Stabilisers and when to use them

[NoobArcher]

I'be literally only just started, and only just got my own kit. I shoot recurve and have had a few surprised expressions when people see i shoot without a long rod or V bars.....at what stage would people suggest i start using these and why?

[Kae]

IMHO - Longrod straight away - modern recurves are designed to be shot with a longrod. They won't mask any problems, and I can't see an argument for not using them from the start (arguments for not using them at all maybe, but a longrod is a must for sighted target archery).
Siderods - maybe never. These are very much personal preference, and should only be played with when you have adequate experience to know "what works".

kae.

[SLOWHAND]

Originally Posted by Kae

IMHO - Longrod straight away - modern recurves are designed to be shot with a longrod. They won't mask any problems, and I can't see an argument for not using them from the start (arguments for not using them at all maybe, but a longrod is a must for sighted target archery).
Siderods - maybe never. These are very much personal preference, and should only be played with when you have adequate experience to know "what works".

kae.

Yep, entirely agree, start off doing it right and you wont have to re learn anything. Longrods may feel strange and very heavy at first but stick with it and after a few sessions you will begin to feel the benefit.

[Sally Rover]

Glad that's been said, I'm an archer 1st Class and shoot with a decent sight and longrod. Still waiting for someone to convince me that v-bars are worth the beer tokens. Technique 1st equipment 2nd isn't that right? ...having said that I still need tons more practice

[Kae]

Gaud, don't agree with me, people may start to think I know what i'm talking about


The world is flat.................

Anyway:
When choosing a stabiliser setup the best thing to do is ask around your club and beg/borrow/steal other peoples setup's so that you can try a variety of makes and models.
My personal preference is for the Doinker stuff, but I have also found other stabilisers to work (but not as well).
Try to avoid some of the heavier 2nd hand stuff though, as this can make the bow too heavy in the wrong place (especially for lighter draw weights). The "longrod" part of the stabiliser should be light, and the end should be heavy, so as to give a pendulum effect.
Its not easy to put into words, Joe Tapley's site is better for the actual mechanics of stabilisation if your interested.

[NoobArcher]

I pull 29 pounds on a 68 inch bow.....
I can't really afford to fork out for a long rod right now, but its maybe something i'll have to think about....I'm not shooting a huge amount at the mo anyway cos work is being so shite, hopefully that will sort itself out come november and i may have a little more normality.

[madmac]

Try out diferent long rods and once you are comfy try v bars.I shoot with an apollo Long rod and no v bars or sides its down to personnal pref. ask other archers if they have spare bits that you can try and see how you shoot.Once I had an aluminium long rod, v bar two side rods and another two sticking out front as well for the first 24 arrows my scores were good and the sight never left the gold but with all the weight out front i tired quickly and gave up!!!!

[not dead yet]

and the end should be heavy, so as to give a pendulum effect.
Its not easy to put into words, Joe Tapley's site is better for the actual mechanics of stabilisation if your interested.[/quote]

the end shouldn't be heavy, can be as light as poss. as long as it drops away.pendulum effect you been watching, johnny mynott too much....lolol

[Kellog]

Originally Posted by not dead yet

and the end should be heavy, so as to give a pendulum effect.
Its not easy to put into words, Joe Tapley's site is better for the actual mechanics of stabilisation if your interested.

the end shouldn't be heavy, can be as light as poss. as long as it drops away.pendulum effect you been watching, johnny mynott too much....lolol

I disagree.

The bow should drop away and rotate... it will only do that is if its long (i.e beiter) or heavy at the end (i.e. any solid rod)

[Kae]

I haven't a clue who johnny wotsit is.