More brace height, less speed?

[Urban_Redneck]

I' ve been doing some spec shopping. I shoot fingers so bows with 40" ATA are my primary interest.

Anyway....

I liked the look of the Caribou by Reflex except the speed is " only" 254fps IBO. In comparison, the PSE Dakota is rated 300+fps IBO. The big difference I notice is that the Caribou has a 9" brace height, while the Dakota' s is " only" 7 1/4" .

How much, if any, effect does brace height have on speed? I know with my Oneida there is a point where more brace height slows the bow (makes it quieter though), is it the same with " conventional" bows?

Thanks

UR

[PABowhntr]

A shorter brace height means a longer power stroke for the arrow. The longer the power stroke then the longer in distance that the bow has to release its energy into the arrow.

Now, though the Dakota does have an inch and three quarter shorter brace height there are also other factors that would contribute to the differences in speed...such as the limb style, design and composition and cam style. If I am not mistaken the cams found on the Dakota have a slightly more aggressive draw curve when compared with the Accuwheels found on the Caribou.

Hope this helps.