I'm in the market for a high quality 3 or 4 ball roller and was wondering if you guys could help me out?

First off, right now I am using two 2 ball shoulder style bags which is a pain making it through doorways and I find them very awkward because they have a tendeny of slipping off my shoulder. Carrying one is fine but two at the same time is a royal pain.

Next, I just bought a condo which is on the top floor of an old rennovated school house. It's a great place but there's 3 flights of stairs to get to my unit and no they didn't have elavators back then. Hence, I need a roller that is built tough to handle going up and down all those stairs.

I've been looking at either Storm or Hammer's rollers. I like the fact that Hammer uses the bigger 5" wheels but I'm not sure how sturdy the frame is.

Now the big question, 3 roller verses a 4 roller. Ideally, I would just like to bring 5 balls with me which includes my spare. So if I go with the 3 ball roller I could easily shoulder a 2 ball carrier. With a 4 ball roller I would just have to shoulder a single ball carrier.

However, I have heard that the 4 ball carriers don't hold up as long due to the extra weight. Has anyone else heard this or had any experience with this?

Also, from the list of balls that I own, which ones would be your choice to bring to the alley and why?

Any reccomendations would be very helpful. Thanks

I have a 4-roller and I wish I would have bought the 3-roller. I have trouble every time I need to carry it (up/down the stairs) or putting it in my car. It's just too big.

But otherwise, the roller is still holding up after 2 years of constant abuse (ie. I'm not gentle with it while rolling it down from a sidewalk).

Go with the 3-roller and an additional bag. You won't regret it.

I use the KR 4-ball roller. Reason, when I travel by air, it breaks down into two separate units that can be booked on a flight under the weight limit. The top weigh 43 pounds and the bottom, with the frame weighs 46 pounds. Both under the 50 pound limit. A 3-ball roller would cost extra to book it on a flight.

The keys to this roller were, larger wheels, longer handle, so I don't bend over to pull it, side pockets for stuff, and a fixed handle when extended, so it can be pushed as well.

I have had it for a year and a half, and booked them on 6 flights or so, without any trouble. I also have an SUV, and the 2-ball lift into the vehicle is easier than lifting the 3-ball.

http://astore.amazon.com/bowlingfans-20/detail/B000QCB78Q/105-2970541-9436405

Puffer:

What ever you get, if you are going to be going up and down 3 flights of stairs to go into your home, get one that breaks down. Also, go with one that has the longest warranty. Erin has mentioned on here before about rollers. A few months before the warranty runs out, throw it under a bus. They normally don't last too long after the warranty runs out.

They all use the same frames pretty much, so go with the biggest wheels you can find. You could learn to adjust your release to accommodate any lane condition with two balls which would lighten your load by 50%.

I have a 3 ball roller, and I hate it. My next one will be 4 wheel, breaks down into 2 and 2 (or 6 even, 2 2 and 2).

Mine's a Brunswick, and is falling apart after less than a year. I am rough.

The difference is how the handle/frame is attached to the base bag. Some just use self tapping screws through the plastic ball carrier frame. Others actually use bolts that are stronger.

Going up and down with three flights of stairs with four balls you want a roller with big wheels that can take the abuse and want one has good warranty too.

What you could do is rent locker at your center if you just bowl at one center and store two ball in locker there that you hardly use and just use two ball tote with balls you mostly use.

I own an Ebonite Grand Tour 3-ball bag. I have used it for 3 seasons and it is still in like new shape. It is designed to negotiate stairs, has 5 inch wheels, and has a full length compartment on each side and a full length compartment on top plus two half length compartments on top of the latter compartment. Nothing sticks out and the bag is very compact for its size. I am a little guy but can still lift it into the back of my car. Cost over the internet is $115.

I bowl in two houses and keep the balls that I use the most in my 3-ball bag. I also rent a locker in each house but keep the the locker filled with balls I use the least such as an oil ball and a dry lanes ball.

Hey thanks for all the advice.

Dennis I used that link you provided but it seems that Amazon.com was out of stock on that item. I'm not familiar with the KR brand but I like that it has 6" wheels. I just need to do some checking around to see who carries it and to see if there is a 3 ball version. So these are built tough enough to handle my stairs?

As far as changing my release and eliminating half of my arsenal. That does seem to be the rational choice and I have started doing that. However, I grow tired of throwing the same ball all the time. I like to switch things up (especially in a slump) and watch how different balls react. I know this flies in the face of consistancy but what I love about this game is watching the balls roll down the lane.

I've also thought about renting lockers but I travel alot and want to keep my equipment with me just in case.