Post by: UNObowler01 on December 04, 2008, 03:20:11 AM
We have drilled at least one of nearly every ball in the lineup at this point (and some that aren't), so I will list them in order of our receipt of the products. We've had more time with some of them than others, and I've seen them on all sorts of different surfaces and patterns. Here goes.
Dimension - this is as good a heavy-rolling solid sanded reactive ball as I've seen in a while. It reminds me alot of an Ultimate Inferno, a ball that I was in love with when I bowled in college. I find it to be versatile as well, I've seen the guys use it from all sorts of angles and it has plenty of power at the pins, especially for a sanded ball. We haven't experimented with polishing them yet, but we may do that now that the Virutals have started showing up.
Gravity Shift - A favorite among the guys that are a bit softer with their ballspeed. It reads in the midlane very well and recovers from almost anywhere. We had (and continue to have) great success with these at a hand-applied 2000 grit surface when the lane opens up.
T-Road Solid - One of the most versatile balls in the lineup. This core controls the midlane better than any other, and surface tweaks make it such that you can make the ball your most aggressive or make it almost skid-flip. In the box finish it is an excellent heavy roll that makes a strong enough move on the backend to keep pins flying. Its a great benchmark ball.
T-Road Pearl - I think we will drill more of these before the year is over, because you get all the midlane control of the solid with easy length and tons of recovery downlane. If it weren't for the Gravity Shift, everyone would have one of these, but I feel they overlap a bit. For the price though, hard to ignore this kind of performance.
Rapid Fire - The most under-rated ball in the line. I don't feel the Rapid gets enough credit, and I was so impressed by this one that I personally drilled two of them. Easily tunable cover and a smooth overall reaction. It is a great alternative for a T-Road solid for guys with less ballspeed. Very easy through the fronts and a smooth read downlane.
Rapid Fire Pearl - I almost feel this ball is more aggressive than the solid version. It reads the midlane very strong for a pearl and just keeps coming on the backend, and does it all without even touching the lane in the heads. Great from inside angles due to the recovery and ease through the fronts.
Street Rod - Another underrated ball. The Reactor cover is still great. Wrapped around a simple lightbulb you wouldn't expect a whole lot, but this thing is really a sleeper. Really smooth off the spot and controls the midlane very well for a medium/lower flare ball. Guys with hand love it, and it gets through the pins very well.
Street Rod Pearl - Keep it shined and it will get you to the pocket on even the toastiest of lane conditions. Not as flippy as alot of pearls, due to the lightbulb core. The guys with hand love it, just like the solid. They make an excellent 1-2 combo that alot of people would overlook.
Spit Fire - This is a ball we would have missed out on but I managed to snatch up a few here and there. It doesn't get much better than this ball when the track opens up. It doesn't jump off the dry and is a great choice in anyone's hand when the lanes get dry. If you need a bit more pop than a pearl street rod, this is the way to go. I had to grab a few to keep around, because these are the real deal.
Hy-Road - The response to this ball has been huge. Drilled one up, and instantly everyone wanted one. It has the nice heavy roll of the solid T-Road with the ease through the fronts of the pearl. This will be in everyone's bag before long. I can see it getting alot of playing time in the middle of blocks, it responds to friction the way you like to see it. Strong, but not flippy. The guys create a lot of room with it.
Virtual Gravity - This ball is unreal. With all the midlane roll you get you don't expect backend reaction like this, but its there. The guys that don't have as much hand are loving it because it opens up the hook spot on the fresh. I was using pin-up layous on theirs, and it comes off the spot very strong and carry is phenominal. I am interested to see what it would do with some shine. When we drill them for the guys with more hand, I'll try some pin-down layouts to smooth it out some. The Dimension is great, but this ball is a whole new animal.
Top to bottom, the line is very versatile and I feel we can cover most anything. I've had very few problems matching my players with good core/cover combos, and the performance we get out of everything is very good. I couldn't be happier with it so far.
