the strongest shiny ball we have in the line, narrowly edging out the Astro PhysiX, in addition to being the most angular one.
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Storm Phaze V
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Phaze 5 on paper is a direct replacement for the Phaze 4, being the same combination of the famed R2S Pearl cover and very popular symmetric Velocity core from the Phaze series. However, the similarities begin and end on paper. The Phaze 5 is cleaner and rounder than the Phaze 4, it’s rolly rather than chuggy, and while the Phaze 4 tended to jerk-stop, the Phaze 5 revs more so it’s ready to hook when the ball hits friction. I couldn’t explain why there’s such a significant on lane difference in the ball reactions, but it exists. The new Reacta Gloss finish on the Phaze 5 doesn’t seem to feel or react any differently than the previous 1500 grit polish finish, when compared to other balls that react similarly to the Phaze 5 like the Trend and Idol Pearl, there’s no discernable visible, physical/feel, or reaction difference in our opinion. If you liked the previous factory polish, you’ll be happy it’s back, if you didn’t, you’ll be back to knocking it off like usual. The Phaze 5 is a pleasant surprise that’s a straight step down from the Phaze 2 and acts quite a bit like it from a general reaction standpoint. It’s very versatile from left to right, and while it does seem to need a little more friction than it acts like it should when you start adding angle, it’s an exceptional transition ball. It’ll be usable and very popular for most bowlers on their regular league conditions, and surprisingly effective on tougher ones.
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Storm Physix
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The PhysiX is a pairing of the new Atomic Core and NRG Hybrid, which has been used on international balls before, but not seen stateside. Nano covers have very dominant and recognizable features, namely being continuous, and blending wet/dry well, and the PhysiX definitely does both of these things. The best way I can describe it is that it’s comfortable to throw, I never feel like I have to chuck it to get it down the lane, or really hit it to get it to finish, I feel like I can just line up and execute a nice relaxed shot. It has plenty of traction, so it can dig through wetter or longer conditions, but because it blends wet/dry so well, I find that adjusting to transition is easy, I get subtle indications that the lane is changing, like a 4 pin rather than a big 4. It’s also continuous enough that as I’m forced deeper on the lane, I can keep using it rather than having to go to the bag for something else, which is often very helpful. I’m a really big fan of this one and it goes everywhere with me!
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Storm Pitch Purple
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Pitch Purple is the latest urethane-like offering in the Thunder line, joining it’s step-sibling the Pitch Black. The Purple has the Rev Controll cover, which contains additives to give it a more resin like shape, but it’s still unmistakably urethane. While something like the Pitch Black has a truer urethane feel, super early and very smooth, the Purple clears the heads quite a bit easier, instead digging in about halfway down the lane and continuing through the pocket. The Pitch Purple is a great compliment to the Black for when you have to start moving left and still need the urethane shape, but can’t bend the Black enough. I wouldn’t say it’s anything you can swing the whole lane with due to the lower amount of flare and carrydown that will create, but for me it accomplishes the goal of bridging the gap more between the Pitch Black and typical reactives.
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Storm Pro-Motion
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Signature line has been resurrected for a third collaboration with Jason Belmonte, the Pro Motion. The Pro Motion has zero in common with the previous two “Belmo balls,” which is good for those that disliked them, but ultimately inconsequential for those that did, because this is still a ball that crowd will like too. It has all the best features from balls like the Phaze 2, IQ Tour, and Idol, notably control for days, great continuation, and a very consistent reaction across the lane. The Pro Motion features the incredibly durable SPEC coverstock which doesn’t absorb oil and requires very little maintenance to retain its reaction over time, and the new “chemical adhesion” feature of the cover also contributes to it reading the lane through the oil more strongly to give you a truer reaction from lane to lane that makes this ball less sensitive to transition than traditional resin. This all combines to make the Pro Motion a very valuable tool for the serious tournament bowler.
