Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Roto Grip is doing something different with the Rubicon upper-mid performance ball in their HP3 line of balls. This ball introduces the asymmetrical Rondure Core which was designed to provide more ball motion overall without the need for the now banned balance hole. This performance core is wrapped in Roto Grip's eTrax-S20 Solid Reactive coverstock which can be sanded or polished to meet your needs without reducing traction or responsiveness. Out of the box this ball is ideally used on medium to medium/heavy oil conditions.

Color: Azure/Black/Navy
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Rondure Core (Asymmetrical) (14-16#)
Coverstock: eTrax-S20 Solid Reactive
Finish: 3000-grit Pad
RG: 2.49 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.052 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Medium/Heavy

Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  400 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  4 ½ over and ½ up

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
VLS Layout:  5 x 4 x 2 1/2

The Rubicon is a new “Asym Lite” from Roto Grip.  This ball was designed with the new USBC rules in mind, by making the core slightly asymmetric.  I love the result.  The Rubicon picks up like an asym and backends like a symmetrical.  The first couple of shots I threw, I didn’t understand the motion because my eyes weren’t used to seeing a ball pickup and then still tip.  I’m going to LOVE the Rubicon.

Roto Grip Hustle Rubicon
Layout: 4.5 X 3 X 2 Storm Vector Layout
Rev Rate: 325 rpm, 7 degree of axis tilt, 40 degree of axis rotation
Testing Information: 41-foot THS (medium volume)
Kegel Machine – Brunswick Anvilane

Not only a great concept on paper but delivery of that concept by Roto Grip.  See the Rubicon is designed to provide that ball motion that strong symmetrical bowling balls, with low weight holes, provided.  See the Rubicon is a low-end asymmetrical bowling ball (PSA Diff. =0.011). Based on the ball reaction I see from my Rubicon, the Rubicon delivers on the previously mentioned concept.

The Roto Grip Rubicon utilizes the eTrax-S20 (pure reactive) solid reactive coverstock and Rondure core. This combination created a tighter than normal oil ring pattern on the ball for me.  My experience tells me this tight oil ring pattern translates into a great ball for me and other bowlers.  The Rubicon reads the mid-lane correctly for me, not too early of a read.  It did remind me of my beloved Storm Code X, both in visual appearance and from a ball reaction standpoint.  I can’t wait to throw the Rubicon during tournament action.  The Rubicon will be that step-down ball from your hook monster ball and should be of use left of the third arrow.  The bigger asymmetrical bowling balls sometimes don’t play well deep inside but the Rubicon will.  I could see myself having two of these bad boys – one with surface and one with shine.

Visit your local Storm VIP Pro Shop to order yours.

Continue to bowl up a Storm!

#Stormnation  #OwnIt

LANE CONDITION

Length: 43'

Volume: 23 mLs

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: Similar to one of my all time favorites, the CodeX

Dislikes: Nothing, This ball slots in nicely to the arsenal.

For a straight solid reactive ball, this thing creates some angle!  Although its an asymmetrical, it has very little asymmetry.  It does though have enough asymmetry to provide a little extra torque that a  symmetrical core isn't going to give.  The straight solid e-trax S20, allows the ball to get down the lane, read the mids and give EXCELLENT down lane motion.  This has similarities to one of my all time favorites...the CodeX!  I drilled my first one 50x5x30 and I have already placed an order for a 2nd one so I can drill it pin down!

Other balls on rotation:
Parallax- 50x4-7/8x30
AstroPhysix- 50x4-7/8x30
IQ Tour Nano-50x5x30
Rubicon-50x5x30
Trend-50x5x30


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

My initial reaction to this ball was WOW.  This ball is not only clean, but it strong in the midlane and continues through the pins super well.  Compared to the Idol, the Rubicon is stronger and is definitely more continuous considering it is an asymmetrical core.  I drilled mine with 50 x 4.5 x 70 drilling and these types of drillings for me especially on an asymmetrical core do not continue well past about the 3rd arrow.  The Rubicon not only continued through the pins at 3rd arrow but continued at 4th arrow and even further left than that.  I was truly impressed with how well this ball continues throughout the whole body of the lane.  I never feared once about this ball coming back to the pocket on the typical house shot.  I can see myself using this ball on a wide variety of sport patterns as well that have some volume of oil to them.

