First Impressions
The Wicked Gremlin acquits itself nicely as a strong defined piece.
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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 Wicked Gremlin uses the Rondure™ MaxD Asymmetric core inside the new G-R1 Solid Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.50, diff of .058, mb of .010
14 pound = RG of 2.54, diff of .058, mb of .010
Coverstock finish: 2000 grit abralon
Power Player’s Perspective
Right out of the gate, the Roto Grip Wicked Gremlin shows its intentions of being a top of the bag type ball. Scrub the cover a bit with some tosses to normalize the cover. Then you start to see what it’s meant to be. The Rondure core has been seen before with the Rubicon line. This version is slightly tweaked and called MaxD. It’s a pretty high diff medium mass bias core. You will get a high flaring strong ball with a moderate intermediate diff which ideally makes it not as forward as a very asymmetric shape. I think the issue here for Tyler is it’s simply too much ball for this house shot. Some shots look a little labored downlane as you might expect. But he gives you and idea of what the ball is and how it works. A little more oil will make it more consistent but you see it read the lane have a nice consistent transition with strong enough downlane when it stores enough energy.
Stroker’s Stance
We talked about this a little bit in other videos but very strong balls can sometimes just not work well for Bryan on the house shot. I think this was the case with the Wicked Gremlin on this pattern. The strength of the ball pushes him away from the friction but his style plus a strong chuggy ball means not enough energy to make a strong move downlane. It can be a bit of a trap. He has to keep his angles pretty closed. It woud work much better on a higher volume pattern as you would expect.
In the end, Roto Grip gives us a new strong defined shape with the Wicked Gremlin. With its strong cover and definitive roll, you will want some oil or it will look too chuggy. With some oil, you will see the strong heavy roll and hit it has to offer.