First Impressions
Roto Grip gives us a cleaner Transformer when the lanes transition a bit.
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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 4.5 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: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5.25 x 50
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: 55 x 4.75 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 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Roto Grip Transform uses the Morph‑Wing™ Asymmetric core inside the new MicroTrax Pearl Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.51, diff of .051, mb of .015
14 pound = RG of 2.53, diff of .053, mb of .013
Coverstock finish: Power Edge
Power Player’s Perspective
Alright, long and short, we get a pearl version of the Transformer. We really liked the Transformer. It’s a bit of that strong benchmark style ball. Not the strongest thing but stronger than middle of the road balls with a strong core. We drilled it through the wing to reduce the RG which makes it a bit more rolly and we loved that. We drilled it identically which essentially puts the pin in the ring and thumb in the wing. The microtrax cover makes sure it’s not super clean and long. In fact early on Tyler was a little surprised with how strong it read. The reality is there’s lots of texture it seems and so you get more length than the Transformer but not inordinately more. You also get the strong motion downlane you would expect. It really is the ball you expect a mid defined to be. Gives you a definitive big core motion but not so clean that you feel like it’s going to leak.
Stroker’s Stance
For Bryan we have many times seen struggles with clean covered strong cored balls but for some reason, the Transform did not give him that struggle, He was able to straddle the friction line and get decent length with the strong drive through the pins on most shots. I think it’s as I mentioned before, the texture in the Microtrax cover ensures it’s not super clean which better balances the cover to core for him and creates a nice look.
Roto Grip gives us another mid defined, next to the RST Hyperdrive pearl. However, this one has a bit more texture in the cover which brings the roll a little closer to your eyes while still having strong punch. It’s a very nice option.