Storm Alpha Crux Bowling Ball

Happy release (again) for the Storm Alpha Crux! This ball is an upgraded version of the original to handIe today's demanding heavy oil conditions. I tested this ball on a fresh 50 ft PBA Badger Pattern and this surpassed my expectations. Being a lower rev guy, this ball was able to pickup early and keep it's continuation. This is going to replace my 900 Global reality. Even when I missed it at the bottom, it was still able to recover and find energy to strike. Layout: 40 x 5 x 20 Core Name: Catalyst A.I. Core Core Type: Asymmetric Coverstock Name: GI-26 Solid Reactive Coverstock Type: Solid Reactive Finish: 2000-grit Abralon Fragrance: Apple Fritter I will also like to add that this ball takes surface changes well. 500 to 4000, it adapts well for sport shot conditions.

This is my first experience with the Alpha Crux, I never got to throw the original. I can understand the hype now. The versatility is unmatched. I went with a 5 x 3 x 5 layout to smooth it out even more down the lane, as I tend to bowl on a lot of friction, and also don't have a ton of tilt, so this helps me keep big cores from burning up and going forward too quickly. I tested it on our THS which is Kegel High Street V2, and anywhere from 12 to 25 the ball was absolute money. A little too much for right of the track, and a little too smooth from deep deep inside, but it gave me a LARGE window to work with and strike from. Higher rev players will love the smoothness of this ball down the lane, as well as the continuation. It's just that ball that everyone loves apparently. Compared to my 900 Global Vengeance, it is much earlier and smoother, where the Vengeance wants to pop a lot more down the lane.

I've been throwing the Storm Alpha Crux drilled 5 x 4 x 4, and I like it very much. The layout gives me a strong, smooth read in the midlane with a powerful but predictable backend motion. It handles heavier oil really well and continues through the pins with excellent hitting power. It's quickly become one of my favorite bowling balls because it gives me confidence on fresh conditions and carries consistently.

When I heard they were remaking the Alpha Crux now with the AI Core, I almost fell over. It is my second favorite ball right behind the Storm Lucid. The original Alpha Crux saved my butt at the USBC Open Championships when it was in Syracuse. I used it the entire event and just had to add a bit of surface for the minor events that year. This new Alpha Crux has a very similar motion as my original with the only difference being the harder it hits going through the pins. This has definitely earned a spot in my tournament bag.

If you never had the opportunity to throw the Alpha Crux roughly 10 years ago, you have a second chance. The Alpha Crux had been a staple in my bag back then and it will once again have a spot in my bag everywhere I go. This ball review should be really short because I should just tell you to go drill a couple of them, it’s that good. There’s been some improvements to the original version (upgraded coverstock along with A.I. technology), but after using the Alpha for a few weeks now, it’s just as good as it was 10 years ago. I’ve drilled one so far and used the same layout I had the most success with when the original was released. It’s mapped out as 5.5 x 5.5 x 2. This puts the pin above my bridge with a stacked CG and the mass bias just to the right of my thumb. It’s been so good on different surfaces, patterns, and angles. I can’t say enough about the new Alpha. It’s awesome, strikes a ton, and compliments the other balls extremely well. It’s a perfect ball to go to when your Concept, Ion Solid, or Vengeance Returns are done doing their jobs. The new Alpha Crux should be in everyone’s bag because of how good it was 10 years ago and now we have the chance to use it again! Go drill one! #StormNation

A legend is BACK! I did not have the original Alpha, so I'm just looking at this as a brand-new ball (and with the tech updates, it pretty much is!). Compared to other solid asyms in the line, this cover feels relatively clean. This ball doesn't feel as diggy as the Ion Max, but it feels a little quicker than the Equinox Solid. Compared to the RST Hyperdrive, Alpha is maybe a pinch cleaner and quite a bit rounder, while the Hyperdrive stands up more and gets a bit more forward. Alpha Crux is kind of a goldilocks of early, smooth, and continuous in the context of our other options. It feels like it has a really big window in which I can use it. It's been pretty good in front of me and pretty good across the lane as well, which is something I liked a lot about the Ion Max. If you like a really versatile solid asym at the top of the bag, this would be a great choice! I know it has a lot to live up to, but this one has made its way into my league bag pretty quick. -Chase Valenzuela

The ball reaction that the original Alpha Crux created is one that is constantly desired – strong enough to handle almost any oil condition, yet still maintaining a defined down-lane motion. Bringing this ball back with AI technology added is just a no-brainer, as that familiar reaction is welcomed back as soon as you throw the first ball. It does roll fairly early with it's out of the box finish, but that does not hinder the downlane continuation whatsoever (as long as there is enough head oil). This is my top-of-the-bag ball, with the Bionic being the go-to ball when the Alpha Crux AI starts to be too much.

