How to Install Peep Sight Tubing for Straight Alignment

Measure the Gap Carefully Before Cutting Any Rubber

The peep sight (small aiming ring set inside the bowstring) needs balanced tension from the rubber tube to rotate squarely as you draw. If you cut the tube too short, the rubber stretches past its elastic limit. That heavy strain pulls hard on your bowstring, yanks the peep downward, and dramatically increases the risk of the rubber snapping back toward your face. Cutting the tube too long creates the opposite problem. A tube with excessive slack cannot generate enough pull to turn the peep barb (small plastic or metal nipple on the sight ring), leaving the sight hole tilted sideways when you anchor.

To find the right length, rest your bow on a flat bench or bow stand. Take a flexible measuring tape or a scrap piece of non-stretching string. Measure the direct line from the peep barb down to your attachment point on the buss cable (control cord running alongside the bowstring) or cable slide. Do not cut the new rubber tubing to that exact resting measurement. A tube cut to the exact resting gap will simply sag and fail to straighten the sight when drawn.

Rubber tubing needs to stretch roughly fifteen to twenty-five percent beyond its resting length to hold light tension at brace height, then stretch smoothly as you pull the string. As a practical starting point, cut the tube to about three-quarters of the straight-line distance between the peep barb and the cable anchor. If that distance measures twelve inches on your bow, start with a nine-inch piece of tubing. Because bow geometry and draw lengths vary, always cut your initial piece slightly long. Trimming off a quarter-inch is quick, but a piece cut too short is completely unusable.

Attach the Tubing to the Sight Barb and Cable in Five Steps

Installing replacement tubing takes only a few minutes and does not require an expensive bow press. Having a clean work area and a few basic tools will ensure the rubber seats securely on both ends.

1. Square off the tube ends. Use a sharp razor blade or clean scissors to cut both ends of the rubber tubing straight across at a clean ninety-degree angle. Angled cuts, burrs, or jagged edges create weak spots where the rubber will split under tension.
2. Push the tube onto the peep barb. Work the top opening of the rubber tubing firmly over the peep barb (small nipple on the peep sight). Push the tube until it covers the entire barb and seats against the base of the sight frame. If the fit is tight, moisten the tip with a drop of clean water to help it slide. Avoid petroleum jelly, bow wax, or gun oils, as petroleum products degrade rubber and cause it to slide off under tension.
3. Identify the downward-moving cable. Look closely at your compound bow cables while pulling the string back an inch. You must anchor the bottom of the tube to the buss cable (control cord running alongside the bowstring) that travels downward during the draw cycle. Connecting to a cable that moves upward creates slack and spins the peep backward. Many bows feature a small molded peg on the cable slide specifically made to hold this tube.
4. Anchor the bottom end firmly. If your bow uses a cable slide post, slip the open end of the rubber over the post until fully seated. If your setup anchors directly into the cable strands, use a plastic bowstring separator tool to part the cable fibers gently. Slip roughly half an inch of tubing through the opening, then secure the cable fibers tightly above and below the tube using archery serving thread.
5. Check the resting line of the tube. With the bow at rest, verify that the tubing runs straight from the peep barb to the cable without wrapping around cables or catching on the bow riser. Developing consistent accuracy and understanding how to use a bow sight begins with an unobstructed rear sight line that pulls true on every draw.

Verify Your Alignment at Full Draw with Proper Eye Protection

Once both ends are attached, you must confirm that the rubber tension rotates the sight aperture completely square to your eye. Safety is essential during this phase, as an incorrectly seated tube can break free under peak draw tension.

