Layout 1
45×4x60
no hole
box surface
Layout 2
75×5x25
no hole
surface changed to 1000 with reacta shine
The design intent of the Riot is to help fill the gaps between the Planet Series and the Nomad Series. This is a release I have been highly waiting on.
Layout #1 is one of my favorite layouts. I have a Nomad and a Pluto laid out this way, so I figured this would be a good layout to use to really compare the Riot with the Nomad and Pluto. This ball rolls absolutely amazing! It definitely fits in the Roto line where it is suppose to. The best way to describe it is very predictable. With this layout the Riot will definitely be a first ball out of the bag for me. It gives me a very good read of the lanes because of it\’s smooth transition from oil to dry.
Layout #2 is a layout I like to use when the pattern starts to push me farther left and I need the ball to react quicker off the dry. I currently have this layout on a Grand Illusion which has been one of my favorite rolling balls. This Riot is a completely different animal from the other. Compared to my Grand Illusion it is about 5 boards stronger and is much more angular. It is much cleaner through the fronts than layout #1 (due to the surface change) and unleashes a ridiculous move at the breakpoint. This is going to be a great choice for me when the patterns are breaking down and I have to move left still be able to get the ball to recover down lane.
Overall the Riot is a awesome piece of equipment, and for the price you can\’t beat it. If you are looking for something to replace the benchmark ball in your arsenal or looking for something strong and controllable the Riot is definitely something you should look into.
Layout:
45 x 3 3/8 x 85
Hole 2 1/2 inches down VAL
Box Surface (1500 polished)
When laying the Dark Star out I was looking for something that would be very clean through the fronts without changing directions very quick off the dry so I could play a little straighter in league. I have used this layout before on a Mars and it worked really well, but was not quite strong enough for what I was looking for.
This ball turned out absolutely perfect! The first night in league I threw it I shot 248, 249, 259 for a 756 playing about 5 and 3 right of where I normally play in this center. The area that I had was absolutely ridiculous and the ball got through the pins so much better since I didn’t have to use such wide angles through the fronts. Through the entire night I moved a total of 5 and 2 which is very little compared to the moves I normally make.
The Dark Star compliments the Nomad Series and Planet series very well. The Dark Star seems to match up better for higher rev players and for slower ball speeds. Another great release by Roto Grip!!
I have finally recieved my Mutant. I have been awaiting this for some time now here is my review of this awesome ball!!
Layout:
55×5x35 (no hole)
(pin above middle, MB in the thumb)
Surface changed to 4000 no polish
When laying this ball out, I was really looking for something that would handle carry down better than my other balls. The specs on this ball pretty much told me that the Mutant Cell was a very good pick for this so I basically went with one of my favorite layouts.
What a great surprise this ball is. The Cytoplasmic XL cover allowed this ball to get cleanly down lane especially for a solid. (I normally change my cover surface on most balls before I throw it, hence the 4000 surface). I knew the cover would not be a issue just with the success I have had with my Rogues and the cover is the same just without the pearl additive that makes the Rogue a hybrid. The new core that the Mutant uses it what I was most interested in. This is a fast revving core which really translates into a really heavy/continuous motion on the back part of the lane. This is exactly what I was hoping for.
While testing this ball in league (40 ft house pattern) I was able to stay in the same part of the lane for a much longer period of time than I normally can. To makes things even better as the lanes started to break down my ball reaction actually became better as I started to migrate left. My carry percentage was absolutely amazing, as the really heavy rolling motion kept the pins low. (actaully tripped about 4 4pins which is not typical for my higher rev game.) I never had to change balls the entire night and moved a total of 6 boards with my feet and 3 with my eyes. Normally I will move at least 10 to 12 with my feet.
If you are looking for something to add to your aresenal for medium to heavy patterns or if you are just a Roto fan you are going to want to pick one of these up. It is a completely diffferent ball motion than anything in the current line. The Mutant Cell is a very exciting release and is going to a favorite among many types of players.
I have been waiting for this release for some time now. After being able to throw this at our Matchmaker Program in September I have been even more excited about it. What a great bowling ball the Reign is! It’s ball motion fits in between the Fast and the Furious and will be able to handle a large variety of conditions. It is very clean through the fronts but does not give the monster flip in the back that the Fast gives, instead it gives a very powerful but controlled motion through the midlanes, more controllable than most pearls. If you are in need of a new benchmark ball or “first ball out of the bag” definitely look into a reign you will not be disappointed!
