Pyramid?

[rv driver]

My first post on this forum!

I'm getting back into the game after a (large) number of years' hiatus. The last ball I threw was a #14 AMF S3D Classic (in fact, I still own that relic!). Back then, Mark Roth had just recently come to national attention, and the term "cranking" was just beginning to be used.

So... long story short, I'm looking for my first "replacement ball" for the Old Girl. If I understand the terms correctly, I'm a stroker (threw mostly straight-and-finesse, with a nice little hook into the pocket). As I remember, my throwing style was a lot like Mike Durbin's. I'd like to start throwing more of a hook shot, though, and am looking at an entry-level reactive.

I'm interested in what I'm seeing from Pyramid (specifically, the Rising), but I noticed that the ball review section for Pyramid is dormant. Anybody here have any experience with Pyramid? Good balls? Or should I stick with something more "tried and true" -- say, an Uproar or Freeze, or something?

[tr33frog]

It is s decent ball, but I had it drilled aggressively and it still is a down and in ball. So it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want to throw cross ally it isn't going to be a ball you like. I don't mind switching up from cross to down and in, so when the lanes break down I switch to it and it carries pretty well. My 266 in my 758 this week was bowled with it.

[rv driver]

It is s decent ball, but I had it drilled aggressively and it still is a down and in ball. So it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want to throw cross ally it isn't going to be a ball you like. I don't mind switching up from cross to down and in, so when the lanes break down I switch to it and it carries pretty well. My 266 in my 758 this week was bowled with it.
If "down and in" means aiming for the second arrow and having it turn into the pocket, I'm good. Is that what you mean? That the ball will carry straight through the heads on the right side of the lane (for a rt hander) and then make a turn at the back end? Thanks.

[tr33frog]

Yes, I think the hook reading on the ball is overrated on their site. If your lanes are very oily it might not hook much. The lanes were very oily Monday and when the oil pushed down the ball went almost straight. Just some perspective, I normally stand on the dit left if center or further and go cross lane with my other balls.

[rv driver]

Yes, I think the hook reading on the ball is overrated on their site. If your lanes are very oily it might not hook much. The lanes were very oily Monday and when the oil pushed down the ball went almost straight. Just some perspective, I normally stand on the dit left if center or further and go cross lane with my other balls.
Sounds like it might be a lot more akin to the Storm Tropical Breeze than it is akin to, say, the Roto Grip Uproar.

[tr33frog]

It has a symmetrical core, which is generally less aggressive. Most days the second arrow shot is perfect with this ball. The lanes were the the most oily they have been all year. I really need to count my revs with this ball so I can give people a better idea of what to expect. I'd say I'm a medium high rev rate.

[Stormed1]

I had the Chosen Path Pearl and it was quite aggressive. It hooked more than my Primal Scream

[Bunny]

I won the Path Rising on FB. Awesome! I chose the black and silver. It's a sweet looking ball fo sho! The Silver Bullet!! I had it drilled pin up above my ring finger. I haven't had a chance to use it much but it seems a bit flat when it hits the pins. I've been playing around with it as a spare ball when I need a little more movement than my straight Maxim.

I think there are better entry/mid level ball choices that will carry you farther as your game improves. Freeze, Tropical Breeze, Wrecker, Uproar, Tribal, etc. Or go up to the next level Pyramid Origin.

As far as quality, my hubby has a bag and shoes by Pyramid and they've held up very nicely so far. Good Stuff!!

[Aslan]

I've heard virtually nothing about Pyramid balls. I heard they make a really good roller bag though.

[rv driver]

I won the Path Rising on FB. Awesome! I chose the black and silver. It's a sweet looking ball fo sho! The Silver Bullet!! I had it drilled pin up above my ring finger. I haven't had a chance to use it much but it seems a bit flat when it hits the pins. I've been playing around with it as a spare ball when I need a little more movement than my straight Maxim.

I think there are better entry/mid level ball choices that will carry you farther as your game improves. Freeze, Tropical Breeze, Wrecker, Uproar, Tribal, etc. Or go up to the next level Pyramid Origin.

As far as quality, my hubby has a bag and shoes by Pyramid and they've held up very nicely so far. Good Stuff!!
Thanks for the tips. I wondered the same thing, but then I thought that, as an aging stroker with a slower ball speed, a more aggressive ball might be too unpredictable -- rolling out early and breaking too aggressively? I've been weighing the distinctions between the Uproar and the Tropical Breeze and thought the Pyramid might split the difference? Uproar appears to be more aggressive and the Tropical appears to be not aggressive enough. Or am I making too much out of the distinction?

