When should you have your bowstring replaced?

[bowhuntMN]

I have an '08 Black Ice and the string is showing very minor wear marks in a couple places. I wanted to ask you guys how many shots a bowstring can take before it needs to be replaced or how many years of ownership is recommended on a single string. I've heard numbers thrown around but couldn't remember what they were exactly. It's the factory string from Diamond. And also, what brands make good quality aftermarket strings for Diamon bows? Thanks for your help!

[bowhunter97]

My dad has the exact same bow. I have the razor edge but i read some where that you should replace it every year i cant remember if it was in the bows instruction booklet or somewhere else. That sounds rediculous dont it?

[bowhuntMN]

Ya every year seems kinda crazy! I can't imagine that a string couldn't take more than a year's worth of shooting. I'll look in the booklet this weekend and see if that's what it says.

[jamesmcw86]

I shoot an '08 bowtech general. I had the factory strings replaced 2 years ago before I went on an elk hunt. My thought was if I'm spending a lot of money on a hunt, I dont want to risk the chance of a broken string. I went with Winners Choice strings. Very happy. The string has held up very well since. If I were you I would go ahead and change your old string out. The cost isn't too bad and it will give you peace of mind.

[Turkeygirl]

I last heard like every 2 years...The factory string on my Elite has held up very well...about a year old. Will probably get some wear with 3D shooting.

[dbHunterNY]

it all depends on how it's used and how you take care of it. not just how many shots. if you notice different signs it's probably a good idea... it gets fuzzy from fraying more and more after you shoot it, any strands are broken (maybe wear your peep is or anywhere else you get a longer tag end), or it's stretched from being old (your peep never seems to go back to same spot or your bow is noticeably out of spec).

if you hunt with it opposed to just shoot targets, chances are the string rubbing up on stuff much more will make it wear quicker. also, many hunters i know don't own bow string wax, let alone good wax. i'm befuddled by this, because if you keep the string waxed it'll last a lot longer. i've been told you don't want to work the wax into the string a lot. it along with all the friction of working it in will cause the string to wear and stretch more. you just want to coat the outside of it well, with a good soft wax. i use BCY X-wax. it works well and i figure if it's made by the same people that make string material, then it has to work well.

tough to give a number, you've got to go more based on signs of wear. if you practice and hunt with it all season then after 3-4 years it's probably a good idea.

that's what i've learned. hope it helps.

[bowhuntMN]

I have taken pretty good care of it. I don't notice a whole lot of fraying since I wax it just about every other time I shoot but there are a few broken strands up around the peep. I brought it to the pro shop this last fall because the cam timing was a little out of spec (the top dot on the cam wasn't visible over the top of the limb).

I figure that a new string this year won't be such a bad idea and I'll probably go ahead with it, as recommended earlier. I have heard good things about Winner's Choice strings but I'll probably shop around and ask the local pro shop before ordering one. I was also wondering if they sell any upgrades for cable slides instead of shooting with those black plastic ones.

And lastly what dampening kits do you guys recommend? I really loved the Diamond kit, it had my bow shooting whisper quiet, but the rubber dried out fairly quickly and I'm on the verge of losing two "spiders" and it's making quite a difference in string noise.

Edited April 9, 2012 by bowhuntMN

[dbHunterNY]

winner's choice are great strings. there's many great ones out there these days though... your local shop may use someone that makes a great string, but is cheaper. just ask them. On my '07 Diamond (Gander Mountain) bow I kept parts of the their hush kit but added limbsavers on the limbs and then limbsaver everlast string leeches. the hush kit string silencers broke and came off very shortly after buying the bow. the limb damper spider looking bands i stretched and put around the riser. Everything now seems to be lasting a while. i haven't had any problems since and the bow is extremely quiet. This is already a quiet bow with no vibration and the dampening on the riser probably isn't even needed at all. They were still holding up though and i figured it wouldn't hurt. It's an '07 Gander Mountain TecHunter Elite (made by Diamond), which is ver similar to Diamond's Black Ice or Marquis. Here's a picture....

Edited April 10, 2012 by dbHunterNY

[bowhuntMN]

I think I'll run down to the shop later this week. I looked online to see the types of strings and cables they sell and they have Zebra and Vapor Trail sets. Another question is that if you replace your string should you also replace the factory cables or only if they show wear too? Would that also give you better performance?

[dbHunterNY]

same thing applies to the cables as does the string. although usually your cables will show less wear then your string, but they still stretch. the more a string or cable stretches the weaker it gets and the weaker it gets the more it stretches. your bow will stay in tune longer if you replace both. also your bow will be in the shop half as much if you have them both replaced at the same time. i like to replace both when the time comes, unless i suppose your string was prematurely damaged some how. Vapor Trail makes good strings and I'd say they're better than Zebra, but either will work. Just make sure that replaced strings and cables are of the same material and from the same manufacturer. They'll wear and shoot the same, so you'll be better off.

[bowhuntMN]

I brought it to the shop yesterday and ordered a new string and cable set. The tech said I could probably wait until later this summer to replace them if I wanted but I opted to just replace them now so they can settle into place while I shoot this summer. I'm not sure which company he ordered them from but I really trust this tech and I'm sure he set me up good.

To ask the same question I had earlier, have you guys ever tried different cable slides than the usual factory black ones? I was looking online and there was one that rolled along the cable guard instead of sliding like the one I have now. It also has rollers for the cable I believe. The reviews were really positive with people really liking the way it's made their bow shoot. Just wondering if you guys have any experience with this.

[dbHunterNY]

other than stock ones, i've only used Sims Telfon cable slides. had the stock one break and replaced it with that. got a slightly smoother draw but the change was minimal. still have it on though and it works fine.