BallReviews

Reviews => Storm => Topic started by: Ballreviews on May 12, 2014, 09:20:37 AM

Title: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: Ballreviews on May 12, 2014, 09:20:37 AM
Description: Storm is building on the sucess of the Hy-Road series with the Storm Hy-Road Solid. This ball has the same motion as the original Hy-Road, but offers more traction in the midlane. This ball is ideal for heavier oil conditions.
- Coverstock: R2S Solid Reactive
- Weight Block: Inverted Fe² Technology
- Factory Finish: 2000 grit Pad
- Color: Black/Red
- RG: 2.57 (15# ball)
- Diff.: 0.046 (15# ball)
- Fragrance: Cherry
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: TamerBowling on May 22, 2014, 10:28:22 PM
LANE CONDITION

41 ft heavier THS
Scorpion Pattern


COMMENTS

As expected, this ball has the same look as the Hy Road hybrid but allows for more midlane traction, a foot or so, and that helps smooth out the backend while still being strong and continuous.  It has a "rolly" look to it on lane while the original Hy Road has a bit more push and boominess on the backend.  While many might be hard-pressed to find enough oil to use this ball, especially in the summer, the love for the Hy Road is enough that this could easily wind up in a lot of bags.  It really is the perfect compliment to the Hy Road hybrid and really fit in a great spot right in the "middle" of an arsenal making them very usable.  So if you start up the night and find the Hy Road is pushing just a tad or in transition where the hybrid might also be pushing and you lose carry, the Hy Road solid would be absolutely perfect to give you that same look but more punch.

It helped smooth out both the heavier THS as well as the sport pattern.  Once we found a spot, you could basically burn it in for a while and carry at will.

http://tamerbowling.com/index.php/new-storm-equipment-optimus-hy-road-solid/



PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: live2bowlgr8t on June 10, 2014, 07:35:53 AM
LANE CONDITION

Length:42ft

Volume:High Volume

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):Modified House SHot


COMMENTS
The Hyroad Solid is yet another great bowling ball in the Hyroad line!!! This ball is absolutely amazing. Its smooth, strong, controllable, predictable.
I put a 80*5.5*35 layout on it and this gave me a strong versatile ball. I get an early rolling ball motion but its not too ealry to where it reads the lane to quick and slows down towards the end of the lane. Its very continuos and strong. I can ge in deeper with this ball and really start to open the lane up and I can just move left with the pattern transitioning and not have to worry about the ball getting into a hook stop motion. I am a huge fan of this ball, It reminds me alot of my Victory Rd Solid just more overall hook. Tournament bowlers are gonna love this ball. Its a must have in your bag when you are traveling to places to ball different events.

Likes: Love the fragerance. Love the motion.

Dislikes: no dislikes


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: BowlersDeals.com on June 10, 2014, 05:31:16 PM
LANE CONDITION

Length:43ft

Volume: High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): 2014 OC Team Event


COMMENTS

Storm is bringing you the next best solid release to this century, Hy-Road Solid! This ball is a very good compliment to the original Hy-Road. Utilizing the same core as the original Hy-Road but wrapped around the ever popular R2S Solid cover stock. If any of you remember the t-road solid, this ball has a very similar reaction to it. This ball will give you smooth, predictable motion. This ball has a good amount of hook to handle lane conditions from heavy to medium-heavy oil lane conditions.

The Hy-Road Solid comes out of box at 2000 grit abralon finish. I drilled this ball with a 4 3/8″ x 5 1/2″ placing the pin up above my ring finger. I tested this ball on the 2014 USBC Open Championship Team Event Pattern. The Hy-Road Solid gave me a tremendous mid-lane read with a smooth but strong motion off the breakpoint.

On House conditions, this ball worked well on medium-heavy patterns with a lot of volume and a long length of pattern. This ball needs oil at the box finish. Taking it down to a 4000 or even a 1500 polish finish, you will be able to use this ball on more medium house patterns where the ball won’t read to early since it won’t be to dull.

This ball works very well on fresh sport shots that are 40+ feet and over 23ml of oil. It really blends the pattern out well and you can get a consistent read off the breakpoint with this ball at the out of box finish.

Based off performance, I give this ball a “B+.” Based off cosmetics, I give this ball a “B-.” I would have liked to see a better color blend with the black. A darker color with the black like purple or navy blue would have been perfect in my opinion.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: hammermike2000 on June 12, 2014, 11:18:32 PM
Storm Hyroad Solid

Layout: 60 x 5 3/16 x 45
Shine, light 3000 Surface

Bowler Info:
325 Rev Rate
Speed: 16 - 17 MPH

The Hyroad Solid is quite a different beast when compared to the HyRoad Pearl or original HyRoad.  The HyRoad Solid has a very strong midlane roll that lets its excel on heavier patterns.  Even with the weaker drill, and adding a light coat of polish followed by being hit lightly with a 3000 abralon pad, it still properly read a fresh shot at a time when anything shinier was too skid/flip and sensitive to over/under, while still conserving enough energy to go through the pins very well.

