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Bow strings

Jay_Disarray

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2019
1,950
2,653
113
MN
I've got a Bear Authority compound bow, 60lb 28in draw. I'll be looking to replace the string on now that the season is over. I got the bow from my dad earlier this year, and I doubt he ever changed them, and I've shot probably 1000 arrows out it this summer

Anyone have this bow and what strings do you recommend? Or what strings do you use and like on your bow even if you dont have this exact bow

I asked my local pro shop how much it would be to replace them and they told me about $150 but didnt say what strings would be put on. Does this sound like a reasonable rate to replace them?
 

jduvall7721

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jul 4, 2019
446
35
28
35
That is the same price as my local pro shop as well. I do believe that the installation and tuning of the new set is included in that price. I would also be concerned with what material they have available and if they are pre-stretched.

 

Torvic

Active Member
Mar 18, 2019
154
46
28
70
That is the same price as my local pro shop as well. I do believe that the installation and tuning of the new set is included in that price. I would also be concerned with what material they have available and if they are pre-stretched.

That's my string manufacturer of choice 60X custom string are excellent string makers and very affordable too!
 

lawrence

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 21, 2018
445
253
63
I use 60x as well. There website generally lists bows.. so you they know the size . Never had An issue with them. Probably cheaper then the local pro shop. My local bass pro uses them
 

Homebrew454

Well-Known Member
Oct 17, 2017
1,496
1,466
113
48
Wisconsin
I make my own. Takes some time but if you take your time they turn out really well. There is a huge thread on it on archery talk. Currently using bcy-x material but it is no longer made.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 

Exhumis

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
3,961
6,806
113
45
Northern Virginia
I've used 60x on my diamond no issues. I currently use John's Custom Archery (Breathn on archery talk) strings built right here in VA on my mathews. Amazing strings. A lot of people like catfish custom.
 
Jul 14, 2019
80
62
18
60
Cabot / Lonoke, Arkansas
I've got a Bear Authority compound bow, 60lb 28in draw. I'll be looking to replace the string on now that the season is over. I got the bow from my dad earlier this year, and I doubt he ever changed them, and I've shot probably 1000 arrows out it this summer

Anyone have this bow and what strings do you recommend? Or what strings do you use and like on your bow even if you dont have this exact bow

I asked my local pro shop how much it would be to replace them and they told me about $150 but didnt say what strings would be put on. Does this sound like a reasonable rate to replace them?
60X are great custom strings for a good price and Bass Pro can install for $15.00 dollars if you are close to one. I did my Hoyt for $100 bucks with a custom string.
 

Jay_Disarray

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2019
1,950
2,653
113
MN
Seems 60x is the gold standard for strings, worth checking out anyway.
Not sure what they charge to put them on my bow, there isn't a bass pro or other big box sports shop around me, so I'll just have my pro shop install them for me
 

trailblazer75

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2018
1,455
1,316
113
35
Springfield, MO
Not to hijack but I'd personally never send someone to bass pro to have a bow worked on. I bought a brand new bow from them a few years back and had them tune it....I was admittedly much more of a novice, then...and they timed the cams differently to the point that on the 3rd shot, the sting blew up at the bottom cam, cutting my face, front hand and back pretty badly. Then, when they checked the bow out the tech admitted their mistake and they still refused to put a new string on the bow.

I'm not saying this reflects on bass pro as a company but I no longer trust them to work on anything of mine in the store as opposed to an actual pro shop or the manufacturer.
 
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Jtaylor

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2018
1,981
3,037
113
Another vote for 60x and I'd agree stay away from the "big box" stores. I've had a bad experience at one specifically putting on new string/cables. Not to say there's not knowledgeable staff here and there to help but a small archery shop relies on good customer service to stay in business.
 
Jul 14, 2019
80
62
18
60
Cabot / Lonoke, Arkansas
Not to hijack but I'd personally never send someone to bass pro to have a bow worked on. I bought a brand new bow from them a few years back and had them tune it....I was admittedly much more of a novice, then...and they timed the cams differently to the point that on the 3rd shot, the sting blew up at the bottom cam, cutting my face, front hand and back pretty badly. Then, when they checked the bow out the tech admitted their mistake and they still refused to put a new string on the bow.