• Put on safety glasses. Always wear wrap-around eye protection when checking bow tubing. If an end pops loose under tension, eye protection shields you from painful rubber whip.
• Nock an arrow toward a safe target. Never pull your bow back without an arrow nocked on the string. An accidental release without an arrow results in a dry fire, which can crack bow limbs and bend cam axles. Point the arrow into a safe target block. If working indoors where shooting is impossible, use a mechanical release training strap with an anti-fire lock.
• Draw smoothly to full draw. Pull the string smoothly back to your face until you reach full draw (pulling the string all the way back to your face) and lock your hand into your anchor point. Feel how the tubing stretches. It should pull evenly without binding against the bow cables.
• Inspect the sight picture. Look through the peep sight. The opening should form a clear, perfect circle centered directly on your front sight pins. If you hunt from tree stands, pairing this clear alignment with the best bow sight for treestand hunting ensures quick target acquisition without head tilting.
• Adjust the length if the sight sits crooked. Let the bow down smoothly. If the peep sight remains turned at an angle, unseat the bottom connection and trim off one quarter-inch of rubber. Shortening the tube adds slight rotational pull. Repeat the draw check until the opening squares up naturally every time you anchor.

Inspect for Dry Rot and Keep the Rubber Secure to Avoid Snaps

Rubber tubing stretches to more than twice its resting length each time you draw, which puts severe physical stress on the material. Exposure to outdoor elements eventually causes dry rot (rubber drying out, cracking, and turning brittle). Sunlight ultraviolet rays, ozone, and hot storage conditions strip elasticity from the rubber. When degraded tubing snaps at full draw, it releases stored energy in a violent whip. That snap can sting your bow arm, scratch your cheek, and leave your rear sight completely useless right when you prepare to release.

Catching wear early prevents painful snaps during practice sessions or hunts. Make it a habit to inspect your tubing before every shooting session. Pinch the rubber lightly between your thumb and index finger, flexing it along its entire length. Look for tiny surface cracks, chalky discoloration, or stiff spots. Pay close attention to the rubber directly behind the peep barb and around the cable connection, as these junction points bear the greatest bend stress. If you notice any hairline cracks or if the rubber feels chalky, discard the tube immediately.

Vibration during the shot can also cause tubing to loosen and slide off the sight barb. To lock the rubber in place, tie a small collar of bowstring serving thread around the outside of the tube right over the barb. Wrap the thread around the rubber three times, pull it snug, and secure it with a square knot. This light collar grips the barb firmly without pinching the tube shut. Storing your bow in a temperature-controlled room rather than a hot vehicle trunk or damp shed will also extend the working life of your rubber tubing.

Decide Between Rubber Tubing and a Tubeless Sight Setup

Rubber peep tubing remains popular because it provides foolproof alignment on budget compound bows and older string sets. Bowstrings naturally twist slightly as atmospheric moisture and temperatures fluctuate. A self-aligning rubber tube corrects that problem automatically. Even if your bowstring rotates thirty degrees off-center while resting on a bow hook, the rubber tube pulls the peep sight straight the instant you pull to full draw.

Despite that reliability, peep tubing carries notable disadvantages that lead many shooters to switch to a tubeless peep sight. Adding rubber to your string creates air drag and extra weight, which can reduce arrow speed by three to seven feet per second. The rubber tube also creates an audible snap and extra hand vibration upon release. In hunting scenarios, that snap noise can cause alert game animals to jump the string before the arrow arrives.

Modern bowstrings use advanced synthetic materials that resist stretching and rotation once properly settled. An archery technician can split the string strands and install a tubeless peep sight that stays aligned on every draw through string tension alone. Shooters tuning modern bows, such as those dialed in with the best bow sight for Mathews, frequently choose tubeless sights to maximize arrow velocity and eliminate shot noise. If your current string keeps rotating unpredictably and you want guaranteed alignment without buying an expensive custom string, rubber tubing is the most practical choice. If you shoot high-end strings and want a whisper-quiet release, consider switching to a tubeless setup.

Choose the Right Replacement Tubing Material and Bow Accessories

When selecting replacement peep sight tubing, the material composition determines how long the tube lasts and how well it handles outdoor weather. Manufacturers primarily produce peep tubing from natural latex rubber or synthetic silicone. Natural rubber offers responsive elasticity and an easy draw cycle, but it degrades quickly when exposed to direct sunlight and summer heat. Synthetic silicone tubing resists dry rot, ozone cracking, and temperature swings far better, making it the preferred choice for bowhunters who shoot in varied weather conditions.