This ball and the Optimus are perfect companions - when the HyRoad Solid starts to read the lane too early, a switch to the Optimus (which is an easy 4-5 feet further down the lane) yields a strong backend reaction to take advantage of the friction.   

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZib1QpmdJg&feature=youtu.be

Mike LeViner
Bowlers Mart
Title: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: DhiggyJr on June 15, 2014, 11:56:42 AM
By STORM staff: Dan Higgins
Right Handed
PAP 5 1/8 up 3/8
Rev rate 380-415

STORM Hy-Road Solid link:
http://stormbowling.com/products/balls/hyroadsolid

I have drilled 2 Hy-Road

1 - Pin up reverse 130 layout(Pin above fingers on center line cg kicked left and inch from center grip and a 7/8 hole about 40-45 degrees  9 inches from center of span
2 - Pin Down RICO

The reverse 130 layout I have experienced in the original Hy-Road and really liked the length and smooth strong arc this gave me. I used on medium to drier conditions or flatter lower to medium volume patterns.  I have since put the same layout in a Modern Marvel, Hy-Road Pearl, IQ Tour Fusion.  Now that there is a Hy Road Solid it compliments my Hy-Road and Hy-Road pearl. The Hy-Road Solid gives me the earlier hook for when this layout matches on longer or higher volume patterns.

The Rico Hy-Road Solid is to put back in the arsenal  for days when I used to have my T-Road solid drilled the same. Early hook stop motion for short high volume patterns or medium length and volume patterns.
Thinking of drilling a third Hy-Road Solid Pin up 5 ¼ x 3 ¼ x 3 to compliment my Marvel S and IQ Tour that I have had great success with on multiple patterns.
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: riggs on June 22, 2014, 11:03:35 AM
HY-ROAD SOLID review by Storm staffer Jeff Richgels
      Drilled June 9, 2014
     

      The HY-ROAD SOLID specs are here:
   http://www.stormbowling.com/products/balls/hyroadsolid

   The HY-ROAD SOLID video is here:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp1hMZSx9cI

   You can see a picture of it in my blog here:
   http://www.11thframe.com/reviews/38


Storm’s R2S coverstock might be the best cover ever made: It’s been the cover for some of the most popular balls of all time – most notably the HY-ROAD -- and just seems to keep getting better as Storm upgrades it.

I loved the T-ROAD PEARL and love the HY-ROAD PEARL as well. The two balls have the same core and both have R2S Pearl covers, but the HY-ROAD PEARL is a newer version that clearly is stronger in today’s thicker oils.

I struggled with the T-ROAD SOLID when it came out in 2007 and ultimately gave up on it, sticking with my beloved SPECIAL AGENT as my R2S solid ball of choice. The SPECIAL’s EMC Enhanced Motion Control core just seemed to roll better for me than the Inverted Fe² when surrounded by the R2S solid cover.
I hit the pocket fine with the T-ROAD SOLID, but seemed to leave a lot of ring 10s, solid 9s, and 4s.

You would think that might make me wary of the new HY-ROAD SOLID, which again puts an R2S solid cover over the Inverted Fe² core. But I wasn’t because of the differences I saw in the T-ROAD PEARL and HY-ROAD PEARL.

Storm rep Jim Callahan mapped out a HY-ROAD SOLID for me at the Senior U.S. Open earlier this month and it got its first extended action at the USBC Senior Masters the next week.

For me, the HY-ROAD SOLID motion was too early and too smooth for the Senior Open – the OPTIMUS was a better choice – but it was perfect for the fresh at the Senior Masters, where there was a bit of hook spot between 5- and 10-board and stronger back-ends than at the Senior Open.

My HY-ROAD SOLID has the pin above and a tad to the right of my ring finger with the CG kicked slightly right at about a 75-degree drilling angle. It has a small weight hole kicked to the right in line with my grip center. I hesitate to give the numbers because I’ve been messing with my grip and am not sure what my PAP is.

The box finish is 2,000, compared to the 1,000 of the T-ROAD SOLID.

I left mine at box finish and loved it at the start of the Senior Masters, as I opened with a spare and then an 8-bagger playing a fairly direct angle up between 5- and 10-board.

With the fresh back-ends, the HY-ROAD SOLID made a strong but controllable move off the oil line – I’d call it a strong arc, rather than a snap – and I even had a touch of tug if I rolled it clean. This motion was smoother than I remember with the T-ROAD SOLID.

