Zebra String Stretch
02-08-2003, 12:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Troy MT USA
Posts: 10
Zebra String Stretch
The string on my Z-Max has apparently been stretching for quite a while and I've been compensating for the stretch by adjusting the sights, not really realizing what was happening. Now I've noticed that my nocking point is moving up. I've read that the Zebra strings don't respond properly to twisting to compensate for stretch. What's the straight skinny? I figure that I should replace the Zebra with a Tiger string (or similar) but there is still some life left in this string. Any help is appreciated. <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
02-08-2003, 01:51 PM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Burleson TX USA
Posts: 6,455
RE: Zebra String Stretch
forget the Zebra and Tiger stings get some Winners Choice stings and cables and put on it.
They are a little pricey but they are the best and they are pre-stretched.
Aussie by birth Texan by choice
They are a little pricey but they are the best and they are pre-stretched.
Aussie by birth Texan by choice
02-08-2003, 02:18 PM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rushville NE
Posts: 343
RE: Zebra String Stretch
I've twisted them up & haven't noticed any problems. The peep rotation might change, but that's about it as long as there isn't any broken strands. Much of the time with the nock moving it's actually the serving moving, your cam rotation will be the same if it's that.
02-08-2003, 09:21 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 520
RE: Zebra String Stretch
The problem with twisting up is that it changes the string stability, that is built in. The string is designed to be dead, and not tist during the draw. If it is twisting, then you need to twist the string up and down until it is neutral. The problem comes when you need to also twist in order to adjust string length. The string stability problem comes with all of the super strings, though WC claims to take all the stretch out during manufacture.
I have had good results with Zebra. Always keep all your bows main measurements in a notebook, so you can check changes.
I would email your question to Mathews, it must come up every time a bow is sold.
I have had good results with Zebra. Always keep all your bows main measurements in a notebook, so you can check changes.
I would email your question to Mathews, it must come up every time a bow is sold.
02-10-2003, 01:02 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 520
RE: Zebra String Stretch
My guess is that for whatever reason they figure the Zebra is a better choice for the average shooter. The average shooter doesn't set up the bow minutely for peep rotation, they use elastic tethers, or nopeep sights. They are, maybe, more likely to prefer a quieter sounding, lighter string.
If you want WC type performance, get a Tiger string with low stretch, low creep material. I mean get it factory installed when you order the bow. What you buy for your next string is up to you.
I don't buy the WC hype, nor do I question that they are great strings. Mathews strings are no spin/twist, when properly installed, no difference there. If they stretch, it is the material. They don't claim the Zebras are low strech, but neither are WCs made out of the "wrong" material, and they leave that choice up to you.
All this WC pre-stretch stuff sounds fishy to me. If you stretch something beneath the elastic limit, it will return, so by the time it is shipped to the customer, and on your bow, what is the difference. If it doesn't return because you stretched it beyond the elastic limit, you damaged it. Creep is different. As far as I know, you can't stretch the creep out of a product, it isn't the same thing as stretch. The difference is like with limbs, they have a certain amount of spring, bending them (analogous to stretch) will not remove the springiness, unless you SNAP bend them beyond the limit. But the relaxation that occurs in a limb that is held in a bend over time, can be related to creep, this can be lengthening along the glueline as the plastic materials adjust to the bend, or the same kind of lengthening within the epoxy limb material itself.
The whole point about super string fiber is that they hardly creep or stretch, so pre-stretching them won't help.
Edited by - ossage on 02/10/2003 17:32:58
If you want WC type performance, get a Tiger string with low stretch, low creep material. I mean get it factory installed when you order the bow. What you buy for your next string is up to you.
I don't buy the WC hype, nor do I question that they are great strings. Mathews strings are no spin/twist, when properly installed, no difference there. If they stretch, it is the material. They don't claim the Zebras are low strech, but neither are WCs made out of the "wrong" material, and they leave that choice up to you.