Look at the length of tubing provided in the replacement package. Pre-cut one-foot pieces work fine for a single quick repair, but buying a bulk roll of six to thirteen feet gives you multiple replacements to keep in your gear bag. Having extra length allows you to measure and cut custom pieces whenever signs of wear appear, saving you from hunting trips cut short by broken rubber.

Check whether the replacement tubing matches the diameter of your peep sight barb. Standard archery tubing fits most sight barbs snugly, but oversized tubing will slip off during the shot. If your compound bow anchors tubing directly through the cable strands instead of a cable slide post, pick up an accessory kit that includes a bowstring separator tool and serving thread. A separator tool lets you split cable bundles cleanly without cutting string fibers, while durable serving thread locks your anchor knots in place.

1

Luoyer 6.5 Ft Archery Bow Peep Sight Tubing Durable Peep

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• ARS Mark

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  9.8
• Brand
  Luoyer

Key specs2

Tubing Material

Natural latex

Supplied Spool Length

6.5 ft (2 m)

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Generous 6.5-foot length provides ample spare material for multiple replacements over time
• Natural latex construction offers high stretch elasticity for smooth sight alignment at draw
• Lightweight 0.03-pound spool packs easily into a field quiver or bow case pocket
• Backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty against defects

Cons

• Natural latex degrades faster under UV exposure and dry rot than synthetic silicone tubing
• Includes only bare tubing without peep sight apertures or installation serving thread

2

13 FT Peep Sight Tubing Archery Peep Sight Replacement Tube

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  9.4
• Brand
  NATUMER

Key specs2

Material Composition

High-impact silicone

Peep Size Compatibility

Sized to attach directly over standard 1/8-inch, 3/16-inch, and 1/4-inch barbed peep sight posts.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Silicone construction resists cracking and dry rot far better than conventional rubber
• Generous 13-foot total length split into two 6.5-foot rolls yields dozens of cuts
• Compatible with standard 1/8-inch, 3/16-inch, and 1/4-inch peep sight barbs
• High pliability slips smoothly over sight barbs for a snug fit

Cons

• Silicone offers a firmer stretch than soft latex, requiring precise measurement to prevent cable drag
• Package does not include replacement peep sights or cable attachment hardware

3

Archery Peep Sight Tubing Replacement Rubber Peep Sight Tube for

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  9.2
• Brand
  - QI HUO JU -

Key specs2

Total Roll Length

6.5 ft

Included Components

Supplied strictly as a 6.5-foot bulk replacement tube; verify barb diameter before fitting.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Full 6.5-foot roll provides multiple custom-cut replacement lengths for compound bows
• Flexible rubber material delivers direct tension to align the peep during the draw cycle
• Compact spool stows neatly inside an archery maintenance kit or tackle box

Cons

• Manufacturer does not specify whether rubber is natural latex or synthetic blend
• Comes as bare tubing without peep apertures, splitters, or serving thread

4

SPG Compound Bow Peep Sight Tubing - 6.5ft Peep Sights

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  9.2
• Brand
  SPG

Key specs2

Packaging Split

Two 3.25 ft pieces (6.5 ft total)

Material Characteristics

High-density rubber with viscoelastic properties designed to dampen post-shot vibration along the cable.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• High-density rubber formulation provides shock absorption to dissipate shot vibration
• Pre-split into two 3.25-foot segments to keep spare tubing fresh while one is in use
• Lightweight 0.022-pound profile adds negligible mass to your field repair pack
• Flexible construction cuts cleanly to fit different axle-to-axle compound bow setups

Cons

• Rubber formulation requires cool, dark storage to prevent premature dry rot aging
• Does not bundle peep sights or bowstring installation tools

