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Author Topic: Crux  (Read 52571 times)

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Crux
« on: August 25, 2014, 10:13:21 AM »
Storm Crux Ball Specs:

- Color: Purple Pearl/White Pearl/Black All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Catalyst (Asymmetrical)
- Coverstock: ERG Hybrid Reactive
- Factory Finish: 3000-grit Pad
- Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.50
- Differential (Diff): 0.052
- ** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
- Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
- Fragrance: Pomegranate
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal

 

SWidmer

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Storm Crux review by Storm Staffer Scott Widmer
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2014, 11:46:03 AM »
My Crux Layouts: 45º x 3 3/4" x 65º (favorite)

The first time I threw the Crux, to shoot the ball demo video, I was impressed with its smooth roll and strong backend and continuation. Once I was lined up with the Crux I pulled out the Zero Gravity (with the same exact layout), same line, the Zero Gravity barely hit the 3-pin. I had to move my feet 8 boards right to get to the pocket. I expected the Crux to be a few boards stronger but 8 was shocking and impressive.

Conditions I have used the Crux on: Mostly house shots, 41' to 43' in length with the occasional modified house shot or challenge shot.

Where the Crux fits in my bag: The Crux is the strongest overall ball in my bag. A bit more overall hook than the Marvel-S with a slightly more angular backend reaction as well. For the most part I have preferred to keep my Crux with box finish since I have other options to use when I need less overall hook. If the Crux is a primary part of your arsenal and the cover is too much for your league or typical condition you bowl on, it polishes up nicely.

When I use the Crux: I have used the Crux almost exclusively since drilling it. It has been a versatile ball for me, more than just a ball that hooks a lot. I've been able to use the same Crux for 3-5 game sets very consistently without reaching a point where I was too far left. When the Crux is a bit too much ball I step down to the Optimus.


rotostar13

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Re: Crux
« Reply #17 on: November 30, 2014, 10:35:34 AM »
Layout: pin above bridge, cg kicked to the right 2.5 inches,  used same layout on my sinister, but on the the crux I wanted to see what a little polish would do for the reaction.

Condition: 41 ft THS

I warmed up with my sinister just to give myself the an idea of where to to line up, i was pretty deep around 5th arrow, medium ball speed, i switched to the crux in the 5th frame of the game, moved 3 boards right with my feet and starting point, and went light on the first shot but still struck. Made another small adjustment and went off the sheet. This ball is simply is stunning, keeps the pins low, for a higher striking percentage, but seems to speed up as it go thru the pins also. This ball is technological marvel, just a genius release from the team at storm.
This is a must have, go to you local pro shop today, makes a great Christmas present.
Charley Burge
Hammer staff member

Bigmike

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Re: Crux
« Reply #18 on: December 10, 2014, 08:00:06 PM »
Lay Out 4.5" from PAP at 75* PAP angle and 35* VAL angle. Dual angle measurement would be 75/4.5/35. The pin ended up about 1/2 above my ring finger with the CG close to my center of grip. No weight hole as I wanted the direction change to be smooth. After throwing it some more, I may add one.

Surface: I left it box which is 3000 abralon.

Purpose: I wanted a strong hybrid piece in my bag since I have had good reactions from Storm balls that use ERG cover-stocks. Seeing how this is Storm's first foray into a high end hybrid, I was all ears.

Observations: The Crux is a good looking piece. I got to throw it on a 45' flat sport shot left over from a local college teams practice session the night before (Go Bucks!). I also got to put my IQ Tour Nano into play side by side with it along with a Marvel S, Zero Gravity, Lucid, IQ Tour Fusion with surface, IQ Tour Fusion-box finish, and a Prodigy that is at 2000. The Crux was stronger than the IQ Fusions easily by 3-4 boards for the 1000 abr one and 6-8 boards for the box finish one. The comparison to the Zero was the one I had the most interest in since they share the same cover-stock. The Zero just doesn't have the motor the Crux has to get thru the deck with the authority the Crux does. I also wanted to see it side by side with the two NRG cover balls in the Marvel S and IQ Tour Nano. The Tour Nano and Marvel S could match it in hook maybe even hooking a little sooner than the Crux. Hitting power was the difference as the Crux just seemed like it split the 8-9 in half on well thrown and some weaker throws.

Conclusion: The Crux looks like a good stronger ball to have in the bag. If you do not frequent heavy tournament type patterns, you may even have to shine it a little. I am going to pop some holes in another with a stronger layout to see if it can replace a couple of balls in my line up for slicker patterns.
"Tell me Cup, how does a great ball striker like you shoot an 83? Well I lipped out this putt on 18......"

