Storm IQ Tour Ruby | What's all the Hype about??? | The Hype | Bowlersmart

Storm IQ Tour Ruby Review

Name: Storm IQ Tour Ruby
Brand: Storm
Rating: 5.0 (55 reviews)

While no longer in production, the Storm IQ Tour Ruby remains one of the most versatile and reliable medium oil balls ever created, making it a valuable find on the used market for bowlers seeking predictable performance.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Apr 22, 2026 8 videos analyzed 55 verified bowler reviews

what's going on YouTube World Charles Hutcherson here and we're probably gonna have like probably one and two for the most anticipated balls of the year IQ tool Ruby um this is a black widow and yes for all those curious I will be throwing these two against each other just to see um but this is my first iq2 pro that I've ever thrown from Ikea fusion and I've thrown so I can tour solid so I'm hoping I have a lot of high expectations that this one's actually going to roll really really good so man

smells good so hey man it's IQ so you know you're definitely going to sell but it doesn't real good it's a question that we're trying to answer so today we're looking at our solid and a rep so if you like anything that you see through New Jersey and it's that new it's that new stuff man it's that new stuff 12 bag of cool wig man that we came up with uh like any of that use the links below it's all there for you so yeah we're gonna get right to it and move on and as always start right move left

oh that hit off my leg a little bit that's all right I saw it quickly so I'm gonna go ahead and keep on moving left off that man I think uh it hooks each rendition of the reactive gloss has gotten better so you know just bear with it it's manufacturing anybody who's aware of that like nothing comes out perfect the first time so gift store and they they're working on it man clearly but I am going to cheat off that because

that hooked a ton I gave that a little too much business yeah a little too much business yeah I call my hand down a little bit especially when I'm saying this far right because it is cooking for DNA on this Lane so that's why this is burned up I'ma keep on cheating getting more into my comfort zone that track area

on the hand down a little bit that was 10 back undoubtedly 10 back keep on cheating left I got a little on that one this might be in a bag this ball just might be in the back all right I'm gonna

throw about probably about four or five more shots they won't throw that key to our solid they don't get to the Revenant but so far like I really really like this ball now if this ball continues to work this far left see it

all right so I'm gonna give it a little more speed from this far left and let's see what it does to give it a little more speed but I threw it to the friction and it was like the right circumstances that that ball just is shaping and going through the pins because this is like really my first full couple games with it so the the test is what does this ball really look like you know after five games like what is this cover what is this uh The

Compound on top of it what is it doing so well keep on throwing it and then definitely at the end of it we're gonna give you that final kind of synopsis of everything that we're seeing a little slow on that one I missed left and it still continued through the pins that's what you want to see like the ball that gives you the Miss to the right and the Miss to the left it's really hitting a lot of lurks untouched I have not touched the surface

at all of this ball and this is how it looks to get back to normal shots for normal for normal people like yo I'm carrying everything at this ball right now like yo you've seen videos where it looked like I was struggling to strike it this one man it looks pretty easy man so man often after that man I don't think I'm gonna throw any more shots man we're gonna go with the IQ towards solid and we're gonna see

we'll see what she looks like and I'm hoping she's a little slower a little smoother oh God that took off too don't go ahead and move left a little bit left maybe a little bit all right I took a huge step left oh God

now I took a huge step left kind of accident brain fart but and I still miss left and they went through there you saw the messenger he saw the energy like I have done ice in a very long time so you and me were learning together that this ball is pretty good all right so I'm gonna make take a smaller step for my first shot with this ball I see what it does

ah all right guys I missed by a mile and I got that yeah uh hey that's silly uh let's try to make actually a good well educated a well executed shot and let's see how this goes

let's execute this one all right that should be good oh goodness gracious this one's going stupid down Lane right now like stupid I'm about to get the ball some more room too I thought it'd be a little smoother but it just looks earlier right but it's still a lot of motion down Lane honestly I was like slow down be a little bit different foreign okay all right so I'm gonna give her some room

this Lane is hooking but I'm thinking you know the IQ will be again a little smoother I popped up a little bit execution-wise but still shake back um it just kind of wiggled it out so let's see let's see how the rest of these shots look

out of here but yeah so go one more shot with the IQ and we'll get to the Revenant then we'll switch up the angles see if I can get a little slower about moving left I like I did around that one jackknife facility it's two IQ go

