BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Bags, Shoes, Accessories => Topic started by: J_w73 on June 22, 2016, 05:00:13 PM
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Have a Columbia 4 ball stackable bag and the top part has collapsed so that bag sags and falls forward. Looking to buy and new bag. Which bag is the best in your opinion...?? Most functionality, pockets, etc.. Please give the pros and cons of your choice.
http://www.bowlersmart.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/_/1_3_.png
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i hate 4 ball bags in general. the stackable 4 ballers are too wide, too clunky, get in the way at the center. pain in the ass to get in the car and a nightmare if youre riding with bowlers with bags of their own. i would recommend if you have to have a 4 ball bag to get a triple and add the ball joey on the handle bar. a better option would be to either lose a ball and go with a 3ball bag or add one and use a triple tote and double tote or a 3ball roller and a double tote
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I'm posting this for my Dad.. He is 76 and has trouble lifting a 3 ball bag in and out of his vehicles. I agree with you though.
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I've been looking also for 4 ball bags. A LOT!!!
The best to my eyes seems to be Storm's Rolling Thunder. Best build, best functionality, longest warranty. I was considering KR and the ones they make for others, but their new ones have less pockets and smaller pockets, and clunkier design. Not sure of their build quality.
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I hated my rolling thunder....the pockets all ripped within the first half of a season, the zippers are crap and stitching is terrible. When I mean all the pockets, I seriously mean all of them.
I tried an ebonite grand tour stackable, probably the worst bag ever, the handle would break monthly. Now ebonite was great, they sent me a new bag free of charge 3 times....
This past season I bought the KR Royal Flush, I love it! I dont find it any more bulky than the rolling thunder. Its made great, zippers and material are excellent and the handle and wheels are built like a tank. Went through the whole season and it still looks like brand new. I liked it so much I bought a 3 ball roller and 2 ball tote, all royal flush, all match.....plus a 7yr warranty on all of them....i have more room in the 4 ball than i could use...
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I hated my rolling thunder....the pockets all ripped within the first half of a season, the zippers are crap and stitching is terrible. When I mean all the pockets, I seriously mean all of them.
I tried an ebonite grand tour stackable, probably the worst bag ever, the handle would break monthly. Now ebonite was great, they sent me a new bag free of charge 3 times....
This past season I bought the KR Royal Flush, I love it! I dont find it any more bulky than the rolling thunder. Its made great, zippers and material are excellent and the handle and wheels are built like a tank. Went through the whole season and it still looks like brand new. I liked it so much I bought a 3 ball roller and 2 ball tote, all royal flush, all match.....plus a 7yr warranty on all of them....i have more room in the 4 ball than i could use...
Thanks for the Royal Flush recommendation. Can you speak about the telescoping handle? Some of the reviews I have read say the handle does not go in as far as other bags, making difficult to get the bottom bag section into a trunk without laying it on its back...
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I couldnt get any of the handles on the 3 bags I had low enough to stand upright in my trunk. So I always lay it down....I personally never thought of it being a problem. The handles are very sturdy, so when I have a bunch of stuff in my trunk I put the top part sitting on top of the handles that are laying down....
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I couldnt get any of the handles on the 3 bags I had low enough to stand upright in my trunk. So I always lay it down....I personally never thought of it being a problem. The handles are very sturdy, so when I have a bunch of stuff in my trunk I put the top part sitting on top of the handles that are laying down....
The columbia handle goes down so it is about the same height as the bag. Not sure if longer handle would be a deal breaker.
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I see there is a strap and buckle that holds the top bag onto the carrier. Is this just for added security? Does the bag lock in on its own as well.
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No other locking, it does have a very sturdy base....i usually only use the lower buckle, I never use the strap over the top....The columbia bag is identical to the ebonite grand tour with an extra pocket basically. Thats the one that the handle broke multiple times....It would break by not going down all the way, and then sometimes not come up all the way...ebonite was great with warranty, but I had 3 bags in two seasons. Also no handle on lower unit in front, makes it hard to put in trunk....
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I prefer the Storm and Roto Grip 4-ball rollers because of the 3-wheel design. I think the extra wheel makes it more maneuverable, plus I would imagine it's a little sturdier on bottom. My Rolling Thunder is starting to show wear and tear but it's 15 years old.
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I recently bought the Team Brunswick 4 ball roller, orange and slate, currently on sale at Buddies for $165. Made by KR Strikeforce with a 5 year warranty. Absolutely love it.
http://www.buddiesproshop.com/p-5548-team-brunswick-4-ball-roller-slateorange.aspx
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I have had a 4 ball rolling thunder since October or Novembe . Within a few months, the top plastic section on the bottom bag brok . They sent a new one but said it was broken by dropping the top bag on it. I don't remember doing that, but I could have. Within the last month, the center wheel has busted out around the axle, causing the wheel to wobble and click. Haven't tried a warranty claim on that yet
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i see some bags for over $200...i mean for a bag, really? :o
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I used to really like the KR bags, but then the pockets got really small. I talked to a guy At KR and told him it was a mistake. He was nice. I keep papers in my bag, usually folded over once, but the KR pockets are still to short in height to hold such papers.
