BallReviews
Reviews => Storm => Topic started by: BallReviews-scodaddy21 on April 05, 2024, 08:58:36 AM
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Introducing the Storm The Road bowling ball, a groundbreaking fusion of legendary performance and cutting-edge innovation. For years, the Hy-Road has reigned supreme as the pinnacle choice for bowlers, earning its place as the most esteemed ball in Storm's storied history. But now, a new era dawns. At the heart of this revolutionary ball lies the Inverted Fe² A.I. Core, a marvel of design meticulously crafted to elevate your game to unparalleled heights. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a rising star, this core is engineered to outperform, enhancing your ability to execute every shot with precision and power. Versatile and adaptable, the Hy-Road continues its legacy as one of the most trusted benchmark balls of all time, effortlessly navigating a myriad of styles and oil patterns with ease. But it doesn't stop there. With the most significant advancement in outer core technology in Storm's 30-year history, expect nothing short of revolutionary performance. Boasting a medium-high RG and differential infusion, the Storm The Road delivers a smooth, predictable shape at the end of the lane, setting a new standard for consistency and reliability. And with A.I. Core technology now available across all weights, every bowler can experience the benefits of amplified inertia, regardless of their chosen weight. Prepare to storm the lanes like never before with the Storm The Road bowling ball – where benchmark reliability meets groundbreaking innovation.
Color: Midnight/Carmine
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Coverstock: ReX Hybrid Reactive
Core: Inverted Fe² A.I. Core (14#-16#)
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Differential: 0.045 (15# ball)
RG: 2.55 (15# ball)
Flare Potential: Medium-High
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy to Medium Heavy Oil
Fragrance: Fruit Pop
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LANE CONDITION
TESTING ENVIRONMENT:
Length:43
Volume:Med-High
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio
COMMENTS
Ball:
Coverstock: ReX Hybrid Reactive
Core: Inverted Fe² A.I. Core
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Differential: 0.045 (15)
RG: 2.55 (15)
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 4 5/8 X 5 X 1 1/2 VLS
Storms new A.I. Technology has been introduced in some great new balls and added to some of the most popular existing SPI technology. It's only natural that the Fe2 core featured in the Hy-Road and other balls of it's line would be next to get the AI upgrade. Enter The Road. To compliment the upgraded core, it was paired with a Hybrid version of the REX cover featured on the Night Road.
I tested The Road on a fresh house pattern at my home center. Our fresh pattern is long and higher volume so the cleaner balls aren't usually what I prefer to start with. The high ratio can exacerbate the over/under so the really responsive balls can leave you some interest patterns on small misses. I was a bit surprised how well The Road worked on the fresh. I had to keep the angle open but it wasn't as fickle front to back as I expected and saw the right part of the lane very consistently.
I next tested The Road game three in league. The lanes transition a lot and the worn front panels can make moving inside a bit tricky, especially with my ball speed. I was moving off of an Optimum Idol that I had taken the surface up to 3000 on. My hope was that I could transition into The Road on the same line that I had been striking on , once the smoother OI was having trouble getting the corners out. I was really surprised at the difference between how the ball looked down-lane on the broken down lane compared to the fresh one. The Road really saw the mid-lane harder than I expected. It got forward pretty quick so it did hit the pocket from the same alignment but I found my better carry came from getting a touch deeper, and letting my hand come around it. This is a move I have to make a lot lately with how much earlier the balls have gotten, but I had hoped the Road would be a bit closer to a Hy-Road motion. I would say that it's closer to the Night Road for me but a bit stronger.
I think the The Road will be a great ball in transition for lower ball speed players, and great on the burn for high speed players. It definitely is responsive enough to come off the dry for guys with firmer ball speed so anywhere you need the ball to make a move in a smaller window, this ball with do it for you.