I think that's the reason there is definitely a reason why these balls are still in the line alrighty another one okay again if all this far left I'm definitely doing a red one um seeing how they stack up uh the more responsive one is of course the Ruby and this one is again a little smoother I feel like the Lane's got even more burnt up like I will go to this one and it might help me control again the back end back end of the pattern so yeah but

we're gonna see how this revnik you know this is similar or maybe it's a little bit under I'm not 100 certain we'll figure that out together so let's do that starting right as always and then we'll move left I chucked that one down there ah not my best shot but it's a lot of friction right there as well so again I'm gonna cheat off that just to get a realistic you know idea what this ball

does out of my hand so let's do that okay oh God that's it torpedo across today but again it's pretty responsive but I feel like you got just a hair easier down the lane than a ruby I thought the Ruby just saw it it's a little bit sooner um so let's keep on going all right so now we're getting into my a

little bit more of my comfort zone definitely cleaner and I think this has like the r3s Pearl on it so maybe that's these cover stock differences um so yeah definitely looking like the revenue is a little bit under so this ball comes back you want to keep on moving left go ahead I'm Gonna Keep on cheating

got that one down IQ and a Revenant bro if I was a little bit bigger handed if I had a little more rev rate probably lean towards the Revenant um and then if you have a little bit less you want to see it a little bit sooner you go with IQ both good options but I've already had the Revenant I'm not on immediately feel like I need the IQ unless you're one of those tournament Players that just you know again like having a lot of balls so I see it

[Music] yeah definitely just that pitch that smidge cleaner but yeah man if I had to choose if I had both of these in the back I might just have them again drill a little bit differently so have one pin down one pin up to give you an even bigger Gap and it's facing your bag so that's really how I see both of these balls

so we should really start to see again some of the the bigger difference here as we get left into a little bit more of the oil threw that out to the right number is not nearly as early with the Revenant um and on a second set of shots we'll have those numbers so you can see it but I know off top my head the IQ is you know really low RG and a low differential so this ball should see like the IQ just sees it so much sooner

and the revenue just it's not a lane all right so we want the one more shot here with the Revenant foreign much more comfortable a little bit more a little straighter so yeah that's it we'll go ahead and get to the second set of shots so you guys can get that close-up view and man hope you enjoyed it

so if you were a fan of the IQ tour tours of the past you're definitely going to want to pick this one up how it looks I didn't throw an emerald like I mentioned at the beginning of the video but this ball like was very very controllable um off the back of the pattern I've thrown a track sensor and the track sensor like this is very reminiscent like just how much like fun and getting controllable this ball is like when there's a lot of friction out outside

um it's just so necessary to have a type of ball Motion in the bag so of course I'm definitely going to be doing a comparisons with this one and the track sensor and the DV8 uh Captivate the numbers are similar uh and I want to see how these balls stack up I struck a lot with the IQ tour Ruby and as of right now like this ball is going to sneak in my bag as that kind of staple you know burn ball essentially like I don't want things that are super super clean like the Revenant I wanted or something to

see it a little bit sooner um especially when I'm moving that far left so but yeah man as these balls Stack Up IQ tour solid it was eye-opening to see this ball again it's been a while and it's really like oh my God it was refreshing and it was man it hooks a lot like then more than I remember and it's just I see why people love it man especially because the people have a lot of rev right two-handers that's kind of a staple in the back and then you get

to the Revenant Revenant man it's like super clean and definitely that cover has something to do with it because you look at the numbers like the Revenant has more differential so it should actually you know again be a little more off the spot but again this ball is good and I could see having both again I would just alter the surface so it made sense I won't be carrying both in my bag but I can be tour definitely uh found this way in foreign [Music]

Auto-generated transcript · 2,028 words

9.3

Overall

Elite Score

Weight

12-16 lbs

Coverstock

Pearl

Core

Symmetric

Hook

Medium

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed the Storm IQ Tour Ruby occupies an interesting middle ground in the mid-late category, displaying characteristics that shift depending on playing style and angle of attack. On medium oil house conditions, independent reviewers observed that the ball’s reactive pearl coverstock delivers a clean, controlled reaction through the front end with a responsive, angular backend motion. However, the symmetric core’s moderate RG and differential created a notably earlier roll than expected—particularly when testers opened up their angles to compensate for the cover’s strength. This earlier transition point meant the ball performed best when played more direct, with less board coverage, where its punchy midlane-to-late motion became an asset rather than a liability. When angles closed down, the ball bordered on true midlane behavior, making it somewhat dependent on shot selection for consistency.

