What exactly is the brace height on a bow? Do you want a long or short one? And what or how does it effect peformance?

IT IS THE DISTANCE BY A PERPENDICULAR LINE FROM THE STRING TO THROAT OF THE HANDLE. THE MANUFACTURES GENERALLY HAVE A RANGE THAT THE BRACE HEIGHT SHOULD BE AT. WITH RECURVES THE BOW WILL BE QUIETIER AND SHOOTS BETTER IF THE BRACE HEIGHT IS CORRECT.

also, in general the lower the brace height the faster the bow but with this speed comes un forgiveness. if your new to archery you should get a bow that has a higher brace height. you will be happier with it.
Ron

Chooch,

To give you a reference point..... 7 inches is about average. Below 7 inches and your shooting form becomes much more critical. Above 7 inches and the bow becomes more forgiving of shooting errors...when all else is equal.

Ive been shooting since I was 12 and I still stick with a brace height over 7".