Complete RamRods Recurve Stabilizer Guide —

Setup · Length · Balancing · Weights

A practical guide combining setup, length selection, balancing, and mass-weight tuning for RamRods stabilizer systems. Covers both U.S. (stable, heavier)and Korean (faster, front-loaded) approaches.

Quick summary

• Purpose:Improve balance, reduce vibration, increase shot consistency.

• Two common philosophies:

  • U.S. style:heavier, longer front systems and more side weight → steadier hold.

  • Korean style:shorter front rod, less mass → faster handling, quicker recovery.

• Order of tuning:length → geometry (V-bar angles, extenders) → mass (weights/dampers).

• Rule of thumb for lengths:Front system ≈ height × 0.48. Side rods ≈ height × 0.20.
  

1 — Components in a RamRods stabilizer system

• Long rod(main front stabilizer) — I use RamRods V4 (tapered, thin).

• Extender(carbon or aluminium) — shift centre of gravity without adding bulk.

• V-bar(fixed or adjustable) — mounts side rods.

• Side rods(left/right short rods).

• Quick disconnect / eyebolt(optional).

• Weights & dampers(modular: brass, tungsten, rubber dampers).

Tip: thinner, stiffer rods reduce wind torque; carbon extenders transmit less vibration than aluminium.

2 — Choosing stabilizer lengths (front system, extension, long rod, side rods)

Step 1 — Determine front system length

Front system length = distance from front of riser (stabilizer mount) to end of front rod (exclude weights/dampers).

Estimate for mounts: V-bar + quick disconnect ≈ 1.5"

Rule (recommended):
Front system length ≈ Height × 0.48

Height conversion:1 inch = 0.0254 m → Height in inches = Height in meters ÷ 0.0254

Example calculations:

• Archer height: 1.83 m→ 1.83 ÷ 0.0254 ≈ 72"

• Front system: 72 × 0.48 = 34.6"

Step 2 — Choose your extension length

• Want more spin → extension ≥ 3"

• Want less spin → extension ≤ 2"
  More extension moves the center of gravity forward, increasing bow spin tendency.

• Practical notes:

  • U.S.:extenders usually short (0–2") — fine tuning.

  • Korean:extenders commonly 4–5" to shift balance forward.

Step 3 — Compute long rod length

Long rod length = Front system length − Extension − 1.5" (V-bar + qd/eyebolt)

Examples:

• Archer height: 1.57 m→ 1.57 ÷ 0.0254 ≈ 62"

  • Front system = 62 × 0.48 ≈ 29.76" → round 30"

  • Chooses 1" extension → long rod = 30 − 1 − 1.5 = 27.5"

• Archer height: 1.73 m→ 1.73 ÷ 0.0254 ≈ 68"

  • Front system = 68 × 0.48 ≈ 32.64" → round 33"

  • Chooses 1" extension → long rod = 33 − 1 − 1.5 = 30.5"

If exact rod lengths are unavailable, adjust extension or rod ±1" until within 1" of recommendation.

Step 4 — Pick side rod lengths

Side rod length ≈ Height × 0.20

Example calculations:

• Archer height: 1.57 m→ 1.57 ÷ 0.0254 ≈ 62"

  • Side rod = 62 × 0.20 ≈ 12.4" → choose 12"

• Archer height: 1.73 m→ 1.73 ÷ 0.0254 ≈ 68"

  • Side rod = 68 × 0.20 ≈ 13.6" → choose 13,5"

Beginners: these formulas provide a solid starting point.

3 — Installing and using the extender

1. Thread extender into the riser’s front stabilizer bushing (or mount) before attaching the main rod or V-bar.

2. Tighten securely (avoid over-tightening).

3. Attach long rod or V-bar; if using a V-bar, start with side rods roughly horizontal.

Practical notes:

• U.S.:extenders usually short (0–2") — fine tuning.

• Korean:extenders commonly 4–5" to shift balance forward.

• Adjust in small increments (1–2") and test between changes.

• Carbon extenders = less transmitted vibration; aluminium = more direct feel.