The Ruby demonstrated solid versatility in comparison testing, particularly against stronger benchmark balls. On the 2023 42-foot USBC Open pattern, the ball showed manageable backend aggression with good friction pickup—noticeably more controlled than stronger reactive pearl options, while maintaining enough bite to handle clean backends effectively. Surface adjustments and multiple release styles confirmed the ball responds predictably to changes in hand position and speed, though testers noted the symmetric core’s lower differential can produce a sharper breakpoint transition rather than a gradual arc. The ball proved reliable for strikemaking on house conditions and showed good pin action without excessive deflection, though some testers found themselves working around its somewhat narrow effective strike window.

Who Is This Ball For?

The IQ Tour Ruby suits bowlers seeking a versatile midlane-to-mid-late option for medium oil conditions who prefer a cleaner, more controlled backend response without the aggression of heavier backends. It performs particularly well for players with direct throwing styles—those who don’t cover excessive boards and benefit from the ball’s angular, punchy response. Intermediate to advanced bowlers managing house shot conditions will find this ball reliable for stretching their arsenal between true midlane balls and full-strength backends, especially when oil breakdown begins mid-set.

This ball is less ideal for bowlers who rely on wide angular shapes and high board coverage to generate consistent carry, as the responsive backend and earlier roll can feel constraining on more aggressive angles. It may also frustrate players transitioning to sport patterns, as its reactive cover and moderate core create a somewhat sharper breakpoint than the smooth, predictable arcs preferred on longer, flatter conditions. However, for those seeking a strike ball that maintains control and consistency without excessive backend movement, the Ruby offers solid foundational performance at an accessible price point.

Hook Potential

7.0

Length Through Heads

8.0

Back-End Continuity

7.0

Pin Action

8.0

Versatility

9.0

Value for Money

8.0

The Pros

• Exceptional versatility across medium oil conditions
• Clean through the front part of the lane with controllable backend
• Strong pin action and carry for a symmetric core ball

The Cons

• Limited performance on heavier oil volumes
• Discontinued status makes finding new inventory difficult

Who Is This Ball For?

Bowlers seeking a versatile benchmark ball for medium oilTournament players needing predictable ball motionLeague bowlers looking for consistent performance across varying conditions

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Storm C3 Centripetal Control Core Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.49

Differential 0.029

Coverstock Storm R2S Pearl Reactive

Core Type Symmetric

Factory Finish 1500 Grit Polish

Color Red

Scent Berry Splash

Release Date March 2023

How It Compares

8.9

Verified Bowler Reviews (110 reviews, 5.0/5 avg)

5.0out of 5

110 verified purchase reviews

99% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Bowlers Say

Bowlers say the IQ Ruby is an exceptional pearl ball for medium to light oil conditions, offering clean length through the fronts with a sharp, controlled backend motion. The R2S Pearl cover and C3 core provide excellent midlane read and continuation, making it ideal as a transition ball when stronger equipment becomes too much. Some find the Reacta Gloss finish too clean and prefer light surface adjustments.

AI summary of 110 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

Kenneth Apr 5, 2022

I have the Emerald IQ, but this one caught my eye. I really like the color and not in a rush to drill.

NV, United States

Zachary P Woelfel Feb 27, 2023

I am so excited for the all new !q Ruby! I have been a huge fan of the !q line since the original !q Tour was released back in 2012. This !q Ruby features the same core and cover (R2S Pearl) as the !q Emerald, !q 30, and the original !q Tour Pearl (goldie). The Ruby is the same motion that you expect out the !q line, but the Ruby features a great vibrant ruby red color and Berry Splash scent that has not been on any of the !q balls to this point. This ball is going to be a must have for all fans of any of the !q bowling balls, make sure you go out and get yours March 17th! Layout: 55 x 4½ x 75

United States

James ellingsworth Feb 28, 2023

Wow this ball is a piece of art.. i Drilles this ball to flare alittle more then my other IQ pieces and man it made a difference… shot 793 out of the box and i could play straighter early in the night and when moved 15 left it still made the corner great!! THIS IS ANOTHER IQ AND PIECE THAT STORM MADE THAT WILL BE AROUND FOREVER

United States

BPaynter Mar 3, 2023

The iQ Ruby is one of those releases where I was really excited to get it. After drilling it up, I am even more excited to put some scores up with it. Compared to the original emerald,it is extremely similar, but a tad sharper! This will help you snap out a few more corner pins. It features the R2S coverstock, and the Centripetal symmetrical core. All in all, this is a balanced ball that will be useable on a variety of patterns. It will not disappoint you!

