The Manic is the second release at this price point from Storm this month. The Manic gives bowlers the option of a solid resin coverstock surrounding the NOS core. Compared to the Fringe and Frantic, this ball creates much more friction and provides more hook than either.

The added traction provided by the 4000 Abralon solid R2S cover gave us a look we liked on the medium test pattern. Stroker enjoyed the free hook which is always a benefit for lower rev players. Tweener’s equal revs and ball speeds allowed him to play nearly anywhere he wanted on this pattern. He could be firm and play closer to the track or move into the oil and get it to the track area down lane. Cranker was deeper in the oil and, as usual, due to his rev rate, was able to have his breakpoint further right than the other two testers. We added a coat of Storm’s Step Two compound to the test balls just to see if we could find a little better reaction. With the compound added, we saw more length with a stronger change of direction at the breakpoint. It was still not as strong at the breakpoint and back end as the Fringe but was smoother than the Frantic.

Moving to the heavy test pattern, the box finish was plenty enough surface for Cranker to get to the pocket. Tweener and Stroker needed a little more help and settled on using a 2000 Abralon pad on Stroker’s Manic and a 3000 Abralon surface on Tweener’s. With the lower surface grit, these testers were able to create the traction needed to get the ball through the slick stuff.

The Manic offered one of Stroker’s best looks in a while on our sport pattern. The traction and control offered out of the Manic offered push and recovery on a pattern that usually doesn’t offer too much help. Tweener and Cranker left their Manics at the box finish as well for this pattern. The smooth nature was a benefit for these players as well. They could get the Manic to the friction spots without it jumping and over-reacting.

The dry pattern offered little to no reaction at the box finish. The early traction was too much for this short pattern. We raised the surfaces to a 4000 Abralon and applied a layer of Reacta-Shine. Even with the surface change, this ball was too much hook for this amount of oil.

Strengths: The control we had from the 2Furious, along with more overall hook, make the Manic a great choice for medium to heavy volumes of oil.

Weaknesses: Dry lanes will make the Manic hard to control. Even as the heads began to go on our medium pattern, all three testers started having trouble getting the Manic down the lane.

Overall Summary: The Manic fills the gap left by the discontinued 2Furious. Frantic owners who want more hook can look to the Manic to provide similar hook shape and more total motion.