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Storm IQ Tour 78/U
Introducing the Storm IQ Tour 78/U – a name that succinctly defines its essence: a urethane bowling ball with a hardness rating of 78! In response to the ever-evolving landscape of the sport, we've proudly crafted the Controll 78 Urethane, meticulously tailored to adhere to the latest PBA hardness regulations.This exceptional creation doesn't stop at the urethane upgrade; it showcases the time-tested C3 Core, a cornerstone in benchmark reactions for over a decade. The C3 Core, with its low RG design, possesses the remarkable ability to interpret the lane's nuances with precision, ensuring a true urethane-like response. This feature makes the Controll 78 Urethane a game-changer in the world of bowling.But that's not all – the 500-grit surface preparation, meticulously applied to the ball, keeps shorter oil patterns in check, helping you maintain control and accuracy on the lanes.

Color: Crimson
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Coverstock: Controll 78 Solid Urethane
Core: C³ Centripetal Control
Finish: 500-grit Abralon
RG: 2.49 (15# ball)
Differential: .029 (15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium Oil

Introducing the newest urethane Storm ball, the IQ 78-U! Featuring the tried and true C3 core and a brand new harder urethane shell, the 78-U provides an updated compliment to the Pitch Black. Overall, the 78-U is slightly cleaner and more continuous than the Pitch Black, due in large part to the higher differential provided by the C3 core. If you're looking for that early, controllable, classic urethane shape that is compliant with the latest PBA rules and designed to handle modern day lane conditions, the 78-U is THE ball for you!

-Chase Valenzuela

Storm IQ Tour 78/U – WWRD 12/15/2023


Cover: Control 78 Solid Urethane Core: C3 Centripetal Control Core RG: 2.49 RG. Diff.: 0.029 Finish: 500-Grit Abralon Fragrance: None Storm’s new IQ Tour 78/U Solid Urethane Piece. This piece is good for Low Volume Patterns. PAP is 5 5/16 R 1 3/16 Up. Rev Rate: 400. Speed: 16.5. Drilled this piece with the Pin Up between the Fingers and the CG kicked out 1” from the palm. Out of Box ball motion was smooth through the fronts with a smooth backend shape. I compared this to the Storm Pitch Black. The 78/U was a few boards right of the Pitch Black. The Pitch Black was a few boards left and started early in the mids with a urethane motion on the backend. This piece will be good for bowlers with high rev rate. Check Out the Ball motion Video on my YouTube Page: https://youtu.be/pphBmN-3PtU

With the PBA rules with the hardness change from the USBC.  The bowling manufacturers needed make a new urethane bowling ball. Storm came out with the new Storm IQ/78 U.  I drilled mine with a 4 inch pin up. With the proven C³ Centripetal Control core and the new Controll 78 Solid Urethane the IQ/78 U is truly straight urethane.  I tried the 78U on the shorter sport patterns, 37,38,39 feet. Urethane normally doesn't roll good for me and my roll.  But the 78/U pleasantly rolled pretty good.  With the core I got decent flare out of the 78/U and the typical smooth transition down lane. I was able to stay on top of the friction longer than a Pitch Black or Zen U.  Where those 2 balls normally force me left sooner than the 78/U.  It seems that the PBA guys like the new 78/U very well as on their shorter patterns.  Bunch of good feedback from the guys.  So if your looking for a new urethane for shorter higher friction patterns this is your ball!


Brian Watson
Storm Pro Shop Staff

PAP - 3 7/8 up 1 1/4
RPM - 400
MPH - 16-17
TILT -  17

Brunswick Pro Anvil lane
House and short sport patterns.

LANE CONDITION

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple - Sport and Recreational.


COMMENTS

The Storm !Q Tour 78-U is a new urethane bowling ball that is compliant with the new PBA hardness rules. This bowling ball features a very well known C3 Core and the new Controll 78 Urethane Coverstock. The combination of the two seems to create the true urethane-like reaction.

After seeing other bowlers use the !Q Tour 78-U, I decided to drill mine with a stronger pin-down layout: 45 x 4 ¼ x 75. I didn’t want this bowling to flare a lot as I never had much success with urethane-like bowling balls that flared a lot. One thing I am certain off, this bowling ball will need a good amount of surface on it as this new urethane coverstock is less aggressive.

In my opinion, the !Q Tour 78-U works best on shorter to shorter-medium patterns. The ball has worked well for me on fresh patterns when I needed to keep my launch angles very straight and when the backend reaction was very strong. I did notice that once the patterns broke down a little bit, and greater launch angles were required, this bowling ball becomes a little to weak for my liking. This ball becomes quite sensitive when there is a little bit of a hookspot as the core and the surface of this bowling ball wants to read early, but the coverstock isn’t strong enough after you make a move and increase your launch angle. If you plan on bowling PBA events, this ball is a must have. However, make sure you understand the motion of this ball and find the best window of use for it.