United States

Pooh Mar 7, 2023

https://youtu.be/eWtwbZHEFdo PAP: 4 1/8> 1/4^ Layout: Ruby 45x4 5/8x30 OG IQ Tour Same layout Specs: 15lb RG: 2.49 Diff .029 Cover stock: R2S Pearl reactive Factory finish: Reacta Gloss Let’s get into it this ball is flat out good been missing this look for a while now the Ruby reminds me of the IQ 30th and IQ Gold it clean and angular the emerald was longer and smoother off the friction. I compared the IQ Ruby

United States

Lonnie Pemberton Apr 5, 2023

Cover: R2S Pearl Core: C³ Centripetal Control Finish: 1500 Polish RG: 2.54 (14lb) Differential: .034 ME: Right-Handed Tweener Speed: 12-13 mph Rev Rate: 315 Axis Tilt: 14° Axis Rotation: 74° PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up Ball Layout: Pin over Ring 5 X 5 X 2 VLS The Pearl IQ Tour is back! The new Storm IQ Tour Ruby brings back the legendary R2S Cover and C3 core. This combination gives you the legendary mid-lane roll and continuation of the C3 core with the QUICK change of direction and SHARP movement down-lane that makes R2S the most successful cover in the business. I tested the IQ Tour Ruby on our house pattern. My home center uses a longer, higher volume pattern. It definitely has plenty of shape to it, but the volume of oil they need to counteract the friction in the heads is pretty substantial. This can often make transition very difficult to navigate. The fronts still open up pretty quickly but the lanes can stay pretty tight down-lane. Many weeks the balls that see the front of the lane are only in play for a game at most because they begin to read the front too much but won't recover down-lane. The bad part is going to cleaner equipment in the transition often makes the over/under down-lane hard to score on because getting it right a little too soon causes the ball to over-react and not getting it far enough right can cause the ball to skate past the breakpoint because the back-ends don't develop at the same rate. The IQ Ruby serves as a perfect transition ball because while the core will let you see some mid-lane read to avoid the Out-of-Bounds, the GLOSSY finish keeps it from hooking too early when the friction comes out. Of course the core never quits on the IQ Tour Balls so you get unrivaled continuation. I've found the Ruby to be probably the most versatile ball in my bag and I have been throwing it on everything. It came at the perfect time to begin my tournament season and it is getting a lot of use. I recommend this ball to any and everyone and if it isn't in your tournament bag, you're leaving money on the table. Lonnie Pemberton Storm Pro Shop Staff Vise Pro Shop Staff Revolutions Pro Shop Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa

United States

Chris Pollentier Apr 11, 2023

Storm !Q Tour Ruby Coverstock: R2S Pearl Reactive Finish: Reacta Gloss Core: C3 Centripetal Core RG: 2.49, Diff: 0.029 (15 lbs) VLS Layout: 5 x 4 x 2 1/2 Dual Angle Layout: 50 x 5 x 35 PAP: 5 3/16” right x 5/8” up Rev rate: 400 rpm Average speed: 16.5 mph Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie WI Pattern: Medium volume THS The !Q Tour Ruby comes stateside with a bang! The Ruby is Storm’s latest addition to the Master Line and is an updated version of the !Q Tour Emerald, and before that the !Q Tour Gold. The Ruby features the R2S pearl reactive coverstock finished with Reacta Gloss, which has been on a number of Storm balls, and the Centripetal C3 core found throughout the !Q line. The Reacta Gloss finish has been pretty hit or miss for me. With the !Q Ruby, I found the finish was a bit too clean, so I scuffed the surface with a 3000 Abralon pad by hand as I’ve done on most balls that come with a shiny finish. I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen out of this ball. The !Q Ruby is one of the best (if not THE best) rolling balls I’ve thrown in a long time. Even after touching the surface with an Abralon pad, the Ruby is still quite clean thanks to the glossy finish but reads the midlane extremely well and is sharp and quick on the backend. It’s a reaction shape that my eye really likes – slightly heavy rolling with some pop on the backend that helps it to drive through the pins. Compared to the !Q Emerald, the Ruby feels a bit stronger both in overall hook and downlane motion. Unfortunately, I never had the Gold ball, but I’ve heard from others that the Ruby is close in overall reaction. In my arsenal, the !Q Ruby slots right below balls like the Storm Fate, Revenant, or Phaze V. It’s very much a go-to for me on the medium oil house patterns with older lane surfaces. For tournaments, the Ruby is a ball that’s in play after the lanes have gone through some transition and I need a ball that clean with some shape going through the pins. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Ruby; for a low diff, higher RG ball, it just does the right thing in the right part of the lane. Slow speed, fast speed, low revs, high revs - anyone looking to add a new pearl to their arsenal should strongly consider an !Q Ruby. Red ball good!! Chris Pollentier Storm Products Pro Shop Staff #StormNation

