Roto Grip UC2 – layout 4.5 x 4 x 2
PAP - 5 7/8 over and 3/8 up
Style – stroker
Ball Speed – 14 mph
Condition – league pattern, HPL surface

The amount of quality products coming from the Roto Grip side has been tremendous lately. When I could roll anything from the 3 brands of Utah and cannot put down the RG product line, you know it is special.

Wow, the UC2 is an incredible addition to the current lineup of bowling balls. When Schlem announced the concept behind the Rubicon line it made sense. I have been someone over the years that has gravitated to symmetrical pieces based upon my rev rate and ball speed. However, this concept with the milder asymmetry to mimic a weight hole and still give somewhat of a symmetrical response is a home run.

From what I had seen of the ball it was quite angular and did not stop on the backend. We drilled mine with a bit of a stronger pin then what I normally use to help blend some of that response, and it did not disappoint. I wanted the ability to circle the lane or weaken the hand and play straight with this ball. I got that and more with the UC2.

I've left the ball in box surface so far. Typically, I want to take a pad to a ball right away to crack the shell. I really like what the ball does so far, so I’ll probably wait a while before making any surface adjustments.

I would highly recommend this ball as an option for just about everyone. It is really that special of a ball. If you paired this with a Rubicon and a spare ball you could tackle just about any league condition. Do not miss out on adding this ball to your arsenal.

The Rubicon UC2 is one special ball I really liked the original Rubicon so when i seen this got releases I couldn’t be more excited.
     I always tend to gravitate to Pearl reactive cover stocks mainly letting me play straighter for longer.  More of my comfort zone for sure if I can stay playing 2/3 arrow I will have good sets in league.   
   The UC2 for me is about 3 boards weaker then the OG Rubicon but obviously much different shape for sure. OG is super slow and controllable as the UC2 is more skid flip for me.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 42 ft

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: Effortless through the front, consistent at reading end of pattern

Dislikes: None so far!


First, some stats about me. I am a medium speed (15-16 MPH) player and slightly rev dominant. Last I checked, rev rate around 380 RPM. My A game is playing the middle part of the lane on a house pattern (between 15 and 20 at the arrows) but do not have a problem moving to either extreme if the pattern calls for it. My PAP is 4 7/16 over by 5/16 up.

The layout used on the ball is a 40 x 4 3/8 x 20. I wanted a piece in my bag that was effortless through the front but plenty of engine downlane for a sharp backend reaction. It has a 1500 Grit polished finish on the eTrax pearl reactive coverstock. I'm a big fan of darker color bowling balls going down the lane so I was very excited to try this one out.

The lane surface at my home house, Port Huron Lanes in Port Huron, MI, is Brunswick ProLane with a 42' house oil pattern.

For the house pattern, I always start with my feet on 25 and just aim at 15 to get the ball to 6-7 at the break point. I drilled this ball with the idea that it would get plenty of use when I need to get steep with my launch angle and this ball  definitely fits the bill. On the fresh, this ball reads the end of the pattern very aggressively so I do not think it will get much play until the lane breaks down a bit. In game 3 of a standard 5 man league, I was able to stand on 40, hit 17-18 at the arrows, go out to the dry and watch it boomerang back. If you need something to help get you through the front part of the lane, this shiny coverstock does that effortlessly and the strong core all but guarantees that it will read the end of the pattern properly. Very reliable and a perfect compliment to the original Rubicon!

Roto Grip Rubicon UC2 Ball Specs:

Cover stock Etrax Pearl Reactive
Rondure Core (Asymmetrical)
Color Dark Purple 
Finish 1500-grit Polished

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 UC2 has been very popular at our shop. We did a Matchmaker Ball Demo and sold a good number of these balls. The UC2 gives a ball motion most bowlers are looking for. It is clean enough through the front with a very nice angular move to the pocket. I feel that Roto has created an Asymmetric ball that does not read too early and we are getting balance hole fine tuning without the use of the now banned extra hole.  I have been really impressed with how this ball can master a house shot but is strong enough when you are playing a flatter more heavily oiled pattern. The Rubicon UC2 has plenty of bite in it for traction. The UC2 is stronger in reaction than my Trend but just a bit weaker than my Nuclear Cell. This is probably due to my Nuclear having a stronger mass bias. I did have a bit  of trouble leaving ring 10’s when I first rolled the UC2 on our house shot but after a teammate suggested I slow it down a bit the ball seemed to carry everything. This effect could also, I feel be achieved by hitting it with a 2000 or 3000 pad. I used to be uncomfortable sanding pearl balls but over the last 6 months or so I adjust with no worries because I feel the new covers are so good and made for adjustments. I can trust this ball to come back if I miss to the outside. On a lot of the newer Asymmetric balls I am drilling  the Mass Bias closer to the thumb but on the Rubicon UC2 I have put the Mass Bias next to the thumb or out on the VAL with great success. I feel this ball will be a strong seller for Roto Grip.

