Skateboard bushings are an essential part of your skateboard setup. They provide cushioning between your truck and deck, allowing you to turn and carve with ease. With so many different types of bushings available, it can be difficult to choose the right ones for your setup. In this review, we will look at 5 popular skateboard truck bushings and discuss their pros and cons.
How We Choose The Best Skateboard Bushings
When choosing the best skateboard bushings, there are a few factors to consider. First, you need to decide what type of riding you will be doing. Different types of bushings are suited for different styles of riding, such as street, park, downhill, or freestyle. You also need to consider the bushing durometer rating, which is a measure of its hardness or softness. Harder bushings provide more stability while softer ones offer more maneuverability. Finally, you should consider the shapes of the bushing to make sure it fits properly on your truck.
1. Bones Wheels Hardcore Bushings
The Bones Hardcore Bushings are designed for downhill and freeride riders who want maximum stability and control when carving at high speeds. These double-action hardcore bushings have a durometer rating of 96A.
Pros: Provides maximum stability; high rebound; double-action design allows for more control when carving at high speeds; affordable price point; Fit for heavy riders
Cons: May be too stiff for some riders
2. Bones Wheels Medium Bushings (2 Set)
The Bones Wheels Medium Bushings are designed for all-around street skating and park riding where maneuverability is key. These medium-hardness bushings have a durometer rating of 91A and come in two sets. The medium hardness provides good stability while still allowing plenty of turning ability when needed.
Pros: Good all-around stiffness; no break in period; affordable price point; highly responsive turns; suitable for street skating or park riding
3. Independent Truck Co Standard Conical Cushions Orange Skateboard Bushings - 2 Pair with Washers - 90A
Most Trusted Skateboard Bushings
Independent Truck Co. Standard Conical Cushions Orange Skateboard Bushings
The Independent Truck Co Standard Conical Cushions Orange Skateboard Bushings features a urethane formula with ultra-high bounce back for better performance and less time to break in. Made to fit both Independent trucks and most other brands, like Venture and Thunder. These conical cushions have a durometer rating of 90A and come in two sets with washers included so they can easily fit any standard skateboard truck setup without having to drill new holes into your deck first.
Pros: Suitable for street skating; comes with washers included; conical shape reduces wheel bite while still providing plenty of turning ability when needed during tricks or slides; affordable price point
Pro Tips: Don't put the washers if your trucks won't tighten enough with these bushings
4. Trouble Bushings For Skateboard Trucks • Hard 100A • Cushion Rebuild Bushing Kit • White/Gold (BH1)
The Trouble Skateboard Truck Bushings • Hard 100A • Cushion Rebuild Bushing Kit • White/Gold (BH1) are designed specifically for experienced skaters who want maximum stability from their setup but don’t want to sacrifice maneuverability either.
These ultra-hard bushings have a durometer rating of 100A and come with two pairs of cushion rebuild kits, which allow you to customize the stiffness of your setup by adjusting the amount of space between the bushing and the truck hanger. The bottom bushing is barrel bushings.
Pros: Provides maximum stability for experienced skaters; comes with two pairs of cushion rebuild kits for customization; affordable price point; durable construction; good looking; fit for heavy riders
*Use altogether with tight trucks for maximum stability.
5. Shorty's Blue Doh-Doh Bushings 88a soft for Skateboards & Longboards
Shorty’s Blue Doh-Doh Bushings are one of the softest and most maneuverable skateboard bushings on the market. Designed specifically for skateboard and longboard, these bushings have a durometer rating of 88A. The softness allows for maximum control and maneuverability while still providing enough stability to make it suitable for all styles of riding.
The urethane company that has made Doh-Dohs for more than 20 years is the best urethane company for off-road vehicles.
Pros: Extremely soft and maneuverable; suitable for all styles of riding; most affordable price point. Use altogether with loose trucks for maximum maneuverability.
Cons: Not suitable for downhill or freeride riding due to lack of stability at high speeds.
6. The Thunder Bushings 90du White
The Thunder Bushings 90du White is a great choice for any skater looking to improve their turns and overall skateboarding experience. The bushings provide an excellent combination of stability and responsiveness, allowing you to perform sharp turns without sacrificing board control.
Pros:
- Soft durometer rating to help responsive for turns
- Quality materials ensure the bushings last longer
Cons:
- May not fit other brands' trucks perfectly
Conclusion
Skateboard bushings are an important factor when it comes to performance and comfort while skating. The best skateboard bushings can make a huge difference in your board's feel, responsiveness, and maneuverability. Whether you're looking for extra support, stability, or agility, the right bushings will help you get there. There are a variety of bushings available on the market, so it is important to do research into which one will work best for your riding style and needs. As with all things skateboarding-related, it ultimately comes down to personal preference – so don't be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect set-up for you!
Skateboard Bushings FAQs
Which bushings are best?
When it comes to selecting bushings for any skateboard setup, it is important to consider the type of riding style and the terrain you’ll mostly be skating on. Different bushings have different characteristics that affect the responsiveness and overall feel of your ride.