I think half of my eight strikes were snapped out 10-pins, which always is an indication of great ball reaction.

Once the fronts began drying and the Kegel Ice oil carried down and I flipped to the tighter side at South Point in Las Vegas, my carry diminished but I still was able to stay in the pocket consistently.

The coverstock did not shine that much and it was easily returned to a rougher finish.

I have since bowled with it on a transitioned house shot, and on the fresh USBC Open Championships team pattern.

My HY-ROAD SOLID did not like a lot of dry area, as it burned up energy. This clearly is the strongest ball in the Thunder line. I did not shine it because I already have shiny R2S balls.

The HY-ROAD SOLID excelled on the fresh Open Championships team pattern, giving me a great look with great control going fairly direct up the lane just right of 10-board. I would love to have had this ball for the start of team in Reno, where I used a SYNC to get smooth motion – the HY-ROAD SOLID has a more controlled and less early motion than the SYNC and I think would have been perfect for the start of team.

As you might expect, the HY-ROAD SOLID to me was pretty much a scuffed HY-ROAD but a little stronger with the latest version of R2S solid.

What I like about the Inverted Fe² core is it’s easy to manipulate the ball reaction with release changes. With stronger cores like in the SYNC and OPTIMUS, I find that the core somewhat overwhelms my release changes so that the ball does what the core has it do, not what I try to make it do. I could roll or spin – as much as my creaky 3-operation wrist allows me to – the HY-ROAD SOLID and change its motion fairly dramatically.

The HY-ROAD SOLID looks like a great benchmark ball that should excel on fresh medium to heavy oil, even if the back-ends are crisp. It does not give an over/under reaction from what I have seen.

On lighter oil or transitioned patterns, the HY-ROAD SOLID probably is too strong unless you have a lot of speed or are a low-rev player. (Again, it might work on such conditions if shined, but that’s what balls like the HY-ROAD PEARL are for.)

I also think the HY-ROAD SOLID’s controllability makes it a great ball for Sport patterns, as I’ve seen at the Senior Masters and on the Open Championships team pattern.

As I said, it’s excellent at digging out 10s, and is great carrying light mixers, although it has left a fair amount ring 10s and solid 9s for me so far.

I would recommend the HY-ROAD SOLID for just about anyone who bowls on heavy or medium oil. Only rev-dominant and slower speed players might want to be wary of it – trying it first at a MatchMaker event would be wise.

If you’re someone who loves the HY-ROAD, the HY-ROAD SOLID should be an excellent companion ball for heavier oil.

Title: Storm HyRoad Solid Review by Casey Murphy
Post by: caseyccg on June 30, 2014, 12:43:23 PM
Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  375 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  5 across ¾ up

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
Layout:  65, 5 1/2, 35

What can I say?  It’s a solid cover version of the HyRoad and HyRoad Pearl.  It’s exactly what you’d expect it to be.  Personally I like the HyRoad Pearl a little more than the regular HyRoad.  So I was very excited to see a solid version of this series so I could get a substantially earlier and smoother reaction than the HRP and the HR.  The HRS lets me do just that.  It’s much earlier than the other two balls in the series and much more controlled on the backend.  It’s definitely a ball to use for early in a tournament to control fresh.  If you like the HyRoad and HyRoad Pearl then the HyRoad Solid is a must own from Storm.
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: PJ Haggerty on July 03, 2014, 04:25:50 PM
Storm Hyroad Solid Ball Review by PJ Haggerty

Storm could put a Hyroad logo on a tennis ball and it would strike.  A solid version of one of the best balls ever made?  Yes please.  By making a solid version of the Hyroad, we can talk about a ball for everyone.  The tournament players can use it on flatter patterns and when they need to “stand left/throw right” and the league bowlers will love it because it will blend out the wet/dry reaction.  The beautiful part about the solid is how clean it still is with a decent amount of surface on it.  Some players have said when you put surface on a pearl ball or a strong ball, it makes the ball slow down so much, it doesn’t go through the pins the right way.  Not the Hyroad Solid.

My favorite drilling for the Hyroad line has been 5 ¼ x 4 with a 7/8 hole approximately two inches under my axis.  This puts the pin directly through my middle finger which increases differential and makes balls more predictable.  I’ve had a lot of success with this in the past, especially on balls with faster response times.  Throwing this ball on PBA and sport patterns gives me a cleaner and smoother motion than some of the high end balls, while still providing power through the pins.  The core is so versatile and matches up on so many conditions, it’s hard to put this ball down!

