win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Weak reactive vs Urethane  (Read 4591 times)

Shreyas66

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 12
Weak reactive vs Urethane
« on: June 20, 2019, 12:22:47 PM »
I am 2 handed rev dominant player. I was looking for something that is more predictable and smooth. Should I go for a urethane ball or a weak reactive ball that does not have much action. Also feel free to drop in the ball options I could look at. Speed : 16-17mph. Revs: 300-400rpm. Thank you.

 

St. Croix

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 644
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2019, 12:52:23 PM »
Urethane was not a good match for me. I have been using Brunswick's Rhino on light oil or on the burn. Rhino's box finish is very polished, so I knocked off the shine. The ball has a smooth predictable arc with enough bite on light oil / the burn.
"I spent half of my money on women, gambling, and booze. I wasted the other half."

W.C. Fields

BowlingForDonuts

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1120
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2019, 01:23:24 PM »
Left handed players tend to do better with urethane only option as see less transition and dont need to get as deep which reactives are better for.  That said unless throw it like Jesper or Buttruff go reactive.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2019, 03:23:09 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
Here today.  Gone tomorrow.

2handedrook12

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1702
  • Be yourself and keep it simple.
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2019, 02:01:37 PM »
Reactive. The Rhino, Beast, Messenger, and Counter Artacks are your best bet for this. If you want the traditional shape, go 5 inch pin to PAP. If you want the ball motion to be ultra smoth, I would do a 1.5 pin to PAP (since you are rev dominant) and it will allow you to play way straighter than you typically can with reactive.
League: Pitch Purple, Destiny Magenta
Testing: MVP
Interests: Black Widow, Proof Solid, Idol Pearl

bowling_rebel

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 159
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2019, 06:02:10 PM »
It's hard to answer for any once person specifically.
This is the way I look at it as  a rev dominant, no thumber
rev rate at 380 and about 3 or 4 degrees axis tilt.

On a easy house shot, a weak reactive may allow me to get deep inside and use the house shot advantage.

I can not use any reactive on house shot except the weakest ones.

With the  Fever Pitch or Covert Tank, I can do the same, and have a ball I can control, use on sport shot. I have weaker urethane and widow spare for very light oil

Since going no thumb for a long time I felt I needed to learn how to use reactive. And now got to point where I can, but before the latest urethane's there was no middle option. I love those 2 balls and want to try the Badger Infused when it comes out.

But if you're on a house shot and just want to stand left and let the house shot do the work - then reactive is fine.

Impending Doom

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6288
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2019, 06:26:06 PM »
If you have head oil, you can go urethane. If not, weak resin.

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2777
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2019, 05:21:15 PM »
On many conditions urethane is very likely to get locked out through carry down.  This is true no matter how high your rev rate.  You can see this happen to pros on tv regularly

dizzyfugu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7605
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2019, 05:02:24 AM »
Personally, I (lower speed, mid-revs stroker, frequently challenged with balls hooking early and too much) prefer a urethane piece with a "real" core over a weak reactive ball. The core gives stability and roll, and the cover will get the ball easily through the heads, even if they dry up and with some surface. I also like the material's tendency to read the lane more gently than reactive stuff. Actually, my go-to ball for league in the past two years has become a Lord Field "Burning Up" with a relatively strong layout. Was an experiment, but worked very well for me.
DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

BallReviews-Removed0385

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 0
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2019, 10:07:28 AM »

Reactive. Any day.  If you want to tame it down, lay it out with pin 2" from PAP and it will stabilize reaction.  A ball with lower differential core AND a layout as suggested will give you control of urethane but carry of reactive.

There must be a small window where urethane can help, but in my mind it's very small, and trade off for the average bowler (not named Jesper Svendsen) is not worth it.  Give me a Rhino with a 2" pin layout.  Urethane is way overused on typical house shots and many end up being expensive door stops.


Steven

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7680
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2019, 10:45:48 AM »

Reactive. Any day.  If you want to tame it down, lay it out with pin 2" from PAP and it will stabilize reaction.  A ball with lower differential core AND a layout as suggested will give you control of urethane but carry of reactive.

There must be a small window where urethane can help, but in my mind it's very small, and trade off for the average bowler (not named Jesper Svendsen) is not worth it.  Give me a Rhino with a 2" pin layout.  Urethane is way overused on typical house shots and many end up being expensive door stops.

Bravo! This post should be a required disclaimer in any thread suggesting Urethane as a viable option.
 
I have four of these "expensive door stops" sitting in my garage because I thought "just one more try" will find the Urethane solution. It hasn't happened.  ;D

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2777
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2019, 10:59:11 AM »
On most house shots I can line up with my after dark solid very close to where I would play with urethane, and get vastly superior carry.  I am not against urethane.   I have carried urethane in my bag since the first natural came out, and have had great success with urethane , but in very limited circumstances. 

The environment that allowed resin to replace  urethane almost overnight is still prevalent.   
« Last Edit: July 04, 2019, 11:00:42 AM by avabob »

Dave81644

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1662
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2019, 11:35:40 AM »
I would look at the Hammer vibe series.
The blue or red Vibe, the Orange is new and a touch stronger than the blue.
I'm 385 rev and 16 mph
If I'm going to use the Vibe (blue) definitely need to have some friction or it wont read properly.
If I can find that friction spot, the blue strikes for days it seems.
Now withthe Orange Vibe that was just released, Its a little earlier and a few boards stronger than the blue. Which means I can get it out sooner, and it has a slower response to friction, super predicable and arcing.
Its a lower price for good performance IMO   https://www.bowlersmart.com/hammer-orange-vibe-bowling-ball



avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2777
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2019, 12:22:50 PM »
I have had great luck with a couple of vibes, cobalt and new blue.   Vibes are similar strength to my After Dark, but a little earlier, and smoother. 

JazlarVonSteich

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 419
Re: Weak reactive vs Urethane
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2019, 12:55:09 PM »
For me, the clear answer is urethane. But it definitely depends on the conditions you face. I have tried numerous resin balls and tried low flare layouts. They occasionally work, but I've found that urethane has given me the best overall option from week to week.

In my experience the weak entry level balls are very hit and miss. Over/under in wet/dry. More affected by carry down than urethane. And they don't carry any better.

The house shot I bowl on is certainly not typical though. More hook inside. Carries down no matter what type of ball you use. Hang outside if you try to cover too many boards. Generally, speed dominant bowlers do better on this shot. My best look is with the Black Widow urethane. I will then switch to a symmetric urethane or resin from there. Depends what kind of hold develops (if it does) inside.