The Storm !Q Tour line of bowling balls is famous in the bowling world and the Storm !Q Tour Ruby will be no exception. This upper-mid performance bowling ball uses the R2S Pearl coverstock that not only looks good but performs. This coverstock allows the ball to get through the front of the lane on a variety of conditions before revving toward the pocket with plenty of pin carry. On the inside, this ball features the C3 Centripetal Control Core that provides a predictable, benchmark shape. This core assists in keeping control of the pocket without giving up hook or power.

Color: Ruby
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Coverstock: R2S Pearl Reactive
Core: C³ Centripetal Control
Finish: 1500-grit Polished
Fragrance: Berry Splash
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium Oil
RG: 2.49 (15# ball)
Differential: .029 (15# ball)

Another IQ??  More like…another IQ!!!!!  The IQ Ruby features the tried and true, highly successful C3 Centripetal Control symmetric core wrapped in the R2S Pearl reactive coverstock.  The 15 pound Ruby has a RG of 2.49 and a differential of .029.  Why mess with perfection…I drilled my Ruby with my favorite layout:  5 x 4 x2.  I’m not sure there is a better line of balls that are more predictable, controllable, and successful than the IQ’s.  On tough sport shots, burnt up house shots, and everything else, you know what the IQ is going to do.  The pearl coverstock provides the clean push through the front part of the lane, the low differential keeps the ball on line through the midlane and provides a smooth, controlled arcing backend to the pocket and through the pins.  When comparing the Ruby to the IQ solid, the Ruby goes about 3 feet longer with a more continuous backend motion.  For me the Ruby is about 3 boards overall less hook than the solid.  If you had the Emerald, it’s time for you to get the Ruby!

User Specs:

Left handed, 375 rev rate, 17mph speed, 45 degree angle of rotation, 7 degrees tilt

Layout: 4 ½ x 2

Keywords: SHARP, GLOSSY, QUICK

The IQ Tour Ruby is the latest release in Storm’s Master line, and is simple math.  The Ruby is a reskin of the wildly popular IQ Tour Pearl, AKA the “gold ball.”  The coverstock is a Storm staple in R2S Pearl, polished with the new Reacta Gloss finish, and the core is the famed symmetric Centripetal C3 Control Core.  Together, they create the iconic Storm reaction: rolly and controllable but clean and firm on the backend. 

Once again, I found the Reacta Gloss finish to be much too clean, also resisting oil absorption and wiping off, so I resurfaced it to 1000 on a resurfacing machine and shined it back up with Storm’s step 2 compound, which is what they used to use to get to the old 1500 grit polish, and I ended up in much better shape.  I’ve used the IQ Ruby quite a bit on several different patterns at several different centers.  The resurface/refinishing created a much more consistent and dynamic reaction that’s very reminiscent of other IQ Tour releases.

The IQ Tour Ruby is one of the best rolling balls I’ve ever thrown, unfortunately it tends to be a trap ball for me more often than not.  I’ve not had good history with low RG symmetric balls with R2S Pearl, so this was to be expected, however how good it rolls was not.  The GLOSSY finish creates a clean motion up front before a quite SHARP and QUICK finish on the backend.  It’s a very round and rolly shape, and that’s my favorite type of reaction.  However, the cover is a little clean for how strong and early rolling the core is, so it puts me into angle issues.  It either is a little too early or too long and tends to result in just enough over/under to tap/trap me too often.  However again, it rolls so good, it’s so easy to stay around the pocket with but it’s hard for me to keep from using it OR put it away when it’s not effective.  I’ll continue to use it and carry it with me because it reacts so well that there has to be a use case for it that I haven’t found yet, or some adjustment needed on my part to dial it in.  The reaction reminds me a lot of a weaker Marvel Pearl, and when it comes to the previous (stateside) IQ Tour Pearls, it rolls the most like the original “gold ball,” just not quite as sharp, more length and shape than the Emerald, and rounder than the IQ 30. 

I drilled my !Q TOUR RUBY 5 x 3 x 2. I left this one at the box finish to see what it could do but may hit it with a 2000 pad to smooth it out some more when I got USBC Nationals.

The color is very bright but pleasing. I was more impressed by the amount of hook out of the box for a .29 differential ball. If I let off the speed any, it jumped off the friction sharply.

I compared it to the DARK CODE, REVENANT, and NIGHT ROAD. Compared to the Dark Code, it was almost an arrow less of hook. My DARK is lightly scuffed at 2000 so a polished ball is going to get a lot longer. But the RUBY is a good compliment if you are at a place that just blows up middle of game two due to higher rev players. The RUBY pushed right thru all of that burn and still had motion in the back to hit well. REVENANT was a good in between ball to the DARK CODE and RUBY. REVENANT was a little less than the DARK CODE and just slightly more than the RUBY as it started to move a little later but stronger. NIGHT ROAD was longer of course but shaped better when the dry was there and was a little more back end than the RUBY.

Drill up a !Q TOUR Ruby if you want something to have in the bag for a couple of options like just ramming it up the wet/dry line on the dryer side of that line. Or if your big balls start to go sideways too early and you want similar motion but need push thru the fronts.
 