Check out my full ball reaction video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ygxzBzaBil4?si=9fS-fjVD2gNtytLH
Lonnie Pemberton
Storm Pro Shop Staff
Vise Pro Shop Staff
Revolutions Pro Shop
Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Orientation: Right Handed
Rev Rate: 400 RPM
Speed: 16-17 MPH
PAP: 4 ½ over and 1 1/8 up
Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern: High Volume THS
VLS Layout:
Layout 1: 4 5/8 x 4 x 2 ½ (pin above bridge)
Layout 2: 4 1/4 x 4 x 4 1/8 (pin below bridge)
The Road is a brand new AI version of the HyRoad with an updated cover. Storm added AI to the Hyroad Core and swapped the R2S Hybrid cover with the Rex Hybrid cover. WOW! This ball is something else. Its clean and hits the midlane and likes to go left. It’s not super quick though which makes it ideal for blending transition and dry lanes. When they are slick I know I’ll be able to jam it up the dry and use it to play the shim. When they are drier or transitioning I can get left and send it!
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Storm
The Road
Coverstock: ReX Hybrid Reactive
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Inverted Fe² Technology
(14 pd)
RG: 2.55
Differential: 0.045
Layout: 5 x 4 x 3 1/2 - 2LS
Layout Extras: 31/32 to 2" and 7/8 to 3" Finger Depth, "X" - 4 1/2 D and 1 Inch Left
Tester: PAP 6 1/2 R, 1 1/4 D
Review:
The Road features the newer Amplfied Inertia core technology. This core as you would expect will help The Road in providing a predictable shape at the end of the pattern. As A.I. core technology has been previously tested that means a few extra percentage points of carry can be anticipated.
For my review I compared The Road to the Night Road. I must note here I did not have a Hy-Road to compare The Road to which would likely be a closer comparison oob. For me, The Road has a bigger window of use than the Night Road. The Road is most impressive downlane. Initially I thought the Reacta Gloss finish would work well by scuffing it up a bit. However, I am pleasantly surprised how the oob finish looked and will test even further before changing the surface.
The Night Road, as you may recall, had a 4K Fast finish. I liked 4K Fast even more once I let my Night Road lane shine a bit. Either of these balls would fit well for your medium type THS patterns. I recommend if you have/had a Night Road you'll be fine re-freshening your arsenal with The Road.
If you have slower ball speed consider The Road in your arsenal. At times players with slower ball speeds struggle with big asyms or syms in the bag and at times these type of balls can get forward for the bowler. The Road upgrade with A.I. definitely matches the cover/core much better for these type of players. SPI has really upgraded the middle of the arsenal with The Road.
I recommend the Road for the player looking for an edge on league transition and desiring a ball to continue with the transition as it occurs. I'm definitely excited about this ball from Storm. Please be sure to visit your favorite pro shop today or https://youtube.com/channel/UC1VA-MgFBo9mIZde-G3T11A for my occasional ball videos. Grab The Road today!
Michael Slatky
900 Global Staff Member
York, PA
LANE CONDITION
Length:
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):
COMMENTS
Likes:
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Dual Angle Layout: 55 x 4 1/2 x 35
Storm Vector Layout: 4 ½ x 4 1/2 x 2 ¼
The ball has quickly become my favorite ball. The Road is clean through the heads, starts up in the midlane and then booms on the backend. I was able to shoot 300 out of the box and then followed it up with another 300 games 3 the following week so it is great on fresh and transition. This is a great benchmark ball for someone with higher rev rate.
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Ball Specs:
Storm The Road
Coverstock: Reacta Gloss ReX™ Hybrid Reactive
Weight Block: Inverted Fe² Technology™ A.I. Core (Symmetrical)
Color: Midnight/Carmine
Review:
This was a much anticipated release for multiple reasons. First, it is a part of the Road line, one of the GOAT lines in all of bowling. Second, it is the first in the line to feature the new A.I. core technology, and yes the technology actually DOES hit different! Third, this Road features the ReX cover, which is a banger! All of these blend together to form one of the premier benchmark balls in all of bowling in our opinion. We drilled this ball with our normal layout: tweener, 350-375 revs, 16.5mph, layout of choice is 4x4x2 (pin is above bridge). For us this ball is like an original HyRoad on steroids. It is a touch more responsive, a touch stronger, and probably a touch earlier. The Road series looks great on house patterns which is why we think you will see a lot of these going down the lane. It really is a new age house shot killer. This can be the first out of bag, second, even third in some cases. It is versatile, responds great to surface changes, and you truly cannot get this in your bag stronger.
