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Author Topic: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook  (Read 3756 times)

TonyinPortland

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Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« on: August 21, 2014, 08:27:12 PM »
I have used the Minotaur as my main ball for the last few years.  After joining a new league at a house with heavier oil, I want to buy a ball that hooks 2-4 boards more.

I was interested in the Radical line and the pro I talked to said that the Reax Gusto was a good fit if I wanted to to go with the Radical brand.  But the chart on the Radical website shows it as the least-hooking of the Reax balls.

The other ball he suggested was the Storm Zero Gravaity.

I have a pretty average ball speed.  I can vary my speed, but lose accuracy with higher speeds. 

I generally average in around 200 or so, probably condsidered to be a tweener.

Would the Storm Zero Gravity and the Reax Gusto have similar reactions, and would both out-hook my old Minotaur?
« Last Edit: August 21, 2014, 08:35:09 PM by TonyinPortland »

 

tuckinfenpin

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2014, 08:19:42 AM »
I would tend to have a different opinion with the person who you spoke to, just by the suggestions and ball comparisons. I hate to because they may have seen your game and are more familiar with you.

The gusto should be used for med-dry and the zero is a heavy oil ball.
I am sure there are fans of the Zero Gravity, but with the people I speak to, seem not to like it. There was the 'hype' when it came out, but fizzled quickly. I do not have one, so cannot give an honest opinion, just conveying what I been hearing.

If you want to stick with Radical in a heavier oil house, my suggestion would be the Reax V2 Peal. As far as numbers go the Minotaur was 2.52 RG with a .049 dif; the V2 Pearl is 2.508 with a .048 diff.

Something with a bit more punch would be the original Reax V2.

I am not too familiar with the Minotaur but it was a particle and meant for med-heavy conditions. More than likely it was a smooth hook ball.








TonyinPortland

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2014, 09:19:38 AM »
Yeah, I called him back and told him that the Reax Gusto is for dry/med. conditions.  He is not very familiar with the Radical line, but he looked over their info. and he did suggest the Reax V. 2.

I was thinking more the Pearl also, because I am concerned about getting too much hook, and since my ball speed is not that great, I don't want to get stuck with a ball I can't use.

I only bowl 2 leagues, and don't generally bowl tournaments.

Thanks for the answer and that really will help me to decide.

TonyinPortland

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2014, 05:30:43 PM »
I went with the Version 2.  He had trouble finding one, it won't be here until next Monday.  Like I said, he was not familiar with Radical, and when he called around town, no one else really was either.

Listening to people here it seems that Radical is pretty new, but not unknown.  Is it still catching on around the country faster in some places then in others?

tuckinfenpin

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2014, 09:08:56 PM »
Be certain that the shop follows the drilling instructions as Radical core designs take into consideration drilling. In addition, if you need to adjust the cover do not be afraid to. Be certain to learn the ball, how it rolls and reacts.

My V2 drives through the deck like nothing else I have ever had.

I've been very pleased with the Radical products. Many others I talk to feel the same way. I am sure you won't be disappointed.

charlest

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2014, 07:05:11 AM »
I have used the Minotaur as my main ball for the last few years. 

...

Would the Storm Zero Gravity and the Reax Gusto have similar reactions, and would both out-hook my old Minotaur?

The main problem here is that the Minotaur is a relatively old ball, as bowling balls go. No one knows just what condition it is in and what its basic reaction is for you currently.

Have you had it de-oiled and resurfaced regularly?

It is a particle ball and I would generally suspect it is quite oil soaked by now and not hooking much at all, compared to when it was new.
(Aside: It used softer particles, made by Columbia back then (1999?) and needed careful attention when it was resurfaced. If you used current hard abrasives to resurface it, you would smooth out the particles into a plain resin ball. You needed to use Scotch-Brite pads to do resurface work on it.)

As such, getting a new ball, such as the Gusto might be quite a shock to you, in either direction (hooking so much or not much at all, depending on how much oil you are bowling on right now AND the condition of the Minotaur.)

