How to adjust the tiller?

Properly adjusting the tiller is sometimes a mystery, and often we don't know why or how to make this adjustment. So, to help you understand it, in this article, we will clarify this subject and give you the best technique to properly adjust the tiller.

The tiller: what is it?

Before defining what a tiller is, it's important that you know about the upper tiller and the lower tiller.

The upper tiller is defined as the distance between the string and the base of the upper limb at the junction of the handle (top), while the lower tiller is the distance between the string and the base of the lower limb at the junction of the handle (bottom). The value of the upper tiller is always greater than that of the lower tiller. These two distances are measured using a special square that you can buy from your usual archery shop.

The tiller is the distance between the "upper tiller" and the "lower tiller". Generally, its value is between 0 and 1 cm. It can also be defined as the adjustment that allows synchronizing the departure of the limbs and their arrival. Indeed, the tiller can give a linear displacement of the push point of the string on the arrow.

The importance of a well-adjusted tiller

It is very important to properly adjust the tiller to compensate for the force you exert when pulling on the string with one finger under the arrow and another above it. A good adjustment will then rebalance your forces. Indeed, to shoot well, it is essential that the limbs of your bow work in the same way.

It should be noted that if you pull with a single finger on the upper limb, it will be less pulled than the lower limb. As a result, it will then release less power. The tiller therefore represents the balance between the upper and lower limbs of the bow.

What is the best method for adjusting the tiller?

For your limbs to have the most synchronized start and finish possible, you need to adjust the tiller properly.

To start, set your tiller between 2 and 8 mm. Then, position yourself at about 18 meters on a 40 cm target face. Raise your bow without drawing it and put the sight in the center of the target. Then draw your bow very slowly, bringing your hand to your face in the most direct path possible while trying to keep the sight in the target. If the sight goes down, you need to increase the tiller. Conversely, if it goes up, you need to decrease the tiller. When the sight is stable, it means that the tiller is well adjusted.

To be able to modify the tiller, the majority of bows have a system allowing this adjustment. This system is located at the level of the handle pockets by tightening or loosening the clamping screw.

• If you want to increase the tiller, we advise you to tighten the lower power screw or loosen the upper power screw.
• And if you want to decrease the tiller, tighten the upper power screw or loosen the upper power screw.

You could also adjust the tiller using the perpendicular method. To do this, the imaginary line connecting the two limb tips (i.e., the bow at full draw) should be perpendicular to the arrow at full draw. You could use a frame or a Polaroid-style camera. Note that using a Polaroid can be an interesting alternative for finding the length of the central stabilizer or for calculating string angles.

However, don't forget to always check the tiller after an adjustment. It should also be noted that tiller adjustment must be done while maintaining the desired power and adapting the nocking point height.

When to adjust the tiller?

Tiller adjustment is the second adjustment to make for your bow. Indeed, you must follow a precise order. As a reminder, here is the order of all the adjustments to make on your bow.

• Limb alignment,
• The tiller,
• The brace height (the distance between the string and the grip),
• The nocking point height (including setting the nocking point),
• The plunger button,
• The sight.