mattys281 Report post Posted August 19, 2016 Everybody knows that the most basic aspect of bow maintenance is to keep your string in good condition, keep it waxed, and replace it when it's worn out. Simple right?Well, this one got me recently. My string has always been well waxed, and was not damaged any where. Still basically looks brand new, so I hadn't realized how long it had been since I changed it. Turns out it's been about 2-1/2 to 3 years. So I take my bow out to do some shooting a couple weeks ago and it just feels sluggish. I notice that my arrows are fishtailing a little and while my 20-50 pins seem ok, my arrows are dropping like a lead balloon between 50 & 60. I go home and break out the tools. Chronograph shows 261, on an unfletched arrow. That's down from my previous reading of 275-280ish with a finished arrow. Ok, so maybe the string is shot. I measure the brace height & ATA, both are exactly to spec. But then I put it on my bow scale, and here's the tell-tale sign. Draw weight on my 70# bow is reading 57# with bottomed out limbs. Put a new string and cable on it, and now I'm back up to 68# and throwing 'em out there at 285-287.I couldn't tell you how many strings I've changed over the years, but I have never checked before & afters on it (probably because I never had a chrono before). I find it really weird that the string is strong enough to maintain the bows geometry, but then when you pull it it stretches like an old rubberband. Guess you learn something new every day. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pac8541 Report post Posted August 19, 2016 Good advice. Although the string I just replaced was mainly for looks and fun, the one I swapped on my previous 10yr old Bowtech I'm sure suffered from the same malady. Good strings certainly aren't cheap but unless it gets damaged, its good insurance about every 2 yrs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oneshot Report post Posted August 19, 2016 Great reminder Mattys281... Since i only shoot a recurve, a new string is a yearly must-do. I keep two strings going. One gets set-up, nocks etc and shot a few 100times, then rolled-up and set aside in my pack, so it is ready for back-up use or as next years replacement... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted August 19, 2016 I usually change mine every year too, but some where along the line I went from being a guy that shoots 5 times a week and wears out two bag targets a year to a guy that doesnt see his bow for weeks at a time. Guess thats life with babies and a busy career. This time I was smart enough to write the date on my bottom limb with a sharpie so I wont lose track again. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted August 19, 2016 I usually change mine every year too, but some where along the line I went from being a guy that shoots 5 times a week and wears out two bag targets a year to a guy that doesnt see his bow for weeks at a time. Guess thats life with babies and a busy career. This time I was smart enough to write the date on my bottom limb with a sharpie so I wont lose track again. Good suggestions. Mine are a few years old and probably in similar shape. I'm going to buy my next bow (hopefully when I draw a bull tag next year ) from Timber Mesa where they do free string replacements every 2 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzDiamondHeat Report post Posted September 26, 2016 I tend to change mine every time I get drawn for elk. lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
