TWO of the Best Bang For Your Buck | Roto Grip Hustle RIP VS Hammer Radioactive Vibe | The Hype

Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red Review

Name: Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red
Brand: Roto Grip
Rating: 4.9 (32 reviews)

While no longer in production, the Hustle Purple Black Red remains a solid entry-level option on the used market for beginners seeking their first reactive ball. The combination of modest hook potential and affordable pricing makes it ideal for developing bowlers.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Apr 22, 2026 8 videos analyzed 32 verified bowler reviews

thank you [Music] so what's going on YouTube World Charles Hutcherson here as always and today man on video that a lot of people requested um the radioactive versus the hustle rip there's been a lot of videos already of the RRP by itself so we jump right to the good stuff um and both starting with OtterBox probably gonna end up switching both Services because we are on fresh and I expect this Lane to hook but yeah so we're gonna get right to it man get fresh Lane throw both of these uh balls

a couple shots and then before we throw the game with each again they're probably going to end up hitting these balls for service been on the bar reaction I'm seeing so yeah man as always man you see the new new shirts man new uh releases uh and we got some more stuff coming if you get the theme yeah I'm from Chicago if you didn't know now you know and am I a Cubs fan and I'm not the biggest baseball fan in general but this one and I got another one for my South Siders as well uh and for your information for those people ask or grew up in the suburbs Calumet City just a couple minutes right outside the big

city and yeah so to you up north if you know what that is TF South Holland all of those places again that's really my stopper ground but yeah so like the jerseys light the balls use the links below and we'll get to it you haven't seen me throw the RF rip uh so I'm gonna get a couple additional shots here starting off uh just to again get loose and get warmed up

I might not have to change the surface RP just hooked all right so right now I'm just saying to 20. just getting moose okay throw it out it didn't see it so I'll slow my speed down

play around it's a better shot there's some serious zip on that man if he were saying again hustle hustle link replacement finally oh that's in the ditch everybody can throw it in a dish nobody's immune foreign

leave it in there everybody to come in yeah [Music] but all right let's try to throw this this is absurd like how that's finishing like that finishes it's kind of silly go

one more shot then we're gonna pick up the radioactive and see what these balls look like so there's definitely again some out of bounds that I'm seeing for his ball if I throw it really fling it to the right it sat there again I'm understanding the pattern and that's my No No Zone essentially so again yeah hit this with getting some Polish because the last video I hit it

with surface so let's see what she does very similar both took off from right there let's keep on going on

all right so this one is throw another one this one so far look a hair smoother than an RFB a it just again a hair a hair sharper I

have the RP right now yeah it's both of them look pretty sharp but again it's a fresh house shot and this typically has been a lot more volume to the race oh one more again we're about to get to the full game I just wanted to get loose and see what these balls get a rough idea I caught down pretty good

definitely some deflection though that's really what you get sometime with these type of balls that they're just not going to finish as hard because the cores aren't as big got a rounded pretty good splash I'm gonna jump big left and see what we got for both and stand about 30.

try to keep my angles not too too crazy got around it pretty good it hit that no no Zone down Lane in it all right now the RRP I have a feeling it's probably gonna do much of the same thank you

they both just kind of laid there I wouldn't be using them if I had to get over there especially if there's not enough friction built up so we're gonna go ahead and get this full game though and not waste any more time all right so yeah I'll start with the vibe I think these balls really just want to stay in the track keeping it simple keeping it simple

I'm gonna go hustle RP should be good RP to the 10. radioactive time thank you

back to back back to back a little RRP time all right see if we can get a little higher flow shot that was definitely inside yeah right now I'm standing in the same Zone about 20 23 inside of my left foot

oh that's outside if y'all haven't noticed got that Joe post stuff just click it both balls are looking really really good from here now that I think I got a little carry down off the pattern [Music] oh that's pretty good oh goodness gracious

ah I didn't see that one coming I guess all the messengers were saying I should have saw a console oh nope and it is good it's good all right radioactive see what we get thank you I do it a little slow okay okay off that last shot I thought I

might have had to slow down a pinch uh but that one just picked up and kept going let me pick this one up all right yeah the Lane's probably changing a little bit but off of that last shot with the after that last shot with the rip leaving that 710