The new IQ Tour 78/U is the newest Urethane option that abides by the new PBA rules. It uses the C3 Core which has been made famous with the IQ series wrapped with the new 78 control urethane cover. This ball has already been proven it’s a force to be reckoned with out on tour. I was very impressed when I threw the 78/U. Even with the harder cover it digs earlier than the pitch black which gives it just slightly more overall hook. I’ve gotten very comfortable with the Pitch Black and one issue I’ve always dealt with is it can be too long which is corner pin central. The new 78/U gives me a harder read in the mids which actually kicks the corners out much better. One issue I’ve seen though is it doesn’t like steep angles. Playing straighter is where this ball shines. If you’re a competitive bowler you have to get one of these in your bag!
    Storm staff
    LH
    Rev rate 420+
    Speed 16.5

Storm !Q Tour 78/U Ball Review

Bowler Stats:
Speed: 15.5 MPH
Rev Rate: 275 RPM
Tilt: 3-5 degrees
Axis Rotation: 60 degrees
PAP: 5 ⅜ over 1 ¼ up

Layout: 4 X 4 X 1 ½ VLS

View Ball Review: https://youtu.be/doIrHNr6Pb0

I bowl the PBA 50 Tour and with the new PBA urethane rule I wanted to try the !Q Tour 78/U to have a urethane option in my bag. The Pitch Black was not a good choice for me because of how slow it is for my rev rate. The Pitch Black looks good early but when the lanes transition I leave a lot of flat tens. I was not sure how to drill these two urethane pieces until I watched Darren Tang’s review of the 78/U and he suggested a higher pin buffer for my rev rate category.

When comparing the !Q Tour to the Pitch Black I drilled them almost the same with the Pitch Black having a layout of 4 x 4 x 1 VLS. The Pitch Black is still earlier and slower down lane compared to the 78/U but I was excited to see the 78/U has more continuation down lane than  the Pitch Black. This allows me to trust that the ball will react to the friction and have a continuous motion at the end of the pattern to the pocket rather than rolling out and leaving flat tens.

My video ball review is on the house shot but with PBA 50 events starting up for the 2024 season the 78/U will be in the arsenal to have as an option on the shorter patterns.


Pete Dohan
Storm Bowling Amateur Staff
#StormNation

LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):Sport


COMMENTS

Likes: Control and Power


Urethane for EVERYONE! Storm IQ Tour 78/U. The color and roll of this ball will keep you intrigued. 

Patterns used for review:

Pattern A: 35Ft, 28Mls, 3:1 ratio

Pattern B: 41Ft, 25Mls, 3:1 ratio

Pattern C: 45 Ft 29Mls 2.5:1

COMMENTS

LAYOUT:  4X4X2 , I use multiple hand positions and speed changes which changes rev rate, read and speed of ball.

PLAY

The Storm IQ Tour 78/U is all that, a Urethane Ball you need for any moment. Don’t think this is a ball you won’t use very often. It is a ball you can use whenever you need to. Controllable, big hitting power, mid and down lane read/hook and easy to move around on different patterns and lines of play. The best part? IT’S URETHANE and you NEED ONE!

Pattern A:

Ball 1.  Out of box the Storm IQ Tour 78/U played as expected closer to the gutter. The hardness allowed for an easier twig line style of play. The short sport pattern kept play right and straight, slowly opened up after 2 games and played moved to a 10 -2 line of play through 6 games. Out of box surface held the roll, hitting power and lane play as oil worked into the surface.

Pattern B:

Ball 2: Out of box cover was restored for the Storm IQ Tour 78/U. This pattern was a little trickly initially the Storm IQ Tour 78/U had a little too quick read in the front part of lane to stay right. The move was bugger to the left. The best place to score consistently was 22-15 down lane. Lane play was trickly as bowlers were playing multiple areas of the lane. Storm IQ Tour 78/U could hold the line but carry was a problem. Surface, in my thoughts, need to be a little smoother (1000/3000 grit) for the scorability factor. Another layout would have been ideal for this one.

Pattern C:

Ball 3: Out of box cover was taken down to 500. This pattern being a longer pattern/with volume was most ideal from the right to create the hold down lane for the moves left. The other bowlers also used urethane at 500 Grit. The Storm IQ Tour 78/U shined on this pattern and really worked the front to back of the pattern. Bowled 4 games with great success from this angle. Decided to 500 Grit again to simulate a second Storm IQ Tour 78/U. Let me tell you it just gave more room and more power without big moves. Last 3 games and still most move was 5 boards left of original.  Real keys here are how it read and controlled the pattern and as the pattern developed for ball changes and moves left, it allowed for me to stay right longer against the other bowlers while still scoring.

LOW DOWN: The Storm IQ Tour 78/U needs to be in your BAG. PERIOD! Urethane that works for all styles. Next us league night!