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The new Roto Grip Duo is the result of a partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  A portion of all sales of the Duo will go to this charity.  The Duo features the Mentor core wrapped in the MicroTrax pearl reactive coverstock.  The RG at 15lbs is 2.49 and the differential is .046.  Drilled at 5x4x2 (pin above the bridge) the Duo reminds me of the original DareDevil, only smoother.  The Reacta Gloss finish of the Duo provides effortless length through the front part of the lane and a very strong but predictable backend motion.  For a pearl coverstock, this ball does not have that hockey stick shape backend but a much more arcing motion usually found in solid cover stocks.  This allows the Duo to be a great choice on the tougher patterns when control is priority number one.  The Duo won’t wow you with big backend hook or even overall hook, but it will control the pocket for you and provide excellent pin action.  Get a great ball and help a great charity!!

I drilled up my Duo 5 x 4 x 3. This is my favorite layout for first out of the bag pearl balls. I hit the surface with a light 2000 to crack the shine and smooth the reaction out.

I put the DUO up against the SUMMIT and pin under EXOTIC GEM. Just like you would expect, the DUO is dead in the middle of these two. A little later than the SUMMIT and quicker than the pin under EXOTIC. The DUO was at home for me on a middle pattern and flared around 4-5".

I feel that the DUO will get play as a first ball out of the bag at places with some early friction burn in the fronts and also when the big solids are starting to lock up and lay flat down lane.

Roto Grip Duo
Coverstock: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive
Box Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Mentor Core
RG: 2.49, Diff: 0.046 (15 lbs)
VLS Layout: 4 3/4 x 4 x 2 1/2
Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4 3/4 x 40
PAP: 5 3/16” right x 5/8” up
Rev rate: 400 rpm
Average speed: 16.5 mph
Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie, WI
Pattern: Medium volume THS

The Roto Grip Duo is the recent addition to the HP3 line that features the MicroTrax Pearl Reactive cover, same as on the Exotic Gem, and Mentor symmetric core that was partly inspired by the Dare Devil line of balls from a few years ago.  All that goodness aside, what really makes this ball special is that it’s the first collaboration between “The Shafanie Duo” of PWBA stars Stephanie Johnson and Shannon O’Keeke, and is in support of a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters – with 5% of the sales from the Roto Grip Duo being donated to aid in the development and support of kiddos within the program!! 

This ball is a performer on the lanes as well.  Because it has the same cover as the Exotic Gem, the Duo feels very much like a symmetrical version of the Exotic.  The combination of the low RG, mid-differential core and strong coverstock makes this a strong but predictable pearl ball.  Because the Duo comes out-of-box with the Reacta Gloss finish, I scuffed the surface lightly with a used 2000-grit Abralon pad like I have with many other balls that come polished just to scratch the surface a bit and knock some shine off.  The Duo has thus far proven itself to be very versatile and I believe would be a great ball for most any league bowler as well.  The Duo is clean enough to get through the front part of the lane to remain online, and it has a good strong backend reaction that isn’t so sharp that you can’t control it. 

In most cases, the Duo is the first ball out of my bag; and for league night it’s the only ball I need.  If you’re looking for a ball that is cleaner with less overall hook than the Gem or Exotic Gem, but still something stronger than the Hyped and is versatile enough to thrown as the lanes transition – the Duo is it!

Chris Pollentier
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
#StormNation
#SquadRG

I am a higher speed, rev challenged 220-250ish, high tilt, high rotation, and super low track player, I drilled my Roto Grip DUO 5x 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 using the Storm VLS and my axis point is 3 ¼ right and 7/8 up. The Roto Grip DUO is middle of the road pearl symmetric benchmark ball that is easy through the front of the lane with great continuation down lane without being too angular. Overall, the ball is responsive and I see myself using this on house shots or medium volume patterns.

My YouTube video of the ball can be found at: https://youtu.be/o2Us3qgPE_c?si=gkKKb7ZaI36xwHeV

By: Sandra McIntire