I'm gonna make a small adjustment I might get the speed down that hair with this ball so I don't know if that was the perfect or the right move but it got all 10 out you know fortunately fortunately all right so see if we get back on the strike train foreign

punch there it is slightly stronger hand position got everything out tight match Tight Mesh tight match the open goes to the RP currently but let me see if I can't get that out oh that's a No-No Zone oh yeah man but again I don't feel like I threw

it back but it definitely just glided let's pick it up though oh that might hook too much I thought it was gonna hit it I thought it did all right radioactive oh same thing no no Zone excluded it and that one saw it just a

little bit earlier I thought that's why it still counted out where the RFP is like just floating that extra inch get this extra inch down the lane it's it's gone all right move a little right you got the tint out it wasn't super convincing but I did get the 10 out the

Radioactive radioactive is definitely looking a little more convincing right now dealing with a little more oil down the lane I passed the the pattern like into the where you expect the ball to be hooking yet like sometimes you can carry down and it's just dealing with it a little bit better than what the RRP is currently so I'm definitely thinking hit the RFP

with a little surface and that might blend it just made it a little more consistent oh [ __ ] man so I missed that one in the oil it is it definitely again I'm seeing it needs surface again tweak the service I think we'll have a much better bar reaction because right now it's just I'm missing an oil gonna go forever I miss it a little too

far outside it's gonna go forever as well oh and I missed the 10 pin today oh my goodness y'all can kill me in the comments y'all gonna kill me the comments for this one so I got three opens two splits with it for the RFP 710 that I didn't think was that bad so radioactive again this is Blended

okay they both can leave tents they both can leave tens I like the shot but again that's what happened all right make the spare made the spare so yeah man we're gonna go ahead and keep it going RP let's go ahead and go back five but starting out the RFP definitely gave me the illusion that it was super super

Sharp as I as we kept throwing they kept throwing it kept throwing it it got smoother especially with I guess a little bit of carry down and you know it's just me on the Lane right now I hit that one pretty good so I'm just committed to the shot and just whacking it and it responded so again we're gonna go shoot without one

Radioactive we're gonna do a little bit of the same get on it for balls again they are very similar I think again I said a thousand times now hit this also RP with some service and it probably becomes a whole new ball man all right almost done all right we're gonna go ahead and get aggressive and stay aggressive

oh that's out there though thank you anytime I get a little too aggressive with that ball it just in scooting flowing it to the right where I'm trying to just hit up on the ball and it really yeah glided

hit up up up all right radioactive 10 frame got a solid game up there so again when I'm hitting that a little too far out that one's reading it a little bit more where I'm not leaving splits oh [ __ ] so hey man one more shot

yeah so as I wrap this up man we're gonna we're gonna throw three great shots to end it out with the hustle RP because again whatever the score is it's fun man but definitely need service and this is why your first impression of a bowling ball if you throw it don't like it tweak the surface because watch as soon as I tweak it am I do I'm gonna do it I'm gonna do it now just so we can see I'm gonna hit it with a 2000 pad so I got a true cut

because I know it's just going to be a thousand times better and this game is over okay now we got the RP with a low surface on it that's what this ball does it's probably gonna take off so much more hook now again I'm gonna

throw a reset it and just throw another shot so because of how much shape it has I'm gonna cheat a little bit more to give it some some more room more Authority through the pins and again if I would have did that halfway through the game once I saw it to start to carry down the score was a lot higher but that wasn't really the purpose of the video but because I know some of

y'all oh my God man you just threw whatever with that ball and I'm telling you the ball is not that bad the rip now we're gonna get this out of here cheese so again service is a huge thing uh yeah but I hope you guys enjoyed it hey man hey like the balls use the links below both of them again I'm not gonna say one

is better than the other I'm just gonna say man out of box the RRP is definitely a little cleaner where the the vibe again is just a little more in the mid lane but still almost as sharp down Lane you saw a lot of my shops that I missed out and it's still peeled peel back and left me something makeable so it's something to keep in mind I like both of them they're definitely in the same zone so whatever you like man just give it a try man you know man that's RP bye hope you guys enjoyed it