Most modern skateboards today come with generic “medium-hard” bushings, often made from urethane material (often referred to as just “urethane”). These general-purpose bushings will provide a good balance between turn/lean control and board stability – making them perfect for beginning riders or those who are still exploring their preferred skating style.
For more experienced skaters who know what kind of terrain they'll skate on regularly, there are many specialized types of bushing materials available in varying hardness levels. For example: if you want softer turns, but need extra stability when carving at high speeds downhill, a combination of soft top & harder bottom stiffness can work well– conversely if you're looking for tighter turns without sacrificing too much speed control then soft top & medium bottom might suit better.
Should I get hard or soft bushings?
When selecting skateboard bushings, you should determine which type will be the best for your particular needs.
Soft bushings are typically favored by those new to skateboarding, as they offer more maneuverability and require less effort to turn and lean the board in any direction. This makes soft bushings a great option for novice riders who may be learning how to properly ride a skateboard. Soft bushings are typically made of polyurethane or urethane and have some give when leaned on allowing riders more movement options when skating.
On the other hand, hard bushings provide better stability because they stay rigid and do not compress back into shape until higher amounts of pressure are applied which allows them to “spring back” quickly into place once the pressure is released - resulting in less wobbling of your board and quicker response time for turns. Harder bushings also last longer as they can withstand repetitive stress much better than softer ones (as long as it is within reason). Skateboarders who perform tricks such as kickflips, ollies - etc., often prefer harder bushing due to added speed when completing tricks off rails or ledges where the precision of turning can make all the difference between landing that trick correctly or wiping out! Harder materials generally used on these types of bushings include nylon or urethane varying in density depending on their intended uses; such street boards usually use a medium hardness while slalom/downhill boards use much harder materials as speed comes at paramount importance over maneuverability with this technique/style of riding.
How to Choose The Skateboard Bushing?
Choosing quality bushings is an important decision and can determine how well your skateboard functions. When selecting bushings, you should consider the brands, the durability of the material, size (width & height), the type of bushing, different shapes, the weight of the riders, and where the bushings are made.
What Is The Difference Between Top Bushings and Bottom Bushings for skateboard?
The top bushings for skateboards are typically softer than the bottom bushings, allowing for more flexibility and maneuverability.
The difference in hardness between the two can be determined by the rider’s weight and personal preference. Heavier riders may prefer harder top bushings to ensure stability while lightweight riders may favor softer ones to allow for greater control and agility.
The bottom bushings, on the other hand, are usually harder and provide more resistance when leaned into turns – this can be beneficial for downhill riders who need extra stability to maintain speed. No matter what type of skateboarding you prefer, choosing the right set of bushings will ensure that you get the maximum performance out of your board.
What Are The Differences Between Barrel Bushings, Double Barrel Bushings, And Cone Bushings?
When it comes to choosing the right bushing for a skateboard setup, understanding the differences between barrel bushings, double barrel bushings, and cone bushing is essential.
Barrel bushings are cylindrical and usually come with two separate sections (an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve). They offer a wide range of turn abilities but are not as stable as some other types of the bushing. However, they are often preferred because of their low cost.
Double Barrel Bushings consist of two stacked barrels instead of one single cylinder. This gives them greater stability when turning but limits the amount that you can turn your board. Double barrel bushings are also slightly more expensive than regular barrel bushing due to their higher quality materials and extra layers.
Cone Bushings have a curved shape that allows for turning on each side at different angles while providing greater stability than either single or double Barrel Bushing setups. They provide superior control when transitioning from turns in one direction to another without having to completely stop your momentum first resulting in less energy loss during riding sessions. Cone Bushings tend to be more expensive than both Barrel and Double Barrel Bushing due to their increased performance capabilities; however, they can greatly improve your overall skating experience so they may be worth the investment.
How to install the skateboard bushings?
Installing skateboard bushings is a relatively simple yet important process. It allows your board to turn, pivot, and behave much like a high performance vehicle would when taking sharp turns. The following steps outline how to install the bushings:
1) Start by unscrewing the mounting nuts from the front and back trucks of the skateboard.
2) Remove any existing bushings by using a screwdriver or other tool as necessary.
3) Place the new bushing into each truck so that it fits snugly without wobbling or coming loose easily. Note that most modern skateboards use two different sizes of bushings - soft for cruising and harder for aggressive riding styles such as street or slalom skating.
4) Use a screwdriver if needed to tighten down all 4 mounting screws on each truck while making sure they are all at roughly even torque settings across each side to balance out stress on both sides of the axle while riding.
5) Finally, re-mount your wheels onto your board and take it for a test drive! If everything feels balanced, you’ve successfully installed new bushings!
What do pivot cups do on a skateboard?
Pivot cups are a crucial part of any skateboard - they act as the "hinge" between the truck and the deck. Without pivot cups, your skateboard would just be two separate pieces (truck + deck) that don't move together as one unit. Pivot cups also make it possible to perform grinds on ledges and rails without damaging your board; they provide a cushion between the metal of the truck and concrete while grinding so your board isn't dinged up or broken in half! Beyond this, pivot cups also provide stability by preventing vibrations from transferring between the trucks and the boards when you land big tricks. So all-in-all, pivot cups are essential for skateboarding safety, performance, and longevity!