Don’t be afraid to drill this ball stronger too.  The surface out of the box indicates a ball that will read the front of the lane pretty fast, not true.  This ball will still float through the front but read the mid-lane so nicely.  It will still provide the Hyroad motion through the pins, just in a smoother fashion.  I’d recommend it for anyone looking to replace their “late block” high friction balls. 

Go Drill One!

#StormNation
Title: Hy-Road Solid Review by Storm Staff Member Louis Narvaez Jr.
Post by: LouisN on July 14, 2014, 11:30:48 PM
 Layout 60° x 4" x 30°

Not much introduction is needed for this ball.  For the tons of us who love the HyRoad series this is the ball we have been asking for.  What I did not expect out of this ball was how much stronger it actually would be.  I very much underestimated the strength of the R2S cover combined with this block.  For me there is at least a 5-7 board difference between this and my HyRoad.  I put the same layout on this ball as was on my favorite HyRoad and I had to make a pretty big move left to keep this ball in the oil longer. 


This ball is very smooth as well.  This definitely gives a much more roll type look as compared to the original HyRoad.  This seems to be one of those balls you need to have in the bag on more difficult patterns where controlling the pocket is key.  I can't wait to get this ball in some tournaments and see what we can do.  I posted a video below so you could see the direct comparison to my HyRoad.  Both balls have the exact same layout.


Louis Narvaez Jr.
Storm/Roto Grip Staff Member
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: StoRoto2013 on July 22, 2014, 07:31:33 AM
LANE CONDITION

Length: Various

Volume: Various

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Various


One of Storm’s July releases is the HyRoad Solid that has the inverted Fe2 Technology weight block that is surrounded by the R2S Solid reactive cover stock.   The HyRoad Solid is smooth through the front part of the lane with a powerful but readable backend motion.  The layout that I used was off the VLS System and the coordinates are the following: Pin to pap 3 1/8, PSA to PAP 5 1/2 and Pin Buffer 2 ¼.  In Dual angle layout terminology 55 X 3 1/8 X 45 and I also needed and extra hole which is located 1 inch past my VAL on the center line.  MY coordinates are: PAP 5 5/8 and ¾ up, rev rate around 300, ball speed around 15mph, more up the back release and I am right handed.

The HyRoad Solid comes from the factory with a 2000 grit surface which I did nothing to.  The smoothness of the HyRoad Solid is unbelievable but the continuation through the pins is more impressive!  The layout that I choose was for a medium condition with medium volume, I was looking for a benchmark ball and I think I found it.  The first pattern that I threw the HyRoad Solid on was a standard house pattern and man did this ball give me the pocket.  I normally have a lot of over/under ball reaction on a house pattern but not with the HyRoad Solid.  The HyRoad Solid is strong enough to still finish when I missed inside and gave me enough length if I missed outside.  However, about an hour into the session, the HyRoad Solid started to burn up slightly because the front part of the lane burned up and at that point the HyRoad Pearl would be a better option anyway!  The other pattern that I threw the HyRoad Solid on was a longer pattern (AMF version of the Scorpion) that was more blended and the HyRoad Solid again gave me room because of the smoothness and readability at the break point.  As long as I kept the ball to the right and straighter the HyRoad Solid was unbelievable as it went through the pins!  However, as the pattern broke down (heads burned up) and the launch angles increased the HyRoad Solid just was a touch too early and lost too much energy in the mid-lane.  The HyRoad Pearl or the original HyRoad would be a better ball choice at that point. 

The HyRoad Solid is a solid choice when looking for a powerful bowling ball that is versatile.


Likes: Versatile and readable

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: SWidmer on July 29, 2014, 11:28:08 AM
My Hy-Road Solid Layout: 60 degrees x 4" x 65 degrees or 4" x 4 15/16" x 3 1/2"

The Storm Hy-Road Solid completes the Hy-Road family. The original Hy-Road has been on the market now for over 5 years and Storm recently flanked the hybrid-covered ball with a pearl version. Now Storm has introduced a solid version. There's a Hy-Road for everyone and every style.

I'll admit that the original Hy-Road was never a ball I matched up with. Pretty frustrating given the amount of people who love it and have had tremendous success with it. But not everyone matches up with every ball. However, I really like both the pearl and solid versions.

The pin down layout I chose for my Hy-Road Solid gives me a quick rolling ball that handles the midlane very well without sacrificing backend continuation. It may very well be the most arcing ball I have in my bag at the moment. To get an idea what I mean, watch the line in the comparison portion of my Pitch Black video when used on 32', a smooth arc, even on the shortest of patterns.

Conditions I have used the Hy-Road Solid on: 32' Wolf, 35' Kegel Boardwalk, 42' Kegel Autobahn, 41' Kegel Turnpike and 37' Kegel Broadway. The Hy-Road solid is a ball I can keep in play very easily and use on a variety of patterns. I don't think the Hy-Road is the best ball for me to start with if I were bowling on Wolf but I could definitely use it there and have been able to use it on the fresh on a 42' sport pattern. I'd say it's pretty versatile ball and is definitely my current benchmark ball.

