pavedwave longboarding

Parson Adams · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 93 Location: San Antonio

I really need some bushing help. Things are seeming too soft nowadays...I've lost weight and not have gained.

I usually run the following: blue cone+white barrel+hanger+orange barrel.

The other day, out of the nowhere, it just seemed too soft. Today, I tried the following: blue cone+orange barrel+hanger+orange barrel. It seemed too hard and I blew the blue cone.

Do you think that my original config. seemed too soft because the blue cone was on its way out already?

After the blue cone blowout, I tried the following: orange cone, orange barrel, hanger, orange barrel. This was too soft.

So why is my running a white barrel with a blue cone perfect till now and all orange too soft? Is the blue helping bolster the white?

Also, what is the deal with having softer or harder bushing on either side of the hanger. Some say softer on the bottom and harder on the top. Some say no. I know this is all preference, but there has to be a system somehow.
I weigh 190. Help anyone. This bushing stuff is not my strong point at all.

Jim

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stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

It's like you said, personal preference. I weigh closer to a buck-fifty and prefer the softer bushing on top. If I'm using Khiros, I also like the blue cone over the orange. Try your tried and true blue/white/orange combo with all new bushings first, but then switch the orange and white barrels and see how you like it. You're probably right about the blown blue cone causing the softness, but the barrels were probably tired or stressed if not worn as well. Also make sure your trucks are adjusted consistently, whether loose or not so loose.

Have you tried Holey bushings? I prefer the red over the smoke for the bottom bushing. Since they're tall (like a Bennett bushing), you don't need a cone and you can use a flat washer with the same diameter for a solid base.

I've experimented with some Reflex bushings and the lime makes a great bottom bushing and pink for the top. But again it's all personal preference!

Parson Adams · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 93 Location: San Antonio

I was thinking holeys. Thanks for the tip.
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pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

My theory after riding lots of configs, yakking and absorbing the opinions of the slalom crew, is:

- a harder top bushing and softer bottom bushing means you'll have a faster initiation of pump, thus a smooth and quick compression of the bottom bushing, then a snappier return as the top bushing decompresses and forces the hangar back to center, although the top bushing isn't under as much compression as the top one.

- a softer top bushing and harder bottom bushing makes you work a little harder on initiating each pump, but arguably has a faster snap to center since it's decompressing the bottom bushing more.

What I think this means is the soft on bottom config may lend itself better to a board that doesn't flex as much, and you need an easier turn in front. With a flexier board, you can rely on more return energy out of the deck, so you might benefit more having the stiffer bushing on bottom.

This is an interesting topic because I know that over the past decade, the slalom community has changed their tune as to what works "best" The preference thing is true -- some people really do prefer a setup that feels really loose and basically doesn't return as much energy, and they might also be happier just cruising along at slower speeds. The tighter the setup feels (up to a point) there's more potential for maintaining a faster top end momentum, if you're willing to put in the effort to crank on the bushings / board a little harder.

Last thing, what I've been running most of the time almost the past half year is:

Roe Mermaid -- orange cone (majorly smooshed) under white barrel+hangar+CarverCX red bushing on top.

I've also run the holey smokes and ate 'em up pretty fast. So I'd 2nd the motion on the holey reds.

After all that, I think its time to ride Very Happy

Parson Adams · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 93 Location: San Antonio

Thanks, James. I just ordered a butt load of Holey bushing and Khiro bushings. Let the experiments begin...again. With my dropping weight monthly because of LDPing my arse off, my bushing combos are changing on all of my decks...slalom, carving, bowl, LDP, and beer run.
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aschmidt · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 56 Location: Bakersfield CA