jason_doust
The Bowling Geek
In the "Bridge Cracked" thread, the question came up about making a list of bowling balls that crack. I think that while some companies had a bad run with this problem a few years back, I haven't seen one bust up lately without a good wallop from a ball return or being stored in a shed that gets stinking hot in summer and freezing cold in winter.
So instead, I'll start a thread about balls that are still going strong some years on. (Obviously, the nature of the thread means that we'll be talking about old gear!)
Some balls that have impressed me with their longevity lately would include the Columbia Noize and Momentum Swing. My Noize has the pin within 1/16" of my middle finger and has never looked like cracking. Still reacts like new too. The Momentum Swing impressed me so much I have two of them and put two more away when they were discontinued. The originals are still going strong years later.
I have a Motiv GT-1 that still rolls like new 18 months on and a TZ-3 that is like new after it's first full resurface. I've got some Brunswick gems (Ultra Zone and Red Zone) that just keep on keeping on. My remaining Storm Dimension is still a monster. My Track Up-Rising is still a keeper. You know what, I can't think of a ball I've had that "died" on me without machine damage taking it out of round.
In fact, I suspect there is no brand that out-performs the others in longevity by more than a slender margin.
So what's the secret? MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT! I use minor resurfacing regularly. I use a Haus machine to keep the gear in round and not surprisingly, round balls roll better. Even more importantly, I clean my gear after every use with a USBC approved cleaner. It's amazing what a difference it makes to your hook and hit.
Reactive resin works on thermal reaction. The ball surface heats astoundingly fast when frictional forces are applied and gives you that free hook down the lane. It therefore makes sense to store your equipment in a place where the temperature doesn't vary rapidly. In Canberra, it's not unusual to have a 20° swing in a Summer's day. So I think carefully about where my gear rests, sometimes for months in the case of the heavy oil balls, before use. When some guy tells me about his ball that cracked, the first thing I ask is "Where did you keep it?" The answer is almost always "In the boot." And I say "Well, there's your answer." I keep my gear in the back of my garage, which is below ground level. This makes the temperature more stable in that microclimate. (Especially in Canberra.) If you keep your gear in the garage, then get it up against an internal wall. It will make a difference.
So in summary, clean your gear. Resurface it when it loses it's punch, not when it looks like wood. That way, less material is removed, keeping your ball rounder. And store it in a more thermally stable place. And you too can have bowling balls that have served you well for years as well as the latest wonder toys.
Cheers,
Jason
So instead, I'll start a thread about balls that are still going strong some years on. (Obviously, the nature of the thread means that we'll be talking about old gear!)
Some balls that have impressed me with their longevity lately would include the Columbia Noize and Momentum Swing. My Noize has the pin within 1/16" of my middle finger and has never looked like cracking. Still reacts like new too. The Momentum Swing impressed me so much I have two of them and put two more away when they were discontinued. The originals are still going strong years later.
I have a Motiv GT-1 that still rolls like new 18 months on and a TZ-3 that is like new after it's first full resurface. I've got some Brunswick gems (Ultra Zone and Red Zone) that just keep on keeping on. My remaining Storm Dimension is still a monster. My Track Up-Rising is still a keeper. You know what, I can't think of a ball I've had that "died" on me without machine damage taking it out of round.
In fact, I suspect there is no brand that out-performs the others in longevity by more than a slender margin.
So what's the secret? MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT! I use minor resurfacing regularly. I use a Haus machine to keep the gear in round and not surprisingly, round balls roll better. Even more importantly, I clean my gear after every use with a USBC approved cleaner. It's amazing what a difference it makes to your hook and hit.
Reactive resin works on thermal reaction. The ball surface heats astoundingly fast when frictional forces are applied and gives you that free hook down the lane. It therefore makes sense to store your equipment in a place where the temperature doesn't vary rapidly. In Canberra, it's not unusual to have a 20° swing in a Summer's day. So I think carefully about where my gear rests, sometimes for months in the case of the heavy oil balls, before use. When some guy tells me about his ball that cracked, the first thing I ask is "Where did you keep it?" The answer is almost always "In the boot." And I say "Well, there's your answer." I keep my gear in the back of my garage, which is below ground level. This makes the temperature more stable in that microclimate. (Especially in Canberra.) If you keep your gear in the garage, then get it up against an internal wall. It will make a difference.
So in summary, clean your gear. Resurface it when it loses it's punch, not when it looks like wood. That way, less material is removed, keeping your ball rounder. And store it in a more thermally stable place. And you too can have bowling balls that have served you well for years as well as the latest wonder toys.
Cheers,
Jason
