It’s Timeless..

First Impressions
I’d like to say we were surprised by how much it hooks but it’s a Storm ball… Seems to have maximum efficiency through all phases meaning it hooks a ton.

Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Speed/Rev Matched Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.0 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds

Greg Bickta (Righty)
Style: Cranker
RPM: 450 rpm
PAP: 5 & 1 up
Average Speed: 20 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: medium
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds

Dave Staboleski (Righty)
Style: Speed/Rev Matched Stroker
RPM: 315 rpm
PAP 4 3/4 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 17 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: low
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds

Antonio Reyes (Righty)
Style: Two-Hander
RPM: 575 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/4 up
Average Speed: 20 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium

Wayne “Guy” Porr (Righty)
Style: Beast
RPM: 625 rpm
PAP: 5 & 1 up
Average Speed: 20 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low-medium
Axis rotation: medium

Thanks to Greg Bickta and Perfect Aim Pro Shop for drilling our equipment.
Thanks to Limerick Bowl in Limerick, PA for providing the test lanes.

“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.”

Test Pattern:
41ft THS, 22ml

Value
8/10
The Storm Timeless is priced in the top end yet offers something many bowlers can use on various medium to medium/heavy conditions.

Specs
The Storm Timeless has a new “core in core” design with the Dual-Drive weight block wrapped in the R2S Hybrid coverstock. 15 pound = 2.57 RG and .050 differential. 14 pound = 2.59 RG and .049 differential.

Overall
8.5/10
First, let’s address the knowns. The R2S hybrid coverstock is well known by any bowling aficionado, let alone a Storm fan. Coming from the venerable Hy-Road and several other hybrid pieces, the Timeless continues the tradition of the synergistic effect that happens when combining Solid with Pearl in the shell. It just seems more than the sum of its parts. Then the Dual-Drive weight block is brand new. Storm says it should combine the fast revving characteristics of the IQ Tour with the hitting power of the Hy-Road. We can certainly attest to the hitting power. I’m always taken aback by how much Storm balls hook, even though we’ve been testing for a long time.

Yes, the ball is clean up front. It gets through mids relatively easily as well. Then it moves very aggressively down lane. Compared to the Hy-Road and IQ Tour, the Timeless hooks more than both of them. All Storm R2S balls, including pearls and hybrids are clean and get down the lane fairly easily. So assume that like the Code Black, Hy-Road, etc. the Timeless gets down the lane just as easy. So the difference tends to be late midlane and backends. So Hy-Road would be the boomier than the Code Black and Timeless. Code Black would be the most skid/flip, or at least perceived more so because of it’s asymmetric core. The Timeless slots in between the two in shape. It’s a bit smoother than the Code Black down lane, but also a bit sharper than the Hy-Road.

Let’s look at the bowlers reactions…
First, the lefty tweener. For me, the Timeless is the deepest I’ve had to throw a bowling ball on this medium THS. It just seems all about side to side motion. I like the overall shape but I prefer not to have to cover so many boards. As a lefty I am constantly looking for balls that control front to back more. Now, the really tempting aspect was how well this ball carried, even from as deep as I was. Still, I couldn’t help but wish for everything to just be a bit less. I half-jokingly offered the ball to another lefty for the first 50 games, just so I can get it back calmer. I really do like the shape. With any shiny Storm ball I keep in my arsenal, I automatically take the shine off and this would be no exception.

For Greg, the Righty cranker, it’s another ball he can step in and wheel. Just like every tester, he can trust this ball to move down lane.

For Dave, the stroker, he immediately realized this ball hooks more than what he is used to. It didn’t make him move massively from his typical shot, but did ask of him to throw it away from the pocket a bit more. Misses in were penalties, especially when he was lined up a bit tighter to the pocket. Once he opened up a bit, he could wheel it away with trust.

For Guy and Antonio, they both have high speed and high revs. Both got a clean look and really strong motion with excellent continuation down lane. Antonio has very little tilt so misses in were punishing as the ball stands up strongly and will not hold. Guy has a bit more tilt and thus had a bit of a smoother transition through the phases.

Misses away were a bit more forgiving because the ball has so much energy retention. Misses in were punitive for almost all of us. In the end, the Storm Timeless is a strong ball with really good drive through the pins. I personally couldn’t help but wish it was a little weaker overall. Everyone had good carry. The high rev guys really had a great look. We didn’t get a chance to test on sport conditions but it has made TV a few times already. Time will tell if the Timeless will become the latest Hy-Road…