Is this the one to finally replace the Hy-Road???
Today, we’re reviewing the Storm Crossroad. As usual, keep in mind that the coverstock will account for 70% of ball reaction while the core characteristics and drilling will dictate the shape of the reaction. The test piece was drilled 70x5x40. Generally speaking, this will delay the roll and have a quicker transition at the breakpoint with good flare. Larry Salvati tested on the Kegel Main Street representing a Typical House Shot (THS) and the 2012 USBC Championship Open pattern. Main Street is a 41 foot tapered pattern. The USBC is a sport compliant 39 foot shot with a 2:1 ratio.
Please work with your local pro shop operator to find what best works for you.
First Impressions
The ball looks the part but not certain it plays the part. It has some big shoes to fill if it will replace the HyRoad.
Price 8.5/10
This is in Storm’s Thunder Line and seems to be reasonably priced.
Core
Visually, the inverted Fe3 technology core is a dead ringer for the Fe2 version in the Hy-Road. The Crossroad has an RG of 2.56 and differential of .052 for a symmetrical core in a 15 pound ball. This is the same core as in the Victory Roads. The core likes to create a smooth booming type of ball reaction. It’s quite different to other balls Storm makes.
Cover 9.5/10
The history of this coverstock precedes it. The second generation Reactor known as the R2S has been a mainstay for Storm. The hybrid version in particular is a standout considering it is the same cover as the Hy-Road. The coverstock seems to match up to many different bowlers and conditions.
Reaction 8/10
The inevitable comparison to the Hy-Road will continue here. The Crossroad was interesting to review. Our experience was that the vast majority of bowlers who had a Hy-Road simply loved it. The ball still sells many years after its original release. My guess is that Storm is looking for the next best hit and the Crossroad seems to be the closest formulaic attempt. I just don’t think it hits the same mark. The Crossroad as with the Victory Roads seem to be a love or hate. Some absolutely love the reaction. Some found a marginal reaction. This is a positive and negative. The ball is versatile in the sense that it can be completely different beasts for different people and different drillings. This aspect is a positive. However, you’re not certain which one you will get which is the negative.
This ball seems to have a similar reaction shape to the Hy-Road. I think this ball creates a bit more length than the Hy-Road but backend is about the same. It’s that booming type of backend where it is very rounded at the breakpoint and is continuous. I believe the Hy-Road is a bit more continuous than the Crossroad. You will have to work very carefully with your ball driller to get this to work to your liking. You will also want to look at different coverstock finishes. The good thing here is that the coverstock is infinitely tweakable.
In our tests, the Crossroad worked well blending the house shot. It had good continuation and in the out of box 1500 grit polished finish, it had no problems creating length and good backend movement. On the USBC pattern, it was a lot tougher to use this ball. The out of box finish really created inconsistency at the breakpoint which is something you can’t afford on a sport pattern. You will again want to play with surface and drilling options.
On the Digitrax analysis, you can easily see the strong entry angle the ball creates. Larry is playing a small belly and the ball is making a smooth transition. On the USBC pattern, he found two lines to the pocket with moderate consistency. The out of box finish just doesn’t seem to be the right one for good scoring on this tough pattern. Nevertheless you can see the different options. You can see how changing the target and breakpoint offers a different look with a very different breakpoint and different entry angle.
Overall 8/10
The Crossroad is a decent offering from Storm. It’s one that seems to work better on house shots than tougher sport shots, especially in the out of box finish. It will give you a different look from all other Storm equipment currently on the market. Whether this ball really replaces the Hy-Road? Let’s just say Storm will likely continue marketing the best-selling Hy-Road for a little while longer. If you’re tired of looking at an old ball though, the Crossroad is closest in overall ball motion to the Hy-Road.