Auto-generated transcript · 2,039 words

8.0

Overall

Great Score

Weight

10-16 lbs

Coverstock

Solid

Core

Symmetric

Hook

Low

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed that the Roto Grip Hustle Purple performed as a sharp, angular reactive solid on a fresh house shot with medium oil volume. Independent reviewers observed the ball displayed noticeable backend motion and pin action, though it exhibited some characteristic deflection typical of symmetric-core designs. On the test pattern, the ball demonstrated strong hook potential, particularly when surface adjustments were applied—notably when polished down to 2000 grit, which noticeably sharpened the ball’s mid-lane read and increased overall hook aggression. The testers also noted that out-of-box performance showed the Hustle Purple running slightly cleaner through the heads and midlane compared to a heavier benchmark ball, making it more forgiving on slight speed or angle variations.

A key observation was the ball’s sensitivity to surface conditioning. Testing showed that the fresh reactive coverstock exhibited oil absorption patterns that benefited from periodic surface maintenance during extended play. Reviewers found the ball transitioned smoothly from reading the heads to the breakpoint, though on heavier oil patterns it required intentional surface tweaks to maintain consistent carry. The symmetric core design meant that angular line adjustments produced predictable results, and the ball responded well to small speed adjustments when bowlers needed to fine-tune their read. Notably, the testers confirmed that even after experiencing some carrry-down effect, the ball remained capable of striking consistently, though missed shots occasionally left spares rather than complete pocket hits.

Who Is This Ball For?

The Hustle Purple is well-suited for intermediate bowlers and recreational league players who bowl on house shots with light to medium oil conditions. Bowlers who appreciate controllable hook and don’t mind making periodic surface adjustments will find this ball responsive and rewarding. It’s an excellent choice for someone stepping up from entry-level equipment who wants a clearly defined breakpoint without the complexity of heavier symmetrical cores, and it works particularly well for players who like to make small targeting adjustments and see immediate, predictable results.

This ball is less ideal for players who need maximum traction on heavily oiled patterns or who prefer minimal maintenance between sessions. However, bowlers willing to understand their ball’s surface characteristics—and comfortable with a brief polish or light sanding when conditions change—will discover the Hustle Purple offers strong value and versatility within its medium-light oil design window.

Hook Potential

4.0

Length Through Heads

7.0

Back-End Continuity

5.0

Pin Action

6.0

Versatility

6.0

Value for Money

7.0

The Pros

• Affordable entry-level option with reactive coverstock
• Clean length through fronts with predictable motion
• Good value on used market since discontinuation

The Cons

• Limited hook potential for challenging conditions
• Low differential restricts versatility for different rev rates

Who Is This Ball For?

Beginning bowlers transitioning from plastic ballsSpare shooting on reactive equipmentBowlers on tight budgets seeking used equipment

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Roto Grip Hustle Core Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.53

Differential 0.03

Coverstock Roto Grip VTC-S20 Solid Reactive

Core Type Symmetric

Factory Finish 3000 Grit

Color Black / Purple / Red

How It Compares

8.6

Verified Bowler Reviews (43 reviews, 4.9/5 avg)

4.9out of 5

43 verified purchase reviews

98% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Bowlers Say

Bowlers say the Hustle PBR is exceptional value, being the strongest Hustle to date with surprisingly good performance for its price point. They praise its smooth midlane read, strong pin carry, and versatility on house shots and medium oil conditions. Some find it about 7 boards stronger than previous Hustles.

AI summary of 43 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

fazzone22 Jul 1, 2020

The newest solid cover stock Hustle is an absolute beast. I drilled mine 5 x 5 x 3 and his hands down is the best Hustle I have ever drilled and this is also the strongest. This ball is easily about 7 boards stronger to me than the Hustle INK was. House patterns with a little more oil will best suit this ball and will be great on some sports patterns in the middle of blocks.

tony madline Jul 24, 2020

Great performing ball for the price.As with all hustle line balls,lots of punch without top of the line price.

