I had bought a TBow early on for cheap and it’s one of the best values for the money that I know of. The quality and finish seems good and it shoots great. I also think the Scream / F261 would be another great buy for the money. I don’t have one (yet) but from everything I have read it’s a good riser.
Sometimes I have to wonder what really goes into a riser other than merchandising propaganda.

 

define cheaper....I know $1200 is not cheap and $100 is.
but we need YOUR line drawn somewhere. to help fill your LIST.
THANKS SAM this will be fun.

 

I think the W&W Black Elk is the Best Buy in the 21" category. $125 from Alternatives
The 19" TBow clone of the Hoyt Satori is worth the hundred bucks they want for it on eBay and Aliexpress, but it might leave a bad taste in your mouth.
By most accounts, the White Feather Lark is well worth the $170 Aternatives wants for it (especially considering the US retailers are charging more than twice that for the 15" version they're selling.

Although not cheap by most people's standards, the $350 Alternatives wants for the W&W Black Wolf is relatively cheap when you consider it's a top-class carbon riser that's as good or better than any other mass-produced ILF hunting riser.

 

In my opinion the 200.00 or less sounds about right.

 

👍✅

 

I too endorse Tracker's cheapness standard

 

all righty then. my under $200 best buys are warfs. I'll take a good well made & well-TOOLED ILF or DAS warf riser any old day.
Hoyt TD-3, Hoyt Rambo/Spectra, Hoyt Tracker, Hoyt td-H16, Pearson Equalizer, Pearson Spoiler, Bear Mini-Mag.
These comprise my beginning list.
IF WARFs do not qualify - like if you want NEW risers - I can delete this.

 

The smoothest shooting cut 1/4 past center Warf Riser is a Rambo Warf.
They load limbs at marked weight in 25 inch Risers almost the same weight. Only draw back is there is no plastic or wood grip so it's cold at the touch in the winter. I have wrapped the grip with leather,
Hoyt Spectra same geometry just cut past center more for a TM Hunter as a Compound Riser..

 

wow I did not mean to leave out the Bear Black Bear / Jennings Lightning riser.

 

Gulp, what's a Rambo Warf?

 

This Riser, old Compound Riser. Sky archery actually made a Recurve on this Riser, Sky Hunter I think.

 

Sky Hunter Supreme pocket. NICE, SAM.

 

For another $100 you can pick up a used Titan or DAS that won't leave you wanting much more at all.

 

Yup. Sometimes the local thrift stores has diamond in the rough. Tradtech Pinnacle 2, earlier model. 40lbs limbs.

 

Omp sektor could be had for under $200 if you look hard enough. Nice riser for the money.

 

I did buy a cheap TBow riser (99.00). I bought a set of TradTech 2.0 Black Max limbs, a NAP Centerrest, a Satori string from Lancaster, and a Jager Pinnacle grip, I put LimbSavers on the limbs and Cat Whiskers on the string. Now this matches my Satori, it was easily tuned and it shoots great and quiet. I did save a lot and it’s a great shooting bow, so as far as low priced risers this one has been great.
I use this for a low poundage (30#) bow for when my arthritis is kicking in, it’s a pleasure to shoot.

 

Not sure if this qualifies for cheap as it was a little more than the $200 price limit that was referenced. I recently bought a Pat Norris ilf 19 inch riser that is turning out to be a very nice riser. The grip was a little different than what I’m used to but I have adjusted to it and it’s working quite nicely. I’m currently shooting the Samick R1 limbs and I must say it is one of the quietest recurves I’ve had which makes for a great hunting set up.

 

Picture?

 

• Black Bear warf (hard to beat bang for buck)
• EXE Scream (aka F261) 17/19/21" (would pay USD500+ for this no worries)
• Buck Trail Nobleton (wood/phenolic, 19", heavy draw no probs)
• OMP Sektor
• White Feather Lark (though no good for over 50lb)
• Bosen Black Blade (have not tried, looks good tho)

 

Pat Norris riser. I painted it for hunting.

 

It might be more instructive to try and make a a list of bad risers.
Just because there are so many good ones.

 

Shakespeare QT metal riser makes a real nice 17" ILF warf riser. Needs limb bolts installed.

 

Needle in a haystack Riser. I've seen one or two on Ebay, always too high.

 

a list of risers you don't recommend doesn't fit the bill of the original post.
a list of known good ones is solid and can be counted on.

 

TBOW riser is hard to beat for the price and usually under $100. I've shot dozens of other ILF risers and it's still one of my favorites. White Feather Lark/Akusta Promas/Old Mountain Trad are very nice. I like the look of their recessed pockets, helps blend the transition from riser to limb. Tradtech Trident is basically a Black Hunter in ILF clothing and under $300 usually. Used can be found around $150 and ebay knock-offs are around $100. But for anything under the $300 range...the TBOW is by far my best suggestion. Ton of grip options or shoot off the riser with no grip (that's my preferred method).

 

I really dont understand saying the TBOW is probably better than any other name brand cheap riser. It might be cheaper - but it seems like name brand ones work well.

Ive had a Kinetic Vygo for a couple of years. I havent had any problems and am happy with it. But its probably not much better than than others.

It mostly comes down to looking at the geometry to see if its what you want and looking at the weight to see if its what you want. And if you want adjustable weights looking at that too. And then picking the one you think looks best and can afford.

 

I think it’s a good bow because the TBow is a copy of a very popular Satori, plus there are many aftermarket grips an accessories for that bow. I didn’t see the “better than any other” statement but it’s a great buy for a 100.00 riser.

 

Galaxy Crescent 25". Galaxy Explorer 21". Both under $100.00.

 

I have a W&W Black Elk riser/matching limbs and very happy with it.
It introduced me to takedowns for not a lot of $$. I wanted a "metal" trad riser to shoot off the shelf.
Since I was new to Archery I wanted to stick with a known/reputable brand (purchased from my local Archery store) for after sales support, etc.

 

I forget what I paid for the wifes optimus but we both like it.

 

Yep JC Optimus is the same riser as the F261 ('EXE Scream'). IIRC John had a hand in the design of the F261, and imported them in and did that fine custom paint jobs and set up.

 

I talk about risers which are affordable and are also available in LH:
21" Kinetic Meos (890 grams)
13" Dryad with standard wood (480 grams)
I have to admit that the Black Wolf from W&W is tempting, especially at the price by Alternative Services.
What I don't understand is, that this carbon riser is 1/2 pound heavier in mass weight being 17" than the above mentioned 21" Kinetic Meos.
That makes it no longer interesting for me.

 

My Black Wolf is 747 grams.