5

Allen Company Peep Sight Replacement Tubing, 1-foot

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  8.6
• Brand
  AC ALLEN

Key specs2

Origin

Made in the USA

Cut Length

1 ft

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Compact 1-foot pre-measured segment eliminates carrying bulky excess tubing in the field
• Manufactured in the USA with dedicated 1-year manufacturer warranty backing
• Sized to fit virtually any standard self-aligning compound bow peep sight nipple
• Extremely lightweight at under 0.001 pounds for effortless storage in a pocket kit

Cons

• One-foot total length provides only one or two replacement cuts with minimal margin for error
• Shorter total length compared to multi-foot bulk spools on this page

6

- QI HUO JU - Archery Peep Sight Tubing, 1/4"

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  8.0
• Brand
  - QI HUO JU -

Key specs2

Peep Sight Apertures

1/4 in and 3/16 in

Kit Hardware

Includes peep sights and a bowstring separator tool to part string bundles during sight insertion.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Includes both 1/4-inch and 3/16-inch barbed peep sights for hunting and target preferences
• Comes with a bowstring separator tool to insert the peep sight without a full bow press
• Complete kit enables full sight replacement rather than just swapping degraded tubing

Cons

• Exact tubing length and rubber material formulation are not specified in the listing
• Using string splitters without proper care can potentially fray bowstring strands

7

FENJANER Archery Tubing 3/16 Peep Sight, Bow String Separator Tool,

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  7.8
• Brand
  FENJANER

Key specs2

Installation Tools

• Bowstring separator tool
• Bowstring serving thread
• 3/16-inch barbed peep sight

Securing Method

Bundled serving thread allows tying off the peep sight directly inside the string bundle for zero movement.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Bundles a 3/16-inch peep sight, alignment tubing, separator tool, and serving thread in one kit
• Serving thread allows you to securely tie the peep sight into the string to prevent slippage
• String separator tool lets archers part string strands without an archery shop bow press

Cons

• Contains only a single 3/16-inch peep sight without optional 1/4-inch aperture sizes
• Total length of the included tubing is not specified by the manufacturer
• Manufacturer warranty is listed as not applicable or not specified

8

FENJANER Archery Tubing 3/16 Peep Sight, Bow String Separator Tool,

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• ARS Mark

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  7.8
• Brand
  FENJANER

Key specs2

Aperture Dimension

3/16 in

Package Discrepancy

Verify whether one or two peep sights arrive, as the title states 2Pcs while package contents specify one.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Supplies essential installation hardware including a string separator tool and serving thread
• Provides 3/16-inch aperture size suitable for balanced light transmission and target framing
• Serving thread ensures the peep sight housing stays anchored firmly against string oscillation

Cons

• Package contents list one peep sight while title states two pieces, requiring buyer verification
• Tubing material type and overall cut length are not detailed in the product specifications
• No manufacturer warranty coverage provided

Last update on 2026-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

FAQs

Which cable should the peep sight tubing attach to?

The peep sight tubing must attach to the downward-traveling buss cable or to the molded post on your cable slide. Attaching the tube to a cable that moves upward creates slack during your draw cycle, which prevents the peep sight from rotating into alignment. Check the motion of your cables by drawing the bow back an inch before choosing your anchor spot.

What happens if the peep tubing is cut too short?

Cutting the tubing too short puts excessive tension on the rubber as you reach full draw. This heavy strain can pull your peep sight down at an awkward angle, alter your bowstring geometry, or cause the rubber to snap violently off the barb. If drawing your bow feels like pulling against a stiff rubber band before reaching your anchor, replace the tube with a longer cut.

Can I shoot my compound bow if the peep sight tube breaks?

You can physically shoot the bow, but your peep sight will likely sit rotated sideways, making accurate aiming nearly impossible. Trying to aim without rear sight alignment leads to inconsistent shot placement and missed targets. It is best to carry a spare length of tubing and scissors in your bow case so you can replace broken rubber immediately.

How often should peep sight rubber tubing be replaced?

Most archers replace their peep sight tubing once a year or right before archery hunting season begins. If you practice frequently in sunny conditions or store your bow in warm areas, inspect the rubber monthly. Any sign of surface cracks, discoloration, or loss of elasticity means you should replace the tubing right away.