How do you know when you need a string?

[alien77721]

My bow is shooting pretty tight, but how do you know when you need to replace a bow string and cables?

[TMEC]

Great question. I want to know also.

[Great White Hunter]

My string on my old bow showed a lot of wear. I could just tell it wasn't in great shape. On my new bow I keep my string waxed. It will last a good while longer because of the wax.

[bowhuntntxn]

if you have excessive fraying, and wax doesn't seem to help. or if for some reason your bow suddenly will not shoot worth a crap, and you have changed nothing. those are the 2 easiest ways to tell. i usually try to change mine at least every other year just in case.

[william]

I think it will depend on the quality of the string you are shooting. A good quality string like Winners choice will last a while but you will still need to take care of it. Keep wax on you string and keep it dry and clean. To me if the string is stretching too much or if there are discolored strands then it’s a good time to look into a new string. The life of the string will also depend on your shooting style like how much you shoot and maybe if you are a person that uses an arm guard. Stuff rubbing up against the string just shortens their life.

[Mister Bubba's bulletman]

The last one let me know when it broke.

When the wax didn't make it purty anymore that was my hint.

[WCB]

Fraying, stretching, broken strands, want a new color...
The Barracuda on my XT is a little over a year and and half old but was still shooting great. Decided it was time to install red and black string/cable so it was time.
Like I told Fay, new string/cable, clean, check, tune, fondle and moleste...

[rocky]

If you are even THINKING you might need a string, you probably do.
Now's agood time to do it, Winners Choice is caught up and I'm getting strings in about 4 days. Later in the year, it can take up to 2 wks.
If you get them now they will be good and settled by the hunting season.

[Bullydog]

I asked the guy at the bow shop, worried it might be getting old. I bought this bow used, and apparenlty it had a winners choice string put on prior to me purchasing it. He looked it over, told me what to look for (fraying, etc..) and said I was still good.

Its 2 years old.

[topherstrux]

Dealer's recomendation is once a year. You can put a small dot on your cam on both sides of the limb. This will give you a reference point. When the marks start migrating, you know that the string is stretching.

[Rabidbowhunter]

Usually if you shoot it a lot then once a year or at least once every other year is good. If you are having problems out of no where with shoot groups and broadheads not shooting right then it usually means you have a busted strand and is time for a new string. For guys who dont use a d loop if you shoot it a good amount you really need to check under the serving at least once a year if not twice to make sure your string is ok. We have had strings come in the store that guys have shot off the string and just wanted it reserved and half the string in broken under the serving and getting ready to blow out.
Just watch it and you should be able to tell when its time.

[alien77721]

What does it usually cost to have one replaces?