Author Topic: Question about the BTU (Read 3455 times)

BowlingforSoup · « **on:** December 31, 2016, 11:48:29 AM »

Curious about the BTU.We bowl on really dry houseshots.I use a new Black Rhino alot.Sometimes its to much.Its gets thru the heads fine,but the backends are whats to strong.38ft pattern with super clean backends.We never get carry down either.
I see the ball chart lists the BTU way above the Rhinos.I have a urethane that I have tried but I always get an early roll and no backend.I basically use it for spares.The question is I read the reviews some say ball is super.Some say its to strong.All I am looking for is Something that gets thru the heads with some backend.Not early hook and no backend.
Hate to waste the money to find out its another doorstop.I have low tilt 10 to 12 range 45 to 50 axis rotation 400 rr 15 to 16 mph.So short stuff is not fun for me.Rhino hits the end of the pattern an goes sideways at times.Anything stronger and I am against the ball return.
So is this maybe a good option to try.Other than trying to chuck it 20mph like most here do.I am 55 so them days are over for me.Thanks for any input.

charlest · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2016, 12:23:16 PM »

While I don't have a Rhino, I have several other balls in that range of hook and oil handling. I'd hazard a guess that my BTU drilled slightly stronger than the others (pin over ring vs. pin-in-ring), it hooks 2 - 5 boards more with an equal about of backend, but a much smoother backend. It is not a small hooking ball. In fact, while I don't have a Fanatic, I think there's a good reason they called it the "Fanatic BTU). It is probably closer in overall hook to the Fanatic than it is to the Rhino but with a much smoother breakpoint.

Additionally, since I have slower ball speed, I originally took the surface to 2500 grit, from its stock 1500 grit. It cleared the heads even easier, but it had even more backend. So I returned it to its original 1500 grit. Still clears the heads easily.

billdozer · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2016, 12:56:56 PM »

The BTU for my friend was stronger than expected. Literally in-between urethane and reactive.

However this was only an issue for him for about 9 games. Once the surface was tracked up a bit, he said it calmed down and was completely controllable and wasn't as lazy as urethane. Carried the 10 well.

He's quite satisfied with the purchase, he's a heavy-handed guy who hooked the entire lane with early reactive and urethane back in the day....Who struggles with new age products. He's a happy dude...He's averaging in the 240s now with the BTU. He past 5 years he was 205-215 in every house.

He doesn't throw the rhino but he has a scholar, fight, OG mastermind. All polished like glass. All over hook on him after about 6 frames of league.

Now we got like 8 guys ordering them lol

Happy new year

BowlingforSoup · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2016, 02:41:59 PM »

Thanks guys thats what I wanted to hear.Since Charlest has one let me ask this.Should I drill it weaker I mostly use pin up in the 5 inch range.Thinking something like 70 x 5 1/2 x 40 should be ok?Bowling.com has them for 115.00 so I think I will grab one.Thanks guys I read alot of you guys post.So I trust what you are telling me.If your pulling my chain i will send you the bill.

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2016, 04:12:51 PM »

Quote from: BowlingforSoup on December 31, 2016, 02:41:59 PM

Thanks guys thats what I wanted to hear.Since Charlest has one let me ask this.Should I drill it weaker I mostly use pin up in the 5 inch range.Thinking something like 70 x 5 1/2 x 40 should be ok?Bowling.com has them for 115.00 so I think I will grab one.Thanks guys I read alot of you guys post.So I trust what you are telling me.If your pulling my chain i will send you the bill.

I almost regret doing that to mine: pin over ring is about 4.5" - 5" pin-PAP with about a 35/40 degree VAL angle. This drill is in the max response range for backend for me.

If you're not rev dominant, that should be ok. If you're closer to matched speed & Revs, that is.
I wish I had toned it down a bit and put the pin in the ring or just below it.

spencerwatts · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2017, 12:23:36 PM »

Here's what I've been told about the BTU. It's pretty much what the name is, a ball that gives the bowler a better ball reaction (and options that is better) than urethane. I've seen it used on short patterns and some medium length patterns with a good bit of volume (i.e., WTBA Montreal). That said, the ball does flare like reactive; the urethane pieces of 20th century past don't flare.

Personally, I asked a staffer where the BTU might fit in my tournament bag? He told me I was correct in assessing it would be between my Ringers and Slingshots. It would be as comparable as my Avalanche solid, a ball that I've had success using late in blocks on mostly flat partterns.

Author Topic: Question about the BTU (Read 3455 times)

BowlingforSoup

Question about the BTU

charlest

Re: Question about the BTU

billdozer

Re: Question about the BTU

BowlingforSoup

Re: Question about the BTU

charlest

Re: Question about the BTU

spencerwatts

Re: Question about the BTU