Author: Alec Potts Date Posted:16 October 2017  Brace height is measured from the deepest part of the grip, known as the pivot point. Back to the bowstring at rest. This is also commonly in line with the Berger hole in the riser. Brace height is important for both recurve and compound bows, but different principles apply. To measure the brace height, we use a bow square. Simply clip the square onto the bowstring and measure from the string to the center of the Berger hole. Brace height can affect the performance of your bow in two ways, the lower it is, so the closer the string is to the riser. The faster the arrow will travel; this is because the arrow will spend longer attached to the bowstring. If the brace height is higher, then the arrow will leave the string earlier, resulting in a lower arrow speed but in theory, a more forgiving bow, as there is less opportunity for the arrow to be influenced while attached to the string. Brace height is easy to adjust, by simply twisting, or untwisting the bowstring. This chart demonstrates the most common acceptable brace height range for bows between 58 and 70 inches. So you can see that there is about a ¾” range of adjustment. But the easiest way to determine where to set your brace height, is by following manufacturers recommendations. For example, i found that I got my best results with a brace height of 9” with my Hoyt Faktor, but on my Prodigy RX, I use a brace height of 9.2” instead. So the range and final setting, will vary depending on the model and brand of bow. As a starting point, I like to take the upper half of the recommended range, and set my brace height right in the middle of that segment. So if the range recommended was 8.5-9.5, I would start with a setting of 9.25 and group tune from there. On a compound bow, brace height tends to be less critical and as long as you stay close to the manufacturers recommendation then you’ll be fine. So don’t be afraid to fine tune your draw length, even if it means some slight changes to your brace height. And yes, this does mean you will actually have to read the instructions that come with the bow! Checkout our Youtube video, "Understanding Brace Height"
Do you have the Rev cams or the Cuda cams? Specs for the Elite GT 500 with the REV cams. http://www.elitearchery.com/technology/pdf/2010/2010_GT500_Spec_Sheet_11.02.09.pdf Specs for the Elite GT 500 with the CUDA cams.http://www.elitearchery.com/technology/pdf/2010/2010_GT500_with_Cuda_Spec_Sheet_11.30.09.pdf Assuming you have the REV cams... you need to press the bow, and take off the bowstring, and then put the end loop inside a 1/4-inch diameter post (string jig stretcher or ratchet strap hook) and stretch to about 100 lbs of tension. Now, measure from hook to hook (where the metal hook touches the end loop) and see what tape measure measurement you get. String should be 58-7/16ths. Cable should be 39-1/2 inches. ATA = 34-7/8ths. Brace = 7-1/8th. So, take off the bowstring, stretch to 100 lbs roughly, and measure the bowstring. Twist the bowstring, until you get to factory spec for length. Reinstall the bowstring. Take off the cables, and put BOTH cables onto the stretcher (or set of ratchet straps) and stretch BOTH cables tight. Adjust the twists in the longer cable, until BOTH cables are the same length. PLUCK each cable separately, so that you get the same tone, when plucked. Now, check the length for BOTH cables. Adjust the twists in ONE cable, until you get to factory spec length. Adjust the twists in the other cable, until you get the two cables to match in TONE, when you pluck each cable separately. Binary style cam systems are VERY sensitive to cable pressure, so the lengths MUST be matched perfectly. ELITE ARCHERY TUNING VIDEOhttp://www.elitearchery.com/technology/videos/ Nice video clip, about how to tune your Elite bow.
You don’t have to be a technical wizard to be a proficient archer, but every archer should know basic maintenance skills. Recurve archers, for instance, must learn how to adjust their bow’s brace height. What’s Brace Height?A bow’s brace height is the distance from the grip’s deepest part to the bowstring. When you get your bow, you’ll set its brace height based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, which is the range the bow is designed to shoot. You need to experiment in that range, and find the spot where your bow shoots best. Once you find your ideal brace height, periodically check it to ensure it hasn’t changed. Brace heights can change as bowstrings stretch, or you repeatedly remove and restring your recurve. Below are some brace-height ranges. These guidelines work for most recurve bows, but always follow the manufacturer’s recommended brace-height range.
How to Adjust Brace HeightsWhat You Need: Bow Stringer Bow Square Step 1: String your bow. If you have a three-piece bow, install its limbs by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Next, locate the top string loop. The top loop is larger than the bottom loop. Slide the top loop down the top limb. Then place the bottom loop into the string grooves on the bottom limb. You’ll see the string grooves near the tip of each limb. These distinctive grooves hold the bowstring. As with the bowstring, attach the bow-stringer by starting with the top limb. Place the bow-stringer’s “saddle” end over the limb just behind the string loop. The saddle end is open and flat so it lies flat on the limb. Next, place the pouch end securely over the bottom limb tip. The pouch end is enclosed to securely hold the bow’s tip. Your bow is now ready to be strung. Step on the bow-stringer with both feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the bow by its grip and pull straight up to flex its limbs. The bow-stringer will support the bow’s draw weight as you slide the top string loop into the limb tip’s string grooves. This step might seem daunting to new archers. How do you know if you’re flexing the bow far enough? Are you sure it’s OK to step on the bow-stringer? Talk to your archery shop’s pro. They’ll show you how to properly string your bow. Once the top string loop is secured, remove the bow-stringer. Turn the bow so its limbs face away from you. That’s the position you would use to shoot the bow, and it’s a precautionary move. If the string slips off a limb, the limbs will release away from your body. If this step makes you nervous, visit an archery shop for help. A staff member can demonstrate the process and ensure the strings are in place. Last, ensure the bowstring is secured in both string grooves. Your bow is now strung and ready to go. Step 2: Measure your brace height. Caption: Adjust the twists of the bowstring to adjust the brace height, then check the measurement. Photo Credit: ATA Place the bow square in the grip’s deepest part, and check the measurement at the bowstring. Is the brace height at your desired brace height? Is it too high or too low? Step 3: Remove the bowstring and make adjustments. Bowstrings have twists. Change the brace height by adding or removing twists. To adjust brace height, unstring the bow, remove the bottom string loop, and then twist or untwist the string. If your brace height is too low, give the bowstring two twists to increase the brace height by about ¼ inch. If your brace height is too high, unwind a few twists from the bowstring. After adding or removing a few twists, restring your bow and recheck the brace height. *If your brace height is off by several inches, your bowstring might be the wrong length. For recurve bows, bowstrings are usually 3 to 4 inches shorter than the bow’s length. The manufacturer suggests bowstring lengths on its website or in the bow owner’s manual. Do you need a bow square or bow stringer? Visit an archery shop to pick them up. You can find an archery shop by clicking here. |
How to adjust brace height on a compound bow
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