Hy-Road Solid
Review Date: 24 June 2014
Reviewed by:
Storm/Roto Grip staffer John Brockland
Style: Stroker Rev Rate: 280-310
PAP: 5.25" over and 1" up
The HYROAD SOLID is a new development built upon one of the best performing and longest running Storm products of all time - the original HYROAD (hybrid).
In the HYROAD SOLID the core is the same Inverted FE Technology core as in all the other balls in the "road" series. As in all the other nuggets Storm has produced with this same proven weight block, any favorite layout is sure to produce exactly what you're looking for. Storm has also stuck with what works in wrapping the core of the HYROAD SOLID with the likewise time-tested and successful R2S™ solid reactive coverstock found on the !Q TOUR EDITION and the new WIPE OUT.
On the HYROAD SOLID the coverstock comes at 2000 grit abralon. Storm says the intent was "to really give it some teeth to dig deep into heavy oil." That they achieved and then some is no overstatement! This ball definitely plows through a puddle like anyone would want a ball to do. It hasn't demonstrated any tendency to lane shine very quickly.
For a layout on my HYROAD SOLID I took a look at the rest of the solids in my arsenal and realized that I hadn't in a long, long time drilled anything with what was one of my earliest favorites - a pretty much stacked layout with the pin to the right of my ring (here a little below ring finger level). With a very strong arcing pin-over-the-bridge HYPER CELL (65 x 5 x 45) and an early rolling pin-down SYNC (55 x 4.5 x 75 with weight hole at P3) also in my arsenal for heavy volume conditions, I thought it would be a good idea to do something different here to create a third look. My HYROAD SOLID is 65 x 3 x 60 with a 1" hole at around P2. I usually keep the other two 4000 abralon so I left this one at box finish.
The first outing with the HYROAD SOLID was after league on a transitioned house shot where there was still what seemed like plenty of oil in the middle. What I saw was the first indicator that Storm is not at all exaggerating when they say this ball digs into the lane. If it touched dry at all too soon, it burned off all its energy immediately - creating the optical illusion of almost backing up. The second outing was on a fresh Shark pattern on original Pro Anvilane with some serious out of bounds to the right of about 12 board. When almost everything else in the bag seemed to struggle to read early enough to create a decent ball reaction, the HYROAD SOLID picked up nicely in the middles and created some room at the breakpoint that allowed me to relax into good shot making like nothing else would.
Storm also says that "part of what makes this special is the thicker shell which transfers more energy to the pins at impact...more energy means more strikes." I have to say that I agree with that based on what I've seen. Migrating to about 22 board to stay away from the out of bounds, I could get other balls to the pocket but the HYROAD SOLID was kicking the ten out on half-pocket hits like nothing else would.
In sum, this one's definitely a keeper! It saw a lot of lane time at the recent Senior US Open and Senior Masters. It will definitely accompany me to any tourney where the pattern looks to be medium to long with heavy volume. In my opinion, the HYROAD SOLID provides a level of performance that would qualify it for Storm's Premier or Master lines more so than the Thunder line. If you're looking for a great option to have along when the lanes are on the tighter side, give this one a try! It won't disappoint.
 
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