Mike Craig - Storm Bowling Amateur Staff - Westerville, OH

Rotogripskitt15999

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Re: Crux
« Reply #19 on: December 14, 2014, 08:06:03 PM »
This ball is probably the strongest ball i ever thrown from storm.I have to say that storm is right this ball will hook in anything and everything.I drilled mine 55x4x35.Ball gives me good length doesnt roll to early for me but has amazing backend on those long patterns that im looking for,plus this ball has crazy carry threw the pins like there is no other.

CHardee

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Re: Crux
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2014, 09:26:48 AM »

When it comes to the Crux its got a pretty awesome wow factor.

If you have ever told yourself or heard "I don't like asymmetrical equipment"  "Asym Equipment rolls to early"  "Asym equipment doesn't roll good for me"

"I can get Asym equipment through the mids without it rolling out"

Than this ball could be the game changer for you.

I also have never been a big fan of the earlier rolling smoother equipment. I have a lack of revs and getting the corners out is a issue.

But taking a box finish crux and putting a little polish on it had become one of my favorite balls.

 

Its amazing how much angle it can make and continue through the pins being a Asym piece. Its really amazing at blending out over under conditions and keeping the lanes more controlled. The energy at the pins isn't given up at all and overall is a useful tool on many occasions.

 

Oh.. And its great to look at!

 

There is so much technology and research in this core its almost a unfair advantage against the competition.

When your ready to see a lot of strikes and run the pins over. Its time to put a Crux in your bag :)

 

Box finish with Polish

Layout:  60X4/5-8X30

Speed 15-16mph

Rev rate 250

Christina Hardee
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tommygn

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Re: Crux
« Reply #21 on: December 31, 2014, 11:35:55 AM »
The Storm Crux is the latest premier line bowling ball from Storm. This ball has a new core called the Catalyst core, that has been years in the making. The Crux uses the ERG Hybrid reactive cover and has a factory finish of 3000 grit pad. The Crux has an RG of 2.50, a diff of 0.052, and an intermediate diff of 0.017. The Crux has great shelf appeal with the purple and white pearl, and black solid with Pomegranate fragrance.
I had the opportunity to drill 2 different Crux, thanks to Ryan Shafer for sending me a “lefty friendly PSA ball”. I drilled #1 Crux with a layout of 4 ¼ x 6 x 2 ½, and the #2 Crux with a layout of 4 x 5 x 2 ¾.  Crux #1 needed a small hole to keep legal that I placed on my VAL, 2” down from PAP. I polished Crux #1 and left Crux #2 at the box finish. I am able to use Crux #1 on our house shot as well as USBC White pattern. I posted an 804 while subbing in our Wednesday night four person team league with games of 259 276 and 269. This drilling and surface is great for medium volumes of oil and lighter volumes with longer distances of pattern length due to the long PSA placement and polished finish. Once the volume gets a little higher in the middle of the lane, I need to go to Crux #2 with the box finish, as it can handle the higher volume of oil, without being over/under off the dry/wet boards.  Crux #2 although drilled stronger, does not need an extra hole (hence the lefty friendly remark earlier). I bowled an Over/under 50 doubles tournament with a good friend and was able to use the #2 Crux from start to finish, going 200+ over through my 6 games of qualifying. By today’s scoring standards, that isn’t super high, but what is great about it is the fact that I was able to stay in the same place for all 6 games, only adjusting my roll based on how much backend reaction I needed, and that it was on WOOD. This particular wood house has it’s characteristics of being very different from pair to pair and lane to lane, on the same pair. Being able to stay put, and only adjust the shape of the backend reaction based on the topography of the current lane in play is a huge advantage to allowing any bowler to repeat their shot, frame after frame. I have also been able to use #2 Crux on the 36 foot Los Angeles pattern. It was smooth enough, and earlier enough to blend out the pattern, and hook the ball a little on a pattern that you generally want to go a little straighter on.
Often times, if I hit on the first of a new ball I drill, I won’t drill a second one because I figure why mess with success, but the Crux was good enough for me to want to drill a second one, and having the opportunity to drill a strong layout asymmetrical without an extra hole is a huge bonus. I can use #1 Crux when I need some skid and backend reaction, and use #2 Crux when I need the ball to slow down earlier, and blend the reaction more. Either way, the Crux seems like a “can’t miss” bowling ball. I have watched a lot of these balls going down the lane many a variety of bowling styles, and this ball can fit in anyone’s arsenal, that is if they use it in the proper environment. Heavier handed players will have great use on heavy oil, and lower rev rate players can use this ball on medium patterns, and heavier patterns with surface adjustments.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the Storm Crux; and as always don’t forget to bowl up a Storm!
God creates us with a blank canvas, and the "picture" we paint is up to us. Paint a picture you like and love!

