I am hoping that this discussion is the comparison between the english long bow, and the oriental variants, including the mongol and korean composites.
The english bow is impressive for a bow developed to be fired from a standing position, using massed group firing tactics and the like, Yes it had an incredible draw weight for a one handed, straight pull weapon. Being made from one peice of yew has its advantages too.
The mongol bow, on the other hand, was made smaller to adapt to the fighting tactics of the mongols, since it was used on horseback while the horse was running. Since 6 foot yew trees do not grow in mongolia, bows were made composite or laminated with wood and horn treated and double curved shaped to get the most power from the device. Finnally, the mongol bow is shot using a two handed or double draw method to encrease the power: one hand pushing foward on the bow, one hand pulling the string and arrow simultaneously.
Its said that that the shorter mongol bow could get an extra 60 pounds or so over the long bow, due to the recurve shape, laminated construction, and the two handed pull or draw. The claims to the actual distances and kill lengths are all based on ancient texts that may be slighted as to the writers making words that were pleasing to their mongol conqueors, any body know of a modern day pull off between the two types?
Here is a bow recreationist site site that just shows what the bows looked like, and their lengths. it would seem the length is made based on the use of the bow.
http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Longbows.html