Pulled the bow out after several months of it being in the case and found that with the limbs cranked all the way in the best I can get out of it is 54#. It is supposed to go to 60# and I absolutely know that when I put it away in October the limbs were not close to all the way in and it was at 54#'s. I am using the same scale to measure. It is a PSE Nova year 2000 if that helps any. [:@][:@] Do all bows eventually do this over time or is it just unique to my el cheapo bow?

I've always dreamed of rescuing a Lady in distress...

Fear not Me-lady, more than likely what you are noticing is caused by string and or cable stretch. Very common with some string materials/construction processes used in less expensive bows. If you can check the axel to axel length and brace height then check that against the specs, you should be able to tell.

If unable or unequipped to do it yourself, a quick trip to your local proshop should put you back in good order.

And I thought that knights in shining armour were a thing of the past! I will check axle to axle and brace height. This is the original string, how can it possibly still be stretching? I am going to have it replaced this year because it is getting worn and the serving is starting to go. Local archery shop refused to restring it last year because in their words, "Aw, that string doesn't look very worn to me."

I'm not familiar with what materials PSE used on the Novas, but some continue to stretch until they break. I'll be willing to bet a dollar the string/cable is the culprit.

Sounds like it's time to find a new shop If this is a bow you plan to keep for awhile, you might consider purchasing a quality set like those from Winner's Choice, Taylor Made, Berry Strings, etc. Typically, once they set, quickly, they're set.

Yeah, I've been kicking around the idea of a Winner's Choice for a while. I've got more $$ in accessories on the bow than the bow cost so I might as well go whole hog with the string too. I was sure that Santa had a new bow for me this year, but guess he forgot! Didn't know about the cheap string material being so bad it would stretch forever, either. Thanks for the advice.

You must've been naughty...

Lady, although I have no personal experience with either, for what I've heard and read, Berry strings offer every bit of Winner's choice quality for 1/2 the price. Worth checking into if, then you can take the savings and buy yourself something nice, like broadheads or something

I'm not telling! Do you have a website handy for Berry?

Here ya go-

http://home.ntelos.net/~nberry4/BerryStrings/