Where the Hy-Road Solid fits in my bag: Like I said above, the Hy-Road Solid is my current benchmark ball. Released alongside the Optimus, the Hy-Road solid is cleaner through the front and smoother downlane than the Optimus. It's a step up from my Hy-Road Pearl and a step down from my Marvel-S or Optimus.

When I use the Hy-Road Solid: I will use the Hy-Road Solid early in practice to get a clear idea of what the lanes are doing and adjust from there. Its versatility allows me to throw it on almost any shot, at least early on in a block.

Title: Storm Hyroad Solid review by Staffer Garrett Richardson
Post by: GRstorm on August 10, 2014, 01:51:59 PM
Hand: Left
Ball Speed: 16-17mph
Ball Weight: 15lbs
PAP: 5 left 7/16 up
Degrees of Tilt: 17
Layout: 3 ¼ x 5 7/8 x 2 ¼

The Hyroad solid is drilled with the pin left of my ring finger and cg in with no hole. For my Positive Axis Point it is pretty much a basic label looking drill BUT do to it being laid out relative to my PAP and using the Storm VLS software it does not react like a label drilling ball. I wanted something that read the mid lane pretty fast being a symmetric ball on oil when my Marvel S and Zero Gravity would lose its reaction down lane on patterns like the bear, middle of the road, basically the 40ft kind of patterns. If you had a T-Road solid this is a great replacement because I know not letting go of the T-Roads was tough but you won't have to worry because you can get it back now. Same weight block and same cover technology. Out of the 3 Hyroads this is the strongest ball in the thunder series. A lot of people I know weather on staff or your everyday bowler A LOT of them have polished their Hyroad solid because of how early the ball wants to hook. You would never think out of the Hyroads you would have to worry about the ball hooking too early.....well this one does but that just means you can change the surface and with these great Hyroad pieces with the surface change you can fine tune it to your game.

Comparing all 3 Hyroads from strongest overall to the more lengthy overall reaction it will go Hyroad solid, the original Hyroad, then the Hyroad Pearl. You can have all 3 and see different reactions and able to make your moves faster because all 3 are predictable and can switch when you need to. For the people who have read my past reviews on the Hyroads know that I love them and this one is getting the same amount of love on the lanes like the other Hyroads for me. Don't sleep on this one!

If you have any questions about the Hyroad solid email me at garrett.richardson@pinolebowlerssupply.com

Garrett Richardson
Storm/Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff
Vise Inserts Amateur Staff
Pinole Bowler’s Supply
www.facebook.com/grstorm
www.facebook.com/pinolebowlerssupply
www.stormbowling.com
www.rotogrip.com
www.viseinserts.com
Title: Hy-Road Solid review by Mark Tarkington
Post by: GutterLine on August 21, 2014, 11:03:00 AM
Right Handed
Ball weight:  14
Rev Rate:  378
Ball Speed:  18.2
Axis Tilt:  6.67
Axis Rotation:  45*
PAP:  4 1/2 horizontal, 1 5/8 up
Layout:  Pin down, under middle finger, cg ½” positive thumb quadrant

After having years of success with the original HyRoad, I had been reading up on the Solid to determine how this one should fit in the arsenal.  I decided I was looking for a full ball down for my Marvel S, which I’ve had much success.  The motion of the Optimus did not make it the ball down that I wanted, so the HyRoad Solid was going to fall into this spot.  I left it in the out of box finish.

For one reason or another, pin down equipment doesn’t really roll very well for me on THS patterns.  This also held true for the HyRoad Solid.  I tried it on a couple of THS in my area and the outside was too try to allow me to utilize the motion that I get out of my Marvel S.  When I tried moving in and bouncing it off of the wall, the look got smoother, but it was rolling way too early and I never felt like I could predict how it was going to move.  After trying it on some named or animal patterns, it was, more than likely, going to get a bit of shine.

My first chance on a named pattern was a sweeper on the Dick Weber pattern.  I was able to use my Marvel S with success, but when the time came to make a ball change, I pulled out the HyRoad Solid.  I can say with all honesty that I was not expecting what I saw.  The HyRoad wanted to roll.  It did not want to get through the heads, and it was dead left off of my hand.  It was so strong that I couldn’t find a look anywhere near where I had started with the Marvel S.  I had to find an alternative because the plan for the HyRoad as a ball down was a bust…

At this point, I have polished the HyRoad Solid, but just haven’t had the opportunity to give it another try.  The hype behind this ball was accurate.  It is a very strong, mid priced ball.  I believe I was expecting an original HyRoad with surface, but got a HyRoad with a beefed up cover.  There is a good possibility that I missed the layout on this one.  I would have probably been better served with a stacked or label ‘leverage’, but that comes with the territory.

