The Storm IQ Tour Edition has remained a staple in the bowling community since its release in 2012. While most bowling balls typically remain on the market for about a year, the IQ Tour Edition’s enduring popularity for twelve years speaks volumes about its quality and performance. The Master line, known for propelling players to significant success, includes the IQ Tour Edition, which our testers deem the best Storm bowling ball due to its remarkable predictability and unwavering reliability.
In this Storm IQ Tour bowling ball review, we will explore its strengths and weaknesses to assess whether it continues to stand out as one of the best bowling balls available.
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Short Storm IQ Tour Review
Don't want to read a full review? Here is a short summary!
The Storm IQ Tour Edition features the C3 Centripetal Control Core and the proven R2S solid coverstock, finished at 4000-grit Abralon. This combination generates ample midlane roll with a seamless transition, offering excellent performance. Known for its predictability and versatility, the IQ Tour Edition excels on medium-heavy oil conditions. Our testers found it particularly effective on medium oil, providing a controlled motion towards the pocket with consistent performance. It adapts well to surface changes, making it a valuable addition to any bowler’s arsenal.
Key Specifications
Coverstock Type: Reactive Soild
Coverstock Name: R2S Reactive Solid
Core Type: Symmetrical
Core Name: C³ Centripetal Control
Box Finnish: 4000 Abralon
Best For: Medium-Heavy oil
RG: 2.49
Total Diff: 0.029
Intermediate Diff: -
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
Looking at the technical specifications, the Storm IQ Tour Edition features the C3 Centripetal Control Core, which is known for its quick revving and unique weight distribution. Combined with the R2S solid coverstock and a 4000-grit Abralon finish, the IQ Tour Edition offers great traction and smooth, predictable movement. It's called the "9/ machine" for a reason, consistently providing reliable performance on different lane conditions.
Lane Performance
We provided the Storm IQ Tour to two of our testers – a speed-dominant one-hander and a rev-dominant two-hander. The objective was to showcase the ball's strengths across different lane conditions, including heavy, medium, and dry sport oil patterns, as well as a typical house shot pattern (THS).
Our speed-dominant one-hander particularly enjoyed the IQ Tour on a fresh medium oil pattern with just a little more grit (3000 Abralon). The tester noted that this slight change provided a more controlled and more consistant motion towards the pocke.The ball's lower differential, courtesy of the C3 Centripetal Control Core, generated ample midlane roll with a seamless transition, while the IQ Tour’s predictability and smooth backend reaction made it a standout on medium oil pattern ewen when the lanes broke down.
On fresh heavy oil, our tester added more grit to the surface (1000-grit Abralon). This adjustment allowed for a straighter approach with enhanced midlane read, ensuring a consistent ball reaction down the lane. With the surface tweak, the IQ Tour maintained its reliable backend motion, entering the pins strongly with the right angle and creating good pin carry.
The IQ Tour also performed admirably on short oil patterns, compared to simmilar bowling balls. Although, if yo are looking for a bowling ball suited best for short oil patterns, we recommend to look into another IQ Tour - IQ Tour 78/U with urethane coverstock.
Our rev-dominant two-hander found the IQ Tour to be exceptionally reliable on a heavy oil lane with the 2000 Abralon finish. The ball's symmetrical core allowed for a smooth grip in the midlane and a powerful, consistent movement towards the pins.
On a medium oil pattern, the 4000-grit Abralon finish worked amazing. The ball glided more smoothly, covering more distance and maintaining the desired backend motion.
Overall impression
The Storm IQ Tour Edition has proven itself as a reliable and versatile benchmark bowling ball. Its combination of the C3 Centripetal Control Core and R2S solid coverstock, along with the finely balanced 4000-grit Abralon finish, delivers consistent performance across various lane conditions. Our testers found the IQ Tour to be a valuable addition to their arsenals, offering predictable motion and strong pin carry. Plus, Storm IQ Tour is super friendly to cover changes.
Storm IQ Tour Evaluation
The Hammer Black Widow 3.0 is like your trusty sidekick, always ready to adapt to whatever conditions you throw its way. It's a valuable addition to any arsenal, catering to various bowling styles. Our testers found it to be particularly beneficial in scenarios where a powerful asymmetric benchmark bowling ball is required to widen angles without compromising the entry angle to the pocket. Truly, the Hammer Black Widow 3.0 stands out as one of the best bowling balls to invest in for medium to heavy oil setups – and rest assured, it won't let you down.