Unless you threw someone else's relatively new ball and tell us how it's reacting, I for one would not even dare to make a guess on how any new ball would react for you. Sorry.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

TonyinPortland

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2014, 10:37:34 PM »
I used to de-oil it every 12-15 games, but lately it is more like once or twice a year(2 leagues--no tournaments).  So I imagine it is loaded with oil.  Has not been re-surfaced.

So I will be curious to see how the new ball reacts in comparison.  I just hope it is not so much hook that I can't use it, or will have to re-learn how to bowl.  Although that may not necessarily be a bad thing, in the long run.

Rightycomplex

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2014, 07:25:02 AM »
I would tend to have a different opinion with the person who you spoke to, just by the suggestions and ball comparisons. I hate to because they may have seen your game and are more familiar with you.

The gusto should be used for med-dry and the zero is a heavy oil ball.
I am sure there are fans of the Zero Gravity, but with the people I speak to, seem not to like it. There was the 'hype' when it came out, but fizzled quickly. I do not have one, so cannot give an honest opinion, just conveying what I been hearing.

I like that response. I agree that this conversation needs to be had with the person who drills your stuff and has more familiarity with your game. I will also explain that the Minotaur is old technology. Not bashing the ball, just saying that cover stock technology has come a long way since the Minotaur. I can assume that some entry level balls will outperform the Minotaur nowadays.

The Version 2 is a nice choice and is built for heavier patterns, it is also extremely versatile as I have seen many have success with multiple layouts.

I have used the Minotaur as my main ball for the last few years. 

...

Would the Storm Zero Gravity and the Reax Gusto have similar reactions, and would both out-hook my old Minotaur?

The main problem here is that the Minotaur is a relatively old ball, as bowling balls go. No one knows just what condition it is in and what its basic reaction is for you currently.

Have you had it de-oiled and resurfaced regularly?

It is a particle ball and I would generally suspect it is quite oil soaked by now and not hooking much at all, compared to when it was new.
(Aside: It used softer particles, made by Columbia back then (1999?) and needed careful attention when it was resurfaced. If you used current hard abrasives to resurface it, you would smooth out the particles into a plain resin ball. You needed to use Scotch-Brite pads to do resurface work on it.)

As such, getting a new ball, such as the Gusto might be quite a shock to you, in either direction (hooking so much or not much at all, depending on how much oil you are bowling on right now AND the condition of the Minotaur.)

Unless you threw someone else's relatively new ball and tell us how it's reacting, I for one would not even dare to make a guess on how any new ball would react for you. Sorry.

Another great job of knowledge and science by Charlest. I have 2 Ravages and notice that abralon and siaair seem to smooth out the balls transition. To battle that, I used a 500 pad the a compound like rough buff to give the cover some underlying teeth but still clear the heads on the normal under oiled THS. You may want to consider a deoil and then just surface with scotch brite as Charlest suggested. This way you have 2 fresh covers to use.
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TonyinPortland

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2014, 03:45:50 AM »
Got the Reax Version 2 drilled today and used it for league tonight.  Did not practice with it at all except in the warm-up.  In that league last year I averaged 186 using mostly the Minotaur with an old Storm Red Hot as a dry lane ball, although that was seldom used.  I normally average 200-205 in my other house.  Got this new ball mainly for this new center, although I will try it at both.

First week this year, without the new Radical ball, I bowled 597 with the Minotaur.  Tonight, using the Reax V2 exclusively, shot 187-254-256 (697).  Highest series in that league for me(just my 2nd year).

I think once I learn how to use it, I can do even better.  I just had to remember to get it out onto the lane and it came back hard.  If I missed too far outside, it still came back into the pocket.

I didn't even throw the Minotaur, so I still am not sure how much more it hooks, but I certainly can't complain with the 3 games with it so far!

tuckinfenpin

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Re: Have Mo-Rich Minotaur, Need Ball With More Hook
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2014, 04:49:17 AM »
Thats great! Nice set.

Thanks for the update. Whats even better is once you learn more, it will perform better as well.
I am certain you will have plenty of great games and series with the V2.