Limb Failure

[bkupris]

Do modern high tech recurve limbs fail/break more frequently than the older wood/glass limbs? Is it acceptable if they do? If yes, is it a price worth paying for improved performance? Is having an extra set of limbs now mandatory just in case?

Mine failed today (G3s) after 18 months, the limbs I used previously were silver carbon , but the G3s were better as sight marks changed less with temp.

They are being replaced under the 2 year warranty so I'm happy enough.

After the service and performance these limbs have given me I think that I would be happy to replace them every 18 months and if they 'just lost power' rather than exploding I'd be even happier.

[buzz lite beer]

Compare it to Formula 1 performance race cars, running on the edge of technology, lots of power but at the expense of a short life span.
I think the materials used in modern limb manufacture do the job of creating speed and stability as stated in the advertisements but aren't truly compatible for longevity, the shearing forces between the various layers are immense and if the adhesion isn't spot on you are looking at a potential failure.

[Stretch]

Spot on Buzz. I'd agree - if you want to shoot the highest performance gear G3/Winex etc don't EXPECT it to last forever. Although it might. If you want longevity go for something slightly simpler eg Winact, Vector etc Not sure if the M1 counts. Save yourself a lot of money too.

Apart from wear a tear on threads, risers should pretty much be good for life (hence the new Hoyt warranty). But even then - sometimes things go ping

Stretch

[soul fly]

I think only the bow companys will know the true answer to this one with regards to life spans, but probubly won't release it to the public because of obvous fears of potental customer loss.
I had a set of g3s break last month, was still covered under waranty so I'm happy.

[Schme1440]

What you have to remember is also arrow shots on limbs. The more the limb is used the more stresses it is put under. If you could measure the amount of force a limb experiences during one shot, I think we would all be surprised. But dont forget. Some one shooting 1000 arrows a year will have their limbs last 10 times longer (approximation) than someone who shoots 10000 arrows per year. Top level archers cant expect their limbs to last (at top performance) much more than at least a year due to the amount of arrows they shoot. Also heavier poundage limbs will fail more and sooner as the limb is under much more stress. That seems to be the trend.

"A Limb is a spring and no spring stays at full strength for ever"

Or I may be talking giberish again.

[Stretch]

Sorry - I have some Hoyt data someplace but I can't find it - number of dry fires before limbs failure. Pretty sure it was for G3s too - it was lots though 000's. I'll post it if I can find it. They also do this for competitors limbs but I don't have that data as passing it on would be inappropriate- which was fair.

Bottom line is that most of the failures are probably due to manufacturing not design - the design just shows up the defects quicker. I have a set of 38lb Carbon Plus limbs that have been to hell and back (including being in the boot of an Austin Maestro at the same time as an Audi 80 ) They shoot great. A friend had a set fail after 14 months - looked like new.

Stuff breaks

Stretch

[Field Archer]

Originally Posted by Stretch

..........I have a set of 38lb Carbon Plus limbs that have been to hell and back (including being in the boot of an Austin Maestro at the same time as an Audi 80 )

I didn't know you could get an Audi 80 in a Maestro boot, or was it the other way round.

[Stretch]

Well I suppose I'd be lying if I said the whole Audi 80 was in the boot but a significant enough part of it to make it very scary. At least the Maestro towbar ripped the sump ou of the Audi.

Speed Maestro = 0 mph (not uncommon with said vehicles)
Speed Audi = 50mph

Collision damage significant. Limbs scratched I could see flashing ***Game Over*** signs for days.

Stretch