Thanks to Kevin Ellis at Storm, and his buddy Roger Noodhoek at RotoGrip. Kevin has shown great support for our team, as has Roger for our ladies team. It has been a great season so far, and we hope to build on the success we've had to this point, with the help of our friends at Storm!
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: MC on December 04, 2008, 11:24:40 AM
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Post by: gtkpr31 on December 04, 2008, 11:41:54 AM
I find the Rapid fire pearl to be almost too strong on most lane conditions. It breaks loose when it hits the dry. Amazing ball to open up the lane with.
The T-Roads and Hy-road, IMO are the greatest 1-2 (and now 1-2-3) punch in recent memory, or ever. I just can't say enough about them, and the price is great as well. If you wanted to, you could probably tackle most lane conditions with just these 3 balls. The solid is my go to ball when the lanes get tight.
I would suggest trying some attitude shifts if you can get them. I drilled up a few for myself and a bunch for customers of mine. With the exception of the new beasts (Dimension and Virtual) it's one of the heaviest rolling balls i've had in a long time. But the thing is, even though it rolls that heavy, the backend is amazing. My track is pretty low and rev rate is high(PAP is 3 1/2 -- rev rate 425) so everything backends pretty decently for me but I was amazed at how well this responds in the back part of the lane with the roll it generates.
Great post, and good luck the rest of the season!
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This is life.
This is struggle.
This is love.
This is war.
Post by: WSUstroker on December 04, 2008, 11:48:48 AM
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Dan Chambers
www.absolutebowling.com
Post by: riggs on December 04, 2008, 01:09:17 PM
Curious if you've run into certain core/cover/drilling/whatever combos that have NOT worked well for certain styles. Sometimes that helps people avoid costly mistakes in trying a certain ball and drilling.
Post by: Monster Pike on December 04, 2008, 02:07:05 PM
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"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield
Post by: thirtyclean on December 04, 2008, 02:26:07 PM
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Thirtyclean (Well maybe 29, or 28, most of
the times !)
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 04, 2008, 03:41:28 PM
riggs-I did have a Gravity Shift I drilled that rolls, well, we'll say not as good as the rest of the stuff. Higher track player, 17-18mph, medium revs (325-350). I did a 4 x 4 (pin & mb), which is supposed to really bring it on the backend, but it really didn't fit the bill for him. Its great for going straighter on some friction, but doesn't boomerang on the backend like we'd hoped it would. Hard to say avoid this drilling, because typically 4 x 4 is pretty universal. More than likely just a case of a ball just not matching up.
Thirtyclean-We did drill a couple Sure-Fires, and they are not a bad ball either. In the box finish (duller) they are a great benchmark, good midlane read and smooth backend. Overall, they are a bit less aggressive than the current line stuff. Best results would be for someone who is a bit softer with the speed. I drilled one for a high rev guy and one for a speed dominant player. The high-rev guy's rolls sweet, he doesn't like it as much (that is where the differing views come in). I love the look he gets, he doesn't. The speed dominant guy doesn't throw his much, but on fresh stuff with backends, it rolls great.
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: dougb on December 04, 2008, 06:47:21 PM
Doug
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Complete ball arsenal:
Storm Gravity Shift
Storm T-Road Pearl
Lane #1 Bullet
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Brunswick BVP Wizard
Columbia 300 White Dot - Blue Pearl
Post by: Mr Straight Ball on December 05, 2008, 09:26:50 AM
With the Sure Fire, my take on it was that as a Fire Line ball – it just did not measure up! Fire Line balls are “ignorant†by nature, they glide down the lane and bust loose. The Sure Fire just rolled and never made that trademark disrespectful move a Fire Line nugget is suppose to make. My Sure Fire saw two layouts and numerous cover adjustments and what I found is that when the shot was funky it shined but in my book it was too conditional to take a spot in the bag as I decided what to take to a tournament. My friend who gets plenty on it had the same opinion about his Sure Fire. He described what he saw reaction wise and I laughed because it was what I described.
I am a big supporter of the hybrid cover stock and this one just let me down. Now the Hy-Road (cannot wait to get another) and Hot Rod Hybrid (had 2) they hit the mixture just right! Both balls handled the front part of the lane with ease and read the midlane, making it a lot easier to line-up and adjust as the game rolls on.