Kyle, Joel, & Dean Johnson
Storm Pro Shop Staff Members
kyle@parklanes.net
joel@parklanes.net
dean@frontierfuncenter.net
www.stormbowling.com
#StormNation
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Storm The Road – WWRD 4/19/2024
Cover: ReX Hybrid Reactive
Core: Inverted Fe2 A.I. Core
RG: 2.55
RG. Diff.: 0.045
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Fragrance: Fruit Pop
Storm’s new The Road is a Hybrid Symmetric Piece. This piece is good for Medium-Light 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 1/2” from the palm. Burned up 43’ house pattern, Out of Box ball motion was clean through the fronts, with a controllable backend reaction. I compared this piece to the original Hy-Road (2-2 Right). The Road looked like it was a little sharper on the backend than the Hy-Road. This piece fits between the Original Hyroad and the Hy-Road Pearl. And It smells good too. This is a Versatile piece that fits all styles of bowlers.
Check out the Ball motion Video on my YouTube Page:
https://youtu.be/KiH1H-80L5o
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The Road is Storms newest thunder line release. The Road features the same FE2 core found in all the previous Hyroad series balls, but in now wrapped in the AI outer core tech. This drops the RG and Diff 2 points each while still maintaining that signature Hyroad motion they have all been known for. The Road is also wrapped in REX hybrid. The Road for me fits right in-between the Hyroad and Phaze II. The Road for me is going to be the perfect league ball for blending the wet/dry conditions as well as something I can go to later in the day for tournaments.
Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsPVZnxlWVk
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Storm The Road - Thunder Line
Coverstock: ReX Hybrid - Reacta Gloss
Core: Inverted Fe² A.I.
RG: 2.55 Differential: .045 (15 lbs)
Fragrance: Fruit Pop
Layout: 5 ¼ x 5 ¾ x 3
PAP: 6" Right, 1 3/8" Up
Axis Tilt: 16°
Rotation: 51°
Rev Rate: 450-500
Speed: 17-18 mph
Location: Vista Lanes - Yorkville, NY
Pattern: 2023 USBC Jr. Gold
Lane Surface: HPL
The Road is the newest release in the Thunder Line and it takes the success of the Hy-Road to the next level. It was designed to be versatile, predictable, and help bowlers of all styles conquer a variety of medium volume lane patterns. The Road features the ReX Hybrid coverstock with the proven Inverted Fe² weight block enhanced with A.I. core technology. The hybrid cover is clean through the fronts and helps save up plenty of energy to create a strong continuous backend reaction. The Road gave me a good look sliding on 22, looking 12 at the arrows with my breakpoint around 7. As I moved left and slowed down, it looked even better. When compared to the VEBO, The Road is about 5 boards weaker and picks up sooner. The Road may not be the first ball out of my bag for league or tournaments, but I can see it coming into play once stronger balls struggle to take out the corner pins. Stop by your local Storm VIP pro shop to check it out! Available on April 19th.
Dave Jecko
Storm Amateur Staff Member
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@maximumpotentialbowlerssho7625
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Storm The Road Ball Review
Layout
VLS-4.75x4x2
Dual Angle 50x4.75x30
Storm The Road uses the core from the HyRoad series but it’s using the AI Technology wrapped with the REX cover stock in a hybrid version.
The Road will be a great compliment to the Hyroad series and it’s stronger than the original Hyroad and the Hyroad Pearl.
The Road for me will be a great option when my Summit Peak is too strong but the OG Hyroad isn’t strong enough.
The Road reads the midlane very nice but with great continuation on the backend.
If you feel the OG Hyroad isn’t strong enough The Road will be the go to choice.
I’m very glad to see the Inverted Fe2 core to continue and now with AI technology it’s going to be a home run.
Attached below is our YouTube Video
Dannial Cohen
https://youtu.be/n23BV2H67r4?si=TFxe86pi5MPwcXzc
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The Hy-Road series continues with The Road and all new AI technology. The Road is designed for benchmark predictability and is high RG and medium diff.
I tested the Road on a fresh THS and the results were very promising. I was able to play up the lane and keep my angles tight. The Road didn't overreact to the friction and saw the oil enough to read it correctly without losing energy. As I began migrating left, The Road continued to drive through the pins without laboring.
I intend on using The Road on a variety of conditions and situations from fresh to transition. For those who see earlier hooking lane surfaces The Road will be an excellent option to start with. The Road will, also, be a great step down off the bigger and lower RG balls.
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The Road - Ball Specs
Cover Stock: REX Hybrid Reactive
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Inverted Fe2 Technology
Layout: 65 x 5 x 35
RG: 2.55
Differential: 0.045
Review
If you love the Night Road as I do, then the Road will be a great ball to add to your arsenal. The inverted Fe2 weight block with AI Core technology wrapped in the REX hybrid cover makes this ball very clean through the front part of the lane with a very strong backend finish. The Road ball reaction is a little earlier in the midlane and not as skid flip on the backend as the Night Road. As a low rev player this ball is going to be great as the lanes transition midway and late in the block. This ball will be in my bag for league and tournaments. This is a great ball for all levels of bowlers. Order one from your local pro shop today! My ball review videos are posted on YouTube channel Stanley Waite.
Stanley Waite
900 Global Staff Member
Dover, DE
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Sam Cooper. Roto Grip Amateur Staffer. Layout 50x5.25.35. If you love the original Hyroad or any of the other thunder line bowling balls. Be sure to check out the new Road! Featuring REX Hybrid cover stock and the same inverted FE2 Core wrapped in the AI Core tech. The core’s RG numbers are brought down to 2.55 and the differential is now the same better the 14-16lbs balls at .045. These numbers give this ball that middle of the road ball feel(pun intended). Looking for this ball to be in a similar slot to the 900 Global Zen Gold label in the bag.
Comparing the Road to the latest thunder line ball the night road. The new Road seems to read the mid lane a lot more and that is due to the Road having a hybrid cover over night road having a pearl cover. The night road for me was clean yet on the smoother side of things. The Road responds quicker and has similar motion. Compared to the OG Hyroad and Pearl the Road feels like step up from the OGs. The REX cover is much stronger than R2S in my opinion means the Road is a more usable option on more conditions. If that sounds good to you then you definitely want to check out the new Road!
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The Road is Storm's newest Thunder Line edition to the current lineup. The FE2 Inverted Core has now been paired with the new A.I. outer core material that lowers the RG and raises the differential by a few points. We also see a new version of the REX base with REX Hybrid. I am one of the few people that hated the original Hy-Road because it was just too clean and lacked a responsive enough backend motion mostly due to my tilt and higher ball speed. The Road is not the case. REX Hybrid offers for me what I think a lot of people see out of the Hy-Road and I absolutely love it. I drilled my 5x4.25x4.5 2LS which is a fairly strong, longer pin layout for me which I have never tried before. Compared to the 900 Global Xponent Pearl, The Road does not rev up as fast and I think is cleaner through the midlane. The Xponent Pearl offers a much lower RG which I think helps blend the lane better, but it does not handle steeper angles as well as The Road. The Road got better and better the farther I moved left and away from the typical cliff we see with house shots. I think this is going to be a viable option for looping the lane when playing straighter is not the option. Take The Road less traveled and go bowl up a Storm!!
https://youtu.be/uGvmvoAgHTE?si=rkxdyXAA7_pZN4rF
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The Road is the first iteration of A.I. core technology in the HyRoad series. The result is a HyRoad that revs up slightly quicker, rounds off a touch more, and overall makes a shape that is slightly smoother and stronger than and HyRoad so far. Combined with the ReX Hybrid cover (another first), this ball is squarely in the benchmark category. A healthy step up from the HyRoad, the Road feels like an improvement on other strong-cover HyRoad series balls before it; the All Road, The Night Road, and to a lesser extent, the HyRoad X, one of my all time favorites. The stronger core of The Road allows it to fit above the HyRoad as the perfect option for blended house shots and medium to dry conditions. It effortlessly gets downlane in true HyRoad fashion, but with a larger continuation window and much stronger cover, The Road is your shell up from the HyRoad that we've all been waiting for, not to mention a TON of ball for the price point.
Chase Valenzuela
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Storm “The Road” Specs:
Cover stock ReX Reactive Hybrid
Inverted FE2 Core (Symmetrical)
Finish Reacta Gloss Polished
Layout 4 x 4.5 with 2” Pin Buffer
Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up
Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20.