I can say that it’s a strong ball and I would not steer anyone away from the HyRoad Solid.  It’s got plenty of power and would fit into most arsenals with the right layout/cover alteration.  All of this said, I’ll have to get some more games on mine to see exactly where it fits in my bags.

Another surprisingly strong release from Storm!
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: CHardee on August 28, 2014, 12:36:16 PM
When the name HyRoad gets put on something you know its going to be a special one! This one is a great compliment to the Marvel-S for me. When the Marvel-S gets to early I can switch over to the HR-Solid and get it through the fronts easier and with more angle entry it keeps me in the same part of the lane longer before having to drop down to Hybrids/Pearls.
This is a monster for fresh heavier house patterns and will also get plenty of use on the heavier sport patterns also.

If you are looking for HP performance that isn't at a HP price you wont regret the purchase of this one!


Layout: 60x4-3/8x30

Ball Speed 16mph

Rev Rate 250-300
Title: Storm Hyroad Review by Brian Watson
Post by: StormRoto on August 31, 2014, 02:32:55 PM
The Hyroad Solid is the new ball in Storm's Master Line.  It features the Inverted Fe² Technologyâ„¢ weight block wrapped with the proven R2Sâ„¢ solid reactive shell.
I drilled mine with my favorite drilling 4 1/2 x 4 x 2 3/4 or 45 x 4 1/2 x 45.  I added Storm Step 2 to the cover to give me a little extra length.  The Hyroad Solid is now my new benchmark ball.  Very controllable, and keeps a consistent path to the pocket.
The Hyroad Solid picks up earlier than the original Hyroad and is smoother at the breakpoint.  The solid works great for me on the fresh house shots and sport patterns, as it just blends out the over under wet/dry reaction.  This ball compliments the original Hyroad very well.
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: sk8shorty01 on September 01, 2014, 03:03:49 PM
Ball: Storm Hy-Road Solid
PAP: 5”x1” up
Ball Speed: 17.5 mph
Rev Rate: 325
Right Handed
Layout: 4.25x4.5x1.25
Surface Preparation: 2000

The Hy-Road Solid is the next ball in Storm’s Thunder Line, arguably the best line in bowling.  With the latest release in the Hy-Road line continuing to use the proven R2S coverstock and Inverted Fe2 core there is no way this ball wasn’t going to be an absolute monster on the lanes.  Just another example of the Hy-Road continuing to prove itself in the bowling world year after year, this time in a solid version.

My thought when drilling this ball up, 4.25x4.5x1.25, was to give the Hy-Road solid enough length to keep it from burning up on lighter volumes but not to take away from its design intent.  What I got was a great blend of the two, enough length to stay in play but plenty of teeth to hook up on heavier conditions.  This is a great benchmark ball and layout for me and is definitely what I use to smooth out the pattern and get a gauge of what the lanes are doing.

I compared my Hy-Road Solid in my video review, which you can find on my YouTube Channel sk8sbowlingreviews, to the Optimus and also the Wipe Out.  The reason I chose those two is that in most cases those will be my ball change options from the Hy-Road Solid during competition.  The Optimus gives me a similar hook potential but with a completely different shape so when the heads a a little too dry for the Hy-Road Solid it gives me a good change of pace.  The Wipe Out is my all around ball down off the Hy-Road Solid when there is less volume out there but I want a similar hook shape.

Michael Bauer
Sk8sbowlingreviews
Storm Amateur Staff Member
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: Gizmo823 on September 02, 2014, 11:56:43 AM
First review in a while, but we're going to try to break the typical review mold and be relevant. 

First off, a few particulars:
Layout: 65x5.25x40
Rev rate: 400
Speed: 17.5
Angle of rotation: 45
Axis tilt: 5
I would consider myself a power tweener

My intention for this ball was to be a house shot killer, that's why I selected the layout I did.  The ball has a 2.57 RG, which will get the ball down the lane cleanly, and a .42 differential for moderate flare potential (#15lbs).  I wanted enough flare to grip well, but I also didn't want to pull a ton of oil off the lane. 

