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Author Topic: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?  (Read 1684 times)

n00dlejester

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Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« on: November 17, 2009, 01:57:12 AM »
Hey Guys,

I've been looking for a Sure Fire lately, but definitely can not find one lol.  The best I found so far was an 11lb one on bowlingball.com (lol), and what I want, 16lb NIB on ebay.  But I really don't think I'd trust an ebay seller with bowling balls, especially when they use stock photography.  

If my Sure Fire search is in vain, I was wondering how comparable the Hy-Road and Sure Fire are in reaction shapes/overall characteristics.  I would NOT keep the Hy-Road shiny - I want it dulled to 2000 or 4000 abralon.  Either of these two balls are going to be my benchmark ball in my bag, and shiny is not what I'm looking for.  They seem to have similar core statistics, and the same coverstock - I just hope they are close enough in reaction that I can get the Hy-Road if need be.  

Thanks for any help!
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tommygn

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2009, 12:59:36 PM »
You would be better off finding a pro pin Rapid Fire pearl, and drilling it using the opposite pin placement on the other side of the ball (this would give you the same weight block, with a nice dose of mica to slow the ball down. The Sure Fire had a particle load in the cover). I have not done it myself, but my buddy in the shop does this all the time with pro pin balls. He has two strike cells, and a RSX or something like that drilled using this method. His user name is Keith Frye. He would be able to tell you more about it if you are interested.
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Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2009, 05:01:53 PM »
Okay, I'll buy the inverted drilling thoughts however, if the Sure Fire had any particle in it's black solid, copper pearl hybrid coverstock they sure didn't advertise it.

Bigmike

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2009, 10:06:46 AM »
If you can find a Sure Fire, jump on it. I used a Sure Fire as a benchmark ball a couple of seasons ago and if there was a better benchmark on the market at the time, I never seen it. Me and a team mate drilled ours for that specific purpose and it was hard to get either of us to put them down for the first couple of months we had them. It was very easy for me to know whether to ball up or down or go to more flip or arc after a few shots of lane probing with this ball.

Hy-Road for me was squirty in box, then not much better with surface. I think I am the only one in my area who didn't get excited with the ball. I think some may be the pin up layout was just too slow off the spot for me no matter what surface was on it.

That has happened to me with a ball the masses loved: Track's Triton Heat in the late 90's. With some folks in our area, my room mate included, you would have had to pry that ball off there cold dead fingers. It didnt work for me no matter what I did. And of course the guy I sold it to went on an honor score tear right afterwards.
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al_g

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2009, 12:51:23 PM »
I'd heard the same thing that tommygn said - that the Sure Fire did have a particle load in it.

I don't think this would be the first time a ball was advertised like that - or should I say not advertised like that? I'd heard about Columbia not advertising particle load in balls back before Ebonite bought them. It wouldn't surprise me if other ball companies have done it too. My guess is it might be a marketing thing since the word particle has a negative meaning for some bowlers.

n00dlejester

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2009, 10:58:12 PM »
Hey guys, thanks for the input.  I haven't seen many Sure Fires unfortunately, but I've seen a boatload of Hy-Roads.  

To me, the Hy-Roads seem like a very versatile ball, but one thing I've noticed is it seems to have a hook and set reaction for most people.  And if there's to much oil out there, very easy to skid past the breakpoint.
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Proud Supporter of Rob Stone
Obviously, you aren't a golfer.
Some stayed in the foothills, some washed logs like teeth.
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bigdog78634

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2009, 08:01:23 AM »
I got a Sure Fire not to long ago and took it all the way down to 500. I was expecting more from the ball but didn't get it. I actully use this ball as a spare ball when the lanes have a bit more oil on them.

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2009, 09:14:38 AM »
bigdog85222 wrote:
"I got a Sure Fire not to long ago and took it all the way down to 500. I was expecting more from the ball but didn't get it. I actually use this ball as a spare ball when the lanes have a bit more oil on them."

Dude, you either have a very fast ball speed or a very weak drilling. This ball hooks a decent amount with any kind of hand, and any kind of surface with most bowling styles. Mine hooks slightly less overall than the Nomad solid, both at 4000 Abralon. For me this ball is more of a continuous hook compared to the Nomads big back end.

bigdog78634

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Re: Sure Fire and Hy-Road Comparisons?
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2009, 10:38:51 AM »
I agree Dave.  I didn't get this ball brand new, it was a used ball and I think that the top weight and pin has something to do with it. I throw at 16.5mph but not sure that has anything to do with it.