Alpha Crux - Ball Specs Cover Stock: GI-26 Solid Reactive Finish: 2000 Grit Core: Catalyst Weight Block with AI RG: 2.48 Differential: 0.053 Intermediate Diff: .018 Review Storm brings back the Alpha Crux but its upgraded ready for todays heavier oil patterns. The new Alpha Crux features the Game Improvement 2026 solid reactive cover paired with the AI Core Catalyst weight block increasing energy and hitting power. This gives the Alpha Crux an early reaction with a big backend. Plus the 2000 grit cover and along with the AI enhanced core allows the ball reaction to be more consistent and reliable. As a mid to low rev player I can play track area on heavy oil patterns and stand left of center on the typical house pattern. This ball will be in my bag for league and tournaments. This is a great ball for all levels of bowlers. Order one from your local pro shop today! My ball review videos are posted on YouTube channel Stanley Waite. Stanley Waite 900 Global Staff Member Dover, DE

STORM Alpha Crux Ball Specs: Catalyst A.I. core, GI-26 Solid Reactive high flare cover stock out of the box at 2K Abralon sanded finish. Color pattern is black/turquoise/violet with an amazing apple fritter fragrance. For those who loved the original Alpha Crux, or never got the chance to throw it, now is your opportunity to see what you were missing. The Alpha Crux returns, upgraded for today’s conditions and ready to dominate heavier volumes of oil. Bowlers can expect that dependable Alpha Crux ball motion: strong and predictable through the midlane, a decisive move at the breakpoint, and exceptional control and power through the pins. My Specs: Speed: (13-15 mph), Approx Rev Rt: (280-320), PAP: 4.5 right x ½ up, Tilt: 4° the layout I went with for the Alpha Crux is 5x3.75x2.25. Tested on Pro-lane surface with a fresh 43 ft medium volume house shot and on SPL bed 42 ft medium\light volume house shot. After dropping down to 14# due to a shoulder injury I needed another aggressive solid asym so just as I was about to buy another Ion Max (I love my 15# Ion Max, just can’t roll it now) the Alpha Crux was re-released, only this time wrapped in AI. So far, I am not disappointed. THIS BALL HOOKS! On the Pro-Lane panels I roll on where the Equinox Solid has some trouble digging in, the Alpha shows its teeth and plows right through the head oil with no issues at all. It glides through the midlane and saves plenty of power at the pin deck to clear all 10 with ease. Now with my ball speed being only in that 13-14 range I do come out of the Alpha somewhere in game 2 on the house shot, I just simply don’t have the hand to swing this ball past 20 out to 5. That is no way a problem with the ball though, just my game as it is now. On the SPL lanes I tested on though, the Alpha was just simply too much ball for me to roll. It reved up quick and was dead at 30ft hitting very flat at the pins. Again, this is not an issue with the ball, but rather an indicator that Alpha may not be the best choice on dryer, higher friction lane beds if you can’t roll faster than 14 mph. In summary, the Alpha Crux, for me, is a great starting piece on lower friction medium to heavy oil patterns, and probably on the higher friction panels as well with heavier volume patterns I just have not had the chance to get it out there on those conditions yet. Be sure to visit your local Storm VIP Pro-Shop and pick one up today, you will not be disappointed. #stormnation #3GShoes

If this was your go to ball in 2016 or missed the hype, now is the time 10 years in the making to put this ball in your bag!! The Catalyst Weight Block returns, and it is wrapped in the all new improved GI-26 coverstock. Personally i put a 55x4 3/8x35 on mine and this ball is just a monster on any lane conditions. So put your favorite layout on this ball and get down to your local pro shop to punch this gem up!!