🏹 Recurve Bow Setup — Step by Step1 — Safety First

• Always use a bow stringerto string and unstring the bow — never use step-through or knee-stringing methods.

• Inspect limbs, riser, tips, string, and fittingsfor cracks or other damage before each use.

• Always wear an armguardand proper finger protection(finger tab or glove).

2 — Stringing the Bow

• Attach the bow stringer to both limb tips (saddle on the lower limb, pocket on the upper limb). I personally use the Hoyt bow stringer.

• Stand on the center of the stringer cord, pull the bow upward so the limbs flex, then slide the upper string loop into the top limb groove. Ensure the lower loop is properly seated on the bottom tip.

• Most manufacturers now provide a larger loop for the top limb on recurve strings.

• Double-check that both string loops are fully seated in the limb grooves before removing the stringer.

3 — Setting Brace Height

• Recommended starting brace heights (Hoyt guidelines I use):

  • 66" bow: 21–22 cm

  • 68" bow: 21.5–22.8 cm

  • 70" bow: 22–24 cm

• Always check your manufacturer’s specifications to confirm.

• Measure from the string to the deepest part of the grip(the pivot point).

• Adjust brace height by twisting the bowstring: add twists to increase, remove twists to decrease.

• Re-measure until within the target range.

4 — Tiller & Limb Alignment setup

• 1: Limb Alignment: I use Beiter limb alignment blocks to check bow/limbs for twisting. With the bow unstrung (or lightly strung) you can adjust the screw to set the limbs straight, or alternatily shim the limbs.
• 2: My setup tip for tiller: Start by putting the tillers in bottom position. Measure the differense in the tiller value, for example 5mm. This is the neutral position of the limbs. Use that as a added value to the tiller value you are going for. 

• Tiller power adjustment:Adjust both limb bolts equally to increase or decrease overall draw weight. Start with bolts turned fully out gives more room for future adjustments as you can then grow into the limbs poundage later by tightening the tiller screws. 

• Check manufacturers recomendations on maximum tiller adjustment, some has less turns in range than others. (Hoyt has 6 turns maximum out on the newer bows).

• I  tune the limb alignment 1/2 turn down after app. 2000 arrows, to increase gradually the poundage on the bow when trying to increase power =).

• Tiller:The distance from the string to the riser at the top and bottom limbs. Typically, the top tiller is slightly longer than the bottom.

  • Common setups: Men: ~6 mm, Women: 4–5 mm in recurve, ~10 mm in barebow.

  • Follow your riser manufacturer’s specs to stay within safe adjustment ranges (Hoyt recommends 0–10 mm).

  • My setup tip for tiller: Start by putting the tillers in bottom position. Measure the differense in the tiller value, for example 5mm. This is the neutral position of the limbs. Use that as a added value to the tiller value you are going for. So, with previus example, limbs that are 5mm off, and you are looking for 4mm tiller, set tiller to 9mm.

• Recheck measurements after shooting a few arrows, as limbs may settle, including the brace height after adjusting the tiller.

5 — Plunger & Rest

• Mount the arrow rest so the plunger can be easily removed later if needed.

• Install the plunger according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring the arrow leaves the rest cleanly.

• Adjust lateral alignment: from behind the string, the arrow point should sit slightly to the left (right-handed shooters)or slightly to the right (left-handed shooters).

6 — Setting the Nocking Point

• A good starting position for recurve is approximately 11 mm above the arrow rest(measured to the bottom of the top nocking point).

• Fine adjustments can be made later during tuning for clean arrow flight.