what are bushings skateboard

BUSHINGS: GENERAL INFO

Skateboard trucks would be incomplete without bushings.

The top bushing faces the road, while the bottom bushing faces the board on every truck.

A plastic material known as polyurethane is used to make skateboard bushings.

Various colors, forms, and hardness levels are available for bushings.

An overview of the various bushings is provided here so that you can confidently select the right type for your system.

But don’t worry, all skateboard trucks come with bushings already installed.

A conventional set-up, properly fitted to the trucks and suitable for the majority of skaters, is chosen by the manufacturers.

In addition, bushings are now available as a separate item so that you may fine-tune your setup and replace them when necessary.

The unit A is used to measure bushing hardness in durometers, just as skateboard wheels.

Higher this number, the more abrasive the polyurethane is

It’s easy to see how the hardness of your bushings affects your driving style

IMPORTANT: The less sensitive your trucks are when turning, the harder the bushings, the more important this is to remember.

Softer bushings will allow your vehicles to turn more quickly and easily

We should, of course, not generalize too much.

Bushings’ behavior is also influenced by the weight of the rider.

The harder your bushings are, the heavier you should be, as a general rule

If you’re a beginner, the following chart can give you a general sense of what bushing durometer is optimal for your setup.

Body Weight	Bushing durometer loose trucks	Bushing durometer tight trucks
< 65 kg	81-85 A	86-90 A
65 – 80 kg	86-90 A	91-95 A
80 – 90 kg	91-95 A	96-100 A
> 90 kg	96 – 100 A	100 A

Tapered bushings, often known as “cone bushings,” and straight “barrel bushings,” are the two main types of skateboard bushings.

Cone bushings improve steering precision, whereas barrel bushings provide more truck stability.

Various bushing configurations are possible.

Skateboarding has established that the cone bushing is used as the top bushing, and the barrel bushing is used as the bottom bushing.

Skaters who prefer a “surfy” and “soft” sensation should experiment with a double-cone setup (two conical bushings).

Skate Deluxe’s online skate shop carries bushings known as Eliminator Bushings, including Tall Cone, Stepped Cone, and Double Stepped Barrel.

In skateboarding, these bushings are less critical because they are more commonly seen on longboards and cruisers rather than skateboards.

Our Skate Shop’s “Traditional Bushings” section has the perfect bushings for your trucks.