I'm not saying this reflects on bass pro as a company but I no longer trust them to work on anything of mine in the store as opposed to an actual pro shop or the manufacturer.
Not to also hijack, but the Bass Pro tech here in Arkansas is a friend and a retired archery pro shop tech. He replaced my string so well I didn't even need to re-sight my bow. Luck or skill, regardless, not all Bass Pro shops and their tech's are equal. I only suggested the cheaper alternative to my local pro shops bid of 60 to 70 dollars for the same service. Use what you have and pay what you must. Good luck.
 

trailblazer75

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2018
1,455
1,316
113
35
Springfield, MO
Not to also hijack, but the Bass Pro tech here in Arkansas is a friend and a retired archery pro shop tech. He replaced my string so well I didn't even need to re-sight my bow. Luck or skill, regardless, not all Bass Pro shops and their tech's are equal. I only suggested the cheaper alternative to my local pro shops bid of 60 to 70 dollars for the same service. Use what you have and pay what you must. Good luck.
I get what you're saying man. I'm not trying to be an a$$. Its just hard to justify sending someone to a box stove vs. a store that specializes in the work. Realistically, your buddy is most likely the exception, not the rule.
 
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Jul 14, 2019
80
62
18
60
Cabot / Lonoke, Arkansas
I do agree that archery pro shops are superior in most respects, but they are also often too proud of their work and in the case of my local shop have an off season and on season rate for work. Not cool in my opinion. I am just blessed to have found my partner working part time at my Bass Pro. He left that same archery pro shop I am referring to previously in this post. Good luck again and enjoy your bow.
 
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Gamover06

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2018
587
645
93
40
SE Minneosta
I would not use 60X again. Had a set on my bow for a month and serving that rolled over cam started to separate terribly and serving for nock started coming off. Called them and they didn't care. Said it had to be my fault for twisting yokes to much. The shop put them on and didn't stand behind it because I didn't buy them form them.

I have since used Buckslayer bowstring and Catfish customs and both are great strings. I am going on 2 years with the Catfish and the have zero stretch or peep rotation. I shoot about 100 arrows a week so they get their use.

For reference I currently shoot a Bear Arena 34 and last bow was a Bear Gameover.

$150 is unfortunately on par which is why I stated doing my own bow work. I have replaced my last 2 strings. Its not that hard once you start messing around. You can get a string anywhere from 65 to 90 on up.
 
Last edited:
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DanielB89

Well-Known Member
Nov 17, 2017
1,381
1,326
113
34
Monroe, LA
I make my own. Takes some time but if you take your time they turn out really well. There is a huge thread on it on archery talk. Currently using bcy-x material but it is no longer made.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk


Do you keep much in stock? I have a ton of it that I need to move as I can't get the primary colors I want anymore. I have close to 20 spools.
 

BrowninG77

Member
Nov 1, 2018
53
97
18
47
My last set of custom strings for my Hoyt Nitrum came from JBKstrings.com. I can recommend them with confidence. More info and reviews of his work can be found on Archerytalk as well.
 
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Homebrew454

Well-Known Member
Oct 17, 2017
1,496
1,466
113
48
Wisconsin
Do you keep much in stock? I have a ton of it that I need to move as I can't get the primary colors I want anymore. I have close to 20 spools.
I have just the 2 colors for my string and my son's. I don't make strings for anyone else. l barely have time to make my own strings

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 

basehorhonda

New Member
Dec 3, 2018
33
17
8
40
ABB guy myself. Also +1 for supporting the local archery shop instead of going to one of the big box stores.
 

enkriss

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 13, 2018
6,111
8,954
113
42
I wouldn’t use 60x either. Last set I ordered they wouldn’t put speednocks on like the bow has from the factory. Instead they put some junk rubber things that slide around every shot. They are also mass produced.

I highly suggest Johns Custom Archery strings. Breathn over on AT. Best strings I have ever had.