Storm made one "iffy" ball in some time, oh well. They have been on point with the other releases!
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Baker...Why doesn't my ball h
k?40 Boards & A Ball Tournament Director
www.40boards.com
40 Boards is proudly supported by Storm Products & Glen Burnie Pro Shop
"The left sucks & the right is wide open!" R.I.P. Brizmo 6/15/08
Post by: Kingdom on December 05, 2008, 09:50:55 AM
I am wondering what equipment has matched up for your bowler that you mentioned higher track 17-18 mph 300-350 rpm? I fall into this category, am using a Gravity Shift as my benchmark ball & am having some issues with reactions. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Jim K
"50 isn't old it is a lifestyle change"
Post by: Monster Pike on December 05, 2008, 10:31:37 AM
quote:
You should look at the Shift for the guys too Storm makes one heck of a pearl particle.
40 Boards is proudly supported by Storm Products & Glen Burnie Pro Shop
"The left sucks & the right is wide open!" R.I.P. Brizmo 6/15/08
+1. Was just gonna mention the Shift, until I read your post. What a great ball. Once the cover is broken in, at least for me, this ball is money.
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"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 05, 2008, 02:41:56 PM
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Kingdom on December 05, 2008, 03:06:51 PM
quote:
Kingdom-His Virtual (with a bit different layout) is actually very good. Out of the box, his Gravity was just a boomerang off the dry but wouldn't touch the lane on oil. We have it at 2000 abralon right now and, like you would think, it doesn't respond to friction like he'd like it to. Overall it was too over/under for him and we can't seem to find a happy medium. If I had to do it different, I'd do it pin under with a big hole in the thumb positive quadrant, but live & learn. He's going to punch a HyRoad and maybe another ball yet, so we'll see how that goes.
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Thank you for the information. Can you let me know the layout on the Virtual?
The best look I got with my Graviy has been 800 sand with clean & sheen compound finish. It helped tame the over-under on the fresh...still a little sensitive to cary down.
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Jim K
"50 isn't old it is a lifestyle change"
Post by: armswing on December 06, 2008, 03:27:03 PM
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ARMSWING
Post by: BOWLGNUT on December 06, 2008, 03:44:04 PM
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 06, 2008, 04:02:07 PM
Bowlingnut-Thanks for the kind words!
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Jay on December 08, 2008, 01:06:17 AM
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 08, 2008, 09:03:12 AM
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Jay on December 08, 2008, 07:21:10 PM
Edited on 12/8/2008 8:22 PM
Post by: raiderh20boy on December 08, 2008, 07:54:43 PM
Was Bill Straub the coach there a while back??
Post by: Monster Pike on December 08, 2008, 07:58:49 PM
quote:
One thing I've kinda been stuck on though is what the Gravity Shift works well on. Personally, I would intend to use it on med-light fresh conditions or conditions where it's getting difficult to get through the heads and/or there's some bump area to swing to. I'm not sure but I would almost want the Rapid Fire Pearl instead, but I like that the Gravity is more rolly. I'm slightly rev dominant but pearls, especially when polished don't work too well for me on medium or heavier conditions, Solids are always safer for me there.
I agree, especially w/the bolded stuff. I am a touch speed dominant, but have been working on that, & I find the Gravity also more arcy reaction than angular. I like my solids, Attitude Shift & now Virtual, on the fresh or when there is mucho carry down.
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"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield
Post by: Jay on December 08, 2008, 09:29:16 PM
. That info is just based on my observations, and considering I've seen less than 5 of these in action I think that's pretty good. On fresh conditions, I'd even use a Rapid Fire or Hy-Road(probably without polish on either, though) unless there's more than medium/heavy volume, then I'd find myself switching to the Gravity Shift then Street Rod Pearl(if necessary) as the lanes transition.The only thing I question in my mind is can the SRP handle real dry(hard to find head oil, dry mids and backends)?
Regardles, I can't deny that Storm has definitely done a good job this year coming up with these balls, since they do in fact cover a wide variety of conditions.
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The Arsenal:
Rival
Counter Strike
Avalanche Solid
Maxim
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 09, 2008, 09:56:51 AM
Raider-Bill coaches, and always has coached at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I actually went to his camp several times as a junior bowler and his methods are a strong basis for how I learned the game, and how I teach my players. I bowled here at UNO and have been helping to build our program since my days as a player.
If Bill is anything, he's a master of the fundamentals and swing mechanics. His players are (typically) the most funamentally sound players out there.
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Jay on December 12, 2008, 06:34:25 PM
Post by: Rival on December 12, 2008, 06:47:19 PM
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"So there I was... BALLS DEEP!!!"
My Arsenal:
Storm Ace
Roto-Grip RSX
Ricochet Revenge
Total NV
Rival
Post by: Jay on December 12, 2008, 08:19:38 PM
Post by: Rival on December 12, 2008, 08:40:53 PM
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"So there I was... BALLS DEEP!!!"
My Arsenal:
Storm Ace
Roto-Grip RSX
Ricochet Revenge
Total NV
Rival
Post by: Wingzero on December 12, 2008, 10:43:51 PM
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Just your typical non-descript bowler living life in Vegas(Sin City...hmmm...guess that's why my mind & balls are in the gutter).
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 14, 2008, 08:28:52 AM
quote:
Given my specs(in profile), would I be able to drill a Gravity Shift to use on med-light conditions, above a Street Rod Pearl and below a Hy-Road? That's where I'd like it to go personally, and I was thinking of putting a 50 x 4.75" x 65 dual angle on it when/if I got one.
If you have Hy-Road as your most aggressive ball right now, the Gravity isn't a TERRIBLE idea to fit below it, but it will be a lot more aggressive downlane. I have to agree with Stupid Seven Pin on this one, the T-Road pearl is a more natual jump from there.
It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want to stay with the smoother shape like the HyRoad, I see three options in the Storm line: 1) A T-road pearl with a length drilling (5" pin over), 2) A Rapid Fire pearl with a similar layout (5" pin over), which will give you more action downlane than the T-Road but similar amount of hook, or 3) A Street Rod Solid with about a 4 x 4 and shine.
IMO, the Rapid Fire pearl would give you a bit different shape with the added length over a Hy-Road that you're looking for. Gravity is a great piece, but I think it may be primarily too strong for what you're looking for. Your choice though, and happy hunting!
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Jay on December 14, 2008, 06:04:36 PM
I know the Gravity is only a pearlized Virtual which is very strong, but still a pearl and I can't help but think that for me it wouldn't handle more than medium oil. I was thinking this ball in the first place because I would want a different core than the Hy-Road so I was trying to avoid the T-Road Pearl, but the RFP works too.
Edited on 12/15/2008 0:49 AM
Post by: Brodieman on December 14, 2008, 10:58:07 PM
quote:
I do not have a Hy-Road, but I am brainstorming a Storm arsenal(pardon the pun). Pearls, especially polished, have always seemed to be a little lengthy for me. I'm a tad rev dominant which is why it's sort of strange that I have problems with pearls. I used to have an Angular One drilled around 4.5" pin up and polished that ball skated a lot(possibly too oily though). I was actually thinking of going with the Rapid Fire Pearl anyways, because of it's skid/snap nature. While I'm not very thrilled about that motion, I'm sure it's weaker than the Gravity and will fit the intended condition better. I don't think it would hurt to drill it pin down though, 4.75" pin, as length is a given with that ball and considering my past experience.
I know the Gravity is only a pearlized Virtual which is very strong, but still a pearl and I can't help but think that for me it would handle more than medium oil. I was thinking this ball in the first place because I would want a different core than the Hy-Road so I was trying to avoid the T-Road Pearl, but the RFP works too.
The only thing I can compare it to would be the Fired UP. If its anything like it, though it was skid snap by nature it did read the lane very well.
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Frodo Baggins has failed...George Bush has the ring...