United States

Rick Klimowicz May 25, 2023

IQ Tour Ruby • Storm • Master Series Core • C3 Centripetal Control Core Coverstock • R2S Pearl Reactive • Finish 1500-Grit/Reacta Gloss Polished Weight • 15 lbs. RG • 2.49 Differential • .029 Layout • 4 x 4 ½ x 2 ½ Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 11° Testers Rev Rate • 300 Test Pattern • 42' T.H.S. (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street Storm has taken the legendary success of their IQ Tour Series to another level with their release of the IQ Tour Ruby. With Storm's C3 Centripetal Control Core's superb reliability and the friction-biting R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock, the new IQ Tour Ruby is the next "must-have" ball to add to nearly any bowler's arsenal! So, let's take a closer look at why you "gotta have a Ruby!" The C3 Centripetal Control Core may be a mouthful, but the word "control" is all you need to understand when it comes to the C3! Being a straighter player, I depend on a core's consistency and predictability to keep my A game in play. And the C3 symmetrical core does this exceptionally well. I can count on the C3 to rev up smoothly in the mid-lane without being overly aggressive and burning up its energy too soon. And with its stable and predictable motion, I can rely on the C3 to keep on "truckin'" for me off the pattern. And unlike other symmetrical cores that run out of gas because of my low rev rate, the C3 retains an intense amount of energy that erupts as it impacts the pocket and blasts it through the pin deck. So, if you're looking for a benchmark core, you can rely on and trust? Look no further; the C33 Centripetal Control Core is a great choice! The sharp-looking R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock is an exceptional choice for the Ruby! And don't let the glossy finish fool you! The R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock is a well-blended mixture that produces a flawless transition between skid, hook, and roll throughout a night of typical league bowling. However, being a straighter player, surface is my best friend. So for my straighter, high-speed low rev game, I took the R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock to 1000-grit Abralon and followed it up with Storm Step #2 Compound, and the results were fantastic! I like how the R2S Pearl easily skated across the heads on a fresh THS but gently started gripping in the mid-lane. And when the Ruby finds the end of the pattern, the R2S Pearl performs at its best. I like how the R2S Pearl loves friction but isn't too quick or "jumpy" when it finds it. Instead, I found the R2S Pearl cuts through the pattern smoothly without sacrificing the power I needed for the pins. And I liked how the R2S Pearl methodically blended its way through the over/ under and spotty conditions that develop towards the end of the third game. So, clearly, after a night of league bowling, I could easily say the R2S Pearl Reactive kept me in my comfort zone all night with the IQ Tour Ruby! In conclusion, the IQ Tour Ruby is a great new release by Storm. Bowlers of many styles, speeds, and releases will find a place for the Ruby. And for that straighter and rev challenged bowlers like me, you will find a benchmark ball that will be there for you shot after shot! So, stop in your local Storm VIP Pro Shop today and see for yourself why you "gotta have a Ruby" in your arsenal! Rick Klimowicz Storm Products Pro Shop Staff Roll the Ball Pro Shop Penndel, PA

United States

Showing 1–5 of 55 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the Storm IQ Tour Ruby best for?

The Storm IQ Tour Ruby is designed for medium oil conditions. It features a reactive pearl coverstock with a 1500 Grit Polish finish, which gives it a balanced response that works well on standard house shot conditions.

Is the Storm IQ Tour Ruby good for beginners?

The Storm IQ Tour Ruby offers moderate hook potential, making it a reasonable option for bowlers transitioning from entry-level equipment. It provides enough reaction to help develop a hook shot without being uncontrollable.

What is the RG and differential of the Storm IQ Tour Ruby?

The Storm IQ Tour Ruby has an RG of 2.49 and a differential of 0.029. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The lower differential keeps the ball motion smooth and controlled.

How much does the Storm IQ Tour Ruby cost?

The Storm IQ Tour Ruby 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 Storm IQ Tour Ruby?

The Storm IQ Tour Ruby is best suited for bowlers looking for a predictable, smooth ball motion. With its reactive pearl coverstock on medium conditions, it works well for a wide range of bowling styles from strokers to tweeners. Its high versatility makes it a great benchmark piece that can handle multiple conditions.

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Storm IQ Tour Ruby Review

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis