First Impressions
The Storm Summit Ascent starts off crazy for a couple of games and then starts to settle into a benchmark type ball.

Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 330 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45

Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Pattern
THS: 42ft, 23ml
Sport: TBD

Specs
The Storm Summit Ascent uses the Centripetal HD symmetric core in AI inside the R2S Solid coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.46 diff of .056
14 pound = RG of 2.46, diff of .056
Coverstock finish: 4000 grit abralon

Tweener’s Take
We’ve seen the centripetal core for some time now in various iterations with higher, medium, and lower differential options. With it’s round style shape, it can be strong dynamic as in the Marvels and a benchmark stable like in the IQ Tour. Here it’s a very low RG which is close to almost all of the versions but a very high differential. It goes from one of the strongest covers in the OG Summit to a medium strength R2S solid in the Summit Ascent. This allow the cover to be less dominant and allows the core to behave a little more to it’s own specs. So it will still want to right itself fairly quickly but still flare a ton. The cover is in the benchmark territory. I worry the diff is a bit high for benchmark. The initial test out of box showed it to be very strong and hard to get downlane. That’s a combination of out of box initial strength and the pattern being a little shorter house shot than previous tests. We revisited after a few games and it’s calmer overall but not as early. I liked the shape for a benchmark type where it clears well enough but core gets it going. It goes through the pins quite well but what I found was as I started to edge in and open up the lanes, my carry decreased. So I’d go from a ball that really drives hard through the deck to shots that stood up enough to reduce carry. This is really my concern with big differential balls for a benchmark level. The roll is nice but this is my watch out for the Ascent.

Power Player’s Persective
We had a similar situation for Tyler. First couple of games the ball looked just so strong it was just about unusable. If you recall Phaze II was also huge for 20 games. The Ascent is R2S solid so it only took about 2 games for him to settle it down as well. As you would expect, having a higher rev rate, he can get deeper while maintaining his carry longer than I could. He really liked the shape. Same description as for me. I nice balance of medium cover to stronger core which allows the core to do what it’s meant to do. Low RG makes it stable both on lane and to the eye so it gives it a very predictable look. The bigger differential makes it more dynamic than a benchmark but may still be passable as such. Tyler also found that as he moved in, his carry percentage went down. It sounds logical but we are talking small moves. It went from exellent carry to middling carry. So again, something to consider. This is likely a function of the higher friction of SPL lanes. Something we don’t address specifically but if you are on pro-anvilane, you’ll get more length and angularity. SPL has higher friction so rounds out ball reaction while causing a bit more forward roll.

Stroker’s Stance
Last but not least, we have our stroker, Bryan testing the new Summit Ascent. He was able to get the initial strength out of the way and onto proper testing. As we know, he will play more direct than Tyler and I. This gives you a view of how the ball behaves with more closed angles. He had a pretty nice arcing shape. He had a good around the 2nd arrow. He started more direct and the shot was OK. Sometimes the extra friction outside just kills the ball motion. As he moved a couple of boards in, the ball looked better and stored a bit more energy to yield better results.

Bottom Line
At the end of the day, once it calms down after those first couple of games, the Summit Ascent settles into a benchmark territory which I consider mid control. I feel like Storm is struggling with the Mid Control slot right now. Phaze II is a strong control benchmark. The Road seems to be iffy, also a little forward. The Ascent may step on the Road’s toes in terms of purpose, even while the specs are different. I think bowlers on Pro-Anvilane will have a better look with this ball than on SPL.

Thanks for watching.