Roto Grip is doing something different with the Rubicon upper-mid performance ball in their HP3 line of balls. This ball introduces the asymmetrical Rondure Core which was designed to provide more ball motion overall without the need for the now banned balance hole. This performance core is wrapped in Roto Grip's eTrax-S20 Solid Reactive coverstock which can be sanded or polished to meet your needs without reducing traction or responsiveness. Out of the box this ball is ideally used on medium to medium/heavy oil conditions.

Color: Azure/Black/Navy
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Rondure Core (Asymmetrical) (14-16#)
Coverstock: eTrax-S20 Solid Reactive
Finish: 3000-grit Pad
RG: 2.49 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.052 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Medium/Heavy

Roto Grip Rubicon
55 x 5 x 30
The Rubicon is a must have in ever bowlers bag.  Being a tournament bowler, I'm constantly looking for control of the pocket, this ball is very smooth and predictable and allows me to play to my strengths.  For me it is the most comparable to a pink Idol but its not quite as early.  It gets through the front easier and has that same smooth predictable motion.  I have it in a similar overall hook category as my Phaze 2's and Idol's.  This ball fits between my big Asym balls and my mid range pieces.  Everyone needs one!  Order yours today!

I was excited to throw this ball. The new Rubicon has a brand new core, the Rondure. The design intent with this core, is to allow players to have the same motion without a balance hole. This ball definitely does that and more.  This ball  reminds me of a Alpha Crux or Code X, but this balls doesn’t slow down.  In the ROTO Grip line I find the UFO is very angular and the IDOL was a bit too smooth at times.  The Rubicon is a great blend of the two balls.  This ball has a nice arch motion and very controllable and easier to read the reaction.   I drilled mine 50 x 4 1/4” x 45.  This is my medium/benchmark layout.  This ball is awesome with this layout in it for me.  When it makes the corner it doesn’t seem to quit.  It also doesn’t seem to burn up as easily as most solids if they encounter too much friction up front.  This ball will be great for low rev players as well as high rev players looking for more control.  If I want to play up the boards or get in deeper this ball allows for both.  This ball will work great on a lot of different patterns, but most importantly will be very consistent. Awesome Ball!

The Rubicon.

WEIGHT BLOCK: Rondure Core
WEIGHT: 15lbs
RG: 2.49
DIFF: 0.052
PSA: 0.011
COVER: eTrax-S20
OUT OF BOX: 3000 Grit

Pattern used for review is a modified HP.

PLAY
The Rubicon is the first ASYM in the HP3 line. 

In my arsenal I was missing a strong solid ASYM.  I could have gone with the UFO but in my hometown I don't usually see high volumes of oil.  The Rubicon fills this gap nicelly.  Just strong enough to get through the soupiest of conditions but still allows me to use it on medium conditions without losing energy.

For the pattern I had to play a little left of the track area.  This ball was really clean through the fronts and picked up nicely in the mids.  Missed left a few times and the ball still picked up and made its move to the pocket.  Missed right and the ball hits the friction and comes roaring back.

LOW DOWN: The Rubicon is must in everyone's bag.  The new Rondure Core gives you a bit more engine than what is normally seen in the HP3 line without having to go up to a much stronger UFO.  #SquadRG

The Rubicon to me is the future of benchmark balls. Having a slow response asymmetrical core and a medium strength solid cover allows bowlers and ball drillers the versatility to create the ideal motion for that “first ball out of your bag”. The Rubicon to me is a ball that will be in my bag every single time I bowl regardless if it’s on a house shot or a PBA tournament. It is that good! It reminds me a lot of the Storm Code X which was my favorite bowling ball for a while until it was discontinued. The core revs up quicker than its symmetric counterparts which translates to a slower shape, and the cover allows the Rubicon to be in play when the pattern is fresh. To me this ball does not read as a hook monster that wants to dig high volumes of oil, but more of a ball that will allow you to read oil patterns easily and be in play way more than not. Every tournament player should have a Rubicon in their bag!