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 16, 2008, 11:19:07 AM
quote:
I do not have a Hy-Road, but I am brainstorming a Storm arsenal(pardon the pun). Pearls, especially polished, have always seemed to be a little lengthy for me. I'm a tad rev dominant which is why it's sort of strange that I have problems with pearls. I used to have an Angular One drilled around 4.5" pin up and polished that ball skated a lot(possibly too oily though). I was actually thinking of going with the Rapid Fire Pearl anyways, because of it's skid/snap nature. While I'm not very thrilled about that motion, I'm sure it's weaker than the Gravity and will fit the intended condition better. I don't think it would hurt to drill it pin down though, 4.75" pin, as length is a given with that ball and considering my past experience.
I know the Gravity is only a pearlized Virtual which is very strong, but still a pearl and I can't help but think that for me it wouldn't handle more than medium oil. I was thinking this ball in the first place because I would want a different core than the Hy-Road so I was trying to avoid the T-Road Pearl, but the RFP works too.
Edited on 12/15/2008 0:49 AM
Strike, I wouldn't say the Rapid Fire Pearl isn't as skid-flippy as you might think. That ball reads the midlane and recovers alot with the R2S pearl cover. It is longer than a T-Road pearl though for sure.
A pin-down layout will smooth the backend and take away from the "flippy" that you might tend to get with a pearl. Its all a question of whether you want:
A)To get a slightly different reaction characteristic by changing core/cover combo and using a familiar layout
B) Obtain a slightly different reaction by using a similar core & different cover with a different layout, or
C) To obtain a completely different motion by using a new core/cover combo combined with a different layout.
Its the beauty of ball dynamics baby! The possibilities are endless...thats what makes it fun!
Brodie-
I haven't found anything in the current line so far that is comparable to the Fired Up. It is way more skid-snappy than the the new stuff, which is completely a testament to the Reactor cover around a Twin-V core. It really sails through the fronts, and brings the heat off the dry. I am more a fan of the Spit Fire, its a bit smoother down lane. The newer Twin-V offerings (Rapid Fires) are alot more aggressive.
Not really sure if that was in context or not, but wanted to give my opinion of the Fired Up since it was mentioned. AWESOME ball for playing extreme inside angles, another reason why alot of the Storm staffers still use them (Jeff Carter, Norm Duke).
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: Jay on December 17, 2008, 12:42:39 AM
Anyways, I'm always thinking about layouts. I was wondering why you say 5". Pin up that would be right above my middle finger, maybe just a hair right, but that probably doesn't mean too much. Being polished and pearl I actually see myself putting only 4 1/2" pin to pap on that, thinking something like 60 x 50 dual angle. My Counter Strike isn't polished but it's drilled 60 x 4 1/2" x 35(pin 1" above and just left of my ring finger) and it's too responsive to dry for my taste when the heads start going. Maybe I can polish it to make that better but I think the VAL angle is too little. I figure 5" pin to pap would have made he ball less useful on the conditions it currently works on. Thoughts?
By the way, I really appreciate your help with all this. I just like Storm a lot even though I've never thrown a ball by them(if that makes any sense) and I'm determined to throw their stuff over other companies. With smart layout choices I believe I can achieve the reactions I want on the intended lane conditions.
Edited on 12/17/2008 1:55 AM
Post by: UNObowler01 on December 17, 2008, 11:44:44 AM
The Gravity does roll in the midlane quite a bit for a pearl, but with the box finish still goes straight left at the end of the pattern. The key with that ball is to use longer pin-buffer to smooth it out, thats when it is great.
You can do a couple things to avoid the over-under you have experienced with pearls. You can use a bunch of CG swing and put a good size hole on your axis, that smooths it out alot. Or, you can use no hole and use like 4000 or 2000 abralon on it. You still retain the ease through the fronts with the finer finish, but it reads the end of the pattern smoother.
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009
Post by: UNObowler01 on January 15, 2009, 01:28:26 PM
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J. J. Mastny
Mens Head Coach
University of Nebraska Omaha Bowling
STORM/ROTOGRIP COLLEGIATE PROGRAM 2008-2009