Larger idler wheels
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: woodbine KY USA
Posts: 315
Larger idler wheels
Lately ive noticed a lot of bows are made with larger idler wheels. What is the advantage of a larger idler wheel? To me it looks like it would decrease speed, and maybe even cause wobble. Can anybody explain it to me?
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Kenosha, Wi USA
Posts: 499
RE: Larger idler wheels
The size of the idler wheel has nothing to do with smoothness of draw. It's round. Think of a pulley and a rope- you wouldn't feel a difference if the pulley was 1" in diameter or 4".
Idler size can be dependent on the bottom cam. Cam design, tiller "equalness", and string lengths are the biggest factors to the size of the idler wheel.
Idler size can be dependent on the bottom cam. Cam design, tiller "equalness", and string lengths are the biggest factors to the size of the idler wheel.
#6
RE: Larger idler wheels
Yes, to some extent...but then it falls right along the lines of what BF was stating....the cam and idler wheel need to be of equal diameter...and close to equal geometry in order for straight nock travel to be achieved.
Mathews was the first, that I can think of, to utilize the large idler with a post feed single cam. Several companies followed suit.
I would think that one could guess that since the cam needs to have more of a "rounded" shape in order to be of the same size and geometry of the idler wheel then a smooth draw might be the result.....but not in all cases.
Mathews was the first, that I can think of, to utilize the large idler with a post feed single cam. Several companies followed suit.
I would think that one could guess that since the cam needs to have more of a "rounded" shape in order to be of the same size and geometry of the idler wheel then a smooth draw might be the result.....but not in all cases.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Baltimore Maryland USA
Posts: 1,385
RE: Larger idler wheels
It is my findings that Frank has the best explanation of the cause and effect of the larger idler wheel scenario. The nock travel does become much straighter and, in more recent examinations, like Hoyt's new dual track, more level. It would take a lot more examination to make an absolute statement pertaining to size and type.