I put a light coat of polish on the ball without otherwise altering the box surface first.  I am intentionally leaving specific lane condition information out of this review, oil type, surface friction, humidity, etc., can all contribute to nebulous reactions despite similar information.  However, our shot at both houses is medium to light volume and medium length.  My recent weapon of choice has been a Tribal (70x4.5x35) though it goes longer than I want it to.  I drilled the Hyroad Solid to blend the pattern a bit better (react sooner and be a bit smoother off the dry).  Though it goes longer and hooks less overall than I expected, it's extremely close to what I wanted.  It gets easy length but still responds firmly on the backend and the continuation offers good to above average carry at the pocket, though it does get a bit squirty on carrydown.  Overall, 9/10

Despite being marketed for heavier volumes of oil, this is where the Hyroad Solid falls flat.  The virtually non-existant core does not rev well, and the cover, though strong, can't overcome the lack of revving by itself.  It does offer a stronger move on the back than most high end balls, it just unfortunately doesn't hook enough to do more than be over/under.  HOWEVER, once the lanes begin to burn, it could easily be the 2nd ball out of the bag, and I feel it reacts much better with a bit of polish.  It has a smooth, predictable reaction off the dry and would give you an extremely consistent reaction that others may not have.  Also once this ball comes out of the bag, you will be able to stick with it for a LONG time.  3/10 on fresh heavy oil, 10/10 once the track begins to burn. 

Overall, for the range of conditions the ball is intended for, it earns a solid 9/10.  I feel this ball is much better with a bit of polish on it, as the cover is quite a bit stronger than the core and this can lead to over/under issues.  Polish will keep you in a zone where the cover and core are matched up better which will give you more consistency.  Outside of the intended range of conditions, the Hyroad Solid fares much better on the drier side than the wetter.  The core is weak enough to still afford you length while still retaining an impressive amount of energy and being continuous rather than burning up, while despite the strength of the cover, the response to the dry is smooth enough that with firmer speed or reducing your rev rate, you can stay close to the same area.  However, if you are able to move left effectively, this is where this ball is exceptional.  This ball WILL retain energy, turn the corner and be continuous from any angle.  While in a marathon practice session, I never found a point where the ball stood up on me, and only when I'd destroyed the heads from the right gutter to the left completely did the ball begin to resist.  Where most other balls would be doing good to get a 5-6/10 rating on conditions outside their intended design, this ball scores a 7, and only that low because it is ineffective on oil. 

Ratings:
Power - 9/10
Control - 10+/10
Versatility 10+/10
Heavy/long oil - 3/10
Medium oil - 10/10
Light/short oil - 8.5/10

In summary, the Hyroad Solid is a must have ball.  It is at its best with a bit of polish, and although it then bears similarities to the original Hyroad, being that it's a solid, the shape is smoother and even more controllable, though you relinquish a bit of power.  While it doesn't hook as much as they advertise or that the box surface may suggest, if you pay attention to where the ball wants to play, you're going to find the best ball for the price on the market.  This is the ultimate benchmark ball and NEEDS to be your first out of the bag. 

Luke Rosdahl
Manager - In The Zone Pro Shop
Topeka, KS location
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: tommygn on October 23, 2014, 09:30:51 AM
The Hyroad solid is the next ball in the Hyroad series of Storm bowling balls, this one having a solid R2S cover. The black and red cover has a 2000 grit factory finish and a cherry scent. The Hyroad solid has an Rg of 2.57 and a diff of 0.046 in 15lb balls. The Hyroad is in the Thunder line of bowling balls.
I drilled my Hyroad solid with a 4x5x3 layout, using the Storm system for laying out a bowling ball. This puts the pin just to the left of my ring finger. The box finish was very aggressive, and I didn’t throw the Hyroad but a few times before needing to head to the spinner to smooth the cover a bit with Storm step #1 polish to be able to use it on our house condition. This helped the ball hold pocket, but very quickly broke down the pattern, and forced me to make constant 2&1 moves, really pushing me out of my personal comfort zone. I have since decided to go back to a lower grit surface (a used 1000 grit abralon pad), and just use the ball when there is enough oil on the lane for it to be successful. The Hyroad solid has a very specific condition in which it rolls well for me, so I need to be patient and utilize it in that proper environment.
The Hyroad will cover a lot of boards, without having much of an overreaction. The Hyroad solid has a big sweeping curve motion. This is a ball that you would reach for if you wanted to open up a fresh league pattern. The Hyroad will provide plenty of flare so that you can have fresh cover touching the lane, providing optimum traction.
The success of the original Hyroad has developed into a pearl and now a solid covered ball. The Hyroad solid isn’t a ball for dry lanes. You need a long oil pattern or a high volume of oil, to have success with this ball. With the release of these new oils that play very tight and decrease the amount of traction newer cover stocks can create on today’s slick lane surfaces, the Hyroad solid will provide that lost traction you need to get the ball to roll towards and through the pocket the correct way. If you are looking for a lot of hook, then look to your local Storm VIP pro shop for a Hyroad solid.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review of the HyRoad solid.