I do know that the Pyramid techs have been very prompt and forthcoming answering e-mail questions. Service means a lot to me.

[Bunny]

Thanks for the tips. I wondered the same thing, but then I thought that, as an aging stroker with a slower ball speed, a more aggressive ball might be too unpredictable -- rolling out early and breaking too aggressively? I've been weighing the distinctions between the Uproar and the Tropical Breeze and thought the Pyramid might split the difference? Uproar appears to be more aggressive and the Tropical appears to be not aggressive enough. Or am I making too much out of the distinction?

I do know that the Pyramid techs have been very prompt and forthcoming answering e-mail questions. Service means a lot to me.


If the Breeze isn't strong enough the Path Rising is even less aggressive. In my little experience it hits kind of weak. The Breeze is a very good ball for a stroker. It hits pretty darn hard actually.

Have you looked at the Wrecker? I think it could be the mid point you're looking for. The Freeze is also a great choice. They have some new ones that are pretty sweet. It's got movement and it hits really hard. My husband has one. I don't know much about the Uproar.

I sent Pyramid an email asking for the rg and diff on the 14lb Rising since they only list specs for 15lbs, and I got nada. Mmm?

[rv driver]

If the Breeze isn't strong enough the Path Rising is even less aggressive. In my little experience it hits kind of weak. The Breeze is a very good ball for a stroker. It hits pretty darn hard actually.

Have you looked at the Wrecker? I think it could be the mid point you're looking for. The Freeze is also a great choice. They have some new ones that are pretty sweet. It's got movement and it hits really hard. My husband has one. I don't know much about the Uproar.

I sent Pyramid an email asking for the rg and diff on the 14lb Rising since they only list specs for 15lbs, and I got nada. Mmm?
I was looking at both the Breeze and the Freeze, actually. Haven't looked at the Wrecker, but I'm going to now. The uproar seems to be similar to the Freeze.

[classygranny]

I was looking at both the Breeze and the Freeze, actually. Haven't looked at the Wrecker, but I'm going to now. The uproar seems to be similar to the Freeze.

My teammate has the Wrecker and I notice he is extremely inconsistent with it. Last visit to the ProShop I mentioned this (we use same driller) and he told me this is the usual complaint with the Wrecker. He drilled five of them for my coach and he didn't like any of them because they were so inconsistent. Just passing on what I've heard, so take it as you want.

[Bunny]

My teammate has the Wrecker and I notice he is extremely inconsistent with it. Last visit to the ProShop I mentioned this (we use same driller) and he told me this is the usual complaint with the Wrecker. He drilled five of them for my coach and he didn't like any of them because they were so inconsistent. Just passing on what I've heard, so take it as you want.

Great feedback! Those little nugs are usually spot on.

Don't get the Wrecker.

[rv driver]

Great feedback! Those little nugs are usually spot on.

Don't get the Wrecker.
I don't think I like it as well as the Uproar, from what I've seen.

[Kobra167]

I have the Wrecker. I will say that it is very consistent ball. It's one of my favorites. But I will say it is very sensitive to the bowlers inconsistencies. If you are not good at repeat shot making and controlling the break point, then the Wrecker is not for you. If you make a mistake, especially with the release. It will let you know you F'ed up. The uproar is a more "controllable" version of the wrecker for lower rate and low speeds players. It's pearlized cover will continue to get the ball down the lane and allow you to play out outside part of the lane much longer than everybody else. You asked about the Pyramid Path Rising. I've never thrown it, but from reviews and seeing two people throw it, looks like the ball motion would fit in between the wrecker and uproar. The wrecker is really skid flippy left to right. The uproar will go way down the lane and then make a pronounced move to the pocket. The Path Rising would give more of a benchmark type reaction.

It is important to note that all three on the list are medium to dry oil balls. They slide on oil and significant carrydown will cause unexpected results like not making it back to the pocket or leaving flat 10s. Be sure that the ball matches up well for the way you intend to play the lane and the lane conditions you bowl on. All of them would be great for broken down conditions and on the second shift. They will be "squirrelly" on fresh shots medium to heavy house shots.

[rv driver]

I have the Wrecker. I will say that it is very consistent ball. It's one of my favorites. But I will say it is very sensitive to the bowlers inconsistencies. If you are not good at repeat shot making and controlling the break point, then the Wrecker is not for you. If you make a mistake, especially with the release. It will let you know you F'ed up. The uproar is a more "controllable" version of the wrecker for lower rate and low speeds players. It's pearlized cover will continue to get the ball down the lane and allow you to play out outside part of the lane much longer than everybody else. You asked about the Pyramid Path Rising. I've never thrown it, but from reviews and seeing two people throw it, looks like the ball motion would fit in between the wrecker and uproar. The wrecker is really skid flippy left to right. The uproar will go way down the lane and then make a pronounced move to the pocket. The Path Rising would give more of a benchmark type reaction.

It is important to note that all three on the list are medium to dry oil balls. They slide on oil and significant carrydown will cause unexpected results like not making it back to the pocket or leaving flat 10s. Be sure that the ball matches up well for the way you intend to play the lane and the lane conditions you bowl on. All of them would be great for broken down conditions and on the second shift. They will be "squirrelly" on fresh shots medium to heavy house shots.
Thanks for that analysis. That's kind of how I see it too, having not thrown any of them, but looking at videos. For that "uncontrollable" reason, I'm sort of leaning toward a weaker ball, like the Tropical Breeze. I've got to really check the "usual" lane conditions where I want to bowl most of the time. Pump the pro for oil info. I notice that the Breeze seems to be a popular ball there. What does that tell me?

[rv driver]

I have the Wrecker. I will say that it is very consistent ball. It's one of my favorites. But I will say it is very sensitive to the bowlers inconsistencies. If you are not good at repeat shot making and controlling the break point, then the Wrecker is not for you. If you make a mistake, especially with the release. It will let you know you F'ed up. The uproar is a more "controllable" version of the wrecker for lower rate and low speeds players. It's pearlized cover will continue to get the ball down the lane and allow you to play out outside part of the lane much longer than everybody else. You asked about the Pyramid Path Rising. I've never thrown it, but from reviews and seeing two people throw it, looks like the ball motion would fit in between the wrecker and uproar. The wrecker is really skid flippy left to right. The uproar will go way down the lane and then make a pronounced move to the pocket. The Path Rising would give more of a benchmark type reaction.

It is important to note that all three on the list are medium to dry oil balls. They slide on oil and significant carrydown will cause unexpected results like not making it back to the pocket or leaving flat 10s. Be sure that the ball matches up well for the way you intend to play the lane and the lane conditions you bowl on. All of them would be great for broken down conditions and on the second shift. They will be "squirrelly" on fresh shots medium to heavy house shots.
How do you think the Motiv Ascent compares to these?

[bdtrob300]

I just got a 12 lb. Path Rising for my wife. I drilled it straight up, she doesn't put many revs on the ball. She hasn't noticed any difference between it and her Tropical Breeze. I gave it a couple throws and i was neither impressed nor disgusted. It is what it is, a cheap entry level ball. Good if you've never thrown anything with a core, but if you've thrown virtually any other performance ball, you'll be underwhelmed by the path rising. I'd say a misfit for the money is probably the better choice. But I would like to get my hands on a Chosen Path or Dark Path, specs look good, the Chosen was on sale for a few months for like $90 shipped or something like that, I should've nabbed one...

[MiggityMatt]

Anyone have an update on Pyramid Balls? Bowlingball.com has a Path Origin for $79.99. I'm very intrigued at that price...

http://bowlingball.com/p-11025-path-origin-pearl-gold-mega-deal.aspx

[rv driver]

Anyone have an update on Pyramid Balls? Bowlingball.com has a Path Origin for $79.99. I'm very intrigued at that price...

http://bowlingball.com/p-11025-path-origin-pearl-gold-mega-deal.aspx
I asked my house pro about Pyramid. Of course, he's trying to sell balls and can't sell Pyramid, but he's also a pretty honest guy. His take is that they're cheap balls and he wouldn't waste his money.

[mike_thomas93]

I think a Pyramid is probably a bang for your buck, judging from the prices. Never thrown a Pyramid before, but they seem decent. Doesn't hurt to keep your options open

[MiggityMatt]

Yeah, kinda figured as much. You usually get what you pay for.

[Jaescrub]

A lot of people that have thrown them have said good things. Everyone's a start up once. If it's at a good price and has the cover RG/Dif your looking for I say why not try it out?

[MiggityMatt]

Well played sir, well played. :)

I would like to have another 14# option and the wife needs a new ball. Getting 2 for the price of one (high end ball) is tempting. I'll let you guys know if I decide to do it.

[Jaescrub]

Well played sir, well played. :)

I would like to have another 14# option and the wife needs a new ball. Getting 2 for the price of one (high end ball) is tempting. I'll let you guys know if I decide to do it.
One of the guys on here won like Three balls and a roller from them over I think Xmas last year also I think Bunny won a ball from them. I don't know if they ever posted thought up.

