http://youtu.be/UtR79RYPYXU

The new Ascent Apex by Motiv has the recon core with the pearl fusion xl shell.  This combination creates plenty of skid with a much more angular reaction than with the other Ascents.  The Ascent Apex will be useful on an any condition that is lighter or shorter or a very beat up pattern. I have found the Ascent Apex to allow me to play much further towards the gutter and let me stay there longer than other weaker balls have in the past.  The Ascent Apex will be a ball that I never leave home without.

Speed 17.5
rpm 350
tilt 11
rotation 45

Right lane was on a fresh house shot
Left lane was on a very used up house shot after open bowling

Anthony Jordan
Motivbowling.com

The Ascent Apex is priced as an “entry level” ball, but it is high performance through and through.  It has the Recon core, which is a High RG 2.59, Low Differential 0.25, with a modified version of the strong pearl cover first featured on MOTIV’s landmark ball the Primal Rage.

I have long been a fan of the Recon core from way back on the RX1, which was my first MOTIV ball. I have had a lot of success with the RX1 and the original Ascent balls, particularly on short oil patterns. For me, the new Ascent Apex is about 3 or 4 boards stronger than the original Ascent on the back-end, and has about 3 or 4 boards less overall hook than the Primal Rage, so it fits that sweet spot perfectly.

This ball is an excellent choice on short to medium short oil patterns when the heads break down a little bit, and you need a ball that’s clean through the fronts with good back-end kick. I also bowl a league at a house that has a house shot with low volume, and the Apex does the trick.

Here is a ball reaction video that I did featuring the Apex. In the video I compare the ball motion to the Original Ascent, Venom Shock, Primal Rage & Cruel Intent.


This is a key piece of equipment for me to bring to every tournament. Even on longer patterns, the later it gets into the block, the more likely that it’s coming out of my bag. It doesn’t do crazy tricks down-lane – it does just what it needs to do to kick out that 10 pin, and that’s all I need it to do.

--Kevin Gallagher—
     PBA Member
     MOTIV Staff

LANE CONDITION

Length:42 and 40

Volume:Med/High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):42' Higher volume THS and 2014 D/S Nationals


COMMENTS

Likes:Tons of length with a smooth backend. Very low flare but still has power through the pins. Perfect for sport conditions when the backend over react.

Dislikes: Not very good on THS if you have hand or speed. Will be very over under without much area to move because of its weak cover and small core.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Bowler Stats-Ball Speed 15.5 MPH Rev Rate-App 285 Axis of Rotation-30 to 60 degrees Axis Tilt 9 degrees Right Handed PAP-5 9/16 over, 1/2" up.  Drill -50X4 1/4"X30
 
The Motiv Ascent Apex is designed for light oil according to Motiv. The core is a new for the Motiv line, the symetrical Recon Core, wrapped with the Fusion XL Pearl Reactive cover.  The ball is as advertised and stronger for me. The ball picks up it's roll late in the pattern, due to the very low RG (2.59) and pearl cover.  The core with a differential of .018, allows the ball, to keep plenty of energy down lane without being short transition/snappy.  The ball covers more boards plenty of boards when it finds friction with enough recovery to play deep or to swing it to the ditch from the track.  The Ascent Apex then makes a strong move that is much less sudden and sharp then the Primal Rage and closer to the reaction of the Thrash Frenzy.  The coverstock, being stronger then the original Ascent Pearl, changes phases earlier on the lane and covers more boards.  The Ascent Apex's make a continuous move at the end of the pattern and can cover a lot of boards on lower volume or shorter patterns.  Getting the ball in the soup (house shot) in the middle of the lane causes the ball to skate past the breakpoint but that is how this
ball is designed.  The Ascent Apex lets me know when to put it away as it starts to check earlier.  This coverstock, as is all of the Motiv Coverstocks, is easily tunable and shining it will increase length and angularity noticeably, and adding surface creates an earlier roll.  Additionally, the Apex does not soak up a lot of oil, and like all of the other Motiv covers, does not quickly "track out".

