Since I shoot WA barebow the riser takes on additional importance since internal weights are helpful in achieving balance and stability. This is not necessarily the case when you can put a short stabilizer on the bow.

That said, I place more importance on limbs, but that is because I have a 32 inch draw length. I shoot either extra long, super recurve, or a combination of both because they react well to long draw lengths.

If my draw length were in the average range I may go with the riser. This is where there is not one answer, rather it depends on the situation.

I also shoot long shots with low weight so I need high performance limbs to get the sight points I want. I don't need a high end riser for that.

A plus for the riser is that my desire to shoot a 27 inch risers narrows the market. There are no low end 27 inch risers. The least expensive is probably the Gillo.

There are ways I can make even a standard low end riser work as long as I have the right limbs.

 

I think I'd agree with Hank's long draw. He can't buy cheap extra long limbs and SR's aren't cheap.

People that shoot normal equipment can shoot as accurately with 150 dollar limbs as 500 dollar limbs. The extra money is for speed not accuracy. When it comes to risers cheap won't cut it. You won't have LLA and they'll probably flex. That said I don't think you have to have a CD or Tempest Riser. There's some pretty good value out there.

Bowmania

 

I would go for the limbs, adjusting the riser to your special needs are easier!

 

I am shooting an old Hoyt Gold Medalist that I inherited from a good friend when he died. By today's standards it is just a crude chunk of aluminum. If nothing else I enjoy shooting the bow for sentimental reasons. I also know there is no way I can ever shoot to the potential of that riser. I did buy limbs for the bow. I have a set of carbon limbs. Then I bought the cheap under a $100 Axiom limbs in order to train with a low draw weight. Aside from the draw weight, either set of limbs works just fine. I will never be good enough to be limited by the performance of the limbs.

 

I started with a Gold Medalist. The riser cost me $169 new. It is an excellent riser. I used to set it up as my Olympic bow before I changed over to my Best Zenit.

The Gold Medalist was a world class riser at an entry level cost. It did not work as well for me as a World Archery barebow, but put a short stab on it and you have a fine RU or NFAA trad bow.

With the large number of quality low cost risers these days, it is possible to treat both riser and limbs as perishable, using low cost components to help figure out what we like, including the style of shooting.

Limb weight is key though. I used low cost limbs to figure out what weight I wanted in a higher end limb.

So it is situational. What is best for a new archer is not necessarily what is best for a mature archer. What is best for an archer in the middle of the bow spec range is not necessarily what is best for an archer at the limits of the spec range.

It boils down to understanding your requirements. The area of greatest requirements uncertainty is where you need to precede with the greatest care. That is true of any investment.

 

L -

Lets think about this logically...

First, you didn't mention the type of bow.
The following is true for ILF type rigs, and generally true for anything else. Just to many "customs" out there to make blanket statements.

There are so few "bad" limbs out there, that unless you buy the wrong length or weight, anything you get will out shoot you for a good while, possibly forever.
When you reach a point that you want "higher end" limbs, it will usually be more a matter or personal preference than anything else.

With risers, things are a little different.
First, the riser IS the looks of the bow, and if you think that dioesn't matter, you're kidding yourself.
Next would be the grip. Unless interchangeable, a bad grip (for you) will kill your shooting experience.
After that might be specific features you want/need in a riser.

But there's a catch...
If you're a new shooter, or new to a certain type of shooting, you really don't know what you want - even if you think you do.
That's why I always recommend a fairly generic set up for starters.

After a while, you can "upgrade" more intelligently.

So, the riser is the most important, but you have to know enough to make a good call.

Viper1 out.

 

I have an average 28" DL and for me it's riser every time. I usually buy used but I can forsee needing to buy new if I want something specific (I'd like to try a 27").

Actually looking at scores I've shot $300 limbs better than $650 limbs and I doubt those $300 limbs gained me much at 3D distances over a set I picked up used for $150. If I shot NFAA field I might feel different but I doubt it since the $650 "super" recurves only impressed me over the chrono, they sit on a $100 warf shooting 12gpp arrows (the only thing they like) for stumping now.

 

Both are important - your want the riser to feel good in your hand and fit the mold of your hand well. But I generally believe that limbs are more important - how my bow feels at full draw is based more on limb quality than riser fitting.

 

I believe a great set of limbs are more important. What the bow feels like at full draw is what I'm looking for and that really is the function of the limbs. A riser can be modified to fit your hand.

 

I think this is a "who was first? chicken or egg" question. Since nobody has the knowledge about what he wants based on "it feels good" when he begins, I would say to put the money on a decent riser first. The archer will climb in limb weight and I don't think is a smart move to buy the best #20@28" limb on the market when you begin. After that is best you can afford for both since you know what you like to fulfill your needs.

 

Depends on a beginner or experienced archer. I think a beginner would be best served by buying a really nice riser and cheap limbs and upgrading the limbs as they became more experienced. For someone like me, I put equal emphasis on both riser and limbs. Once I settle on a riser and limb combo you can't pry it out of my hands and rarely change.

 

For me personally the limbs are more important... However... The grip and shelf make or break a bow for me... Just IMHO.

 

This is why Olympic style archers like body putty.