Tommy Gollick
Storm & Vise regional staff member
Title: Derek Eoff Hy-Road Solid Review
Post by: Eoff on October 24, 2014, 04:53:51 AM
I have used the Hyroad solid on a house shot, London pattern, Open champ. team pattern.

I used my standard layout which is pin above my middle finger with my axis at 45 degrees. 

My first impression of the Hyroad solid was that it will be a really good ball for fresh patterns.  I was surprised at how smooth it was down lane since the Hyroad and Hyroad Pearl give me more angle down lane. 

The Hyroad solid excelled the first game or two, but then I had to transition to the Hyroad Pearl or Optimus to gain more entry angle as I moved deeper.  The Hyroad Solid excelled on the house shot as it eliminated the over/under I typically see.

For me, the Hyroad solid will get use on house patterns and shorter patterns or patterns that need more control down lane.  The Hyroad solid does hook a lot, so it probably won't get much use on drier lane conditions. 

If you like the Hyroad and Hyroad pearl, you should get the solid as it will be a great compliment to those two balls.  If you didn't like the earlier Hyroads because they were too angular, you might like the solid. 

 

Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: SRBenifield on October 29, 2014, 09:45:22 AM
Ball: Storm Hy-Road Solid
PAP: 5 5/16”x1/4” up
Ball Speed: 17 mph
Rev Rate: 425
Right Handed
Layout: 135x2.5x55
Surface Preparation: 2000

Adding onto the current success of the Hy-Road line the Hy-Road Solid gives you a more even rolling versatile ball to tackle all kinds of oil conditions.

My thought when drilling this ball up, 135x2.5x55, was to give me another ball with one of my favorite layouts on it, being high rev sometimes i need something that is just lopey out on the lanes, I loved my IQ Tour Fusion with this layout, and the Hy-Road solid didn't disappoint me either. What's fantastic about this ball and layout is that I can play it almost anytime, really wet out there?, move to the right and watch it slide back into the pocket, getting dry? move in and watch it ease in without that jerky motion that dry spots can sometimes create. This will be my go to benchmark ball.

Samuel "Richard" Benifield
BowlersMart Buford
Storm Pro-Shop Staff
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: vampep on October 29, 2014, 09:40:12 PM
The hyroad solid combines the Hyroads great most lasting core with an incredibly strong coverstock. This ball loves oil. If you like the way the hyroad rolls but just needed a little bit more on it for those longer patterns are heavier conditions, this ball is the one to go for.
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: Tony Reynaud on October 30, 2014, 01:34:07 AM
COVERSTOCK: R2Sâ„¢ Solid Reactive
WEIGHT BLOCK: Inverted Fe² Technology™
LIGHT WEIGHT BLOCK: Modified Centripetalâ„¢ Core
FACTORY FINISH: 2000-grit Pad
BALL COLOR: Black/Red
DUROMETER: 74-76 Rex D-scale
FLARE POTENTIAL: 5” - 6” (High)
FRAGRANCE: Cherry
WEIGHTS: 12-16 lbs.
SKU: TYS

My layout: 4 x 4 x 2
My PAP: 4 1/2 over 1 1/4 up

The Hy-Road Solid from Storm is a ball I never really ended up liking a lot. I had some early success with it, but over the long run it never developed into a go to ball for me, which is unusual because I normally have great success with solids. I felt the ball never really made a strong move in the back for me, which is normally fine as long as the ball makes a decent move in the fronts. My reaction in the fronts didn’t seem to make up for the lack of reaction I got in the backs.
Even though I am sure there are plenty of bowlers that drilled and liked the Hy-road Solid I don’t see a ton of them being used right now in my tournament travels along the Northern East Coast.  I am going to rate the ball a 6. In short by the Crux instead, you won’t believe how hard that ball hits the pins!
Title: Re: Hy-Road Solid
Post by: MrRoss247 on November 07, 2015, 01:12:01 AM
LANE CONDITION

Length:Long Patterns

Volume:Heavy Volume

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):Mainly, Long Sport Patterns


COMMENTS

Likes:The HyRoad Solid is one of the balls you must have if you are bowling on a long pattern and you know you cannot give the pocket away. One thing I like is that this ball is not very angular and it reads the lane earlier and it sets into the pocket (kind of like a urethane ball). So overall, this would be the ball you would use on longer heavy oil sport patterns. :D

Dislikes:
I don't recommend this ball on Short, Medium sport patterns, or house shots because there is a lot of over/under reaction. If You try to open your angles when the lane brakes down, the ball doesn't have the umph to hook back to the pocket and carry, but if you throw your ball inside of target, the ball will over hook usually going high or brooklyn. Overall, not recommended for short or medium length patterns. :-[


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