All this WC pre-stretch stuff sounds fishy to me. If you stretch something beneath the elastic limit, it will return, so by the time it is shipped to the customer, and on your bow, what is the difference. If it doesn't return because you stretched it beyond the elastic limit, you damaged it. Creep is different. As far as I know, you can't stretch the creep out of a product, it isn't the same thing as stretch. The difference is like with limbs, they have a certain amount of spring, bending them (analogous to stretch) will not remove the springiness, unless you SNAP bend them beyond the limit. But the relaxation that occurs in a limb that is held in a bend over time, can be related to creep, this can be lengthening along the glueline as the plastic materials adjust to the bend, or the same kind of lengthening within the epoxy limb material itself.
The whole point about super string fiber is that they hardly creep or stretch, so pre-stretching them won't help.
Edited by - ossage on 02/10/2003 17:32:58
02-10-2003, 04:25 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 520
RE: Zebra String Stretch
I don't know what the realistic lifespan of your bow is, but pretty much infinite comes to mind. If I am not mistaken, top 3D shooter Jeff Hopkins has been shooting his Rival for about 5 years now, and he must shoot a ton. Whether it has ever required new limbs or something I don't know. I never think about the bow wearing out myself, just enjoy it. Once the string starts to look a little worn, you might want to change it, but even there, most strings are way stronger than even a little wear would harm.
If when you draw your bow, the peep rotates on the string axis, then probably you need to add or subtract a few turns to get it so that it is stable. Once it has been shot in a little, it should stay in the exact same position every time you draw it back. That is the Zebra Twist advantage.
This is what the Mathews tech said about the problem we were originaly discusing, in other words it is what you do to get the peep pointing in the right direction, after you have it so it isn't spining on the string. The only problem with all of this is that I need a bow press to do it, and I have one. But if you don't, you may need to rely on someone who does:
"I have listed below three quick steps that should help you install your peep sight.
1. Split the two colors and install your peep.
2. Pull the bow back and check alignment.
3. To align the peep add twist to the strings. Place equal amounts of twists in both ends of the string until the proper alignment is achieved.
As long as you put equal amount of twists in each end you will not lose balance.
"I have been doing some testing on our strings. For instance we have a machine that pulls the bow back. It does not shoot it but it gives us a good indictation on serving seperation and stretching. We put a string and cable on there and put 10,500 pulls on them. There was no seperation on the cable but there was some on the center. Which we are working on to fix. But after 10,500 pulls there was no seperation on the cable. The string was made out of .8125 and the cable made out of fast flight. Both were 22 strands. Sorry this message is getting long. But after 10,500 pulls we took the string and cable off to measure them. The results amazed me. Both of them only stretched or creeped 1/4". Thats after 10,500 pulls of the bow."
If when you draw your bow, the peep rotates on the string axis, then probably you need to add or subtract a few turns to get it so that it is stable. Once it has been shot in a little, it should stay in the exact same position every time you draw it back. That is the Zebra Twist advantage.
This is what the Mathews tech said about the problem we were originaly discusing, in other words it is what you do to get the peep pointing in the right direction, after you have it so it isn't spining on the string. The only problem with all of this is that I need a bow press to do it, and I have one. But if you don't, you may need to rely on someone who does:
"I have listed below three quick steps that should help you install your peep sight.
1. Split the two colors and install your peep.
2. Pull the bow back and check alignment.
3. To align the peep add twist to the strings. Place equal amounts of twists in both ends of the string until the proper alignment is achieved.
As long as you put equal amount of twists in each end you will not lose balance.
"I have been doing some testing on our strings. For instance we have a machine that pulls the bow back. It does not shoot it but it gives us a good indictation on serving seperation and stretching. We put a string and cable on there and put 10,500 pulls on them. There was no seperation on the cable but there was some on the center. Which we are working on to fix. But after 10,500 pulls there was no seperation on the cable. The string was made out of .8125 and the cable made out of fast flight. Both were 22 strands. Sorry this message is getting long. But after 10,500 pulls we took the string and cable off to measure them. The results amazed me. Both of them only stretched or creeped 1/4". Thats after 10,500 pulls of the bow."