How much impact does the shape and design of a riser have on bow performance when using the same set of ILF limbs?

Depends on the risers. It could have none, or a lot.

IN GENERAL, I'd say if your comparing wood to metal - quite a bit. But that might not be your point.

Bowmania

Reflex deflex matters quite a bit. Length does too of course but that is only part of it

You may gain or lose pounds depending on the riser length.

I had read about the effect of riser length on the draw; increased draw weight with a shorter riser and decreased draw weight with a longer riser (if my memory is correct).

I currently have a 17" PSE Ghost riser (wood) with TradTech medium recurve limbs. I understand the potential draw weight decrease if I go to a 19" or 21" wood riser. What else should I be aware of as I consider different risers. What is the impact of reflex/deflex? Does it affect the early draw weight? Stacking point? Bow stability in the hand?

I welcome all input to help me grow my knowledge base.

I have three sets of limbs, two 17" risers and a 25" riser. I don't understand HOW it all works....but same length (but different shape) and almost same draw weight limbs respond very differently on my 17" risers.

I don't think there is room in my brain right now to understand the physics of it all but I kind of want to know

Limb pad angles can be different. Generally, they'll be more acute/shallow on longer risers than shorter risers. The shallower the limb pad angle, the higher the initial load and the sooner it will stack at the end of the draw, though for most ILF bows this won't occur until well past 28 inches. Both of these characteristics are among the reasons that (most) limb pad angles are constructed to be more obtuse as the risers get shorter.

The changed draw wight associated with different riser lengths (and commensurate riser physical weights) probably have just as great if not greater impact on performance and how a bow feels and shoots.

The OP said 'shape and design' so it would not be a good idea to compare a 21 and a 25 inch riser etc.

I think most limbs are designed to shoot best off the limb pad angle that the manufacturer made it for. I'd guess that as you get up in higher end limbs that gets more specific. That's not saying that they won't work with different LPA, just might not be as efficient.

I had a friend tell me that his Uukaha's shot better off one riser that the other. But in my opinion one was a high end riser and the other entry level. So not a fair comparison.

I've had a set of limbs that need the LLA on my Cobra. Not sure what that means, because I never put then on another riser. I will soon put a different set of limbs on the Cobra and if they're off that might mean the first set was off.

Bowmania

The rule of thumb for archery forums is: "Any new riser on the market will automatically outperform any riser that's been on the market for a while."

You can typically figure in the neighborhood of ABOUT 1 poi=und of draw weight per 1 degree of change in the take off/limb pad angle of a riser. That is based on the same length riser, with all geometry being the same other than the limb pad.

In other words, a riser with a 17 degree angle will add about 3lbs. to a set of limbs that are 43lbs. on a 20 degree limb pad.

It's not exact, but it's plenty close enough.

Thanks for all the info. I think it will be very helpful when I start looking at other risers.

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