First Impressions
This is going to be pretty clinical I think. The new IQ Tour AI is a straightforward mid late shape.

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: 44ft, 25.8ml 12:1
Sport: TBD

Specs
The Storm IQ Tour AI uses the C3 AI symmetric core inside the R2S Hybrid Reactive Coverstock

15 pound = RG of 2.48 diff of .031
14 pound = RG of 2.53, diff of .036
Coverstock finish: Power Edge

Power Player’s Persective
Let’s start with Tyler this time as the basic take is that this type of reaction and ball is right up his alley. He has a little higher rev rate which allows him to take advantage of the medium strength cover and stable core. The lower diff IQ Tour C3 core is a well known entity in that it has the round and predictable downlane shape. Not too much backend motion combined with a clean finish on the R2S hybrid allows it to easily be used on medium and lighter volumes. So this is a mid late ball but for a higher rev bowler, it is on average a little stronger behavior than for Bryan and I. All 3 of us really liked the IQ Tour Ruby. That was the R2S pearl cover and the C3 core without AI. With the Hybrid in the IQ Tour AI, this ball feels a bit more calm. Doesn’t feel like it’s really earlier on lane but there is a smoother transition that makes the IQ Tour AI feel just a bit rounder and ultimately may be perceived as a bit weaker. With this pattern being 44ft and 25.8ml, this ball may work a bit better when it’s more broken down. As it stands, it’s fairly easy to use but just feels like it could use starting up a foot or two sooner to make it more consistent.

Tweener’s Take
For me, it’s the same thing really. The IQ Tour AI is very predictable. Really easy to figure out what works and ultimately it works quite well. I would say again, under normal circumstances, I may not seek to pull out a mid late ball on a 44ft 26ml pattern until it’s broken down further and truth is, it rarely breaks down that much on the left side. However, at times, I’ve thought a mid late shape would not come into play and then I pull it out out of desperation only to find out it’s perfect. Why? Because it’s clean, but also smooth and predictable downlane without a huge motion. So while I do have to play closer to the friction wall with this ball, it’s smooth enough to make the window of motion downlane very predictable. And even while sometimes it feels a bit later to turn over, it actually makes it more usable. For me, I like the Road Warrior in this slot in the bag more because it is a bit earlier rolling and the move is firmer. However, sometimes, that bigger move creates big splits on misses instead of 4 pins. So while I might feel fairly clinical about the IQ Tour AI in this slot in the bag, it deserves consideration given that predictability. Still while it didn’t do anything wrong, it also didn’t scream you must keep me in the bag.

Stroker’s Stance
For Bryan, he’s closer yet to the friction line. The IQ Tour AI is really pretty low on the motion capabilities for Bryan’s style. So it’s a bit more exposed on this 44ft 26ml volume pattern. The slower speed allows the ball to pop a bit more and ultimately, Bryan is skilled enough to score pretty well with the IQ Tour AI, playing fairly direct and feathering it enough to allow it to hit the pocket and knock the pins down. Now I want to add that Bryan had an IQ Tour Fusion in his bag years ago and there’s a natural comparison given the same C3 core and R2S hybrid cover. He did feel that the AI had a bit more punch than the Fusion did for him. Obviously this is not a direct comparison as he no longer has it but as far as he seems to recall, the AI has a bit more pop than the Fusion which felt a bit smoother in his mind.

Bottom Line
The Storm IQ Tour AI will call anyone’s number who had a Fusion. It’s a quintessential Mid Late ball. I started with this, it really just a straightforward clinical motion. Meets the requirements for the slot. Will attract those with higher rev rates and those who loved the Fusion. For others, it may be another mid late ball on the shelf.

Thanks for watching.