How Often Should You Change a Ravin Crossbow String?
Most shooters assume a crossbow string only needs replacing once the fibers look fuzzy or frayed. That assumption can cause sudden gear failure, because the real standard calls for a fresh set every two years or 200 shots, whichever comes first. The massive tension held inside modern compact limbs weakens the synthetic strands over time, even when the outside looks clean.
A few daily habits can change that timeline. Dedicated target practice can burn through that shot count in a single summer, while synthetic cords slowly degrade inside a storage case even without firing. An accidental dry fire (firing without an arrow loaded) or loose serving (the tight protective wrap around the cord) demands an immediate swap. Knowing what to watch for keeps the bow running smoothly and safely.
Replace strings every two years or two hundred shots
Ravin crossbows generate incredible speed and power, which puts high stress on the synthetic cords. The golden rule for replacing them is simple: swap your string and cables every two years or every two hundred shots, whichever happens first.
If you are an active shooter who loves backyard target practice, you will easily hit that two hundred shot mark before two calendar years pass. Sighting in a new scope, tuning broadheads, and regular summer practice sessions can eat up twenty or thirty shots in a single afternoon. Once you reach two hundred shots, the internal fibers have stretched and absorbed enough shock that they start losing their elasticity and strength.
What if you only pull the trigger three or four times each hunting season? Many hunters ask if the two-year rule still applies if the crossbow mostly sits in a padded case. The answer is yes. Even when hanging on a wall or resting inside a hard case, the string stays under massive tension around the clock.
Over twenty-four months, that non-stop tension stretches the synthetic fibers. The materials also slowly dry out and degrade from natural exposure to air, humidity, and seasonal temperature swings. A bow that sat in a closet for three years is just as overdue for fresh rigging as a bow shot two hundred times at the range.
Keeping a small shooting log makes tracking this maintenance effortless. Slip an index card into your soft case or jot a quick note on your phone every time you shoot. Record the date and the number of arrows you let fly. When that number creeps toward two hundred, or when your calendar flips two full years past the last installation, plan a fresh set.
Look for frayed strands and loose center serving wraps
Even if you have only taken fifty shots and owned the bow for six months, physical damage overrides the calendar. Inspect your setup under bright lighting before every practice session and before walking into the woods.
Pay close attention to the center serving, which is the tight protective wrap wound around the string where the arrow nock clips on and the trigger latch grabs. This wrap takes intense friction during every launch. If you see individual wraps separating, exposing the fibers beneath, stop shooting immediately. Exposed inner fibers wear through quickly once their protective wrap splits open.
Next, examine the entire length of the string and cables for fuzzing or fraying. Light surface fuzz on bare strands is normal after regular use, but thick tufts or broken thread ends mean the structural core is weakening. Run clean fingers along the cords to check for hard lumps, flat spots, or severed strands. If you find cut strands, retire the rigging right away.
You must also check the loops where the cords hook around the cam posts. Cams are the small metal wheels at the limb tips that roll over when you draw the bow. Check for sharp edges, grit buildup, or wear where the cords bend around those metal tracks.
The most urgent warning sign is a dry fire, which means firing the crossbow without an arrow loaded. When there is no arrow to absorb the stored energy, that violent force travels directly into the limbs, cams, and cords. A single dry fire can stretch cables unevenly or snap internal strands. If a dry fire ever occurs, stop shooting immediately and have a qualified technician inspect the bow.
Always replace cables and strings together as a pair
When it comes time for maintenance, never replace just the string while leaving the old cables in place. Cables are the cords that roll the wheels and balance limb tension across both sides of the bow. They work as an interconnected system with the main firing string.
Ravin designs use paired cams that must rotate in perfect harmony. In archery, this synchronization is called cam timing. Both wheels must roll over at the exact same fraction of a second when you pull the trigger. If one wheel turns even slightly faster than the other, the bow pushes the arrow unevenly, causing unpredictable arrow flight and wide groups.
Old cables stretch over months of heavy limb tension. If you install a brand-new, tight string alongside stretched cables, the entire system falls out of balance. The fresh string will fight against the slack in the older cables, throwing your cam timing completely off.
