Storm has brought back the Catalyst Core in the Storm Crux Prime high performance bowling ball. This popular core has been known for its unmatched power, increased entry angle, as well as allowing more room for error due to dynamic asymmetrical design and vertical cavity technology. The SPEC coverstock used in this ball stands for Storm Performance Enhanced Coverstock. This special coverstock was specifically designed to endure the friction and oil a bowling ball goes through each time it is thrown down the lane. The SPEC Solid Reactive coverstock used on the Crux Prime is best used on heavier oil conditions and really shines when the lanes start to transition. No matter what lane condition this ball faces it will consistantly read the midlane and store energy for the backend.

Color: Red/White/Purple
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Catalyst (Asymmetrical)
Coverstock: SPEC Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.50
Differential: 0.052
** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
Fragrance: Poemgranate Cider

Right Handed
Ball weight:  16
Rev Rate:  400
Ball Speed:  17
Axis Tilt:  7
Axis Rotation:  45*
PAP:  3 3/4 horizontal, 7/8 up
Layout:  50 x 4 ½ x 50

The Crux series has been very good to me.  I’ve had all of the worldwide releases and one of the overseas releases.

Each Crux I have has a very specific and distinct reaction.  The covers are so diverse between them, I’m able to usually find one that works on many patterns.

Enter the Crux Prime with the Spec cover.  Same fantastic core, new coverstock.  Used one of my go-to layouts for big asyms and have not been disappointed.   I’ve used it on a variety of THS patterns in many houses and this cover may make it the most versatile of all worldwide releases (Crux series).  Out of box, my reaction was great.  It gave me the normal ‘stand left throw right’ look on most house patterns.  This core rolls through the pins better than most for me.  It just seems to match my game really well.  As it began to lane shine, after about 15 games, it was getting additional length, so I started tweaking the shell to see what else I can get out of it.  I’ve had it as low as 1000 and high as 3000, but have yet to shine it up.

This iteration of the Crux rolls great like all of the series, but I believe the new Spec cover may last longer than the GI-16 or ERG covers from the previous releases.  I’m going to continue to put games on this one and see how long that cover will last. 

Since drilling, I’ve carried this ball to every tournament that I’ve rolled and there aren’t many times that I haven’t been able to use it at some point.  I’m going to enjoy rolling every game I can with this one.

PAP - 3 5/8 up 1 1/8
Speed - 16
Tilt - 17
RPM -400

Storm's new ball in the premier line is the Crux Prime.  It comes with all new coverstock called SPEC with the same core that is in the Crux line - Catalyst.  I drilled mine 5.25 x 4.5 x 4.5 pin down.   For me the motion of the Prime is very strong overall.  But for a solid ball it still gives me good backend motion and just keeps going through the pins.  Some bowlers are comparing the Prime to the Alpha, but for me the Crux is 3-5 boards stronger.  I think the Prime will be a very good choice for S/D at Nationals this year.  I have drilled a lot of these balls for all types of styles with great results.

Brian Watson
Pro Shop Staff

My stats are in my profile. I laid the CRUX PRIME out 65x5x35. This is my preferred initial layout on big core asymmetric bowling balls. I have been touching the surface up with 2000 when it shows a little lane shine.

For me I have mainly been throwing the PRIME on a sport condition league that is 45' this half. The PRIME can be very slow off the spot if I am lazy with my release. Compared to a PHYSIX that has 45x4x30 layout, the PRIME was slow at the point. I went ahead and put a balance hole 6 3/4" from my pin down the VAL. Different bowling ball with the balance hole. The PRIME is more responsive at the break point and can be a little sharp. The strong cover does let me play the hold on this longer pattern which is better for my game as I tend to miss left more than I do right.

I have been balling down with either the PHYSIX or new RG HALO PEARL depending on how much we chop up the track with surfaced balls.

Drill this one if you want a strong ball that responds to your grip pressure. If you hit it the PRIME will hook, if you lay off, the PRIME will stay online and be predictable. all in all, this should be a good sport shot type ball because it is controllable and does not naturally break loose at the end of the pattern even on the fresh unless you "get on it" at the bottom and make it hook sharply.

