Bushings for Skateboard Trucks| How to Choose the Right Bushing

The rubbery rings that fit around the kingpin on your skateboard trucks are called bushings. The bushings for skateboard trucks, which are typically comprised of polyurethane, let your board turn and pivot smoothly.

Each truck should have two bushings. The skateboard truck’s top bushing, which is located on the kingpin above the hanger, aids in smooth turning. Depending on how responsive you want your trucks to be, you can tighten or loosen the bottom bushing on the kingpin between the hanger and the baseplate.

A board with stronger bushings will be more resistive, which might be helpful when doing feats. Looser bushings are a fantastic choice if you want to move around easily while cruising or carving the streets.

In this article, bushings for skateboard trucks are discussed in detail.

The Durometer of the Skateboard Bushings

We use the durometer to assess the bushings on a skateboard’s hardness. Typically, skateboard truck bushings durometer is determined using the Durometer A scale, which rates hardness from 1-100.

Some businesses employ the B scale, which is 20 points lower and can be increased by 20 points to account for harder bushings. A 100a durometer is equivalent to an 80b durometer.

The durometer, or degree of hardness, is used to gauge bushings for skateboard trucks. Most business employs the Durometer A scale, which has a scale from 1 to 100. 

The Durometer B scale, which measures 20 points lower and gives the scale an additional 20 points for tougher bushings, is used by a small number of businesses.

Shape and Design of Skateboard Bushings

 The shape of your skateboard bushing is important in addition to the durometer. Skateboarders have been experimenting with various bushing shapes in recent years to enhance their rides.

While the top and bottom of some bushings by size are always symmetrical, some pairs have top and bottom bushings that are of varied forms.

Skateboard busing comes in three different basic designs: Conical, barrel, and eliminator.

There are a few typical bushing styles that result from how these forms are combined and matched within a set. 

The bushing guide about design and shape is listed below:

1.Barrels/Cone Bushings for Skateboard

Due to their versatility, cone/barrel bushings, sometimes referred to as standard barrel or conventional bushings, are the most popular shape for skateboard bushings.

The top bushing’s conical design produces a lot of decks lean, which makes it easier to carve, while the bottom bushings barrel shape lets it fit snugly into the bushing seat.

To maximize the performance of standard bushings, many riders place a stronger durometer bushing at the bottom.

2. Bushings for Two Barrels

The top and bottom bushings are identical and barrel-shaped, as the name would imply. Due to their increased stability and suitability for skating downhill at high speeds, these bushings are also known as downhill bushings.

They won’t offer the same degree of turn as a conical bushing, but by selecting a softer durometer, you can partially make up for it.

3. Cone Bushings

This design has two conical bushings, which are also referred to as “ Super Carve bushings” because of the substantial amount of deck lean they permit.

These bushings are designed for carving and making sharp bends.

4. Bushings With Two Steps

Stepped bushings resemble barrel-shaped bushings but have indents carved out of the top and bottom of them instead. Your truck’s two-stepped bushings produce a lot of rebound along with a lot of lean resistance.

Even if you use a softer durometer, double-stepped bushings will result in very small trucks.

5. Stepped/ Barrel Bushings

These are very stable bushings by size. This is a solid option for longboarding on downhill terrain, where stability is more important than making quick turns.

You will get a lot of bounce from this top and bottom bushing shape combination.

Skateboard Bushings Weight Chart

The bushing guide about weight is given below in the form of a chart:

1. Carving and Cruising Bushings Weight Chart

Think about the typical barrel/cone bushings. Depending on your weight, cruising and carving demand a somewhat softer bushing. Soft bushings enable better turning since they are most responsive when you lean.

Get flat washers for the best skateboard turns and cup washers for increased stability.

The weight in pounds	Weight in kilograms	Ability to bend	Medium	Stiff
50-100	22.5 – 45	65a	78a	81a
75-125	34 – 56	80a	83a	85a
100-145	45 – 66	85a	87a	88a
125-175	56 – 79	87a	89a	91a
145-195	66 – 88.5	88a	93a	94a
175-220+	79 – 100+	91a	93a	97a+

2. Bushings for Freeride

Compared to cruiser bushing ought to be a little bit harder. Whether moving quickly or sliding, free riders require a little bit of stability, but they also need to be able to turn quickly.

The result will be a bushing that is a little bit stiffer but also slightly harder on the durometer scale. If you are a devoted free-rider, choose a double-barrel system.

