Storm Phaze 2 Bowling Ball

📋 Storm Phaze II — Full Specifications

• Core Name: Velocity Core (14–16 lb) / Centripetal Core (12–13 lb)
• Core Type: Symmetric
• Coverstock: TX-16 (Traction-X 2016) Solid Reactive
• Factory Finish: 3000 grit Abralon
• RG (15 lb): 2.48
• Differential (15 lb): 0.051
• Flare Potential: High
• Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy Oil
• Color: Red / Blue / Purple
• Fragrance: Red Velvet Cake
• Available Weights: 12–16 lb
• Brand: Storm

🎓 The Velocity Core Explained — What Low RG, High Differential, and “Fast-Revving” Actually Mean

RG 2.48 — What Low RG Produces on the Lane

RG measures where the ball’s mass concentrates relative to its center. A low RG like 2.48 means mass sits close to the core — the ball wants to transition from skid to roll early. It revs up quickly after it leaves your hand. This early-revving behavior means the ball reads oil sooner and begins its roll phase in the midlane rather than pushing long into the back of the lane before transitioning.

For medium-heavy oil conditions, that early read is exactly right. The ball contacts friction while oil is still present, generates traction gradually through the midlane, and arrives at the breakpoint with energy stored and ready to drive through the pins. A high-RG ball on the same pattern would push too far, read the friction too late, and either snap too sharply or run out of energy before hitting the pocket with authority.

Differential 0.051 — High Differential in a Symmetric Core

Differential of 0.051 in a symmetric ball is notable. For comparison: many high-performance symmetric balls run 0.035–0.045. The Phaze II’s 0.051 sits at the high end of what symmetric construction achieves. Differential controls track flare — how far the ball’s track migrates across the coverstock during its path down the lane. High flare means the ball continuously exposes fresh coverstock to the lane, generating sustained friction response through the midlane and into the backend.

Here’s the key distinction between high-differential symmetric and asymmetric designs at similar differential levels: asymmetric balls have a mass bias that creates a directional element to the motion — the ball tracks toward the PSA, producing a sharper, more defined change of direction at the breakpoint. A symmetric ball with high differential generates the flare and friction response without that directional snap. The Phaze II hooks continuously and powerfully without the angular last-second movement that asymmetric equipment produces. That’s what Storm means by “smoothing out the backend reaction without over-reacting.”

TX-16 Solid at 3000 Abralon — Why the Cover Completes the Design

TX-16 is a solid reactive coverstock, which means it absorbs oil actively and creates friction early in the ball’s path. At 3000 Abralon — a moderately abraded surface — it reads oil without being overly grabby. The 3000 finish sits between the aggressive early-reading behavior of 1000–2000 grit surfaces and the length-producing behavior of polished or compound-finished covers. It creates consistent midlane traction on medium-heavy patterns without sending the ball into the friction too aggressively.

The Velocity Core’s low RG drives the ball into roll quickly. The TX-16 solid at 3000 provides the traction for that roll to generate meaningful friction through the midlane. Both work in the same direction — earlier, smoother, more continuous hook — which is why the combination produces ball motion that reviewers consistently describe as stronger than it looks and more controllable than the differential numbers suggest.

💡 BowlersMart Tips: Surface Adjusting the Phaze II — A Grit-by-Grit Guide to Getting More Out of One Ball

Why the Phaze II Responds So Well to Surface Changes

The TX-16 solid coverstock is highly responsive to surface preparation. The Phaze II’s combination of low RG and high differential means it generates strong motion regardless of finish — the core produces enough energy that surface changes shift the shape rather than eliminating performance. That gives you a wide adjustment range. The box 3000 Abralon finish is the starting point. Here’s what each direction produces.

Dropping to 2000 Abralon — More Oil Traction

A 2000 grit surface opens the ball up in the midlane. The rougher texture creates more friction contact at the lane surface, causing the ball to read oil earlier and generate more total hook. Use this surface when the pattern has significant oil volume in the front of the lane, when you need more midlane read on a fresh tournament pattern, or when the 3000 box finish is pushing too far through the front. The trade-off is slightly reduced backend angle — the ball hooks earlier and more continuously rather than storing energy into a defined backend move.

Box Finish — 3000 Abralon

The factory surface is the sweet spot for standard medium-heavy house shots and most league conditions. It reads oil consistently, transitions smoothly in the midlane, and produces the strong continuous arc the Phaze II is known for. Start here. Most league bowlers and many competitive players never need to leave this surface on medium-heavy conditions.

Moving to 4000 Abralon or Light Polish

A 4000 grit or light polish finish creates more length through the front of the lane. The ball skids farther before reading friction and produces a slightly more defined, later backend motion. This surface works well when the pattern transitions and backends get faster — the added length lets the ball push through the drier front boards without over-reading early friction. It also extends the Phaze II’s usable range onto medium oil conditions where the box 3000 finish reads too early.

Full Polish — Compound Finish

A polished Phaze II behaves like a different ball. The TX-16 solid at compound finish produces substantial length with a sharper backend move than the sanded versions. This surface pushes the Phaze II toward medium oil conditions and creates a skid-flip shape that the box finish never produces. Some bowlers drill a second Phaze II specifically for this purpose — same core, different surface, two distinct reaction profiles from one proven design.

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