Mid-June, Roto Grip introduced its' one of the most anticipated bowling balls of the year - Roto Grip X-Cell. Featuring the iconic Nucleus core, known for its forgiveness and performance, now enhanced with A.I. Core technology, and wrapped with the advanced eTrax ULTRA coverstock, the X-Cell promisses to br one of the best bowling balls for heavy oil to have in your arsenal in 2024.
In this Roto Grip X-Cell in-depth review, we will explore whether this bowling ball is a worthy addition to your bowling ball arsenal when you need a reliable stone to attack pins on medium-heavy oil patterns.
Short Roto Grip X-Cell Review
Don't want to read a full review? Here is a short summary!
he Roto Grip X-Cell retains the beloved Nucleus core and introduces the eTrax ULTRA Solid coverstock, offering improved mid-lane read and a stronger backend reaction than similar bowling balls for heavy oil. Our testers found it to excel on medium-heavy oil, providing a strong motion toward the pocket with consistent performance. The ball impressed both speed-dominant and rev-dominant players, demonstrating adaptability and strong pin carry. It reminded our testers much of a Storm Absolute Power bowiling ball, but it was cleaner through the front part of the lanes. Overall, the Roto Grip X-Cell is a versatile, reliable addition to any arsenal, delivering consistent performance when you need a bowling ball to attack pins on heavy oil conditions.
Key Specifications
Coverstock Type: Reactive Solid
Coverstock Name: eTrax ULTRA
Core Type: Asymmetrical
Core Name: Nucleus + A.I.
Box Finnish: 2000-grit Abralon
Best For: Heavy oil
RG: 2.50
Total Diff: 0.056
Intermediate Diff: 0.019
Definitions
Asymmetrical core - Asymmetric bowling ball deliver sharper, more angular motion when meeting friction.
Symmetrical core - Symmetric bowling balls produce a soft, controllable motion.
Radius of gyration (RG) - The higher RG, the more back-end motion a bowling ball will produce, as high RG ball skids more and tends to conserve more power for the further part of the lane.
Total Diff - the difference between low RG (X axis) and high RG (Y axis).
Intermediate Diff - only found in asymmetrical balls, as it is the difference between the high RG (Y axis) and intermediate RG (Z axis).
First impression
Examining the technical specifications, the Roto Grip X-Cell brings back the classic Nucleus core, now enhanced with A.I. Core technology. The combination of the lower RG and increased differential, paired with the new eTrax ULTRA Solid coverstock, promises a better handle on today’s heavier oil sport patterns.
Lane Performance
We provided the Roto Grip X-Cell to two of our testers – a speed-dominant one-hander and a rev-dominant two-hander. The objective was to afford the ball the opportunity to showcase its strengths across different lane conditions. We conducted tests on heavy and medium oil patterns, as well as a typical house shot pattern (THS).
Speed-Dominant One-Hander particularly enjoyed the Roto Grip X-Cell on a fresh heavy oil pattern. The new A.I. Core technology provided enhanced mid-lane forgiveness and backend motion. Compared to the original Cell, the X-Cell not only excelled in the midlane but also showed a pronounced backend reaction. The ball allowed the tester to open angles slightly, maintaining a controlled motion towards the pocket consistently, without the need for additional surface adjustments. The Roto Grip X-Cell was easy to control and had a powerful follow-through that ensured excellent pin carry.
On medium oil, our tester sanded the ball with 3000-grit Abralon. This tweak allowed for a smoother approach, ensuring a consistent ball reaction down the lane. The X-Cell maintained a strong backend motion, entering the pins at the right angle and providing good pin carry.
The Roto Grip X-Cell clicked for our rev-dominant two-hander when tackling a heavy oil lane with the out-of-the-box finish. It dug in nicely, grabbing onto the oil for a solid grip in the midlane and unleashing a powerful, smooth movement towards the pins. Our two-hander could switch things up by moving slightly left, slowing down the ball, and gaining extra space to attack the pins.
The X-Cell performed well on medium oil patterns, although the 2000 grit Abralon seemed a bit excessive. The rev-dominant two-hander tester, with a slower speed, faced challenges in delivering the ball further down the lane. These issues were resolved by adding a finer grit to the surface, enabling the ball to glide more smoothly, covering more distance, and maintaining the desired backend motion.
Overall impression
The Roto Grip X-Cell provides a stronger mid-lane read and a more noticeable backend reaction, making it highly adaptable to surface changes and a valuable addition to any bowler's arsenal. Suitable for various conditions, our testers found the Roto Grip X-Cell particularly effective when a robust asymmetric benchmark bowling ball is needed to open angles without sacrificing the entry angle to the pocket.
Roto Grip X-Cell Evaluation
The Roto Grip X-Cell retains the beloved Nucleus core and introduces the eTrax ULTRA Solid coverstock, offering an improved mid-lane read and a strong backend reaction. This versatile ball excels on heavy oil conditions, providing a strong motion toward the pocket with consistent performance. On medium oil, slight surface adjustments enhanced its playability, while on short oil, its forgiveness allowed for excellent lane coverage. Both speed-dominant and rev-dominant players were impressed by the X-Cell's adaptability and strong pin carry. Overall, the Roto Grip X-Cell is a versatile, reliable addition to any arsenal, delivering consistent performance across various lane conditions.
