Update--Bear takedown string length

[shoes]

Hi all, I have some new number three limbs ordered that I am putting on a B riser that will make a 64 inch bow. Do I need a 60 or 61 inch string? ( I am getting conflicting info) Does anyone have a string they could measure off there bow? Thanks, Mark

[smokin joe]

Well, I would start out with both. Here is why: I have owned a bunch of Bear TDs and have found that there are enough little variations that the necessary string length can vary an inch or so. For example, one that I have one Bear TD that needs a -3 and others a -4.

The odds are that you need a 60" string for a 64" Bear TD, but it can vary a bit.

[LBR]

Might try contacting Bear, but that can be a pot-shot too.  Reason being, even with the same everything (brand, year, length, draw weight)the same bow may need tuned a little differently, either due to slight differences in the bow, the shooter, or both.

If it's marked correctly according to AMO specs, it will get a 61" string.   http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf   page 2, under AMO Conventional Bow Length Standards

That being said, lots of bows aren't marked correctly according to AMO, and lots of shooters like their bow tuned outside of AMO specs.

If you can't get a definitive answer, I'd go with a 60.5" string.  That should give you enough twist either way to get the bow within brace height specs.  if you get the string from me, and it needs to be longer or shorter than what I recommend, I'll make you a new one at no charge.

Chad

[M60gunner]

Chad has been making some strings for me lately. The last two fit my Bear TD and SK to a tee. I like the BCY X string material as well. No stretch in our 110 degree heat.

[stagetek]

Split the difference. 60.5". It's easy with as string that long to twist up or down a 1/2".

[smokin joe]

With what Chad said you cannot go wrong.

[shoes]

Thanks for all of the great replies.

[Sirius Black]

I just bought a Bear T/D today (A riser, #1 limbs)so thank you to shoes for this thread. I'll try to word this, as to not high-jack it. The stock string on his bow is a D97, but if he wanted a different FF type string, say BCY-X or D10, would that affect the ordered string length? When recommended length is 3" or 4" under AMO, that is with assuming the new string will be of the same material, in this case D97?

[Orion]

I have six sets of Bear TD limbs, and no two are the same length. There's as much as 5/8-inch variation from the shortest limb to the longest. That translates into more than an inch of bow length.  Best to wait until you get the bow.  

I assume it comes with a string.  See how it braces the bow and measure it. Will be trial and error until you identify the correct length for that particular riser/limb combination.

[LBR]

The stock string on his bow is a D97, but if he wanted a different FF type string, say BCY-X or D10, would that affect the ordered string length? When recommended length is 3" or 4" under AMO, that is with assuming the new string will be of the same material, in this case D97?

The material shouldn't have much of an effect on the string length needed.  For fine tuning, a few twists one way or the other should take care of it.  AMO bow length actually has nothing to do with the physical length of the bow.  It's determined by a "string master", or steel cable.  For instance, if a 57" string master put the bow at proper brace, then it's a 60" AMO bow.  Doesn't matter if the bow physically measures 50" or 80".  AMO string specs state the string is to be measured under a 100# load (unless it's 10 strands or less of Dacron, then it's a 50# load).  That will help make the length more consistent from one maker to the next, or one material to the other. Unfortunately, there are lots of bowyers and string makers that don't follow AMO at all, which leads to a lot of confusion.

[hawkeye n pa]

X2 what Orion said.

[mooshkat]

61"

[Chris Pharr]

Been thru a few sets of Bear limbs,  3" under AMO has worked on all of them so far. YMMV

[sheepdogreno]

ive got two sets of #1 limbs in the same poundage. one set were made in 2014 the other 2017. The 2017 limbs are about 3/4 in longer per limb than the 2014 models. Called bear they cant explain it but you could imagine this could cause issues with string length. On my 2014 limbs on an A riser I can us a 53in string. on my 2017 limbs with an A riser I need a 52in string. But like chad said same scenario for me if I had a 52.5inch (56in amo bow) string it would work on either set im sure. I say order a 60.5 in string and call her good

[sheepdogreno]

side note! let me know when you get your limbs...My 2017 limbs came and the woods are very light colored. I was told they are making limbs with clear maple now...in other words...doesn't match my black maple A handle at all....but they shoot great!

[shoes]

Update- I put a 60.5 inch BCYX string on it and it braced way to high at 9 inches. I have another showing up at 61.25 which I think will work well. The limbs I received have gray wedges with natural maple laminations. The thing that was disappointing is that the black glass has a lot of streaking which I was told is normal with Bears glass. ( They make there own.) I didn't think black glass had those problems.

[Orion]

I don't think 1/4 inch less string length is going to give you an inch less brace height (7-8 inches is Bear's recommendation for a B riser bow) unless you can untwist it some. And one has to twist or untwist a lot to get much change out of a skinny string, i.e., 12 strands or less.

I, too, have a set of newer Bear limbs with streaks.  Don't know how they manage to do that with black glass.

[shoes]

The new string will be 3/4 inch longer. ( If I understand your answer correctly.)

[Orion]

Oops.  I read that incorrectly.  Read both as 60 plus a fraction.  Yep, I think 61 1/4 will work.