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Storm Proton Physix
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Proton PhysiX features the NeX solid coverstock and the asymmetric high torque Atomic core. NeX solid was introduced on the Axiom and is an evolution of the famed NRG cover that’s known for its smooth and continuous control. NeX retains those core attributes and adds entry angle, durability, and longevity of reaction. The Atomic core comes in at a 2.48 rg, .053 diff, and .017 split or intermediate differential and is exceptionally dynamic. NeX solid harnesses all that aggression while Atomic gives IT some extra kick. The overall result reminds me a lot of a stronger and more continuous Halo. It’ll handle the heaviest volumes out there plus blend friction and avoid burning up or losing energy and is one of the most versatile heavier oil balls I’ve ever thrown. With 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, I rate the Proton a 10 on hook, a 4 on length, and a 4 on backend strength.
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Storm Revenant
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 x 2

The Revenant is a new symmetric ball in Storm’s Thunder line. It’s basically a reskin of the Spectre, which featured the R3S Pearl coverstock, which is a step up in strength from R2S Pearl that’s on the Phaze 5. It also features the medium RG high diff Vector core that splits the difference between a strong symmetric core and something like the core in the Hy-Road series. It allows the ball to get further down the lane before revving up, but the amount of flare engages the cover to help get traction for stability and a strong move on the backend.

I’ve used the Revenant at several different surfaces on several different conditions. First, the box Reacta Gloss surface combined with the cleaner nature of the cover just made it too long and inconsistent for me, so I took it to 3000 grit by hand initially. This made it more controllable and consistent, but it’s difficult to get very deep by hand, so as I continued to bowl, it shined back up and was still cleaner than was comfortable for me. I resurfaced it to 1000 grit on a resurfacing machine, and then finished it with Storm’s Step 2 compound. After that, the reaction was much improved, still clean and sharp, but much more stable, much more controllable, and the more games I got on it, the stronger and better it reacted.

The Revenant has been the perfect daily driver in league ball. I like my Fate quite a bit, but it’s often just a touch too strong for regular use. The Revenant reacts very similarly but is a step down on strength. The round and punchy shape splits the difference between control and response, which maximizes forgiveness from left to right on the lane. It’s smooth enough to give me hold on misses inside, and responsive enough to give me recovery on misses out. While I see a slight difference in overall shape from the original Spectre, I used the Spectre frequently in the time I was able to, and the same is true for the Revenant. It’s rare for me to get through a set on a house shot without it getting extended use or at least making an appearance.
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Storm Rocket
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Conditions: THS 38', THS 40'
Layout: 50x5x35
Surface: Box

The Rocket is the ultimate house shot killer. Imagine a Hyroad that is cleaner through the fronts and sharper at the breakpoint. The Rocket has the same R2S cover as the Hyroad with a more aggressive core. It is a ball you can get a handful of at the bottom, watch it glide through the fronts, rev in the mids, and make a clean, strong move on the backend. The versatility is unreal, you can play anywhere on the lane with it, and as the lanes break down, simple adjustments is all it takes to put the ball back in the pocket. It cuts through carry down well, and is smooth and strong off the dry. The Rocket is extremely controllable, and it hits noticeably harder than most other balls in its price range. This is one of those special balls you need to order extra of to stash a few in the closet, however, like the Hyroad before it, I wouldn't be surprised to see it produced for several years to come. No doubt about it, the Rocket is a ball everyone needs to have at least one of in their bag.

Luke Rosdahl
In The Zone Pro Shop
Storm Advisory Staff
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Storm Rocket Ship
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
When writing a review, I generally refrain from calling the ball good or bad, I try to simply describe it's attributes and strengths. There's a saying that has gone around the industry, "There are no bad balls, just bad ball reaction." While companies don't release "bad" bowling balls, they can look bad if they don't match up to your style, or you are using them on the wrong conditions. However, there are those balls that seem to just be better than the rest for whatever reason, and I feel the Rocket Ship is one of them. I can comfortably say that I believe this is the most versatile ball currently on the market, perhaps even moreso than the legendary Hyroad. This ball will cover the widest variety of lane conditions for the widest variety of bowlers. This is always my first ball out of the bag, and always the first selection to take to tournaments. For me, this is definitely a must have ball.
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Storm Sky Rocket
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Sky Rocket is a great compliment to the original Rocket, and is best for me either on fresh house shots with softer backends or when transition forces you into the deeper parts of the lane. Despite being a pearl, the Sky Rocket actually hooks a few boards more than the Rocket. They both have similar length due to the coverstock prep, but the Sky Rocket is sharper off the friction and covers more boards on the backend than the Rocket does. The Rocket and Sky Rocket are the first two balls in my bag anywhere I go, as they can cover a wide range of conditions due to the differences in their reaction shapes. The Sky Rocket loves to come flying back from deep angles and is a great option on any condition when dry heads force you inside but you still need recovery and punch on the backend.
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Storm Snap Lock
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Snap Lock is a shockingly strong ball. Though it comes polished, the strength of its roll in the midlane and traction it has is unparalleled in its shiny out of box finish. Usually when you polish a ball or leave it shiny, you're gaining length or ease through the heads, and sacrificing a bit of traction or stability in the mid lane. However with the Snap Lock, you can have your cake and eat it too. It glides through the heads like a shiny pearl should, but revs up extremely strong in the midlane and is ready to make the turn when it hits the backend friction without standing up or burning energy. This is quite possibly the most aggressive pearl ball I've ever thrown, and I have to admit there are times I still get too slow with it because I'm not expecting it to be so strong.
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Storm Soniq
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Son!Q is an IQ that isn’t exactly an IQ. The Centripetal HD core is based on the C3 core from the IQ Tour series, but with an even lower RG and a much higher differential, it’s a ball that rolls heavy like an IQ tour, but is much more aggressive in the last 30 feet of the lane. It uses the same cover as the IQ Tour Pearl, but the core makes its presence known here. The Son!Q features a very strong roll and is in my opinion the strongest ball with the R2S pearl cover that Storm has made, even a few boards stronger than the Code Black. The Son!Q for me lives up to expectations, and was well worth the wait.
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Storm Spectre
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Spectre features the R3S Pearl coverstock and new symmetric Vector core. R3S Pearl hasn’t been seen very often, it was last on the Intense, the hybrid version is currently on the Phaze 3, and it’s a stronger version of R2S Pearl that we have currently on the Phaze 4 and Hyroad Pearl. The Vector core is derived from the Tensor core in the Incite series, but is symmetric with an RG of 2.54 and a differential of .050 in 15 pounds. Overall it’s very similar to the Wolverine but with a stronger cover formula, which makes it a couple boards stronger. Due to sharing the same cover formula with the Phaze 3 but having a weaker core, the two make a very good pair to run together. The Phaze 3 revs up earlier, is a couple boards stronger and sharper at the breakpoint, the Spectre is a few feet longer and rounder, so they feel like a full step apart, they don’t overlap. The Spectre is also a good step up from the Hyroad Pearl which can be a little too long and weak sometimes, so it very neatly fills a gap we’ve had between the Master and Thunder line for a few years.
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Storm Street Fight
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Street Fight is a pearl version of the Fight, and is the latest entry into the Thunder line. I could talk for days about this ball. The original Fight was a very situational ball, it was great in certain circumstances, but there were better choices in others. I had expected a pearl version of it to be in the same vein, but have been pleasantly stunned to find a ball that is atypical of releases now, being that it doesn't bounce or jump off friction. It has a very smooth but consistent read off the dry, and blends wet/dry lines exceptionally. It's great for controlling sharper backends, to switch to when the track starts drying out or is a great control option for when the lanes get really spotty or dry in longer format tournaments. I feel that it will work best for heavier rev rates, but the low rev stroker that points it from the corner should also appreciate it as a ball that gives them both hook and control.
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Storm Summit
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Summit features the Centripetal HD core from the Son!Q and Super Son!Q but with an exciting twist, the new AI (Amplified Inertia) outer core which uses geometric cutouts to enhance the strength of the core. This brings the RG down to 2.46 and raises the differential to .056, and is combined with the new TX-23 cover which is an evolution of TX-16 from the Phaze 2. This combination represents the strongest symmetric bowling ball Storm has ever produced. Despite this and despite my initial concerns, it’s not early and slow, it’s actually remarkably long and sharp for how much it hooks and how much it controls the lane. What it reminds me most of is an ultra strong IQ Tour that finishes strong and can handle more angle. The Summit is incredibly versatile, and while definitely strong, it’s in the same vein as the Zen, so I think it’s going to be an excellent ball for tournament players needing strength and stability but with enough shape to finish and hit, but also for league bowlers just looking for a simple user friendly and controllable ball. I think the Summit might be the best marriage of the two that I’ve ever seen in a ball, it takes the Zen concept and overall performance and refines and improves it.
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Storm Super Nova
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Super Nova features the “super” strong and durable NeX Solid coverstock that we’ve had on the Axiom and Proton PhysiX, and the returning strong asymmetric Ignition core from the Nova and the Gate series overseas. I always say it, but it bears repeating that NeX solid is very clean and responsive for how much it hooks, this helps it bridge the gap between typical strong asym balls that get a lot of traction but are often slow and lazy down lane, and other balls that create length and shape but don’t have the traction to be stable and controllable on heavier conditions. The Super has the strength and shape of something like the Reality or Proton PhysiX but that’s more stable and controllable due to the naturally rolly and slightly slower revving of the Ignition core vs most other asyms. This gives it a combination of traction and shape that lower rev rates and higher speeds have trouble finding, while at the same time giving higher rev rates a stronger option that doesn’t burn up at the arrows. It’s a great compliment to the original Nova, more traction and a quicker friction response while still maintaining the same general look or roll. The Super is an incredibly versatile ball that can be used on several different conditions, lane surfaces, and from several different angles by a number of bowling styles.
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Storm Super Soniq
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
For the first time since the IQ Tour Fusion, we have a new hybrid in the Master line with the Super Son!Q. The Centripetal HD core from the Son!Q is back, but this time with a much stronger cover formula in NRG Hybrid. The result is an earlier and smoother ball but with the very distinct roll from the Son!Q. While the Super will cover heavier volumes due to the stronger cover, given the difference in shape, I found the Super and the original to cover a similar amount of boards overall, they just do it in different ways. When confronted with volumes in excess of 25ml, you’ll begin to see more separation between the two reactions, but on a house shot, they’ll play similar lines. The Son!Q will be longer and stronger, while the Super will be earlier and blend the backend reaction much more, so they are great compliments for each other.
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Storm Sure Lock
39 of 39 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Sure Lock is Storm's newest hook monster in the Premier line, and it's without doubt the strongest ball I've ever thrown across the board. It has a very heavy roll and has plenty of midlane traction but also manages to add in quite a bit on the backend. Fans of the original Virtual Gravity will get that nostalgic feeling with this one as it's quite reminiscent of the VG, just stronger in every way. Out of the box, this ball needs oil, and a lot of it. With some polish it could be in play on heavier house patterns, but this ball is going to be most at home on heavier volume sport patterns when you need traction AND backend finish. Most higher rev players won't need this much hook, but higher speeds and/or low rev players will love this ball, it will be the strongest motion they've ever had. I feel like the Sure Lock sets a new standard for heavy oil balls.
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Storm Timeless
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Timeless is the first release in Storm's Signature line, and was developed in collaboration with Jason Belmonte. This is a very unique and polarizing ball. The design intent was for 2 handed bowlers or very high rev rates, and I can't imagine a more perfect reaction for the 600 club. If you have a high rev rate, this is likely to be one of the best reactions you've ever had. It gets down the lane with ease, and has an extremely strong move on the backend. It's a ball you can move extremely deep with, project firmly and watch it scream on the backend, losing no energy on the turn. For lower rev rates, it's still going to be in play provided you have enough oil in the heads, it's very strong off the friction and reacts best from bigger or deeper angles. It's a deceptively strong ball, it needs no help from a layout to get it to move, and pin down or smoother layouts actually work best with the Timeless.
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Storm Torrent
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Torrent is the newest ball in Storm's Thunder line, and on paper it looks like a slightly weaker Rocket Ship, so I wasn't sure how much difference I was going to see. It actually hooks a few boards more than the Rocket Ship, and is earlier and smoother, reminding me of a stronger Victory Road Solid, and is different enough from the Rocket Ship for the release to make sense in the line. I feel like the shape is the biggest difference from the Rocket Ship, as it starts up several feet earlier and is smoother, while the Rocket Ship gets easier length and is sharper on the backend. While they might be fairly similar on house patterns, sport patterns is where you'll see the Torrent shine from straighter angles, and the Rocket Ship be better once the shot moves to deeper angles. I said on my video for the Rocket Ship that IT was the very definition of a benchmark ball, and the Torrent may have just proven me wrong.
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Storm Trend 16 Only
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Trend is Belmo ball number 4, and while I hesitate to say it’s the best one, I quite liked the Pro Motion, it’s definitely not similar to the previous 3. While it features the same Piston core from the Pro Motion, that’s the only thing they have in common, the covers are on the opposite end of the spectrum. R2S Pearl on the Trend is quite clean and very responsive to friction. The Piston core has an identifiable rolly continuation, so the general roll is familiar, but where the Pro Motion is early and very smooth, the Trend glides through the fronts and really booms down lane. The Trend is longer and stronger than the Idol Pearl, but not quite as long and quick as the Astro PhysiX, but it’s in that same vein of reaction. While the previous Belmo balls had specific reactions in mind, the Trend is designed to be useful for the vast majority of bowlers on the conditions they see the vast majority of the time.
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Storm Trend 2
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Trend 2 features the NRG hybrid cover with a modified version of the Piston core from the Pro Motion and Trend in the Piston LD, RG of 2.54 and differential of .041 in 15 pounds. The Trend 2 is a bit of a paradox, the core strength is squarely medium, and NRG is a fairly strong cover. This IS the sharpest, quickest, or most responsive NRG ball I’ve ever thrown, which is what throws the wrench in. It’s not strong rolling or fast revving, it gives you a bit of extra length up front but it doesn’t float like a Hyroad, it starts winding up at about 30 feet, and then just continues to continue or climb. The cover gets plenty of traction and creates quite a bit of shape, but it’s not jerky, it’s fairly hard to describe, it’s almost like a stronger and a bit earlier Hyroad. It gives you the length to play straighter, but the traction and climbing continuous motion, plus the shape to wheel it from deep. It’s incredibly versatile, and I think it’ll be the most commercially successful Belmo ball to date.
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Storm Virtual Energy Blackout
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
225
PAP:
5 3/8 LT, 3/4 UP
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Virtual Energy Blackout is a new asymmetric ball in Storm’s Premiere line. It features the popular and high use ReX Pearl coverstock, which is a blend of their ultra strong NeX formula and their flagship clean, responsive, and controllable R2S formula. The core is the famed Shape Lock HD core from the previous Virtual and Gravity line releases, which comes in at a 2.48 RG, a .052 differential, and a .020 intermediate differential. The Blackout reminds me instantly of the Dark Code, just longer and sharper. Same cover, even same color, the core in the Blackout is just slightly weaker. I’ve used the Blackout on several different conditions with a couple different surfaces. The factory gloss is too inconsistent and sensitive for me, so I resurfaced it down to 1000 on a resurfacing machine, then finished it lightly with Storm’s Step 2 compound. The result was a surprisingly long and quick, round, continuous finish on the backend.

I’ve mentioned before that this core creates a surprisingly long and sharp motion for how strong it is on paper. The closest comparison for me is that it feels like an asymmetric Zen Gold Label. Very clean and easy up front, almost worryingly so, before it covers more ground on the backend than 95% of the balls I’ve ever thrown. It’s also remarkably controllable and consistent for how clean and sharp it is. The stronger cover formula maintains a subtle amount of traction and stability through the oil, and the rounder and more continuous shape makes the pocket bigger as well. It’s incredibly versatile from left to right, it gives lower rev bowlers punch down lane they don’t usually have without forcing them deeper on the lane, and it gives higher rev bowlers length and control they don’t usually see out of stronger and more responsive balls like this. With shine it can reach down to be at home on regular league conditions, but with a little surface it can hold its own on heavier conditions, and is a great step up from something like an Absolute for when you want a similar shape, but need more strength or traction.

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