- !Q Tour/U

First Impressions
The Storm IQ Tour 78/U presents itself as a urethane bowling ball with a hardness of 78, recognizable by its bold red look. The technical foundation consists of the Controll 78 Solid Urethane cover with a coarse 500 Abralon surface, along with the proven C3 Centripetal Control Core with an RG of 2.49 (15 lbs) and a low differential of 0.029. This combination came about as an answer to the tightened PBA hardness rules and is fully PBA-compliant. The low RG of the C3 core should deliver a true urethane-like reaction and helps the ball read where it is supposed to.
Comparison
Compared to traditional urethane balls like the Storm Pitch Black, the IQ Tour 78/U shows an earlier, rounder and more direct ball reaction. While the Pitch Black has a stronger surface but a weaker core, the IQ Tour 78/U has a harder surface but the stronger C3 core. As a result, the 78/U is cleaner and more continuous than the Pitch Black, which is mainly due to the higher differential of the C3 core. Compared to the Hammer Black Pearl Urethane (78D), the IQ Tour 78/U reacts earlier and has more overall hook potential. Unlike classic urethane balls, the IQ Tour 78/U tends to take on lane shine more quickly and therefore needs more frequent surface maintenance.
On the Lanes
The IQ Tour 78/U is especially suited to short oil patterns and shows its strengths there. Designed for medium to lighter oil conditions, it works best at medium oil volume. Specifically on medium volume and short patterns, it should deliver a smooth, predictable shape downlane. On house shots it demands precise play, since it hooks too much when there is heavy friction outside and runs too straight inside. For bowlers looking for an early, controllable, classic urethane shape with PBA compliance who want to handle modern lane conditions, it should be an ideal solution. The C3 core should provide impressive pin carry and clear the pins with authority even on less than perfect hits.