The weight in pounds	Weight in kilograms	Ability to bend	Medium	Stiff
50-100	22.5 – 45	65a	78a	81a
75-125	34 – 56	80a	83a	85a
100-145	45 – 66	85a	87a	88a
125-175	56 – 79	87a	89a	91a
145-195	66 – 88.5	88a	93a	94a
175-220+	79 – 100+	91a	93a	97a+

3. Downhill Bushings

Typically, for best stability, double barrel bushings or stepped bushings paired with cup washers are advised. Depending on your weight, a set of hard bushings will be required.

The weight in pounds	Weight in kilograms	Ability to bend	Medium	Stiff
50-100	22.5 – 45	65a	78a	81a
75-125	34 – 56	80a	83a	85a
100-145	45 – 66	85a	87a	88a
125-175	56 – 79	88a	90a	93a
145-195	66 – 88.5	90a	93a	94a
175-220+	79 – 100+	91a	93a	100a+

4. Weight Chart According to Bushing Hardness

Use tougher bushings if you skateboard a lot and are hefty. This table explains the appropriate hardness for you based on your weight.

This is merely a basic suggestion and only applies to conventional skateboards:

Weight in Ibs	Weight in Kg	Flexibility	Medium	Hard
50 – 100	22.5 – 45	65a	78a	81a
75 – 125	34 –  56	80a	83a	85a
100 – 145	45 – 66	85a	87a	88a
125 – 175	56 – 79	88a	90a	93a
145 – 195	66 – 88.5	90a	93a	94a
175 – 220+	79 – 100+	91a	93a	100a

Hard Bushings Skateboard VS Soft Bushings

You can turn more easily with softer bushings, but they provide less stability. Trucks with harder bushings will be tighter and more stable, but turning your skateboard will be more challenging.

Your vehicle’s tightness can be adjusted, but only to a certain degree. Consider purchasing stronger bushings if you feel like you can not turn the nut tighter but still feel your trucks are too loose.

It is also time to search for softer bushings if you feel like your trucks are too tight if the nut almost falls off. Keep in mind that new bushings require some break in time; therefore, before deciding to change them, make sure you have skated on them for a few days.

independent bushings guide is that it is constructed with Medium Orange 90A bushings to let you decide which durometer to choose. Therefore, depending on what you desire, try going harder or softer than that.

Conclusion

Not all skateboard bushings are the same. They are designed to fit particular decks and are available in a variety of sizes and forms.

Make sure you are aware of the size and form of your skateboard deck before you go out and buy new bushings so that you can get the right ones.

You will soon be shredding like a pro if you follow our straightforward instructions about bushings for skateboard trucks.

Bushing Types

Bushings are available in a wide range of shapes, and each one has a particular function. The performance of your skateboard as a whole is greatly influenced by the bushings, regardless of whether you are a speed addict, a sharp turner, or just looking for stability.

Without a guide for skateboard bushings, choosing the proper pair can be a laborious procedure with so many variables to take into account, such as rebound levels, diameters, and durometers.

Some of the famous bushing types are listed below:

• Bones Wheels Hardcore Bushings
• Dimebad Skateboard Truck Bushings
• Orangatang Skateboard Bushings
• Orangatang Knuckles Skateboard Bushings
• Bones wheels hard Bushings
• Dimebad 88A Skateboard Bushings
• Shorty’s 92A Doh- Doh Skateboard Bushings
• Shortly’s 95A Doh-Doh Bushings
• Independent 90A Cylinder Cushions
• Shappy Skateboard Truck Bushings
• DreamFire 92A Skateboard Bushings
• Independent 94A Cylinder Cushions

FAQ

How Should Skateboard Truck Bushings be Selected?

There are many different bushings for skateboard trucks, but not all of them are appropriate for all skateboards. Barrels and cone bushings with a hardness of between 87A and 92A should work great if you ride a standard skateboard. Children need softer bushings, so 85A to 90A should work for most children under 12 years old. Heavier riders should consider 94A.

Which Bushing Sizes do I Require?

Using a ball type or tubing micrometer, you can measure the cartridge case’s neck wall thickness to determine the bushing size. To determine the neck diameter of a loaded cartridge, multiply this measurement by two and add the diameter of the bullet. To determine the bushing size, subtract 0.001’’ from this number as mentioned above.

Are There Bushings for Every Truck?

It is strongly advised that your experiment with various bushing shapes and durometers to tailor the way your vehicle ride because stock bushings are chosen with the assumption that everyone has the same riding style and body weight.