Speed at release 17
Review:
The Road by Storm is a beautiful medium benchmark ball that is very versatile. The fruit pop smell is a very nice bonus! I believe The Road has some unique qualities about it that make it different than other balls in the line. When I looked at the tech info I saw the A.I. “Amplified Inertia” core was used in all weights. This will allow more bowlers to take advantage of what I feel A.I. does to increase carry through pin action. Also the core numbers do not charge dramatically throughout the weights even as the core shape changes in the 12 and 13 weight balls. When I took this ball to the lanes I saw a very predictable motion with more back end than I expected. The Hybrid cover seems to start this ball at the correct spot saving the right amount of angle through the pins. For me The Road is a stronger, more angular version of the Hy-Road. I have not altered the cover on this ball and do not see a need to do so. I was able to play multiple lines with this ball and the motion and carry of this ball is excellent. The Road should be easy to drill with various layouts and we have seen good results from different drillings for many styles of bowlers. The Road should be perfect on most house shots and a great piece in any lineup. The Road could also be a ball you build an arsenal around.
Summary:
The Road will be a great benchmark ball.
I put The Road between the Electrify and VEBO in total hook.
The motion of The Road gives predictable confidence.
Glenn Wendel
Storm Pro Shop Staff
gwendel@comcast.net
www.stormbowling.com
Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjmbxKwYwcU&error=0
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HAND: LEFT (ONE HANDED)
PAP: 4 3/8 OVER / 1/16 UP
BALL SPEED: 16MPH
REV RATE: 420
AXIS TILT: 20
AXIS ROTATION: 50
LAYOUT: 60X4.5X40
The Road is an updated version of the Hy-Road with some new technology and a newer cover stock. The Inverted Fe2 core now features A.I. technology which helps pin carry, and it features the ReX cover stock which is a stronger cover than R2S. For me the ball is a little earlier versus the original Hy-Road due to the new cover paired up with A.I. This ball can come out a little earlier than the original one which is more useful for me since the left doesn’t get nearly as much traffic as the right side does. Typically, I take the Reacta Gloss off the ball but for this ball I kept it on so I can use this on the house shot more as some of the other stronger balls are too strong for me on the house patterns. If you’re looking for a ball on drier lanes that has a little more punch than the original Hy-Road look no further than The Road.
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The newest release to the Hyroad line is The Road wrapped inside of AI Tech and using the REX Hybrid cover stock. This ball offers you great performance for when the lanes get dryer and still giving you that great hyroad shape that has been the a staple of the storm family for a longtime.
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Layout: 45 x 4 5/8 x 30
The Road surprised me with how controllable it is; it is rare to find a clean, responsive ball that is also controllable, but The Road nails it. It is clean through the fronts but has enough midlane to not be too sensitive to oil, then has a strong sweeping backend reaction. The Road is easily smoother than balls such as the HyRoad Pearl or the IQ Tour Ruby, but it does not have as much overall much such as the Summit Peak or TNT Infused. This ball is at home on medium to medium-light oil conditions, as it does not have enough cover texture for heavier oil patterns.
Mike LeViner
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This ball is much stronger than I thought it would be! When thrown, I found it to be extremely clean to a point and then it really digs in to get uphill quickly and boy does it continue. I have found success with it stepping left and throwing right on beat up conditions. I am a true fan of the original HyRoad as I shot 878 with it. This ball will truly knock your socks off!
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Bowler Stats:
Speed: 15.5 MPH
Rev Rate: 250 RPM
Tilt: 6.6 degrees
Axis Rotation: 80 degrees
PAP: 4 5/8 over 1 5/8 up
Layout: 5 X 5 X 2 VLS
Video Ball Review: https://youtu.be/6bBAOFziQQM
One of my favorites to throw in the Road series was the Night Road. The REX cover gave me an earlier ball motion compared to the HyRoad Pearl with the R2S pearl cover. With the addition of A.I. to the Fe2 core I wanted to see it would be a replacement for the discontinued Night Road. I drilled The Road for longer length patterns to help me have a weaker piece to help me stay to the right as the pattern transitions.
The ball comes with Reacta Gloss polish and the REX Hybrid cover. I was not sure how much stronger this cover would be compared to the REX Pearl but after throwing it on the house shot the polish gave it too much length and no recovery off the end of the pattern. After removing the Reacta Gloss polish with a 1000 grit abralon pad the ball begins to read the lane just after the mid lane and has a smoother more predictable motion once it hits the dry. The REX hybrid cover and A.I. cover enhancement has made The Road stronger than the Night Road for me.
Pete Dohan
Storm Bowling Amateur Staff
#StormNation
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LANE CONDITION
Length:41'
Volume:Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Bolero THS
COMMENTS
The Road is the latest upgrade to the famous Hyroad. Featuring the new REX Hybrid cover version wrapped around the AI core it should enhance carry and versatility in the Hyroad lineup.
Drilled mine to combat the cliff at Bolero 4 1/2 x 1 VLS, gives myself a better chance of staying right of the transition. I believe this was the intention of R&D in designing a upgraded Night Road.
I compared mine to an All-Road which I still use on occasions. The Road was slightly earlier due to cover strength and carry was substantially better on off pocket hits. My plan for The Road is to stay right of the track area as along the fronts did not go away, but have the ability to move left and stay direct without ball deflection at the pins.
Great for playing straighter angles thru the fronts for my medium speed (16mph off my hand) and medium rev-rate (325). This is a game 2-3 ball in league and usage in longer formats. High rev and ball speeds shouldn't have an issue with the out of box cover, but will handle all cover adjustments in your style and lane play covering all 39 boards.
Visit your local VIP Pro-Shop and hit "The Road" today.
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I drilled my THE ROAD pin up fairly strong with a 4.5 x 3.5 x 2 VLS layout. I have touched the surface up a couple of times with a 1500 and 2000 pad.
This is a good ball to get thru the fronts when you bigger balls start to read too quickly. I compared it with a couple of my other medium pieces in the SUMMIT PEAK and LIGHTNING BLACKOUT (LIBO). THE ROAD is much earlier read than the LIBO. Where my PEAK is slower off the spot for me, THE ROAD has a little more giddy up in the back end.
When there are dryer fronts and I need later read, then THE ROAD is the go-to piece out of my bag. Drill this one up if you need later read on medium to dryer patterns.
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Storm Road Ball Review by PJ Haggerty
The Road by Storm is the latest addition to the Thunder line and if you were a fan of the Hy-Road, The Road is a pleasant upgrade! The Hy-road has been in the line for 15 years and the masterminds in Utah decided to take advantage of new technology and show it off in The Road. Wrapped with the hybrid Rex coverstock, the AI Core gives bowlers a unique shape for those medium-to-dry lanes and older surfaces that need length but power through the pins.
With the RG at 2.55 and a differential of .045, The Road is ball to use once your XCell or Absolute Power start to indicate it’s time to put them down. I’ve had a lot of success when lanes start to break down and when I need a ball to create more shape and angle through the pins. I drilled one so far and really like it. It’s mapped out as 4.5 x 4 x 2.5. This puts the pin above my ring finger and a small shift of the CG. I lightly touched the surface with a 3000 pad just to smooth it off a bit and it’s been a perfect ball to go to as mentioned above.
The original Hy-Road is going to be a difficult ball to replace, but The Road from Storm is an excellent replacement. Go drill one!
#StormNation
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Ball Specs: The Road
Color: Midnight/Carmine
Coverstock: REX Hybrid
Core: Symmetric Inverted FE2 AI Core.
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Fragrance: Fruit Pop
Review:
The Road is a classic and versatile bowling ball designed for bowlers who value a smooth, consistent reaction on the lanes. Known for its reliability and wide appeal, The Road is a favorite among bowlers of all skill levels, offering a balanced performance that makes it suitable for various lane conditions. The versatility of The Road is one of its key strengths. It performs well in various lane conditions, from light to medium oil, and can be used effectively in different parts of the lane. The ball’s hybrid coverstock provides a good balance of length and backend, making it a great option for bowlers who need a reliable ball for league play or tournaments. The Road is also an excellent choice for bowlers looking for a benchmark ball. Its predictable and controlled reaction makes it a valuable tool for reading the lanes and determining how to adjust your game. Whether you need to play straighter lines or open the lane, The Road provides the versatility needed to adapt to changing conditions. The Road is a dependable and versatile bowling ball that offers a smooth, consistent reaction on various lane conditions. Its Inverted Fe² Technology Core and R2S Hybrid Reactive coverstock work together to provide a balanced performance that is easy to control and adjust to, making it an excellent choice for bowlers of all skill levels.
