Basic principles of bushings (combinations/replacement)?

[Basswombat]

I've been trawling through page after page of topics, and while i find references to different bushing combos, I'm still in the dark as to the basics behind the whole idea of mixing and matching!

Sorry if it's a real newbie question, but could someone explain it for me? It looks like people choose a harder bottom (close to baseplate) bushing and a softer top? And what about how bushing choice affects your style, ie cruising, carving, pools, etc (I'm guessing you whack the hardest ones in you can find for downhill bombing!).

Thanks in advance.

[gorillabiscuits]

It just basically adjusts how turny, how much rebound, how much stability you want. It also depends on your weight and what you like. You just gotta try things out cuz different bushings for different folks.

[crawdad62]

I don't think it's an exact science. What works is what works for you. Even if all other variables are the same. It's more of an art.

The bottom bushing in my opinion is probably more critical on your ride. Because the bottom is actually the top when your standing on your board. It suspends your weight and influences your ride more. The top more or less is just an adjunct to the bottom bushing. It just helps the bottom perform "more."

Of course as I say that's my opinion. Right or wrong that's how I see it. That's why it's good to check out what others are doing. There are so many combinations that it would be a huge undertaking just to find the right combination. Because generally you can see someone using something close to what your after and you may only have to tweak it a bit to find the right combo.

[Mile_High_Mark]

The bushing next to the baseplate will generally make the most difference on the truck's feel, ride, etc. Diameter, material, hardness, etc, all contribute to the feel.

It's been said before, but I'll say it, too -- experiment. If you'd like some suggestions on where/what to start with, post your weight, trucks (make/model), the board you're riding, what your preferences are (turny, stable), etc.

[V1RG1N14 L0NG804RD3R]

Speaking of giving you specifics, I am 150 lbs and am riding loaded pintail. It is a flex 3 setup with randal 150s. I am looking for a turny ride, because my avalons can handle just about any amount of carving.

[Mile_High_Mark]

Speaking of giving you specifics, I am 150 lbs and am riding loaded pintail. It is a flex 3 setup with randal 150s. I am looking for a turny ride, because my avalons can handle just about any amount of carving.

Med/yel Bones HardCore bottoms and blue/soft HardCore bottoms used as tops.

[CRASS]

I agree with Crawdad & Mark.. the bottom is more cruicial.

Personally, I like to run much harder top bushings than bottoms, coz I find it helps get more force & squish outta the bottom bushing... but thats just my idea & preferance.

[Basswombat]

Thanks folks - that's a good start. I'm 200lbs and riding various pool pigs (incl 36" BDS Long Pig w/169s and BDS dubs, 31" DT Thunderbird w/SixTracks and Powell MiniCubes) but also looking at setting up a 43" Powell LB. I'm looking for carving/cruising more than high speed stability.

[V1RG1N14 L0NG804RD3R]

Speaking of giving you specifics, I am 150 lbs and am riding loaded pintail. It is a flex 3 setup with randal 150s. I am looking for a turny ride, because my avalons can handle just about any amount of carving.

Med/yel Bones HardCore bottoms and blue/soft HardCore bottoms used as tops.

Cool thanks fo the advice! I will get these some time, but as of right now my parents think i have too much skate stuff, so I will have to wait a while before I get these, but they are on my list of things 2 get along with snowboard bindings!

[jimb]

i'm 195# 6'2"

board sector9 speedgodess with speed godess wheel 76 mm 78 a and randal 180 truck

i try red khiro on the back truck and deluxe white 88a in front

i use this board for low medium speed carving, i like it turny but stable and no woble

second board BOZI mad bomber II long stance, krypto 80 mm or 85 mm with randall 180

in front hardcore bones blue back hardcore bones yellow

i use this board for medium med fast speed bombing, i like them truny too and stable, no woble

is it a right setup, wath should i try
(there's no more blue khiro at the local skateshop, just red khiro and yellow bones)

[VolvoGuy]

Aight guys. I've been meaning to ask the same kinda question.

I want the LY Wedgeflex to carve better. It's got RII 150's with 78a Gumballs.
Stock bushings aren't too bad, but i want more snap outta the trucks, to carve real hard, but still be able to cruise.

Any suggestions??

[Mile_High_Mark]

Aight guys. I've been meaning to ask the same kinda question.

