Radical ReaX
Mo Pinel and Phil Cardinale pair up in developing a strong, versatile ball for the ages.
The solid coverstock ReaX is Radical Bowling Technologies’ first asymmetric core ball developed since Mo Pinel joined Phil Cardinale’s RBT. The ReaX utilizes Pinel’s patented offset core first made famous in the Hammer 3D Offset line, manufactured by Faball. The offset core in the ReaX is stronger than its predecessors and, along with a well matched aggressive coverstock, provides a down lane motion that is unique to the ReaX and not unlike that of the 3D Offset line.
My ReaX uses a mid-lane reacting layout targeted at medium track bowlers: 35 degrees x 4 1/4†x 30 degrees using dual angle layout terminology. The pin is located in the ring finger and the mass bias is located right of the thumb hole. An additional hole is not needed. The ball started with 15 pounds, 3 ounces gross weight with 2 1/4 ounces of top weight and a 3†pin to CG distance. I use the ReaX at its box 1500-grit over 500-grit Siaair finish. I thought the surface could be too much for the local typical house patterns but found the box surface to be ideal for my speed and rev rate on Brunswick Pro Anvilane. The ReaX coverstock readily accepts changes to its finish using coarse to fine Abralon and Siaair pads as well as various polishes and compounds.
I found the ReaX work wells for me between 1000-grit and 3000-grit on Brunswick Pro Anvilane and other hard synthetic surfaces. The surface also matches well using Brunswick Rough Buff and Valentino’s Resurrection liquid compounds. The compounds move the reaction from mid-lane to the end of the pattern and add a couple of degrees of back end angularity. The factory 500/1500 finish is my favorite with the 1000-grit, 1500-grit, 2000-grit and 500/2000-grit finishes all working and scoring well for my speed, revs and tilt.
Moving over to AMF HPL and SPL synthetic surfaces, the 500/1500 finish is the most aggressive finish that carries well for me with the 2000-grit, 500/2000 and 3000-grit finishes a somewhat better match for my desired mid-lane read with continuation. The compounds also work well. Polish: Yes, the ball still reads well but why detune the monster core in this manner (from the view of a speed and revs match bowler)? On wood, the 500/2000, 2000 and 3000-grit finished worked well with the compounds very much in play and useable.
The strengths of the ReaX include (1) a great core/coverstock match, (2) a unique mid-lane read and continuation motion through the pins, and (3) this is an asymmetric core ball that does not overreact for me and allows me a wide range of hand position, tilt and speed options. It is one of the best “hand under release†balls I’ve used. Moving my release from under the ball on heavier conditions to suitcase releases on drier lanes are all in play and with good carry for the ReaX. I find I can stay with the ReaX longer through transitions than most of the strong core balls I’ve used. The ReaX is particularly good on fresh shots going through late first and second game transition. It refuses to wiggle in the carry-down, yet doesn’t give up its transitional energy too early. I found it uncanny in being a ball I could stay with through all three league games with 10 bowlers on a pair and on tournament conditions from game one through game six with less movement left needed than I’m accustomed to.
ReaX is a special and unique ball that stays in play when many other strong pieces have to be retired to the bag. I bowled several sets where I’ve not moved my feet at all over three games while in most of the 3-game sets, my moves are minimal and predictable; 2 to 3 board left over the three game set: Most of these with the box 500/1500-grit matte surface. Pin carry has been good and I’ve strung up to 18 strikes in a row so far in league play with several strings or 8 or more strikes in a row in league and tournament play: Again, more than I’m accustomed to for my skill and repeatability level.
Well done Phil Cardinale, Mo Pinel and Radical Bowling Technologies. The ReaX is definitely worth a look for league and tournament, amateur and professional bowlers alike. I have a feeling we’ll see a few of these on the fall/winter PBA shows.
My measurables:
PAP: 4.25" over, 0.25" down
Ball Speed: 18 mph, 16 mph down lane
RPM: 315 rpm (300 to 330 rpm range)
Axis Rotation: 10 to 70 degrees (usually ~50 degrees)
Axis Tilt: usually ~19 degrees