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Author Topic: 4 Ball Roller Question  (Read 727 times)

Fluff E Bunnie

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4 Ball Roller Question
« on: June 27, 2006, 12:04:27 AM »

I need your expert opinion once more:

I was wondering...  For those of you out there that have used the 4-ball rollers, do you think there is a specific one that is the best?  So far, I have been pretty sold on Columbia bags.  I currently have the Columbia Formula Triple Inline.  I love this bag and I don't really want to get rid of it but my problem is that this thing is a real pain to get up and down my very steep stairs.  

I noticed that the 4 ball rollers actually come apart and you can even carry the top part as a two ball bag.  I am thinking of selling my 3 ball bag to a friend and buying a 4 ball one.  Here are the ones I am looking at:

http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=COLB17BLK
http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=B024211
I can't tell a big difference between these two.  Except the more expensive one has the slide locking handle.  I am not sure I even like the slide locking handle anyway.

http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=ST4771CHABLK
This is a Storm one.  I have never seen one of these in person so I have no idea how the insides look.

I like the way the inside of my Columbia bag is.  It has these nice cups for the balls to sit in, not some cheap styrofoam thing that slides around.  What do you think about these bags?



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shelley

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2006, 09:39:29 AM »
quote:
http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=COLB17BLK
http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=B024211
I can't tell a big difference between these two.  Except the more expensive one has the slide locking handle.  I am not sure I even like the slide locking handle anyway.

http://www.bowling.com/display.asp?SKU=ST4771CHABLK
This is a Storm one.  I have never seen one of these in person so I have no idea how the insides look.


I know several people with Storm 3-, 4-, and 6-ball bags and they are very nice.  I have a 3-year-old 3-ball Streamline that's held up very well.  It has plastic cups for holding the balls in place, no styrofoam.  The bottom compartment may not have much more than shallow cups, though; they won't be nearly as deep as the top compartment's or a typical 3-ball bag because they don't have to hold the ball at such an angle to keep it from falling.

Pretty much all 3-ball bags or larger have locking handles.  The first one says that he handle locks in place when extended.  You will like the locking handle.

I believe the Storm bags have a conversion kit that allows you to add another layer, making a 6-ball bag out of it.  The KR bags have them as well.

Columbia had some problems with their bags last year, and I remember there being a lot of repairs and possibly a recall on them.  They've since fixed those issues, however.

Were I to get a new bag, I'd get the 4-ball Storm Streamline.  Buddies has it for about $152 shipped, same as bowling.com.  Given my experience with my 3-ball bag, it's a good solid bag for a good price and should hold up well for a long time.

SH


Edited on 6/27/2006 9:36 AM
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2006, 09:48:43 AM »
Thanks!  I'll try to find a pro shop around here that has one to check out.  I really want to see one in person before I buy one.  So far I have only seen in person is that Columbia EZ Rider and I didn't like it as much as my Formula Triple Inline.

Thanks again, I'll try to find a Streamline to look at as well.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2006, 10:05:08 AM »
Hmm, you should consider what you really need. even though the 4 or 6 ball rollers are handy because you have "everything in one bag" and can take them apart to get several totes, I found that they are very clumsy to haul around. They are very broad, and must bowling lanes I know are not too spacious... Additionally, if you are to haul the bulk into a car trunk, these will take some space, too.

A friend of mine just built a multi-ball roller from a foldable cart and some Brunswick 2 ball totes, all the material came from ebay for cheap.

Personally, I found that a 3 ball roller plus an attachment tote for the handle or a 2 ball tote are the optimum for my personal needs (and availabkle car space).

Another thing I found generally good are big and braod wheels. Make sure that it has at least 4" wheels, and urethane "tires" are nice, too. A thick hanlde will also make dragging the bag easier, especially when it is heavy and you must make long ways.
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2006, 10:17:32 AM »
I agree that a 3 ball roller is better.  This is why I bought one in the first place.  My only issue is that getting the thing up and down the large amount of stairs I have is a real pain.  If I had a 4 ball that I could break into two parts it would be much easier.

Trust me, I love the bag I have now, but it is so awkward to try to carry and I definitely have to take balls out of the bag to get it up and down the stairs.  Trying to lift the full bag at once gave me sweetly exciting back spasms for a week.
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Bohn up a Storm!!!
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shelley

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2006, 10:20:23 AM »
quote:
I agree that a 3 ball roller is better.  This is why I bought one in the first place.  My only issue is that getting the thing up and down the large amount of stairs I have is a real pain.  If I had a 4 ball that I could break into two parts it would be much easier.


You can't roolll-thunk-rooolll-thunk it up the stairs, pulling it up?  Not exactly optimal in the long run, I suppose.

I wish there were a 4-ball bag that had sufficient room in the lower compartment that it could be used by itself, leaving the top tote bag at home.  It's getting now to the point where I use one ball all night in league and lugging three around is just overkill.  I'm tempted to take my wife's old 2-ball Columbia roller (without a solid handle), stick the ball in one compartment and my shoes in the other.

SH

Edited on 6/27/2006 10:18 AM
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: 4 Ball Roller Question
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2006, 10:33:37 AM »
Unfortunately, the stairs are tiny and very steep.  Also, the stairwell is inside where other doors are so when I am kerthunking up and down the stairs it makes these loud, amplified, banging noises.  I generally try to not annoy my neighbors in the hopes that they will try to do the same.

I think if I could just get a four ball one and break it into two easy to carry pieces it would be ideal for my situation.  

I bought the bag I wanted the most, but not the most useful bag for my situation.  Whoops!


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Current Arsenal:
Parker Bohn III
Bohn up a Storm!!!
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