Adam Chase
Storm Staff

Bowler Bio
Gender : Female
Rev Rate : 315
Ball Speed: 16.5 mph
P.A.P : 4 3/16 over  7/16 up
   
   Roto Grip Rubicon
As Soon as the first shot left my hand I knew right away that this ball was going to be one of my new favourites. Strong cover with the new core that simulates a low weight hole really helps any bowler pack a punch on the back end. The Shape is strong but very predictable which is huge on house shots. I hate when I have a ball that will just turn sideways and not know what it’s going to do. I compared This ball to the UFO and it made me see how much my UFO laboured down lane. The Rubicon really revs up and generates good rotation with that new core helping with the new weight hole rule. The Rubicon was about a board or two more but not much. the Rubicon just drives through the pins different. The UFO was a rounder shape then the Rubicon. The Rubicon definitely has more teeth when it comes off the back of the pattern. This ball will be great for all types of ball speeds , rev rates and styles. !

LANE CONDITION
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):  THS


COMMENTS
Right handed
57 years old
Rev Rate:  320
Ball speed:  15 to 15 1/2 mph

Today, I drilled up the newest release from Roto Grip in the HP3 performance line, The Rubicon.  Thanks to Steve Green of Green' Pro Shop for drilling it up.  He has been very good with drilling equipment for myself and my daughter for several years now.  If you live in southeastern PA, please consider making him your ball driller.

I used a 5"x4"x3" layout, hoping to enhance the ball's natural characteristics.  I chose to leave it at the box finish of 3000 abralon since my rev rate has declined precipitously as I've gotten older, down to around 320rpm now.  Bowling was done on a typical, StoneStreet type house shot.  For comparison, I also threw a UFO and a SuperSonic, both with similar layouts and box surfaces.  It seems that RotoSchlem was spot on with his intent and finished product.

The first two things I noticed were:  1) holy flare, Batman!  It flares a lot and 2) It rolls like a ball that has a P4 hole in it.  No kidding.  Staying around the oil line, it was clean for a dull solid through the front.  No need to jump into the puddle.  Nice midlane read without being too quick a response while showing a strong downlane continuous motion and going through the pins well.  Whether I went with a weaker wrist and going more up the back of the ball or firming up and getting around it more, The Rubicon exhibited the same type shape and ball motion, just more or less hook.  The best word to describe it is "blendy".  Compared to the UFO, it was not as early and more continuous on the backend.  The UFO is clearly earlier and more inclined to burn up with just a little bit of friction.  A 2 & 2 move left allowed it to store more energy and hit much harder but you can clearly see the difference in ball strength due to the coverstocks (Nano based vs. pure solid).

Next, I compared it with the SuperSonic, since that ball is a lower RG, quick-revving piece.  The nano-based, hybrid cover enhances the early revving nature of the ball so I thoght it would be and interesting comparison.  The Rubicon had a noticeably slower response and was more forgivng if I got it right early.  The SuperSonic was much more likely to over/under for me, also.  It did cover more boards, however.

Initial impressions of the Rubicon are very impressive.  I believe it will be a versatile ball, showing success on both Sport shots and House shots, due to its blendy, more continuous shape.  While making comparisons is a very subjective thing, I believe bowlers will see a lot of the Code X or Alpha Crux in the Rubicon.  Make sure to get yours at your local Storm VIP Pro Shop.

PAP 4 ½ over and 1 up ball speed 15 rev rate 275
Drilling 75x4.5x55
So this is a new one for me, I've never had the opportunity to see a ball with this kind of combination before. I compared the Rubicon with My Halo Solid and my OG Idol being they are both solids with similar cover stocks. The Rubicon keeps up with the Halo overall but where the Halo loves the oil and starts to slow down after game 1 the Rubicon is a perfect step down/compliment to the Halo. Compared to my Idol, right from the start I love the strong down lane reaction I got from the IKON core and solid ETRAX cover, but when I just cant get my Idol around the corner when there is volume The New Rubicon is ready for battle!