Stabilizer Length

[Quackor]

Hi everyone.
I know a stabilizer is largely a personal matter, what I keep wondering tho is how (from physics perspective) is a longer stabilizer advantageous over a shorter one. It's not the force applied on the bow, because that depends on mass, then what? I would really appreciate if someone could explain to me why would I want a longer stabilizer. Thanks!

Q

[James Park]

The rotational inertai of the stabiliser depends on its mass and on (how far its centre of mass is from the bow) squared.
That is: the rotational inertia depends a great deal on the length.

[Quackor]

I realize it does, but in the end, if I have a shorter stabilizer, than I just make it considerably heavier, and my rotational inertia is the same.

So thats not really what I was asking about. I'm wondering if there is anything ELSE than inertia that happens with a longer rod.

[Progen]

I think the theoretical optimum would be a long stiff BUT light rod with the weight as far away from the riser as possible. That's for maxium effect.

Take a read at this one by Steve Ellison.

http://www.bowmenofskelmersdale.co.uk/stabilisers.pdf

[James Park]

You need to be careful.
The resonant frequency of the stabiliser needs to be high, and it decreases as the stabiliser increases in length. Hence, if you make it longer it needs to be more rigid.
Also, it needs to have some sort of energy absorbant mechanism.

[Quackor]

Thx Progen, the pdf really clears things up.

[Progen]

Thx Progen, the pdf really clears things up.

Glad it was of help to you. Messed things up for me instead so I settled for what I liked. :lol:

[New Tricks]

I recall our local thinking on those old Easton Alloy long rods was 1 and 1/4 times your arrow length. Used to get them and cut the back to suit. Dunno where that idea came from but made us feel technical.

[New Tricks]

Was for compounds not stick bows I meant to add.

[Progen]

I recall our local thinking on those old Easton Alloy long rods was 1 and 1/4 times your arrow length. Used to get them and cut the back to suit. Dunno where that idea came from but made us feel technical.

Whoa, that'd mean that quite a few of the folks here would be getting close to 40 inches! On the other hand, if I'd used that formula, I'd be quite close. A 33 inch rod, no weights in front, with a 27 inch drawlength.

[The One]

I'm wondering if there is anything ELSE than inertia that happens with a longer rod.

Yes, moves the centre of gravity of the bow forward

[Archangel]

I'm wondering if there is anything ELSE than inertia that happens with a longer rod.

Yes, moves the centre of gravity of the bow forward
And affects resonant frequencies and whatnot.

Oh, and your bow is higher when you lean it on the stabiliser :-)