This Critical Corners!
Remember that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core will create the dynamic shape. Your drilling will alter the shape to suit your game and conditions you bowl on. Kyle Hartzell of BowlerX is our tweener tester. Eric Filipovits is our higher rev tester. Let me briefly describe the layout and what it’s intention is. Kyle’s layout is 66 x 4 1/2 x 33. Eric’s layout is 75 x 6 x 35. Generally speaking, both will delay the roll and have a quick transition at the breakpoont.
Please work with your local pro shop operator to find what best works for you.
First Impressions
I’m always expecting Pearlized versions of balls to be more length and more angular, but requiring the conditions to be much lighter. However, this ball seems substantially different than the Mutant Cell Pearl. The 4000 grit out of box finish allows it to be more aggressive overall. Not only can it handle more oil, but the thing can move. It really makes a strong defined move at the breakpoint.
Value 9/10
It’s a high end ball but Roto Grip typically has a lower price of entry for their premium balls.
Core
The Critical Theory uses the Triliptic core with an RG of 2.49 and differential of .058 and differential of .013. It is an early revving core and does lots of work.
Cover 9/10
The Insight Pearl Reactive is finished at 4000 grit abralon. It really works well. It is actually quite aggressive for medium conditions and covers many more boards than the Mutant Cell Pearl. Granted the Mutant Cell Pearl was finished at 1500 grit polish. That ball was way too clean in the fronts and was sensitive on the fresh. it came into it’s own once there’s a little burn. The Critical Theory on the other hand can handle fresh easily and medium conditions just as easily. The 4000 abralon finish really seems to do the trick. I’ve always preferred some surface on pearlized equipment for this exact reason so I’m glad Roto Grip decided to do that out of box. You can make adjustments as you see fit. If you want a bit less aggressive reaction, add some polish as the Critical has some significant bite. Given how aggressive this ball is at the breakpoint, you could tame it with even more surface, but prepared for even more board coverage overall.
Reaction 9.5/10
This ball is a monster! Not in the kind of way we’ve grown to know from the snow tires. In other words, it has very good traction, yet has a tremendous move at the breakpoint. It’s also very continuous through the pindeck. I think this will be a ball many will want to have for their medium house shot to open up with. Fresh conditions can be dicey with pearlized balls but this one seems tailor-made for this. It’s a blast to watch it make it’s move. However, because of how aggressive it is, you’ll have to be very careful when the lanes breakdown. Keep it in your hand too long and you could find some nasty split staring you in the face! With the 4000 grit finish, this ball has teeth before the breakpoint, but somehow still manages to make a huge move on the backends. The core definitely makes a defined move here. Finally, the core and cover seem to match up perfectly in this line. Compared to the Infinite Theory, the Infinite is just so much softer at the breakpoint. I guess the mix of solid and pearl smoothes out the breakpoint. However, I always found the Infinite to be very clean through the heads. Comparing the two, the Infinite is cleaner. This is likely the out of box finish coming into play.
Both players got lots of motion out of this ball and played deeper than anything else they have, period.
Overall 9.5/10
The Critical Theory made an indelible mark in my mind with its strong motion. It truly stood out from all the balls we tested so far. It’s going to be capable of handling a decent amount of volume and generate that big move that bowlers love to see. I think this ball could make the short list for many bowlers looking for something new this fall.