Check out Tony and John throwing the Reign Below.
LAYOUTS (Using Dual Angle Technique)
Roto Grip Nomad
Pin – 3 1/2″
Drill Angle – 40 degrees
VAL Angle – 60 degrees
weight hole 2″ down VAL
Roto Grip Nomad Pearl
Pin – 4 1/2
Drill Angle – 30 degrees
VAL Angle – 30 degrees
REVIEW
Since the Silver Streaks were one of my favorite balls and the Nomads use the Rotary core that was in the Silver Streaks I have been looking forward to these releases for some time.
The Nomad solid with the layout that I used is really clean through the fronts with a strong mid-lane reaction. Quite the reaction I was expecting. A very versatile ball motion that can be used on multiple types of lane patterns by many types of bowlers.
The Nomad Pearl was surprising. I was expecting a “skid/flip” reaction with this ball, but to my surprise the reaction on the back is very smooth for a pearl cover. It is still cleaner than the solid but gives a strong and very controllable move in the back.
These two balls compliment each other better than any 2 releases I have seen in some time. After starting in league with the solid, about the middle of the 2nd game the heads started to burn. I was able to change to the Pearl and stay almost in the exact same spot as where i started.
These two balls are great additions to the already great Roto-Grip line!
I am very impressed with the Ebonite Striking Motion I have mine drilled with the pin 3 1/2 inches from my axis above my ringer finger, the CG kicked out with a hole, and the mass bias 1 inch away from my thumb. My very first game with it, which was also my first game in league, was a 300. I ended the series with an 835 (300,256,279). It is a four game league and the fourth game was a 233. What impressed me most was that I was able to stay with it the entire 4 games, only running into trouble the end of the fourth game. I usually have a little bit of trouble at this center because there tends to be a lot of friction there and the higher end equipment tends to burn up, but the Ebonite Striking Motion allowed me to stay with the same ball and just continue to move, while not losing any hitting power. Anyone who is looking for a ball with great hitting power that continues as the lanes break down should seriously consider this ball.
This is the ball you need if you are a beginner looking for your first reactive ball or if you bowl a lot of tournaments and are looking for a ball that will clear the front part of the lane with ease later in the block and still hit hard. Not only does this ball cover all of the above, but it comes in three different colors so you can look stylish while knocking down the pins. , ,
I drilled Ebonite The One Encorethe same as the Ebonite The One - Original I had, pin 4 ½ inches from my PAP and above my fingers. Ebonite The One Encore is the same as the Ebonite The One - Original, provides great length with a nice hard turn in the back end. Keep in mind that if you want it to be the same as your original you will have to polish it because it comes out of the box with a 4000 grit finish. If you are looking to get rid of yourEbonite The One - Original, but did not know what to replace it with, then you will not be disappointed with the Ebonite The One Encore.
Looking for that great reaction you got from the original Hammer Black Widow, Hammer Black Widow Venom is what you are going to want. It has the same characteristics as the original, clean through the front part of the lane and a hard rolling motion in the back end. Hammer Black Widow Venom is a little longer than the original Hammer Black Widow, but this extra length adds to the hitting power and increases the carry of Hammer Black Widow Venom. If you are looking to replace the Hammer Black Widow, the Hammer Black Widow Venom is going to be the way to go.
Pin length from axis point is 5 1/4 inches and above fingers. If you were a fan of the Hammer Raw Hammer Doom you will absolutely love this ball. The Hammer Raw Hammer Psycho is not as jerky as the Hammer Raw Hammer Doom was on the backend which could sometimes get you into trouble with the Hammer Raw Hammer Doom . The Hammer Raw Hammer Psycho provides a smoother more predictable backend reaction than the Hammer Raw Hammer Doom. The Hammer Raw Hammer Psycho is a great ball for league play or later in the block tournaments.
I drilled this with the number 2 drilling on it. The Track Up-Rising is much cleaner through the front part of the lane than the Track The Rising was and provides and much sharper movement in the backend. With this different motion on the backend, the Track Up-Rising hits twice as hard as the Track The Rising did. The carry I witnessed with this ball was incredible, just like the Rising when it looked like I would flat 7 (I’m left handed) I still managed to get it out. The Track Up-Rising isn’t the prettiest ball in the bag, but it should be one of the first to come out of your bag.