3-ball roller choices

[Aslan]

So, I'm thinking I might finally upgrade my bag situation from a 4-ball with a joey to a couple 3-ball roller totes. That gives me the option of bringing one more ball to the center, but without the expense and bulky-ness of a giant 6-ball bag.

So, I saw some pretty good deals on a few different Pyramid bags, but they don't have handles and they have little wheels.

Once you get into 3-ball roller bags with handles, the price practically doubles from about $80/bag to $140/bag. Now, you get the handle and bigger wheels...but then I'm back to the initial dilemma.

I mean, getting a couple 3-ball totes to replace my 4-ball bag for around $160 is doable.

Getting one 3-bag roller bag for $140 and a 2nd 3-bag tote for $80? Now we're in the $220 range.

And, getting two 3-bag roller bags for $140...both with handles? Now we're talking $280.

Well, for $299 you can get a deluxe 6-ball gigantic roller bag.

So, does anybody (about 6 feet tall) use a couple 3-ball totes without handles (with straps) with those little wheels? Are they okay? Will I regret wasting $140 on those two totes because I'll go back to using my 4-ball bag and joey and put those in the closet? Should I just go the "cheap" route and get a nice 2-ball roller and start bringing my 4-ball and the 2-ball with me? I can get a really nice 2-ball roller for $60...handle with decent sized wheels.

Any advice??

[boatman37]

I have a 4 ball roller and a cheap 2 ball bag. The cheap bag was $20. I leave that at the center but brought it home this week to take 6 balls to the tournament this weekend. The 2 ball bag sits right on top of my 4 ball roller and I just wrap the handle over the 4 ball handle. Just throwing that out there for you.

[Aslan]

See, I "used to" have a 2-ball shoulder bag that I would use occasionally (tournaments and such) with my 4-ball roller bag (w/joey). That gave me a 7-ball maximum capacity. The 2-ball shoulder bag was really inexpensive < $30.

The problem is, that 2-ball shoulder bag...the shoulder strap broke fairly soon after I got it. Carrying two bowling balls over your shoulder is gonna really be tough on any strap/sewing (and your shoulder).

So, I figured "If I can't get it done with 5...then I picked the wrong 5."

Well, over the years, I've noticed not many bowlers have 4-ball or 6-ball roller bags. Most of them have 3-ball totes and most of the serious bowlers will bring a couple 3-ball totes with them. So, that gives them 5 strike balls and a spare ball every night...with relatively little 'bulk'. The pull-behind 3-ball totes aren't nearly as bulky as a giant 6-ball side-by-side roller bag.

And, I've had by side-by-side 4-ball Ebonite bag for a long time. I got it back in 2015 and the handle almost immediately broke...so it's never worked quite right. I'd say I'm due for an upgrade. Going to a couple 3-ball bags would give me that extra slot for one more strike ball. Would I NEED that one more strike ball? I hope not. The more balls I go through...usually the worse night I'm having. But, more options is usually a good thing.

But I'm in the midwest now...not California. I gotta drag these bags through snow and all kinds of nonsense. I'm worried that those little wheels may work well when pulling those bags around a center or airport...but not when you're pulling them through a snowy parking lot in February. And to get into "bigger wheels", now you're talking 3-ball bags with handles and you're looking at $140/bag minimum. Way more than I want to spend when my current situation is more of a "want" than a "need".

I was thinking maybe getting a 2-ball bag with decent wheels and a handle...and keep using my 4-ball bag. With the joey, I got a max capacity of 7 balls that way. But, $50-$60 for a nice 2-ball bag is not much less than those 3-ball totes. I'd wanna be darn sure in my choice before making that decision or I'd be kicking myself later.

[boatman37]

I just bought my new 4 ball bag last week and was showing my teammate the other night and he has a 3 ball bag like you are talking about. He did comment on wishing the wheels were better. We do have a few guys that carry 2 of the 3 ball rollers but I think they leave them there so they don't go outside. I'm sure when they go to tournaments they take them but for the most part I think they stay indoors

[J Anderson]

Aslan, I’m in southern New England, where we get the occasional snow storm and the commercial property owners defer parking lot maintenance. Most of the serious bowlers seem to go the two tournament totes plus a backpack route. They also tend to pull up as close to the door of the alley, unload their gear, and then go park. When I used a two ball roller with a joey bag on the handle it seemed too tippy. The tournament toes might be less tippy since there’s no shoe compartment on top.

[Aslan]

Yeah...it sounds like the advice I'm getting is confirming my fears. Moving to a couple 3-ball totes with smaller wheels and no handles might not be a great idea for needing to go from car to center across a parking lot.

Granted...I "could" solve the snow/ice issue with a couple $10 sleds. That only leaves the non-snow/ice issues of rocks/gravel/dirt/rain/uneven terrain/etc...

I am MEGA envying Rob right about now. Pull up to the parking garage at the casino, roll your bags to the entrance...and then you're inside the casino pulling your totes to the bowling alley. Assuming your garage is connected to your house, your equipment never sees the sky; much less any other weather conditions.

Dang. I had my heart set on those 2 totes. Now I'm gonna 'maybe' have to settle on a 2-ball roller bag...which I swore I'd never buy. But I just can't see spending $300 on a gigantic 6-ball mega bag. Those things take up so much space and are a pain when you get to the lanes and have to find a place to put them. All for what? So I can bring an extra ball with me? Just not worth it. They are nice bags...but not worth the expense and hassle.

And bringing TWO deluxe 3-ball or 4-ball inline rollers...thats almost $300 as well. Even if it is Biden's money...thats a lot of dough to carry around an extra ball or two.

[classygranny]

Our PSO was leaving the lanes the other night pulling a 3 ball bag and a 3 ball tote with one hand. Not sure how he had them lined up, but he made it look so easy. Ask around maybe someone knows how to do that. I think he had the tote balanced on top of the bag so it never really touched the ground. I will watch for him more closely, as it was an intriguing option for myself and teammates.