LANE CONDITION

Length:43
Volume:High
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS

COMMENTS

Cover: R2S Pearl
Core: C³ Centripetal Control
Finish: 1500 Polish
RG: 2.54 (14lb)
Differential: .034

ME:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
Axis Tilt: 14°
Axis Rotation: 74°
PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up

Ball Layout: Pin over Ring 5 X 5 X 2 VLS

The Pearl IQ Tour is back! The new Storm IQ Tour Ruby brings back the legendary R2S Cover and C3 core. This combination gives you the legendary mid-lane roll and continuation of the C3 core with the QUICK change of direction and SHARP movement down-lane that makes R2S the most successful cover in the business.

I tested the IQ Tour Ruby on our house pattern. My home center uses a longer, higher volume pattern. It definitely has plenty of shape to it, but the volume of oil they need to counteract the friction in the heads is pretty substantial. This can often make transition very difficult to navigate. The fronts still open up pretty quickly but the lanes can stay pretty tight down-lane. Many weeks the balls that see the front of the lane are only in play for a game at most because they begin to read the front too much but won't recover down-lane. The bad part is going to cleaner equipment in the transition often makes the over/under down-lane hard to score on because getting it right a little too soon causes the ball to over-react and not getting it far enough right can cause the ball to skate past the breakpoint because the back-ends don't develop at the same rate. The IQ Ruby serves as a perfect transition ball because while the core will let you see some mid-lane read to avoid the Out-of-Bounds, the GLOSSY finish keeps it from hooking too early when the friction comes out. Of course the core never quits on the IQ Tour Balls so you get unrivaled continuation.

I've found the Ruby to be probably the most versatile ball in my bag and I have been throwing it on everything. It came at the perfect time to begin my tournament season and it is getting a lot of use. I recommend this ball to any and everyone and if it isn't in your tournament bag, you're leaving money on the table.


Lonnie Pemberton
Storm Pro Shop Staff
Vise Pro Shop Staff
Revolutions Pro Shop

Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Ball Specs: Storm !Q Tour Ruby
Coverstock R2Sâ„¢ Pearl Reactive
Weight Block C³™ Centripetal Control Core
Color Ruby
Finish Reacta Glossâ„¢
Layout 50x4 1/4x35 or 4 1/4x4 5/16x2 1/8
Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 3 1/2 Over 5/8 up
Rev Rate 400
Speed at release 17.5
Review:
The !Q Tour Ruby is the newest iteration of a pearl !Q tour. If you were a fan of any of the previous pearl !Q’s then this will be the ball for you. This features the R2S pearl cover which will be cleaner and produce a sharper motion downlane compared to R2S solid featured on the !Q Tour Solid. This is going to be a great ball for high friction house shots and lighter volume sport shots in transition. For me this is a great ball for when I want to play on top of the friction and be able to stay right longer with my higher speed and rev rate. This is going to be great for all players if you are looking for something that is going to be used on beat up lanes. This ball is going to read earlier than a Hyroad pearl but allows you to have more control because of the lower diff. Get yours now at your local Storm VIP pro shop.
Alex Thomes
#StormNation #StrikingWorldwide #SquadRG #Driven2Bowl

LANE CONDITION

Length: 43'

Volume: 22.5 mLs

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: R2S pearl

Dislikes: NOTHING

She’s back and she’s perfect! 

This is the first ball that I have really liked with the new ReactaGloss finish.  Ruby is obviously the Same IQ Tour Pearl core and cover.  We’ve had Gold, Emerald, and now Ruby.  It’s hard for me to compare this to the Emerald as I drilled all of my Emeralds pin down.  My Golds were all drilled pin up, same layout as the Ruby.  This really does remind me of the Gold ball.  I just have to say it…nothing beats R2S.  It’s my ALL TIME FAVORITE!!

The motion of the R2S Pearl iQ’s are just a staple in the bag.  Clean and control. 

Layout: 5x4x2

Balls getting a lot of play
Infinite Physix: 5x4x2
Eternity: 5x4x2
Phaze4: 5x4x2
Fate: 5x4x2


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LAYOUT

50x5x50

Surface: hit with 3000 abralon pad


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 425

Ball Speed: 16mph

PAP/Track: 5 7/8 right, 2 5/16 down

Two Hander No Thumb


LANE CONDITION

Length: 40

Volume: 20ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): ths


BALL REACTION

Length: 7/10

Back End: 7/10

Overall Hook: 6.5/10

Midlane Read: 8/10

Breakpoint Shape: 6/10


COMMENTS

My absolute favorite ball right now! I loved the IQ emerald as well as the IQ Tour Solids and just cannot put this IQ Ruby down! Its amazing on house shots and looked pretty decent on the few sport shots Ive thrown it on. Its a great blend of control, hook, and length. I am also a fan of anything with R2S on it. For me, its a step down from the stronger or more angular balls like a Phaze 2 or Absolute, but still a step above something like a Hy-Road or Electrify. Obviously it makes a great 1-2 punch with the IQ tour solid, but is just an amazing ball overall and recommend it to everyone whether they are high rev or high speed or both or neither.