sk8shorty01

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Storm Crux - sk8sbowlingreviews
« Reply #22 on: January 15, 2015, 03:38:28 PM »
Lane Conditions: Medium-Heavy Oil
Typical Conditions: Variety of Shots
Type of Lane: All Synthetic
What part of the lane did you play? Third Arrow
Weight of bowling ball: 15
Surface of bowling ball: Factory/Box
What grit was the surface of the ball? 3000
Likes: - Versatile - Conserves energy well for an aggressive ball - Blends the pattern well
Dislikes:

The Storm Crux is the latest release in Storm's Premiere Line and they definitely hit a home run with this ball. The all new Catalyst core allows the design intent of the ball to remain intact after drilling because it has a unique pocket in the core which keeps the thumb hole from taking out a large chunk of the weight block. Pairing the innovative core with the ERG Hybrid coverstock, the first hybrid coverstock in the Premiere Line since the Virtual Energy, was a great choice and allows the bowler to adapt the ball to the conditions they see most often qucikly and easily.

The first thing I noticed with this ball was how much the drilling angles and surface changes modified the shape of the ball motion, which makes this ball very versatile out on the lanes. Because the core didn't get modified with drilling it also allowed the migration paths (flare rings) to be more consistent, even on shots that I didn't get my hand into quite the position I wanted to.

Putting a 1000 grit pad to one of my Crux as a test made this ball really stand out against even the most aggressive equipment on the market. I had to take a big (6-3 move) step to the left in order to keep the ball on line in comparing it to the box condition. This was something I loved with the ball, I could modify it right before a block to get exactly the reaction I was looking for.

I would definitely recommend getting a Crux in your bag, I have three of them in mine and am not disappointed in any of them! If you would like more information on the Storm Crux feel free to check out my video ball review on my YouTube Channel (sk8sbowlingreviews).


Michael Bauer
PBA Member
Storm Amateur Staff Member
Logo Infusion Staff Member
BowlersMart Staff Member
www.youtube.com/sk8sbowlingreviews

rotogrip_rick

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Re: Crux
« Reply #23 on: January 27, 2015, 10:47:40 AM »
Ball: Crux
Layout: 60 x 2 1/2 x 50 - box condition
Test pattern: 41ft THS and 39ft sport pattern high volume - HPL lane surface with Kegel FLEX machine using fire and ice oil.
Results: I had a little trouble adjusting to this ball, it was really nice rolling until it got to the pins and it hit kinda like a marshmallow. After moving outside the track area and where it was a little less traffic on the test patterns, I started to like the ball a little more, it started to hook a little early for the first couple of shots, once the ball got a little sheen on it the ball just went a little farther off of the pattern and then the ball "awoke" and ever since then that ball has been a primary piece for me on the lanes on the 2nd squard or later games of a tournament. Very trust worthy ball. If I could change one thing, it would be making the pin buffer longer then 2 1/2 maybe a 3 1/2 to 4.

kmdbowl

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Re: Crux
« Reply #24 on: February 04, 2015, 06:03:07 PM »
When I first got the Storm Crux, I was anxious to see how much oil this ball would cut through and needless to say I was impressed.  The Crux has a 2.50 RG and a .052 Diff and has the Catalyst Core. If you are somebody like me who occasionally struggles on the fresh on longer sport patterns, then I think this ball will help you. In my arsenal, the Crux is a ball I will use when there is a flood for medium/longer patterns.  One reason I really like this ball is because it is a great complement to my IQ Nano. If I were to encounter a 44' pattern with high volume, the Crux would be the first ball in my hand with the nano being right behind it.  This is because as the lanes transition, the Crux tends to overreact because it is strong, so I find myself needing to ball down.  When the lanes are tight, this should be the ball in your hands. I consider myself a tweener and typically throw the ball around 15.5.  If you have medium ball speed like myself, I do think this is a good ball choice for you.  Good luck, bowl well!
Kevin M. Donovan
#STORMNation

vampep

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Re: Crux
« Reply #25 on: February 10, 2015, 10:36:50 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: long

Volume: medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: ball starts up into a roll very early, great for heavier oil patterns

Dislikes: doesn't do a lot in the back end, can't give it to much room, can't seem to make it's way back form an outside angle


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LarryB

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Re: Crux
« Reply #26 on: February 10, 2015, 11:45:30 PM »
PAP: 3 7/8 Across x 3/4 Up
Rev Rate: 325-350 RPM

Crux #1
Layout: 40 x 3 3/4 x 75
Finish: 2000

With this layout on my Crux, I get a early rolling predictable reaction that is ideal for fresh and longer patterns. This ball is the first ball out of my bag, and it let's me know when it is time to put it away. The Crux with this layout can be a candidate for a benchmark ball out of your bag.

Crux #2
Layout: 50 x 5 1/2 x 40
Finish: Polish over Box

I was looking for a ball to replace my Defiant Soul. After a little bit of discussion with my Pro Shop and a few other people, I decided to get a second Crux and put the same exact layout on it. This might have been of the best decisions I have made with bowling ball selection. After having the holes punched I put on a little polish over the box finish to help it get down the lane more.


Having both Crux in my bag, I have already had success using them both. I shot 837 using both Crux in my set. I bowled just over a game and a half with Crux #1 (40 x 3 3/4 x 75 layout) managing a 258 with the last 9 in game one. Game two I had the first seven and left a light four pin due to the ball wasting too much energy in the front part of the lane during transition, which is my cue to go grab Crux #2. Without having to move my feet, Crux #2 made it a lot cleaner down the lane with the back-end reaction needed to drive through the pins. I was able to finish off game two with a 279, and follow it up with a 300.

Layouts do make a difference, but, this goes to show how versatile the Crux can be. I have seen success with a Crux on league shots and on tournament shots. This is a ball I would strongly consider for your next purchase if you do not have one in your bag yet. 
Larry Brande
Storm Advisory Staff
www.stormbowling.com
#stormnation

Seanbaker

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Re: Crux
« Reply #27 on: February 11, 2015, 11:05:15 AM »
Storm Crux
PAP-5 over and ½ up
Ball Speed: 15-17mph
Rev Rate: 300-500
Right Handed
Layout: 4x4x2
Surface Preparation: OTB

Bowling Hand          Right Handed
Experience          Advanced (I have bowled in a league and PBA)
League Average          220
Ball Speed          Medium
Style             Cranker
 

What I wanted from this ball: A strong reaction for sloppy to oil lane conditions and a wider entry angle to hopefully carry out

those corner pins when my angle isnt right.

Result: The catalyst asymmetrical core allowed me to have much more entry angle with a result of more angle through the pocket and

actually opened up the pocket for me.  The ERG hybrid coverstock simply added to the hitting power.  Oil isnt a problem for this bal.


I tested this ball on the house pattern that we use at SuperBowl, the new center located in Metropolis Illinois where my pro shop is

also located.  Our shot is a modified version of the crown jewel shot.  Heavy in the middle and 42ft in length.  the outside portion

of the shot falls off to 5 units downlane.  Out of the box this ball was a monster.  I dont have the speed I used to have so I moved

left immediately and played deep inside swinging the bad boy to the gutter.  I was quite surprised at the hitting power and

continuation through the pins.  I contined to roll several games playing deep and scored quit well.  Once my shot started to dry up

somewhat, I moved even deeper and found success.  Eventually the shot became much too much for this ball and I started getting bit of

a roll out but that is expected with my slower ball speed.  I polished the Crux up and bowled several more games playing right of

where I started and still had success.  Polished allowed me to get the ball much more farther down the lane than I expected this ball

to do and still have a strong continuation through the pins.
 
To sum this ball up:  Simply one mean ball!  The Crux does exactly what it is designed to do.  The ball hits hard and has an awesome

continuation through the pins.  A great ball for anyone from a beginner to a pro.

Pro Shop Reaction:  Outstanding!  I sell this ball to anybody and everybody.  The slow rev players love this ball for the added

hitting power and ability to open up there shot.  The advanced player loves the hitting power and angle this ball creates for them.

Recommendations:  I recommend this ball to everyone.  Mainly my customers wanting a big ball that will carry and customers that have

less revs wanting something strong.

Storm/Roto Grip Staff
Sean Baker
Bowl Like a Pro Shop
1107 E. 8th Street
Metropolis, Illinois 62960

LouisN

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Crux Review by Louis Narvaez
« Reply #28 on: February 11, 2015, 09:47:02 PM »
Storm Crux
Layout - 65 x 5 x 30
Ball speed 17 MPH
Rev Rate - 360 RPM

The Crux is unlike any most Asymmetric equipment I have thrown.  Where it differs from the rest is in its ability to get through the front part of the lane and allow me to move left without sacrificing carry. 

I rarely throw strong asymmetric equipment once I have to move left.  My low tilt already causes me some problems getting balls down the lane so strong equipment like this is normally a no go for me.  This ball separates itself immediately by allowing me to go left to right and still maintain energy when it hits the pins.

The Video link below compares this to an IQ Tour Solid. 



chargeyourphone

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Re: Crux
« Reply #29 on: November 03, 2017, 12:43:09 AM »
The Crux is objectively the greatest ball to ever exists in the entire history of ten pin bowling. First I will start off with the obvious and that is the BIG WHEEL. This ball is the BIG WHEEL machine!!! It don't matter how far out you throw this thing will wheel itself right back in FOR THAT JUICY BROOKLYN. BEST BALL EVER I R8 THIS BAD BOY A GOOD OLE 9/-11.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2017, 12:44:40 AM by chargeyourphone »