Carbon vs Aluminum

[450]

Hello, thinking about upgrading my bow and was wondering if the carbon riser was worth all the extra money? I have never shot a carbon bow. Also, I’m referring to the Hoyt bows since that’s what I have always shot. Thanks

 

[BKM]

The best thing a carbon riser does is feel less cold. In my opinion nothing else is any better than aluminum.

 

[Article 4]

True about less cold, they also transmit less vibration and carbon has better long term integrity and material memory - is that worth an extra 600-1000 bucks? Up to you

 

[CowboyD]

I think the earlier carbon bows had more vibration than aluminum.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

With hoyt it's probably a wash. The pse carbon bows are lightweight and have great grips.

 

[450]

Not really much weight difference between the two Hoyt’s I was looking at. It seems the most common thing I hear/read is about the carbon bow not getting cold.

 

[nphunter]

True about less cold, they also transmit less vibration and carbon has better long term integrity and material memory - is that worth an extra 600-1000 bucks? Up to you

I had a carbon riser replaced under warranty after using for a few years the carbon started coming apart from the machined aluminum ends. My buddy also has a carbon bow and his roller guard pulled loose from the riser a week after getting the bow. I've also seen several cracked risers online from multiple companies. I have never heard of any of these issues with an aluminum bow, the carbon itself may have better integrity but the epoxy they use to glue it all together does not. Weight also dampens vibration / hand shock, from my experience owning a half dozen carbon bows I think you can feel more shock/vibration than similar aluminum bows.

 

[Article 4]

I had a carbon riser replaced under warranty after using for a few years the carbon started coming apart from the machined aluminum ends. My buddy also has a carbon bow and his roller guard pulled loose from the riser a week after getting the bow. I've also seen several cracked risers online from multiple companies. I have never heard of any of these issues with an aluminum bow, the carbon itself may have better integrity but the epoxy they use to glue it all together does not. Weight also dampens vibration / hand shock, from my experience owning a half dozen carbon bows I think you can feel more shock/vibration than similar aluminum bows.

Then sounds like the answer is no, its not worth it for you.

I have had 4 carbon bows - they have all been flawless. have a few friends that shoot them same story.

The vibration properties of carbon are well documents and so is the memory.

Anything can fail. Sounds like you had a bad experience.

 

[nphunter]

I don't think you are gaining much going to a Hoyt carbon bow, there is very little weight advantage and carbon risers are more prone to long term issues than aluminum bows, they look cool and do stay warmer if hunting in cold weather.

I moved away from Hoyt carbon bows this last year after owning them since 2011. They use to be quite a bit lighter than similar spec aluminum bows and use to have great specs. My biggest gripe with Hoyt is more their current bow specs, they have short fast bows and long heavy slow bows. I moved to a PSE Mach 34 and it's a much nice bow than my last Hoyt, it draws nicer, shoots faster, is more forgiving with a longer ATA and BH and it also weights less.

 

[nphunter]

Then sounds like the answer is no, its not worth it for you.

I have had 4 carbon bows - they have all been flawless. have a few friends that shoot them same story.

The vibration properties of carbon are well documents and so is the memory.

Anything can fail. Sounds like you had a bad experience.

I actually love carbon bows, I've had carbon Hoyts since 2011 and switched to a Custom PSE Mach 34 in 2024.

I'm not upset with Hoyt about the bows I had, I used the crap out of my CST and they replaced the riser and two sets of limbs for me under warranty. I shot a RX4 for a long time and I talked my hunting partner into buying a left over RX1 from a dealer a few years ago. The RX1 had the roller guard pull out before he ever shot the bow and because he bought it left over online Hoyt wouldn't warranty it. It was fixed using two part easton epoxy and has been fine since, I just went through the whole bow for him this spring and restrung it and everything looks fine.

I moved away from Hoyt because I don't like how short, heavy and slow their carbon bows have became at my 27.5" draw lenght they don't offer a bow with a moderate ATA unless I wan't to shoot off of the very bottom of the cam. PSE on the other hand hit it out of the park with the Mach 34, I bought one used and put a set of EM cams on it and like it way better than any Hoyt carbon I've ever shot including the new ones.

I doubt I will ever buy an aluminum bow again for myself, however, if durability was the main factor carbon wouldn't be my first choice. 50% of the carbon bows I have spent a lot of time around have had major issues. My original CST the limb pockets were starting to pull away from the carbon rods, I also shot that bow for a lot of years, killed a pile of animals with it and it is one of the best bows I've ever owned and IMO it was the best Carbon bow Hoyt has ever made, but it still came apart and had to be replaced under warrently.

 

[Article 4]

I actually love carbon bows, I've had carbon Hoyts since 2011 and switched to a Custom PSE Mach 34 in 2024.

I'm not upset with Hoyt about the bows I had, I used the crap out of my CST and they replaced the riser and two sets of limbs for me under warranty. I shot a RX4 for a long time and I talked my hunting partner into buying a left over RX1 from a dealer a few years ago. The RX1 had the roller guard pull out before he ever shot the bow and because he bought it left over online Hoyt wouldn't warranty it. It was fixed using two part easton epoxy and has been fine since, I just went through the whole bow for him this spring and restrung it and everything looks fine.

I moved away from Hoyt because I don't like how short, heavy and slow their carbon bows have became at my 27.5" draw lenght they don't offer a bow with a moderate ATA unless I wan't to shoot off of the very bottom of the cam. PSE on the other hand hit it out of the park with the Mach 34, I bought one used and put a set of EM cams on it and like it way better than any Hoyt carbon I've ever shot including the new ones.

I doubt I will ever buy an aluminum bow again for myself, however, if durability was the main factor carbon wouldn't be my first choice. 50% of the carbon bows I have spent a lot of time around have had major issues. My original CST the limb pockets were starting to pull away from the carbon rods, I also shot that bow for a lot of years, killed a pile of animals with it and it is one of the best bows I've ever owned and IMO it was the best Carbon bow Hoyt has ever made, but it still came apart and had to be replaced under warrently.

yeah I hear you. I love my RX7 - loved my RX1 and RX3 too but recently I have wondered if it is worth it too. I usually only hunt in Sept with my bow and extreme cold isn't an issue. Wouldnt mind having a bit more spped with my 28.5 inch draw length either.

Aluminum bows have come a long way. I will likely be weighing the value proposition for myself in my next bow purchase.

 

[450]

yeah I hear you. I love my RX7 - loved my RX1 and RX3 too but recently I have wondered if it is worth it too. I usually only hunt in Sept with my bow and extreme cold isn't an issue. Wouldnt mind having a bit more spped with my 28.5 inch draw length either.

Aluminum bows have come a long way. I will likely be weighing the value proposition for myself in my next bow purchase.

This is basically where I’m at also, I will be retiring and moving to MS in less than 2-years. The aluminum bows have came a long ways for sure. This bow will also be packed on mules for getting further back into the wilderness on certain hunts. I have looked at some used bows but honestly there prices have been really high most of them being over $1000.

 

[Article 4]

This is basically where I’m at also, I will be retiring and moving to MS in less than 2-years. The aluminum bows have came a long ways for sure. This bow will also be packed on mules for getting further back into the wilderness on certain hunts. I have looked at some used bows but honestly there prices have been really high most of them being over $1000.

Yeah I think all in with my carbon I am 2800 bucks including rest and quiver - had to get a new sight too, the new bows have pic rail mounts

 

[450]

Yeah I think all in with my carbon I am 2800 bucks including rest and quiver - had to get a new sight too, the new bows have pic rail mounts

The new Alpha AX-2 29 is $1450, RX-8 new $1800 and RX-9 $2100. Bare bow and we only have one small shop here in Fairbanks.

 

[nphunter]

The new Alpha AX-2 29 is $1450, RX-8 new $1800 and RX-9 $2100. Bare bow and we only have one small shop here in Fairbanks.

You can always buy a used bow in the classifieds here or on Archery Talk Classifieds. You can easily pick up a carbon bow for under 1K.

I would try to go shoot a newer Carbon PSE if you haven't, I know you said you like Hoyt but you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't shoot a few brands and see what feels the best. IMO the PSE carbon bows are in a totally different league than the Hoyts. This is coming from someone who had been shooting a Hoyt from 2008-2023 and their carbons pretty much since they were released.

IMO the best carbon Hoyts were the original 2014 Carbon Spyder with Z5 cams. (There is a 2014 Carbon Syder Turbo on here for $450) The RX1 was a great carbon bow as well, the RX3 & RX4 were similar to the RX1 only with a shorter ATA which creates a less forgiving bow. IMO everything after the RX4 from Hoyt doesn't offer anything over the aluminum model to warrant going to a carbon.

You need to figure your draw length out before buying a bow, it take about 30 seconds with a tape measure to get you close enough. Measure your arm span from finger tip to finger tip and divide by 2.5, that has been very close for most of the people I have setup with a bow.

5yrs ago I wouldn't have recommended a used bow due to their lack of warranty but with the current cost of new archery equipment you could build 2 or 3 great used bows for the price of a new bow. Even if you buy a used one and have to put brand new custom strings on that's only another $150.

 

[fatbacks]

I’ve had good luck buying used. Went that route to try a carbon bow. Bought a Hoyt RX7 Ultra off of the classified ads on here. Screaming Eagle in Fairbanks set it up for me and it’s been an awesome bow so far.


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