4 — Installing the V-bar and side rods

1. Mount V-bar to stabilizer bushing (or extender).

2. Screw in side rods and ensure equal length/weight per side.

3. Starting weight suggestions per side rod:

   • Korean:1 damper + 1–2 oz.

   • U.S.:1 damper + 3–4 oz.

Starting angle suggestions:

• Korean:40–45° outward, 0–5° downward (shallower).

• U.S.:30–40° outward, 20–45° downward (more downward).

5 — Mounting the long rod

1. Thread long rod into front stabilizer bushing or quick disconnect.

2. Seat firmly; do not overtighten.

3. Start with neutral weight on the long rod:

   • Korean:1 damper + 2–4 oz.

   • U.S.:1 damper + 4–8 oz.

Typical long rod lengths due to different extensions usage:

• Korean:27–29"

• U.S.:30–33"

6 — Balancing the bow — step-by-step process

Balance affects scores.Set aside shooting sessions, change one variable at a time and test.

Prepare: find your aiming pattern

1. Fold a target into quarters and mark the fold lines on the blank back (four quadrants).

2. Place target at a competition-relevant distance (18–70 m).

3. Shoot ~10 arrows (or until pattern emerges).

4. Observe sight-pin movement — address verticaltendencies first, horizontalsecond.

Sight pin drops low (pin moves down)

Option A — Reduce total mass weight

• Remove equal weight from long rod and both side rods (e.g., −1 oz each = −3 oz total).

Option B — Shift CG rearwards

• Remove weight from front rod, or add weight to side rods.

• Narrow V-bar angle (bring side rods closer).

• Shorten/remove extension.

• As last resort: shorter front rod or longer side rods.

Sight pin pulls up (pin floats above gold)

Option A — Increase total mass weight

• Add equal weight to all stabilizers to keep front/back ratio.

Option B — Shift CG forward

• Add weight to front rod, or remove from side rods.

• Widen V-bar angle (push rods away).

• Add/increase extension.

• As last resort: longer front rod or shorter side rods.

Lateral movement (left/right)

Often form-related; stabilizer changes can help:

• Pin drifts right:add weight to left side rod, remove from right, or move rods left.

• Pin drifts left:add weight to right side rod, remove from left, or move rods right.

Reminders while tuning:

• Change only one variable per session; test and re-check aiming pattern.

• Make small increments (1 oz, 1° angle, 1" length).

• Keep notes of settings and results.

• Use dampers to lower vibration; tungsten weights help damping.

7 — A guide to stabilizer weights (mass weight)

Mass weight= how heavy the bow feels to hold at full draw (not the same as draw weight).

When to remove weight:

• Posture issues (leaning back, rising bow shoulder).

• Technique degrades during longer sessions (e.g., 200 arrows).

When to add weight:

• Aiming jittery/erratic.

• Hard to control in wind.

• Want softer response from stabilizers.

How to test weight changes:

• Warm up; note current form.

• Make ±1 oz changes.

• Shoot full session; record results for technique, fatigue, and aiming pattern.

• Iterate gradually; build foundation before increasing mass weight.

8 — Fine-tuning & practical tips

• Dampers:EQ rubber or Beiter V-Box to reduce noise and vibration.

• Tungsten weights:compact, extra damping.

• V4 rods:tapered thin rods reduce wind torque, improve consistency.

• Record settings:log rod lengths, extension, V-bar angles, weight per rod, and dampers.

• Patience:iterative testing yields best personalized setup.

9 — Worked example

• Archer height:1.57 m → 62"

  • Front system: 62 × 0.48 ≈ 30"

  • Extension: 3" → Long rod = 30 − 3 − 1.5 = 25.5"

  • Side rods: 62 × 0.20 ≈ 12"

  • Start (Korean): long rod 2–4 oz + damper; side rods 1–2 oz + dampers. Tune iteratively.

10 — Quick checklist

• Convert archer height to inches: Height ÷ 0.0254

• Front system = Height in inches × 0.48

• Extension = choose based on spin preference

• Long rod = Front system − Extension − 1.5"

• Side rods = Height in inches × 0.20

• Start with conservative weights/dampers; shoot and test.

• Correct vertical first, horizontal second.

• Adjust one variable per session; log results.