I've been throwing exclusively Motiv since 2009 and I have not had a ball that "died" due to oil saturation or one that has become warn in the track.  My experience tells me that this ball will be the same. 

If you use this ball as designed it will be a very effective ball. To throw it on a heavy volume patterns will require a large amount of surface and a shorter drill pattern.   With the Ascent Apex Motiv has a piece of equipment that continues the Motiv tradition and keeping a complete arsenal on the Motiv selection of equipment at all times As always, the Neomark coverstock makes the roll and transition of the ball easy to read, and with my colorblindness, the high contrast makes it easy for me to pick up the ball transitions..

Dug Barker   
Motiv Staffer
BTM Youth Writer
Ken Bowl Lanes Youth Director
Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach
BWAA Member
SWBA Member
USBC Silver
2003 GLBA Youth Coach of the Year

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41 FT

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Review:

The Ascent Apex is the newest entry level performance bowling ball from Motiv Bowling. The Ascent Apen brings together the high RG recon core along with the new Fusion XL Pearl Reactive cover which is a modified version of original cover found on the Primal Rage. This combination of cover and core provides more length on higher friction conditions, gives it a more angular move on the backend, and the continuation is insane for an entry level performance ball. The Ascent Apex, elevate your performance.

INNER CORE         Recon
COVERSTOCK       Fusion XL
FINISH                   1500 Grit and Polished

Comments:

What can I say other than straight wow. This ball is a wonderful addition to my bag because being a high rev player, I needed something the third game and this piece definitely fits the bill. What I love about the Ascent Apex is how well it works on higher friction conditions because it gives me great length down lane and then add the Fusion coverstock and I give a nice backend motion with tremendous continuation through the pins. I have thrown a lot of lower end balls in my career especially on house conditions and I will say in my heart of heart that the Ascent Apex in the strongest entry level performance ball I have ever thrown. First time out of the gate with it I felt this ball should easily be a mid to mid-upper level bowling ball. High rev players will love it because it reads well on high fictions conditions and lower rev players will love the length when their comfort zone starts breaking down and don’t fell comfortable moving in a little bit. The Ascent Apex for the price should be a steal for any bowler.

Likes – More length on higher friction; nice angular backend and continuation: price is worth it.

Dislikes – None.

I recommend Ascent Apex for all types of bowlers.

Motiv Staff Player,
John Robertson
www.motivbowling.com

The Ascent Apex continues the entry level line of bowling balls offered by MOTIV. The Apex features the Recon core and the new Fusion XL Reactive cover. The Fusion XL cover gives the Apex more angular movement off the back of the lane pattern compared to the previously released Ascent balls.

My Apex is drilled 70x4x40 with no weight hole, putting the pin above my ring finger. The Apex is the ball I use late in a block or game 3 of league when the track area has opened up. Moving left and hooking the lane isn't my game so the Apex allows me to stay right of transition. The Ascent Pearl gives me a few more feet of length compared to the Apex which created an over/under look for me.

In summary, the Apex is an excellent addition to the MOTIV line up for dry lanes and shorter patterns. The Apex is much smoother down lane and makes a more pronounced move to the pins compared to the other Ascents. For the entry level price, this ball is a must for any style bowler.

Length:42

Volume:23.15 mL

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Kegel Stone Street Pattern

Layout: 75 x 5 x 35 (pin above ring finger)

I bought this ball because I needed something to replace my Brunswick Slingshot. I shot my highest 700 series with the Slingshot but I needed something that would give me the same length with a little more backend to carry the corner pins out. After doing a lot research I thought that the Motiv Ascent Apex would fit the bill perfectly. I was right!! This ball goes long with a nice predictable snap at the end. OOB is 1500 polished but I took mine down to 1000 polished and it gives me the motion I was looking for. This ball will be great option for short oil patterns and the last game in league.

Dislikes: None