Electric skateboard bushings may appear as mere small urethane components, but they are, in fact, pivotal elements that significantly influence your ride. Consider them the suspension system of your motorized board, integral to maintaining a smooth and manageable experience. Their role is critical in traditional skateboarding, but it becomes even more pronounced with electric skateboards due to increased velocities and unique riding dynamics. It's time to explore why these compact parts are deserving of your focus.
Where Bushings Located on the Electric Skateboard
The key to understanding the significance of bushings on your electric skateboard is knowing where they sit. Each truck has two bushings: the boardside bushing (closest to the deck) and the roadside bushing (closest to the ground). These work together with the kingpin - that long bolt running through your trucks - to create a complete turning system.
- The boardside bushing typically handles most of the heavy lifting, supporting your weight and providing primary stability.
- Meanwhile, the roadside bushing fine-tunes your turning response and helps with a rebound.
Together, they create a synchronized system that responds to your body movements and weight shifts.
Wha's the Role of Bushings on E-Skateboards?
Now, let's speak about what these little pieces of urethane do for your ride.
Enhance Stability and Control
First of all, bushings are your main source of stability and control. When you are riding at fast speeds on your electric skateboard, the most important thing you need for safety and confidence is stability. That's how bushings work hard to keep your board stable and responsive to your commands.
Absorb Shocks and Vibrations
But that's not all - bushings also serve as your first line of defense against road vibration and shock. They absorb all those little bumps and irregularities in the road to make your ride more comfortable and in control. This is especially important on electric skateboards, where motor vibration adds another element to the mix.
Enable Smooth Turning
When you lean to turn, your bushings compress and deform in a controlled manner, allowing your board to tilt and turn smoothly. This responsiveness is really important for navigating urban environments and carving on open roads.
Distribute Weight Evenly
Bushings help distribute your weight through the board evenly, and this is very important when you have the added weight from motors and batteries. They help prevent speed wobbles— that terrifying shake that can happen at higher speeds, and provide the stability for confident riding.
Increase Riding Comfort
Since they help dampen vibrations from rough surfaces and motor operation, the long rides are more enjoyable and less fatiguing. Good bushings can turn a jarring ride into a smooth cruising experience.
What Are the Different Types of E-Skateboard Bushings?
Shape Variations
Let's break down the main types of bushings you'll encounter:
- Barrel bushings are the most common and versatile. They're cylinder-shaped and provide a good balance of stability and turning ability— definitely your "all-around" players.
- Cone bushings have a tapered shape that allows for quicker, more responsive turns. They're great for carving but sacrifice some stability at higher speeds.
- Many riders go for hybrid configurations, like running a barrel bushing boardside with a cone bushing roadside. This gives them the stability of a barrel with the turning response of a cone.
Durometer (Hardness) Scale
The durometer scale might sound technical, but it's simply a measure of how hard the bushing is:
- Soft bushings (under 90a) provide more cushioning and easier turns, perfect for lighter riders or those prioritizing comfort.
- Medium bushings (90a-95a) offer a good balance of stability and turn response— they're the sweet spot for many riders.
- Hard bushings (95a+) provide maximum stability but require more effort to turn. They're often preferred by heavier riders or those focusing on high-speed runs.
How to Choose the Right E-Skateboard Bushings?
Selecting the right bushings involves identifying the optimal solution for your specific situation.
How Much Do You Weigh?
Your weight is probably the most important factor. Heavier riders typically need harder bushings to prevent overcompression, while lighter riders might prefer softer ones for better response. Think of it this way: if you're on the lighter side (under 150 pounds), soft bushings in the 85a-90a range will give you great control. Medium-weight riders (150-180 pounds) typically do well with 90a-93a bushings. If you're over 180 pounds, you'll want to look at harder bushings, 93a and up, to prevent them from squishing too much under your weight.
What's Your Riding Style?
Cruising around town? Medium bushings offer a nice balance. If you're into carving and like to make smooth turns, softer bushings will be more fun. But harder bushings will be your friend if you're all about speed and straight-line stability.
How Fast Would You Prefer
Speaking of speed, let's talk about what you need for different speeds. For casual riding under 20 mph, most durometer ratings will work fine. But when you start pushing 25+ mph, you'll want harder bushings to prevent speed wobbles.
What Terrains Will You Ride
Don't forget about where you ride! Rough roads might call for slightly softer bushings to help absorb vibration. If it's smooth paths and highways, you can go harder for better stability.
How About the Bushing Shapes?
Here's a simple guide: barrel bushings are great all-rounders, offering good stability and turn. Cone bushings give you more turn but less stability. You can also consider using a barrel bushing boardside with a cone roadside for a nice mix of stability and turning ability.
Maintenance Tips for Motorized Skateboard Bushings
Like any component, bushings need some TLC to perform their best.
Keep Your Bushings Clean
Remove dirt and debris from your bushings using a soft brush or cloth. Clean the area around the trucks and kingpin to prevent grit from affecting performance.
Apply Lubrication
Apply lithium grease or suitable lubricant to the bushings and contact surfaces to prevent squeaking and ensure smooth operation. Don't forget to also grease the pivot cups.
Check for Wear and Tear
Check bushings regularly for signs of wear, deformation, or cracking. Bulging bushings indicate they're too soft for your weight, or the kingpin nut is too tight.
Store Your Board Correctly
When storing your e-skateboard for extended periods, loosen the kingpin nuts slightly to reduce constant pressure on the bushings.
Adjust the Tightness
Use a 14mm spanner to adjust kingpin nut tightness as needed. Remember that bushings may soften over time and require periodic adjustments to maintain optimal performance.
Replace When Necessary
Replace bushings when they show significant wear or lose their original shape. Consider keeping spare sets of different durometers for various riding conditions.
Common Issues and Solutions with Bushings
The bushings might encounter some issues; see if the below advice can help to fix:
Squeaking Bushings
Hearing annoying squeaks when you turn? Don't worry – it's a common issue. Simply add a few soap shavings or a tiny bit of dry graphite in the pivot cup. Avoid using WD-40 or similar oils, as they can damage your bushings.
Uneven Wear
If you notice your bushings wearing down unevenly, it usually means your weight isn't distributed properly. Check if your trucks are mounted evenly and make sure all your hardware is properly tightened. Replace bushings when they start looking deformed or compressed on one side.
Loose or Tight Setup
Finding the right tightness is crucial. If your board feels too wobbly, gradually tighten your kingpin nut. Too stiff? Loosen it a bit. Remember: you shouldn't need to crank your trucks down super tight – if you do, you probably need harder bushings.
Speed Wobbles
Those scary shakes at high speeds often mean your setup isn't right for your weight or speed. Try harder bushings or tighten your trucks slightly. It also helps to place a harder bushing boardside to prevent wobbles.
Breaking in New Bushings
New bushings need time to settle in – usually about 2-3 hours of riding. They might feel stiff at first, but don't rush to adjust them. Give them time to conform to your riding style and weight before making any changes.
Choose the Right Electric Skateboard Bushings
Bushings might be small, but their impact on your electric skateboarding experience is huge. Taking the time to understand and choose the right bushings for your needs can dramatically improve your riding experience. Note that it's not about finding the "best" bushings - it's about finding the best bushings for you, your riding style, and your board. Stay safe, keep riding, and let your bushings always keep you steady on your journey!