Right now I have a Storm Rolling Thunder and I like it a lot. I have not noticed any unusual wear or tear and I like that the handle retracts a lot lower than the KR bags ever did.
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I used to really like the KR bags, but then the pockets got really small. I talked to a guy At KR and told him it was a mistake. He was nice. I keep papers in my bag, usually folded over once, but the KR pockets are still to short in height to hold such papers.
Right now I have a Storm Rolling Thunder and I like it a lot. I have not noticed any unusual wear or tear and I like that the handle retracts a lot lower than the KR bags ever did.
It is really hard to find a bag that is designed really well and well made. I find there is always something that should be different and would make the bag way better. I also don't think I have had one bag that hasn't broken on me in some way. All the companies are really good about sending out a replacement though.
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KR does make some durable stuff and I haven't heard of any quality issues with them other than the pockets being small. But I would definitely stay away from anything made by Ebonite. I had the Grand Tour 4-ball bag and it barely lasted 3 months before the handle broke and wouldn't retract down, among other issues. I've had three different bags from Ebonite and they are not durable at all.
I wish that Pyramid made a 4-ball bag because I've also been looking at 4-ball bags just to take with me for tournaments. I've had their triple roller bag for two years now without any issues and it's great! You're almost better off going with a 3-ball bag with a joey to save you some money.
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i see some bags for over $200...i mean for a bag, really? :o
I would easily pay double that if someone made a good, quality bag. Still waiting for one. Most 3 ball bags I have used, easily tip over. Many have other issues. The rolling totes are good for travelling, but not for constant use.
I have a KR 6 ball bag that is good, but way too bulky. And the middle section is a flawed design, relying on straps. I could see the 4 ball version being better. I even considered buying the conversion kit.
I currently have a Storm Rolling Thunder. Pretty good, but still some issues. I am currently in the process of having a wheel replaced. The bag is less than a year old.
Whatever you do, stay away from the Hammer 4 ball bag. Absolute garbage (unless they have changed it since release). The handle design is severely flawed. It's clearly meant for a 1-2 ball roller, not 4. Many people complained about it on facebook. Mine broke within 2 months. A friend also had issues. We both looked for other options. Beyond that problem, the balls do not sit well in the bottom section and there are issues with the zippers/stitching. My wife also has a hammer 3 ball bag and it also suffers from zipper/stitching problems - as well as other issues.
I'm tired of these (not cheap) ball bags becoming mere storage. Someone needs to make a quality bag that can last.
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I really hate Joey's. No bag is designed for them so they make the bag very top heavy when you pull it. This is unnecessary stress on your arm.
I won't go with 2 or 3 ball rollers because they are very narrow and they tip over on you if you make too sharp a turn when walking. This results in the outside fabric getting torn up.
I really wish Motiv made a 4 ball roller. I even suggested it to them. It would need a lot of large pockets for me to buy it though.
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KR does make some durable stuff and I haven't heard of any quality issues with them other than the pockets being small. But I would definitely stay away from anything made by Ebonite. I had the Grand Tour 4-ball bag and it barely lasted 3 months before the handle broke and wouldn't retract down, among other issues. I've had three different bags from Ebonite and they are not durable at all.
I wish that Pyramid made a 4-ball bag because I've also been looking at 4-ball bags just to take with me for tournaments. I've had their triple roller bag for two years now without any issues and it's great! You're almost better off going with a 3-ball bag with a joey to save you some money.
For what it's worth KR will now be making Ebonite's stuff for them, like they did with Brunswick. That's who they're partnered with now. I agree that the old EBI products should be stayed away from though. Those are the ones I've seen be the least durable.
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I have been using the Storm 4 ball Rolling Thunders for over 10 years, and on my second one, but recently (maybe about 2 years now) have been using a 3 ball Vise tote roller.
Nothing wrong with the Rolling Thunder, it's very well made and only had one problem when I accidently toppled the bag over and the telescopic handle bent slightly and the handle wouldn't open/close. I contacted Storm and was sent the entire handle assembly free of charge, no questions asked. I have no problems with zippers or wheels breaking. Lots of pocket space for everything that you would need.
When I go to tournaments, I bring the 4 ball roller, but for my weekly league, use the Vise 3 Ball tote.
I have seen some of the other 4 ball rollers but IMHO, I think the Storm Rolling Thunder is the nicest and best made.