Will Tefft
Storm Staff Member
will@parklanes.net
www.strombowling.com
#Stromnation
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I am very impressed with the Storm "The Road" bowling ball for its exceptional performance and versatility. The innovative GPS Navigational core delivers a reliable and consistent backend reaction, giving me confidence on a variety of lane conditions. Coupled with the durable R2S coverstock, The Road excels on medium to heavy oil patterns, offering a strong mid-lane read and smooth continuation through the pins. Its controllable and predictable motion allows me to adapt effortlessly to changing conditions, while its striking visual design adds a touch of style to my game. Overall, The Road has become a go-to ball in my arsenal, providing a perfect blend of control and power that enhances my performance on the lanes.
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The Road features the Rex Hybrid coverstock with the FE2 core with the new A.I technology. At 15 pounds the RG is 2.55 with a differential of .045. I drilled mine with my typical 5x4x2 drilling which puts the pin above my middle finger. I am one of the rare bowlers who is not a big fan of the original HyRoad. However, with the new AI technology core and the Rex hybrid coverstock, The Road is much more usable ball for me. It is not as long as the original HyRoad and much more controlled on the backend. That’s not to say that this ball does not have a strong backend motion, because it does! This is a great ball for transition in league and later in blocks at tournaments. The Road is clean through the front and does not “miss the spot” like the original did for me. It reads at just the right time in the midlane and makes the strong move towards the pocket. The AI core technology continues to take pin carry to a whole new level.
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LANE CONDITION
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple patterns - sport and recreational.
COMMENTS
The Road is the latest addition to Storm’s Thunder Line. The Road features an interesting combination of The Inverted Fe² A.I. Core and a very versatile ReX coverstock. I believe this bowling ball should be highly considered if looking for a ball that can be used when oil patterns break down.
I chose to drill The Road with my typical pin-up layout: 65 x 5 x 35. Historically, bowling balls with high RG cores weren’t my favorites because of the way I throw the bowling ball. In today’s environment, I find that bowling balls like Hy-Road or Hy-Road Pearl go too long for me unless there is a lot of friction on the lanes. The Road felt a little different to me. The bowling ball seemed to roll a little sooner than, let’s say, Hy-Road or Hy-Road Pearl, probably because of the A.I. Core technology and a little stronger coverstock. The Road didn’t give me the feeling that it may “miss the spot” which I always have with the Hy-Road or Hy-Road Pearl. The Road also seemed to be a little less responsive to the friction, which in my mind is a good thing, especially when bowling on broken down oil patterns.
In my opinion, players who have higher bowling ball speed or naturally get their bowling ball to go through the oil pattern easier, will enjoy the benefit of having a bowling ball with higher RG core that “reads” the lane a little sooner than you would expect from this type of bowling ball. If the Hy-Road or the Hy-Road Pearl works great on very high friction lane surfaces, The Road will be great on medium to low friction lane surfaces. I can see myself using this ball a good amount, specifically on longer oil patterns.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Watch myself and Verity Crawley throw The Road on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5lH-feeVK8
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Ben Lapointe
PAP: 4 7/8 over and 1 1/4 up
Layout: 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 3
The Road by Storm is the AI core version of the OG Hyroad. While it provides the same nice mid lane roll and smooth transition, I find that the ReX hybrid cover, as opposed to the R2S hybrid, gets it a little further down lane and maintains a sharper motion off the spot. To me it is the "modern day Hyroad", being a little stronger in the core and cover, but maintaining that amazing Hyroad shape.