I want the LY Wedgeflex to carve better. It's got RII 150's with 78a Gumballs.
Stock bushings aren't too bad, but i want more snap outta the trucks, to carve real hard, but still be able to cruise.

Any suggestions??

Your weight?

[VolvoGuy]

Aight guys. I've been meaning to ask the same kinda question.

I want the LY Wedgeflex to carve better. It's got RII 150's with 78a Gumballs.
Stock bushings aren't too bad, but i want more snap outta the trucks, to carve real hard, but still be able to cruise.

Any suggestions??

Your weight?

Knew i forgot something! 175

[Mile_High_Mark]

Aight guys. I've been meaning to ask the same kinda question.

I want the LY Wedgeflex to carve better. It's got RII 150's with 78a Gumballs.
Stock bushings aren't too bad, but i want more snap outta the trucks, to carve real hard, but still be able to cruise.

Any suggestions??

Your weight?

Knew i forgot something! 175

Blue Tracker Stimulator on the bottom with Indy red or Bones blue bottom in the top position.

[VolvoGuy]

Aight guys. I've been meaning to ask the same kinda question.

I want the LY Wedgeflex to carve better. It's got RII 150's with 78a Gumballs.
Stock bushings aren't too bad, but i want more snap outta the trucks, to carve real hard, but still be able to cruise.

Any suggestions??

Your weight?

Knew i forgot something! 175

Blue Tracker Stimulator on the bottom with Indy red or Bones blue bottom in the top position.

Wicked!! I can get the indy's and bones around here, but stims........ i might have to order some........

[jimb]

i'm 195# 6'2"

board sector9 speedgodess with speed godess wheel 76 mm 78 a and randal 180 truck

i try red khiro on the back truck and deluxe white 88a in front

i use this board for low medium speed carving, i like it turny but stable and no woble

second board BOZI mad bomber II long stance, krypto 80 mm or 85 mm with randall 180

in front hardcore bones blue back hardcore bones yellow

i use this board for medium med fast speed bombing, i like them truny too and stable, no woble

is it a right setup, wath should i try
(there's no more blue khiro at the local skateshop, just red khiro and yellow bones)

the deluxe 88a white bushing are really soft, i will put a red khiro in front but where i should place it near the base plate?

the blue bones hardcore are really soft too, i think i will put a yellow on the front truck


what's the fonction of the bushing near the baseplate end the other ones?

why place bottom bushing on the top ? because they are bigger so the have more space to absorb the energy and transfer it back

[Bugs]

I haven't finished testing these theories, but I'm working on it. Anyway...

• For best turning performance, you want the bottom bushing to provide the same amount of resistance as the top bushing. This should give the smoothest turning action.
  
  Because the bottom bushing is supporting your weight, it is being compressed and will therefore feel harder than its duro rating in comparison to the top bushing.
  
  However, the top bushing is usually shorter, which makes it feel harder.
  
  Therefore, if you're using a traditional height top bushing on top, it makes sense to use approx the same duro for top and bottom.
  
  But, if you want to use equal height bushings on top and bottom, you need to mix your duros. According to my above premises, you'll want a softer bushing on the bottom.
  
  (Using a tall bushing on top makes sense if you want lotsa lean, and aren't concerned about grinding down your kingpins.)
  
  And this gets confused again if you mix the bushing shape. For example, Khiro bottom insert bushings will be softer than Khiro bottom barrel bushings.

Congratulations to anybody who can follow my logic here. Feel free to try and prove me wrong.

[mark grimace]

I'd say if you can swing it grab the Khiro bushing kit....I have a freind that got it and he's hooked now.....it enables you to play around with the combo. As wise as most guys are it really comes down to YOU riding the board. The only problem is once you start playing around ,as I'm sure these guys will attess, you start a nice collection of bushings.

[skateORdie]

mark you have good taste in bushing combos, which doesn't suprise me. i run blue stim bottoms and indy red bottoms as tops. i weigh 170 and it works great for me, super carvy - but still has stability.

[Wheel Man]

I just buy bushings every now and then and when I get a new setup I play around with um untill I get what I want.

I usualy run 1 medium type bushing on the top and 1 soft type on the bottom.

I've said it before.. but I really like Indy bushings.
Nice cost, performance, and quality.