I have a 1988 Bear T/D and was thinking of trading it for a newer red stripe,any opinions on which you prefer?

I myself would trade it for an older one if possible. I myself think Bear quality for 15 years during the 80's and 90's was pretty lousy. One from the early 70's or a new one from 2010 and on would be my choice. Lots of other folks on here with a lot more knowledge of the Bears than me should chime in! Shawn

Hmmmmm.  I have A&B risers from the late 90s, early 2000s, I think.  The blond action wood risers.  Not a lick of trouble with them.  Limb tips are a bit on the heavy/bulky side, but I also shoot a couple of sets of older red tip limbs out of them.  I see nothing in the newest versions that would make me want to change. Whatever floats your boat.

Thanks anyone else?

I'm not real sure about this,but I think Big Jim knows quite a bit about  Bear bows. I know he knows about the newer ones and handles quite a few of them also.

The bow you have is just fine but like most of us, we like to treat ourselves now and then with a new or different bow.

The new bubinga or red stripe will not disappoint anyone.
New bow with a warranty and the new limbs shoot wicked fast arrows.
You wont regret it. Enjoy

........Philip

I love my 2011 Dymond Wood Red Stripe.


Tom

I have the A&B newer riser and like the B riser much better never owned one of the older ones

For the first time I handled a " A" riser 60" at Denton Hill and really liked how it felt,that got to thinking about trading it off.

Your 1988 bow is likely a "green stripe" Bear TD. There is now a lot of collector interest in the green stripe. But the 1988 limbs are not rated for fast flight strings, and fast flight is one of the reasons for the enhanced performance of the newer Bear TDs. I have older Bear TD risers with new FF rated limbs, and I recommend this combination as the best of both.
However, no matter what you do, you can't go wrong with a Bear TD.

You have a fine bow that is coveted by many Bear enthusiasts.  Getting a new one is primarily a cosmetic change.  True, you may notice some difference in the grip between your bow and the newer ones but that could be true even in the same model year.  While they start out the same from the duplicator each bowyer may turn out a slightly different product.  I've owned an early Type 1 A handle, a couple green stripes from the 80s, a 2000 blond B and a new B Bubinga.  The A handles seem to fill my hand more but even that varies from bow to bow.  I like the Bubinga B as much as any I've owned or shot.  My primary limbs are a set of old red tip 48# and I use a skinny fast flight string with padded loops.  That really makes the bow perform well.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't trade or sell it. The 80"s Bear T/D's might not be in big demand now, but in a few years you may regret you got rid of it. Nothing wrong with owning more than one.

An advantage of the old Mag handles in you can change the grip. There are 3 options available.

I'd swap my best fake (gold) tooth for an older Bear TD. Left Handed please  

Of all the Bear Custom TDs I've owned recently (Green Stripe, Black Red Stripe, Supreme, and newest Bubinga) I like the Bubinga best. It has a grip throat less than 5" which is what I prefer.

I do think though that I would like most to own a Type 1 A riser in LH. However, most of those are reside with one of my Trad Gang favorites in Italy.

Thanks Roy,I am still waiting for your visit.
I have / 11 handle and the one I love the best are the original Type1,they fill my hand much better than anything else.
Then I have to say that the first 3 years of the Green Stripe are good reliable handles too. Never been a great fan of the later 80s and 90s brown stripe. I have never shoot a more recent handle but I have seen 2 or 3 and they looked to be not really straight,but this is just my opinion,maybe others have a different point of you.

It is true the grip on mine is fantastic ,mine is not really a green stripe,it is actually more light brown stripe.

Can you put a fast flight string or newer string material string on an '88?  I know if you go older bow,   you cant.   If you go new,   you can....you'll have more string options....that would be a plus I suppose.

If at all possible: try before you buy. The new risers are really great, but I have found that the grips can greatly vary from handle to handle. I have gripped some that I have really liked and some that I didn't.

I have 2 sets of limbs for mine 55 and 60 lb. The 60 I shoot a padded 450 plus string,the 55 I don't shoot at all they came with the bow.