Summary:
The UC2 is a very strong pearl with control.
The entry angle and hit are very good.
The surface takes adjustments easily for fine tuning.

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/ZiJr1sJd_t8

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

Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  400 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  4 ½ over and ½ up

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
VLS Layout:  5 x 4 x 2 1/2
Dual Angle Layout:  50 x 5 x 40

The UC2 is the pearl version of the OG Rubicon and the pearl mild asym replacement for the Idol Pearl.  It’s amazing.  It’s exactly what I wanted this ball to be.  It’s clean, hits the midlane plenty but not so much that it stops like the BIG asyms.  I have a pin down one that I throw a ton and I can throw it on the fresh and get in quite a bit before switching.  It acts an awful lot like my pin down Idol Pearl with a weight hole that I threw on everything and loved.  The UC2 is a must have from Roto Grip.

The Rubicon UC2 is the pearlized version of the ever popular Roto Grip Rubicon. The cosmic black/purple sky color eTrax pearl cover has an old school type color combination, but brings it to a modern era and feel with the bright pink lettering. The 15lb Rubicon UC2 numbers are 2.49 Rg, 0.052 diff, and 0.011 intermediate diff. The UC2 uses the same Rondure core as with the solid Rubicon. The Rondure core was designed by Roto Grip based on the new USBC no balance hole rule to give bowlers the reaction shape of a symmetrical bowling ball with a balance hole (that alters the core shape and final drill numbers), making it stronger than the same ball drilled without an extra hole. This helps bridge the gap between symmetrical, and big asymmetrical bowling balls.

I drilled the UC2 with a 4.5 X 3 X 4 layout, the same as my pin down Rubicon. Comparing the two balls in the respective box finishes, the UC2 clears the fronts and mids much easier by a few feet, and has a much more defined change of direction. The overall board coverage of the UC2 is a few boards less than the solid version, both in their respective box finishes. I polished my Rubicon with Storm step #2, to the same 1500 grit finish as the UC2 for comparison. With the Rubicon polished, the UC2 still has a much more defined breakpoint, and out hooks the polished Rubicon by a few boards. The UC2 finds the perfect line of being controllable and just on the verge of (without being too skid-flippy) a hockey stick type reaction. The UC2 likes some friction on the lane to help it slow down and go through the pins the right way. As always, a little surface can help with controlling when the UC2 wants to slow down, to produce the right amount of roll through the pins.

I like the UC2. Not only is it a great looking ball, the reaction shape is very usable for most conditions that have some friction to throw to. There would be a place in any bowlers bag to have both a Rubicon and the new UC2, with no overlap. The differences of the two are great enough, that I could see a hybrid version possibly coming to market, at least that would be my wishful thinking. Stop by your local certified pro shop, and drill a Rubicon UC2, and OWN IT!

The Roto Grip Rubicon UC2 is the Pearl Compliment To the Solid Rubicon, Although i did not have a chance to throw the original Rubicon i can see why the reviews were outstanding on it. This Ball Reminds me of the old school Storm/Roto Reaction, this ball Really Corners hard down lane and has recovery for Days. When i need to get left and throw it right this is my go to ball. This ball is perfect for when the lanes break down a bit as it glides down the lane effortlessly.

Chase Roloson

Roto Grip Amateur Staff

Ko's Proshop Staff

#StormNation #SquadRG #900Global #StrikingWorldwide

Rubicon UC2
Versatile – Motion – Controllable
These are the three words that comes to mind to me when I think about how the Rubicon UC2 rolls for me. Versatile because I can play straight down 10 board or if I need to open my angles I can play left and somewhere around 20 board out to 5 and still have the hitting power through the pocket. Motion of this ball is crazy! Everyone I know compares this ball to the Idol Pearl and I loved that ball which made this choice a no brainer. Controllable is the last word I would say about this ball because even with the snap and quick turn off the spot this ball has it is constant and predictable. Highly recommend if you want a ball that is going to move more in the backend and if you are looking for a ball that help you open your angles.

Zach Shoff
900 Global Amateur Staff