In that price range I would encourage you to look at a Black hunter or Ragim evo, either will draw smoothly to 29.

 

Are they better than the samick sage and if so why? Also I've noticed they don't sell complete bows for some of these, what size riser and limbs should I choose for 29 inch draw?

 

I’ve tested three Sages at draw weights of 30#, 35#, and 40#. They begin stacking at 29”. I would not recommend them for a draw length any longer than that, but up to that, it’s more than acceptable.

I’ve also tried but not tested a Black Hunter with longbow limbs. I could definitely feel a “wall” at 29 inches, which happens to be my DL.

 

Spyder XL 64"

 

I agree wth the Spyder XL 64. I have one and I have a 30 inch draw and there is very little stacking

 

Concur with everything posted above.

I do have a Black Hunter LB and a slightly spendier Ragim Impala in my fleet - both are fine to 29" which is my draw as well. Both are speedy as well with the Black Hunter performing all out of proportion to its 35# draw weight.

 

Another vote fo the spyder xl. 31 1/2 dl

 

You will be fine at 29". A little bit of stacking is just that, a little bit. It doesn't bother me in the least when it is in the last inch of draw. What does bother me is a bow that starts stacking three inches before I reach anchor.

 

Thanks everyone! Well it looks like many of these longer samick sage replacements aren't available in the UK, is it possible they go by different names in different parts of the world? Another type of bow which has peaked my interest are one piece hybrid and flatbows, are they good for beginner and backyard recreational archery?

I've also come across this Bearpaw Strongbow Traditional Star - Long but a review elsewhere online said it weakened after a number of months, not sure if its aimed more at the LARP scene but its the same price as other entry level bows.

 

I had a Samick Journey (same as Spyder XL) for a couple of years, and in that time I shot a sage a few times. My draw length is 29", or maybe a little more. And I could feel the stacking with the Sage limbs. If you already had the bow you could live with it, but since you are buying it I would get something that doesn't stack. A smoother draw is worth it.

If I was in the UK I would look at the Cartel version of the sage/spyder at Alternative Sporting Services.

The Cartel Epic Hawk is the same riser as the Spyder (which is the new version of the Sage). It is a 19" riser I believe. You may also consider the Cartel Sirius which is a 25" wood riser.

Either way you could get the Sirius Edge limbs for it. On the Epic Hawk riser the long limbs would make a 64" bow, and pick up 6lbs of draw weight. So if you want a 30lb draw order 24lb limbs.

If you were to choose the Sirius Edge riser then the marked limb weight would be accurate, and I would get medium limbs with your draw length. That would make a 68" bow.

Send them a message and see what you could put together, but that seems like a better way forward than getting a sage.

 

I had a Samick Journey (same as Spyder XL) for a couple of years, and in that time I shot a sage a few times. My draw length is 29", or maybe a little more. And I could feel the stacking with the Sage limbs. If you already had the bow you could live with it, but since you are buying it I would get something that doesn't stack. A smoother draw is worth it.

If I was in the UK I would look at the Cartel version of the sage/spyder at Alternative Sporting Services.

The Cartel Epic Hawk is the same riser as the Spyder (which is the new version of the Sage). It is a 19" riser I believe. You may also consider the Cartel Sirius which is a 25" wood riser.

Either way you could get the Sirius Edge limbs for it. On the Epic Hawk riser the long limbs would make a 64" bow, and pick up 6lbs of draw weight. So if you want a 30lb draw order 24lb limbs.

If you were to choose the Sirius Edge riser then the marked limb weight would be accurate, and I would get medium limbs with your draw length. That would make a 68" bow.

Send them a message and see what you could put together, but that seems like a better way forward than getting a sage.

Good advice^...Alt Services is excellent

 

I once tuned a "Spyder" 62" 45# TD for a nephew. He and I both have a 31" DL. While tuning I did hit the wall at full draw but the stack was not overly aggressive. Take a look at the 64" Spyder XL. Apparently it accommodates longer draw lengths.

 

I once tuned a "Spyder" 62" 45# TD for a nephew. He and I both have a 31" DL. While tuning I did hit the wall at full draw but the stack was not overly aggressive. Take a look at the 64" Spyder XL. Apparently it accommodates longer draw lengths.

That bow doesn't appear to be available in the UK but I did find this "blacksheep nova" which looks similar, is it the same bow? Black Sheep Handle Nova

 

That bow doesn't appear to be available in the UK but I did find this "blacksheep nova" which looks similar, is it the same bow? Black Sheep Handle Nova

I am not familiar with the "Black Sheep" but here is the info I found on the bow.

Samick (Sage and Journey) and Black Sheep Nova are clones with interchangeable risers and limbs. I have a combination of Sage riser and Nova limbs and it works perfectly. Only difference between risers is that Sage can be assembled and disassembled without any tool and Nova requires hex key. On some markets you will find Black Sheep Nova as Southwest Spyder XL.

 

Odd how they sell bows under different names depending on where you live.

 

SW archery syder XL will be more comfortable. It is a nice bow. I have a Spyder and really like it. But the XL would suit your draw length better.

 

The bow can be very good, but you have to be aware that the QC is absolutely non-existent. A friend finally received a shootable bow on the third try. Even for $150, for me that would not be acceptable.

That said, it works for his nearly 32” draw length.

 

"Odd how they sell bows under different names depending on where you live."

Not just archery bows but a multitude of products, business names, etc. Once read upon the whys. The "whys" are complicated.