[Amyers]

I'm sure iceman has one you could ask him about it

[Aslan]

Anyone have an update on Pyramid Balls? Bowlingball.com has a Path Origin for $79.99. I'm very intrigued at that price...


I wonder what the "story' is with Pyramid? It would be interesting to see how all the companies are inter-connected. I'm sure they all have some level of connection…like the guy that started up one company and moved to start another. Or a guy working at one decided to try his/her luck and start their own, etc…

The problem with Pyramid is for a new, unheard of company like that…ya really need to get out there and have your product everywhere and get your "story" out. I had to look around to 3 other online bowling forums just to get a vague idea of who owns and may make Pyramid bowling balls.

The GOOD thing about them is that the actual people who have used them…it's not SUPER positive…but it's not negative by any means. And for an infant company…as long as you can keep there from being too negative a vibe while you work through the kinks; thats a win.

[bowl1820]

They are Bowlingball.com's house brand. Keith Spears, owner of BowlingBall.com is who makes Pyramid bowling balls.

The rumor is they are poured overseas, though one of the newest ones I heard might be poured here.

[Aslan]

See….I found that out online…and suddenly all the advertisements and the tab on the website…suddenly it made more sense.

I wonder why they decided to get into the manufacturing side? The ball business doesn't seem like a very easy one to bust into.

[Stormed1]

I think they wanted to be like Bowlers Paradise who has their own Elite brand

[Bradski9]

I ordered the pyramid chosen path pearl for Christmas, I was wondering why my bowling alley didn't sell them and I did more research and found out they are only a few years old xD

[circlecity]

There goal is to make high performance balls at lower prices. It seems they are headed in the right direction.

[The Mayor]

Elite doesn't put much thought behind their releases. Pyramid performance balls are designed from the ground up. Everything has a purpose, from the core to the coverstock. Their performance stands up against any brand and when you factor in price, it's pretty unbeatable. I used to be a Storm/Roto guy, now I'm a Storm/Roto/Pyramid guy. Awesome stuff, especially the new Blueprint and Divergent Path. Blood Moon is awesome too (just got mine, still haven't been able to test too much but I like what I see).

[Aslan]

Well, I don't know if it's "designed from the ground up" if it's using 900Global's R&D and manufacturing. That seems more like "designing from the logo out". :o

I actually was thinking of getting one of the plastic ones though. I don't have a 15lb plastic ball and I just can't justify paying $85 for a Motiv Arctic Sniper much less an extra $15 for a Columbia WD when at the end of the day…it's a friggin spare ball. I just need it to be round.

But I gotta check with my ball drillers. If I pay a ball driller $85 and he drills it for free…then I'm $85 out of the door and supporting my local guy. If I pay $39 for a Pyramid and then my ball driller charges me $59 to drill it…now I'm out $98 but support bowlingball.com and the online community. Hmmm….fortunately I have about a year to make this decision.

[The Mayor]

I can tell you for certain that everything Pyramid does has a purpose. Looks can be deceiving. They may not have the resources of a Storm/Ebonite, but I assure you that if you were to drill up one of their balls you would be impressed. Take the labels off of the balls and their stuff rolls as good as anything out there. Every company makes good stuff you just have to find what matches your game. You can spend $220 at your pro shop for a Ruckus Schizo (just an example) and I'll pay $79.99 for a Blood Moon and spend $50 at my shop to have it drilled. I'll save $90 bucks and have a ball that performs just as well.

[rv driver]

I can tell you for certain that everything Pyramid does has a purpose. Looks can be deceiving. They may not have the resources of a Storm/Ebonite, but I assure you that if you were to drill up one of their balls you would be impressed. Take the labels off of the balls and their stuff rolls as good as anything out there. Every company makes good stuff you just have to find what matches your game. You can spend $220 at your pro shop for a Ruckus Schizo (just an example) and I'll pay $79.99 for a Blood Moon and spend $50 at my shop to have it drilled. I'll save $90 bucks and have a ball that performs just as well.
Have you taken a look at the Blood Moon? I ordered one based on the low, low, low price yesterday, but I can't tell what color the ball is. They say it's "blood crimson." It looks almost purple in the picture on the web page, and the description above the hook/lane diagram says "black/red." And the ball looks black as it appears in the layout picture in the reaction video. What color is this ball???

[The Mayor]

The ball is a dark purple to my eye. With like light fluorescent red logos. Ball goes super long and has a strong but easy to read backend reaction. This is one of those balls that I feel like I can make do anything I want on any medium condition. Let us know what you think once you get to throw it!