SKATE BUSHINGS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Posted on 19 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in SKATEBOARDBUSHINGS
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Skate Bushings: Everything You Need to Know

Bushings are the unsung heroes of your skateboard setup. They’re small, often overlooked, but completely transform how your board feels under your feet. Whether you're bombing hills, snapping tech tricks, or just cruising curbside, the right bushings make all the difference. This is your deep dive into the world of skateboard bushings—from durometers and shapes, to brands, bizarre setups, and quotes from riders who know.

What Are Bushings?

Bushings are the small urethane cylinders sandwiched between the hanger and baseplate of your trucks. Their job? To help your board turn and rebound. They compress when you lean and spring back when you center. Tight, soft, responsive, or stiff—how they feel determines how you skate.

Durometer: The Feel Factor

Bushings come in a range of durometers (hardness ratings), usually on the Shore A scale. Here's the breakdown:

Soft (78a–88a): Super responsive and carvy. Great for lighter skaters, cruisers, and tight turns.
Medium (90a–95a): The go-to range for street and park skating. Balanced turn and rebound.
Hard (96a–100a): Stiff and stable. Ideal for vert, bowls, or riders who hate speed wobbles.

Pro Tip: A heavier rider may need harder bushings for the same response a lighter skater gets from soft ones.

Shapes and Setups

Bushings usually come in two shapes:

Cone: Tapered on one end for increased turnability.
Barrel: Same size top and bottom for more stability.

Popular combos:

Cone/Cone: Loose and surfy.
Cone/Barrel: Balanced—common for street.
Barrel/Barrel: Stiff, ideal for bowls and high speeds.

Double barrel bushings are a staple for transition and vert skaters who need more resistance when carving hard.

Popular Bushing Brands

Bones (Hardcore Bushings): Known for their unique insert that eliminates the need for a break-in period. Clean rebound, no washers required.
Independent: Their stock bushings are solid, but they also sell aftermarket ones with higher rebound and variety.
Thunder: Known for fast break-in and a responsive feel. Thunder bushings are a favorite among street skaters who want smooth carving without sacrificing control.
Ace: Designed for deep carves and fluid flow, Ace bushings are perfect for riders who want a surf-style ride with fast rebound.
Shorty’s Doh-Dohs: A classic in the bushing game, Doh-Dohs come in multiple duros and colors. They’ve been trusted by skaters since the early 2000s for good reason—simple, effective, and reliable.

Bushing Mods: No Rules, Just Feel

Some skaters ditch bushings altogether—or run no top bushing—to create ultra-loose setups for specific tricks or turn response. Others flip bushings upside down, stack washers, or even chop bushings in half.

“I ran no top bushing for a year. It was sketchy, but man, I could spin faster than anyone.” — Local SGV ripper

Some skaters run one cone and one barrel with mismatched duros to mimic a directional lean, especially when skating fakie or switch.

What the Pros Are Saying

Grant Taylor: “I ride medium-hard barrels. I need that rebound in bowls but still want the looseness when I’m hitting corners fast.”

Elijah Berle: “Stock Indys work fine, but I swap them as soon as they feel gummy. Bones mediums all day.”

Zion Wright: “My setup’s gotta feel like butter but still snap back. It’s a mix of shape and durometer. I can’t deal with sloppy turns.”

Daewon Song: “Bushings are everything. I keep mine broken in just right. Too soft or too tight and I’m off rhythm.”

Break-In Period (Or Skip It?)

Most bushings need a couple sessions to break in. They'll feel stiffer out the box, then mellow into their proper range. Bones Hardcore and some Riptide models claim no break-in required, which makes them popular for skaters who want instant feedback.

When to Replace Bushings

If your bushings are cracked, squished sideways, or the rebound feels dead—they’re done. Color fade is common, but if your trucks lean unevenly or feel sluggish, it’s probably time for a fresh set.

The Bottom Line

Bushings are like the shoelaces of your trucks—they hold it all together but barely get any love. Dialing in your bushing setup takes time, experimentation, and feel. There’s no single answer. Skate what feels right, and don’t be afraid to get weird.

Because when your board turns just the way you like it—it’s magic.

Still not sure what to run? Drop by Stix SGV and we’ll dial in your bushings with you. We’ve got Bones, Indys, Thunder, Ace, Shortys and shop-tested recommendations for your weight, style, and setup.

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.