Replacing only the string also places uneven mechanical stress on the limbs. One limb tip may flex harder than the other, which can warp parts or cause premature limb failure. Swapping the string and cables together guarantees that all three cords stretch at the identical rate as they settle in during your first few dozen shots. It protects your bow, maintains pinpoint accuracy, and keeps you safe.
Use an authorized bow shop instead of home tools
Changing crossbow rigging is not a job you can tackle at home with standard garage tools. Crossbow limbs carry hundreds of pounds of pull weight, which is the mechanical force stored in the limbs when the bow is strung. Attempting to compress those limbs using ratchet straps, carpenter clamps, or bench vises is extremely dangerous. Workshop tools can slip, causing limbs to snap and flinging metal parts across the room.
To safely remove tension from the cords, a technician must use a bow press, which is a specialized clamping tool that squeezes limbs to relieve string tension. Ravin models feature an ultra-compact wheel-to-wheel length, meaning the axle-to-axle distance between the wheels is narrow. The limbs bend at steep angles that standard compound bow presses cannot support safely.
Ravin requires a specific press adapter designed to cradle their compact limb geometry without crushing the carbon composite material. If you use a generic press, the fingers can slide off the narrow limb tips or crush the delicate cam bearings.
Taking your crossbow to an authorized dealer or a reputable archery pro shop is the smart, safe choice. A trained technician does far more than just slide new cords onto the posts. They check cam lean, align timing marks, verify the grip-to-string distance, and ensure the safety latch seats cleanly. If you appreciate specialized mechanics, such as the dedicated cocking systems found on a TenPoint crossbow for hunting, you know that high-performance archery gear relies on exact shop tuning to operate safely. Spending a modest fee on shop labor protects your investment and ensures your safety behind the trigger.
Waxing and checking arrow nocks prolongs string life
Simple care habits between replacements keep your cords strong and prevent premature wear. The easiest step is keeping the fibers hydrated with the correct lubricant.
Crossbow manufacturers formulate specialized liquid lubricants for modern high-friction setups. Apply a few drops of approved non-wax serving fluid to the center serving every twenty to thirty shots. Unlike heavy, sticky bow wax, liquid fluid penetrates deep between the tight wraps without leaving a gummy residue. Never smear thick wax directly onto the center serving or into the trigger box, where it can collect dirt and jam internal parts.
Traditional wax still has a place, but only on the exposed, unwrapped strands of the string and cables. Rub a small dab of standard bow wax onto the bare fibers every month or two, then warm it in by rubbing it briskly between your thumb and forefinger. This seals moisture out and keeps individual fibers from drying out and fuzzing.
Always inspect your arrows and nocks before shooting. Carbon arrows require regular flex-checking, which involves bending the shaft gently by hand to listen for cracking sounds before shooting. Even more critical is checking the polymer arrow nocks. Ravin systems use clip-on nocks that snap directly onto the center serving, and a nock with a tiny crack or rough plastic seam can slice through your serving wraps in just a few shots.
Finally, watch where you store your bow. Excessive heat is the quiet enemy of synthetic string materials. Never leave your crossbow locked inside a hot car trunk, a truck bed under direct sun, or an uninsulated attic. High temperatures melt protective coatings and cause strings to stretch permanently, so store your bow in a cool, dry room instead.
Choose an exact factory matched string and cable set
When replacement time arrives, look for a complete, factory-matched replacement set built specifically for your exact bow setup rather than universal cords. Modern high-energy crossbows operate under tight mechanical tolerances. The overall cord lengths, loop designs, and protective serving diameters must match original factory dimensions precisely.
Before buying, confirm that the package clearly matches your specific crossbow model. Different models use distinct limb lengths, cam profiles, and power strokes, meaning their strings and cables are not interchangeable. Verify that the package contains the main firing string and both matching cables together so all cords start with identical material age and tension.
Check that the set uses durable, low-stretch synthetic materials with tightly wound protective wraps along the center latch area and end loops. The correct serving thickness allows your clip-on arrow nocks to seat securely and release smoothly from the trigger latch. Selecting an authentic, properly matched replacement set keeps your arrow flight consistent and ensures your bow operates safely for seasons to come.
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