The Crux Prime is the latest high performance bowling ball in the premier line from Storm. The Prime uses the same Catalyst core that was in the previous Crux balls, but this time, wrapped with an all new to the industry cover stock formula called Spec. This new formula of solid reactive material produces a lot of hook, with less oil absorption than other formulas and comes from the factory with a 2000 grit abralon finish. In a nutshell, the Crux Prime is a big hook ball that is also built to last. The Prime has an Rg of 2.50 with a differential of 0.052, and intermediate diff of 0.017, in 15lb bowling balls.

I drilled my Crux Prime using a 4 x 4 x 3 layout. Comparing the Prime to a Physix with a
4 x 5 x 3 layout, both balls were in their respective factory finish, although the Physix has about 35 games on it. I drilled the Prime and went to league the next night with an open mind and no expectations. I had been using the Physix, and been doing very well on this higher volume house condition, and posting a 300 with it a little bit back. I started with the Prime, which I had to move in about 3 & 2 with my feet/mark, to keep the ball holding pocket, compared to the Physix. All I could say was WOW! The Prime read the pattern perfectly for two games, posting a 279 and 245 without moving my feet. Then game 3, 168. I stayed in one spot WAY too long, and by the time I moved, I was playing catch up the rest of the game which turned into Splitsville. The next set I threw the Prime, I learned from my previous mistake of staying put. I decided to gradually move in with it as the 3 game set went on, shooting 258, 237, 278 for a 773. What I learned about the Prime, is that this ball will be a beast for me when I can use it in PBA where we move every game, and generally don’t see as much traffic  as the right side of the lane gets. When bowling on high traffic conditions, know when to move with it, or just put it away and grab something else. The Prime also rolled great for me on the 2012 PBA Detroit Open pattern that is 42 feet long, with total volume of 25.5ml. I was able to stay put for three games on this pattern, and not see that huge breakdown at the breakpoint like I saw on the league condition, posting blocks of 673, 653, and 664, on the fairly flat sport pattern. I polished the Prime with Storm step #1 to see how it rolled with less surface, and it looks great on USBC White pattern #2.

In summary, the Crux Prime has a very unique ball motion. It takes changes to the cover very well, and doesn’t seem to lane shine as quick as other super strong covers can. The biggest thing with the Prime, is to know when to make a move, or when to go to a different ball. The motion that it makes can sometimes trick a bowler into thinking they can stay in one spot longer, then they really should. This will be a great ball for bowlers who watch what is going on with the lanes throughout the night, but could possibly mislead a bowler who isn’t watching for transition. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the Crux Prime. As always, bowl up a Storm!

The new Crux Prime by Storm picked up right where the Alpha Crux left off giving Storm that dominate asymmetrical ball at the top of their line.  Having never thrown the Alpha Crux or Sure Lock, I choose to Compare it too the Roto Idol Solid, the Crux Prime actually gives me a similar motion as Idol but in a stronger motion. If you loved any of the Crux’s and especially the Alpha Crux, you will absolutely love this ball.

The Prime has the brand new SPEC solid cover wrapped around the Catalyst core. I have drilled 2 and I LOVE them both. The first was a pin up 50 x 5.5 x 30. This ball is super slow off the friction which makes it very readable and predictable. I didn’t think a ball this slow would carry so well, but it does. I have thrown it on all kinds of patterns except super short and it looks good on almost everything.

With as controllable and slow as my pin up is, I decided to drill a low flare 90 x 2 x 55. Normally, I only throw these layouts on short, hooking sport patterns to control the lane, much like urethane. This one is good in that setting but also handles hooking house patterns pretty well too.

If you are in the market for a amazingly smooth, controllable piece, give this one a try! If you want an angular, downlane hook monster, this probably isn’t the ball. If that is what you want, give the Physix a try.

LANE CONDITION
The new Crux Prime with the Spec cover is so good!! This ball has a smooth and heavy roll motion that is controllable and continues through the pins. It is a heavy oil ball that can be used on multiple patterns from medium up to heavy oil. I've used the Crux Prime in a couple tournaments and have loved the motion I have seen so far. I am a high rev, higher speed player so I like to use balls that get in to a roll sooner and the Crux Prime is perfect for it especially on flatter patterns. This ball is a must have in the bag!!

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