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Storm The Road has been a staple in my bag especially for league. The pin is below my ring finger which is what I usually do for all the balls in the thunder series. With the pin down it helps gives me more control and consistency down lane. I was really surprised how strong it is on the backend compared to the original hyroad which is smoother. With the R2X cover I have more room if I miss left so the cover can help it get to the pocket. Comparing to the hyroad the road is 4 boards stronger and for it being a “road” ball in the thunder series thats A LOT of boards. Even though it has the fe2 core but its wrapped with the Ai core technology to modernize the road series ball to todays lane conditions and you can see the difference how it rolls and hits the pins. I have always been a fan of the “road” series balls due to them being versatile to play straight up the boards or stand right throw left. If you have the original hyroad and need a lil more you can’t go wrong with The Road! #Stormnation
Garrett Richardson
Storm Amateur Staff
IG: @grich_bowling
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The Road • Storm • Thunder Series
Coverstock • ReX Hybrid • Finish Reacta Gloss
Core • Inverted Fe2 A.I. Core
Weight • 15 lbs. RG • 2.55 Differential • .045
Layout • 4 ½ x 3 ¾ x 2 ½
Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 9° Testers Rev Rate • 250
Test Pattern • 42’ THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street
We all know that the Hy-Road is one of Storm’s most precious gems, which is why it has been a benchmark staple for over fifteen years. So, why would Storm want to try and improve on its greatness? The short answer is - they can! And The Road is a clear example of Storm’s new success! The Road is not just another Hy-Road but a new benchmark powerhouse suited for nearly any type of bowler! So, let’s take a closer look at what makes The Road in a class by itself!
The Inverted Fe2 Core is the heartbeat of The Road. And over the years, the Inverted Fe2 has proven to be a workhorse! With its simple yet unique design, the Inverted Fe2 provides a predictable and smooth motion that brings consistency to any bowler’s game. But now, amazingly, with the added A.I. technology melded in with the Inverted Fe2, I found some pin-crushing power I didn’t see with the Hy-Road. I felt that with the A.I. technology, The Road was able to build and store more energy than in the original Inverted Fe2 than the Hy-Road as it made its way down the lane. And I liked how the Inverted Fe2 A.I. Core delivered a heavier and more pronounced roll to The Road! And as bowlers know -when the ball rolls-you crush the pocket, pins fly, and scores go up! So, do I need to say anything more about the Inverted Fe2 A.I. Core? It brings results, and it’s that simple!
The ReX Hybrid Reactive Coverstock with the factory Reacta Gloss finish was a bit of a puzzle for me initially. And I honestly couldn’t find the motion I was looking for with the Reacta Gloss finish for my high-speed, low-rev game. So, I took The Road to 2000-grit Abralon and followed it up with Storms Rough Edge Polish, and WOW, talk about a game-changer! On a fresh THS, the ReX Hybrid Coverstock was clean through the fronts and had a smooth biting traction in the mid-lane! And what I found most appealing about the ReX Hybrid after tweaking the surface was its predictable and reliable motion off the pattern. Even after the pattern broke down and was spotty, I liked how the ReX Hybrid blended the over/under conditions without being over-sensitive to friction and jumping at the last second, keeping my high-speed, low-rev game in play all night!
So, in conclusion, The Road is an excellent stand-alone success in Storm’s Thunder line. It’s stronger than a Night Road and rolls more intensely than the Hy-Road, making it a great addition to nearly any arsenal! And with the correct surface to fit your game, The Road will make a great new staple for that high-speed, low-rev bowler like me who needs a hard-rolling benchmark look you can depend on. So stop into your local Storm VIP Pro Shop and have The Road ready for your fall season, and let The Road lead to your success!
Rick Klimowicz
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
Roll the Ball Pro Shop
Penndel, PA
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About Me
900 Global Staff
Left Handed: High Rev High Speed Player
Layout: 5 X 5 X 2
Pap: - 47/8 +1
Rev Rate: +-500
Speed 17-18mph
Ball Video: https://youtu.be/hRinwDznfew
The Road by storm is a much more controllable Hy-Road. Chaise and I both had the OG Hy-Road and we both thought that the Hy-Road was way to skid flippy for our games. Talking with people about both The Road and the Hy-Road, bowlers either love the Hy-Road or absolutely hated the Hy-Road. The Road on the other hand, I have not heard a bad word about this ball and people are falling in love with The Road. Chaise and I both see The Road as being a more of a medium to dry lane ball and we would compare this to the Roto Grip BRY but so much smoother and less angular. The Road hits so hard and throws pins around like toothpicks. Chaise and I both agree that this would be a great first ball for a beginner bowler as well. They would be able to have a great first ball with something controllable and hard hitting. If you did or did not like the Hy-Road, you should give The Road a try because I think you are going to love and have a ball that you will be able to start your league night or tournament toward the gutter and create a better angle to carry with.
Joel Donner
900 Global Staff Member
Cedar Rapids, IA
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