If your used to shooting 55-60lb bow, definatly start out with a 40-45lb bow. I suggest 40. I shot 70lb compounds for decades, and started shooting 50lb longbow, and it took me a while to get used to that. I now have a 60lb recurve, and I am pretty well spent after 15 arrows.

Rule for me is, you should be able to hold at full draw, shoulder down, and you head not going to the string but straightup for 10 sec. and still be able to make a good shot.

I suggest starting out with aluminums, most likely 1916's for a 40lb recurve, and 2016's for a 45lb recurve. Easier to tune. Thats unless you have a good arrow maker in mind to help you find the appropiate arrow. Good cedars are expensive.