Bushings for Longboards

Understanding Longboard Bushings

The rubber bushings located in the centre of your longboard trucks play a crucial role in your longboard's setup. These small yet vital truck components greatly influence the responsiveness of your longboard's turning ability. While your longboard will be equipped with bushings, opting for an upgraded set and different style can significantly enrich your riding experience and broaden your longboarding horizons.

Each truck features two bushings: one on the roadside and one on the boardside. As their names imply, the roadside bushing is positioned closest to the ground, while the boardside bushing is nearer the deck.

Bushings come primarily in two shapes: cone and barrel. Cone-shaped bushings allow for minimal resistance and are ideal for turning, whereas barrel-shaped bushings provide enhanced stability. Many longboarders opt for a mix of one barrel and one cone bushing for balanced performance, though setups using two cones or two barrels remain popular choices.

Selecting the Right Longboard Bushings

Determining the "perfect longboard bushing" is subjective and heavily reliant on your intended riding style. Key considerations include the hardness of the bushings and the kind of riding you aim to pursue.

Bushings' hardness is indicated on the durometer scale, similar to wheels. A higher durometer number signifies a harder bushing, which offers greater resistance while riding. Your weight is a primary factor when choosing a durometer; generally, heavier riders should opt for harder bushings.

If carving and cruising are your preferences, softer, more conical bushings are recommended. Conversely, for freeride and downhill activities, a barrel bushing setup is advisable.

To further augment downhill speed, ensure you have an excellent set of Longboard Gloves and Slide Pucks.