Longer Limbs Store More Energy?

[kawika b]

I read that statement more than a few times,,, how much truth is there the statement? The longest bow I've owned is a 62" longbow and just so happends to be the fastest bow I have shot,,, don't really know if being a ACS CX plays a big part though. All things being equal,,, Does a longer limb retain/yield/store more energy than a shorter one?

[Bjorn]

Now there is an area full of mumbo jumbo. Yes they do; but what does it mean to you as the shooter? Supposedly recurves store more energy than LB's-does that make them faster? Not anymore.
Longer limbs store more energy? Yes they do; but they use the extra energy to push themselves forward.
So what's in it for me you ask? Probably nothing.
I would not trust any explanation here (certainly not mine) Kawika unless it comes from someone like Bob Morrison or OL or someone equally well qualified.

[Sixby]

You got mine already on another forum Bro. Hope it makes a little sense to ya. God Bless , Steve I won't answer here cause I don't quite come up to the shoe strings of either of the fellows named. They know their stuff. Kind of like to hear what they say.

[kawika b]

Thanks Steve,,, I got your reply on the other site. I can grasp the concept of a fast limb not moving much when drawN and recovering faster,,, but it makes for an odd looking full draw pic,LOL.

Bjorn,,, I'd love to have either OL or Bob respond! Your response is well noted to guy,,, and always means something too.

[Chris Wilson]

Supposedly recurves store more energy than LB's-does that make them faster? Not anymore.

Some would argue that the R/D longbow isn't a true longbow but a recurve with a longer designed curve    :D  . Now, compare either to a true Hill style flatbow or a true elb and you've got a big difference there in preload and overall speed.
   

[Jeff Strubberg]

I would turn that statement around and say that too short limbs store less energy.

A limb is a lever. The longer the limb, the farther it can be drawn and still work as a lever.  Short limbs lose mechanical advantage as draw increases until you are, in effect, grabbing the tip of the limb with your hand and trying to draw it farther.

[Chris Wilson]

A limb is a lever. The longer the limb, the farther it can be drawn and still work as a lever. Short limbs lose mechanical advantage as draw increases until you are, in effect, grabbing the tip of the limb with your hand and trying to draw it farther.

Recurves effectively solve that problem.

[John Havard]

How much energy a bow limb stores is directly a function of it's design.  How much that limb delivers is attributable to its dynamic efficiency.  Optimizing both while still maintaining good subjective shooting qualities is the trick.  

Jeff is right - shorter limbs can max out sooner than longer limbs.  But most folks who draw 30" don't worry about getting the shortest bow they can find (which is a good thing).  

For the record, our 66" limb will store a TINY bit more energy than our current 62" limb.  Most people would never notice it unless they are set up to test bows like Norb Mullaney.  Having said that, we're working on new short limb designs that will store at least as much energy at the 28" draw length as our 66" limb.  It's all a matter of how they are designed.

[kawika b]

John,,,, what length are we gonna be seeing from A&H? I'd like to see a 58"er for sure!

[John Havard]

We will almost certainly have a 58" bow and perhaps even a 56" bow - although in a 3PTD bow that's making them pretty short!

[Sixby]

I just built a 58 in Double carbon heavy R d 3 piece takedown. Have not shot it yet but man it pulls sweet. You have to go with like a 14 in riser and short wedges. The limbs are the same exactly as the 60.