MN, United States

Kennon Jul 9, 2020

The Hustle PBR is somewhat similar in that it is earlier than the rest of the hustles, but for an entirely different reason, the PBR will be just as good! The Hustle PBR is pretty strong. It seems to have teeth like an HP2 ball yet it still has that signature down lane reaction that is characteristic of the Hustles. It wanted to pick up in the midlane and continue hard through the pins which resulted in pretty good pin carry minus a 7-10. To me, it feels like a remade Winner Solid. It is not as strong as a Phase II, WildStreak or Idol. But it is slightly weaker than the MVPs. It offers that same midlane traction but didn’t become lazy on the backend. I can see myself actually using this ball on some heavier volume patterns. For instance, if you bowl a tournament on a heavy volume pattern, but the lane surface hooks quite a bit, this ball will be good for that. I think it will take surface well for the beginning of the block when the pattern is flat and the back ends are crisp. It won’t force your angles in like some of the bigger cored balls. Im really excited to throw this piece more. It goes without saying that this piece will be spectacular for the great walls of china. It is not too snappy but doesn’t burn up when fed to the dry. Finally, I think from a Pro-Shop Operator perspective, this ball will be user friendly and driller friendly. I can see myself having a few of these drilled different ways to combat any condition. For Example, I could drill one pin up as in the video, one pin down and a short pin in order to create three different shapes. I look forward to consumers getting their hands on this piece because it will not disappoint.

Jul 16, 2020

The newest addition in the HP1 Hustle line is the brand new Hustle PBR! This ball features the VTC-P20 Solid Reactive Coverstock wrapped around the Hustle Core and also comes out of the box at 3000 grit! This ball will give you a smoother reaction in the Hustle Line but will still get down lane very well! My Hustle PBR is drilled pin over my bridge which is about 4 1/2 inches away from my pap! I truly love the motion of this because it reminds me of the Hustle Hybrid that storm came out with a little bit ago and also a weaker Winner Solid for me as well! The motion gets throw the front part of the lane but reads the midlane very well, just smooth and continuous motion off the end of the pattern! This ball is a lot of bang for your buck!! Head over to your local Storm VIP Pro Shop and get yours today!

Lonnie Jul 19, 2020

Roto Grip is adding a new factor into their HP1 Hustle Line, SURFACE.The new Hustle P/B/R wraps the very successful Hustle Core in a Solid VTC-S20™ cover. The Hustle Ink also featured a solid cover but it's polished finish made it the cleanest of the line for me. The 3000 grit finish on the Hustle PBR gives the ball more teeth to deal with mid-lane oil. I tested the Hustle PBR on a fresh house condition expecting to be playing very close to the friction. This cover really blew me away. It started to read earlier than I expected so that I had to look for a little hold instead of firing straight into the friction. The biggest shock was watching the ball go through the pins. Even on a higher friction surface the PBR is fantastic at retaining energy. It was smooth and predictable off the spot but really went through the pins well. I started out wanting to "try it out" and it has become hard for me to throw other balls because it is the ball I trust most right now, since week to week lane play has been pretty varied. This ball is very versatile and if you are looking for a single ball to fill a few spots in your bag I would suggest you give this one a try.

Showing 1–5 of 32 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red best for?

The Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red is designed for medium-light oil conditions. It features a reactive solid coverstock with a 3000 Grit finish, which gives it the length and control needed on lighter oil patterns where stronger balls would overreact.

Is the Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red good for beginners?

The Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red has low hook potential, making it a forgiving option that newer bowlers can control. Its predictable motion helps build confidence while still providing enough reaction to develop technique.

What is the RG and differential of the Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red?

The Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red has an RG of 2.53 and a differential of 0.03. The higher RG means it stores energy longer, pushing further down the lane before transitioning. The lower differential keeps the ball motion smooth and controlled.

How much does the Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red cost?

The Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red is priced at varies by retailer. This is a competitive price point for a ball in its performance category. You can find it at BowlersMart.com with free shipping and 60-day returns.

What type of bowler should use the Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red?

The Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red is best suited for bowlers looking for a predictable, smooth ball motion. With its reactive solid coverstock on medium-light conditions, it works well for speed-dominant players and straighter bowlers who need control without over-hooking.

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Roto Grip Hustle Purple Black Red Review

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis