A crossbow system is illustrated with a rail, a stock and a riser assembly. In certain embodiments, flexible limbs extend forward from riser assembly, in the direction of shooting, and include cams at the limb tips for the power cable arrangement at their ends. In certain embodiments, the riser assembly is made in a triangular arrangement with a crosspiece and a pair of struts extending rearward and are braced at an apex. Optionally, the crosspiece and struts can be formed separately and connected during assembly, facilitating manufacture and ease of assembly of the crossbow and allowing greater flexibility in the choice of manufacturing methods, materials and mounting arrangements.