I drilled my 1st RUBICON with a layout of 45 x 4 x 35. I hit the box surface with a 2000 abr pad and let it lane shine back up. I drilled RUBICON #2 with almost the same layout of 45 x 4 x 30. The idea is to keep one at around 1000-1500 abr to use when there is more oil until the 2nd one is in play.

I used the 1st RUBICON on a PBA50 regional that was on 39ft Don Carter. We were squad C so the lanes were tighter for a 39 foot pattern than the practice session the day before. I like this motion. Good push and back end for a ball that is marketed as for more oil. The progression that day was RUBICON > MVP ATTITUDE > HYROAD X with pin in ring finger. I liked the way the RUBICON fit the progression.

2nd RUBICON has a slight bit more "pop" on the back compared to the 1st one. This is the one I am going to hit with the 1000-1500 CTD pads. My speed is naturally slow so this 2nd RUBICON with more surface will be in play on longer patterns than my usual heavy oil suspects (UFO, OMEGA CRUX, etc).

Roto Grip Rubicon Ball Specs:

Cover stock S20 Solid Reactive
Rondure Core (Asymmetrical)
Color Azure/Black/Navy
Finish 3000 Sanded

Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up
Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20. Rotation 50.
Speed at cameras 15.5


Review:
 The Roto Grip Rubicon is a very unique, very good piece of equipment. The ball is an Asymmetric but has a roll that is between an Asymmetric and Symmetric type of motion. The Rubicon starts early like an Asymmetric but provides a good motion throughout the ball path. The Rubicon has a more defined back end like a Symmetric. I think what has been achieved is a ball that helps overcome the new balance hole rules by having a less overpowering core. The Rubicon can handle a good amount of oil but the roll will deceive you. This ball fits between my UFO and Original Idol in hook with a very unique shape. I am impressed by the back end and how this ball goes through the pins. It creates good entry angle and gets the corners out very well when you need a few more degrees at the pins. The Rubicon is very forgiving and allows for miss to the dry without overreaction. We are seeing some very good scores with the Rubicon in our area. The best way I can surmise this ball is strong but clean with a nice back end motion and hit. If you are looking for a strong benchmark ball for wet lanes the Rubicon will be a good choice. I have been very happy with this release and when I go to it I have not been let down.

Summary:
The Rubicon handles medium to wet lanes easily,
The Rubicon has a nice unique ball motion.
This ball lets you use it longer than most Asymmetric balls.

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/zRJ7bpeSG2w


Glenn Wendel
PBA Member
Storm Pro Shop Staff
gwendel@comcast.net
www.stormbowling.com

LANE CONDITION

Length: 42ft

Volume: med/high

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes: The new Roto Grip Rubicon provides a very unique shape in the lineup, especially for the asym balls. I put a 45*5*35 layout on mine and am very pleased with the results. Strength wise I have it less than my UFO and my Physix but more than my Phaze2 and IQ Tour. Length wise I have it alittle cleaner than the UFO but not Physix. Also cleaner than the Phaze2 and IQ. I threw it up against my Axiom as well on a higher volume house shot and it was more overall but again not as early as the Axiom.
I really think it compliments some of the shinier pcs in our lineup, like the Parrallax. For me its a great benchmark shape but with a stronger core. The Rubicon doesnt read the front part of the lane like the other asymmetrical balls i currently have so that makes it alot more usable for me. Migrating left after the pattern transitions isnt a problem either.
I got a chance to throw it on the longer Route 66 pattern and it was still really good there. Even with it being alittle cleaner than the other asmy balls it still was enough to pick up and roll through the pins. I like to keep a bit of surface it on the cover, I take a pad to the cover by hand about every 6-8 games just to knock off the lane shine it gets.
This is one alot of different bowlers will want to have. Can be used on a variety of different patterns, no matter if its house shot or sport pattern.

Nick Smith
Storm/Roto Grip Amateur Staff
Bowling Connection Pro Shop

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS