I ride the bottom bushing Indy and only put in the top bones bushing. You get the easy break in and then the geometry doesn’t change. It’s feels great too right away!
Ryaaaaaaaaan!!!!!!! Can't believe it's actually you :) I look forward to the day we run into each other at a park again some day. I'm sure it's been over a decade!
Ben, I think it's awesome that at 30-something you are still skateboarding at a high level. You're inspiring to this 63-year-old comeback skateboarder after a 45-year hiatus. Thanks for your insights into these different bushing. I just purchased the Bones Hard bushing because I weigh 195 lbs. and felt that I need some stiffer bushings. We'll see how that goes. Keep up the good job on your boards.
That's awesome! Make sure you stretch before each session. Use a rumble roller after a tiring session. Make sure to laugh at yourself when you fall and don't be embarrassed to wear protective equipment. This is coming from a 40 year old skater getting back into it. Never stop!
@@rovingmauler7410 As long as we are physically able we can keep going. I got back into skateboarding in 2018 (age 53) after twisting my knee inline skating. That twist really messed up my skating for a bit. Nevertheless my knee is much improved now since I switched to skateboarding. I'm now 58. Still love skateborading as much as when I first did it in 1975-76. Difference these days is the improved technology with board material, bushing quality and more durometers/formulations, bearing quality, wheel types, sizes, and durometers available. Different truck types for different styles of riding. I am really glad to be alive, healthy, and fit enough to be riding today with so much more to experiment with. I intend to keep riding for as long as my body allows!!! 👊🤘👍
@@Movieman1965, @FlowJunkie65, @ rovingmauler7410 At this point I propose an over 40 group, I started skating again at 44, after a month I still can't do a trick but hearing the noise of the wheels on the asphalt is too cool. I don't have social networks but I'd like to stay in touch with you! Is it possible? Great!✌✌✌
Came here because my stock indys are doing same as those 1:25 Not sure if they changed bushing material or the inside of trucks where they rest isn't machine smooth enough 🤷♂️
Your insights about the stock Indy bushings improving since I last tried them and the bones bushings blowing out in a month helped me solve some gear madness that had been tormenting me recently. Thanks! Keep up the great work.
I’ve been watching Ben’s home improvement videos for a couple years and just learned he had a skateboarding channel! I told my skateboarding son to check out both.
Agreed! I'm 200 lbs and the hard bottom with medium top combo is perfect. And if you don't want to change the geo, put the washer on the bottom. Perfect for indy, not for every truck...the only caveat
Try putting the washer at the bottom bushing it helps to maintain the height of the truck. I prefer the hard bushing cos over time it will become medium feel bushing.
After trying every combination known to man I actually go the opposite - no washer on bottom, one on top (obviously not as important). These micro adjustments actually make a huge difference. It's all personal taste and all worth playing around with for sure.
Ive been skating for near 20 years. I used to have no knowledge or care for dimensions/geometry of skateboard parts. Board shape, wheel base, wheels, truck & bushings, ECT. Ben has turned me into a certified nerd. Once independent started to be manufactured in china I was looking for a different brand. I used to be an Indy Nazi and no other truck brands were acceptable to me. This chanel helped me so much with finding new truck options. Thank you! Hope you heal well!!
I've started putting the flat bones washers on slightly harder (blue) indy aftermarkets and its been really good. The original cupped top bushing start digging into the top bushing and eventually cut into it most of the time, but with the flat washer, it avoids this while keeping the geometry, and also gives you a deeper turn (hence the harder bushings to compensate for stability).
Ive had the same experience with the cupped washer cutting into the top bushing on my titanium indys I've went through 2 sets of bushing so I figured I'd try the bones hard with flat washers
@@michaeldaggy6836 I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the bones in Indy’s because conical boardside bushing dips/responds differently than the original barrel bushing. Also if you compare them, the Indy’s are a bigger diameter, I think that contributes to them being a bit less sensitive/wobbly compared to bones. The flat washer they come with are awesome on any bushings tho - you can really tell how the cupped washers hit a point of restriction that the flat ones don’t.
I was riding bones soft bushings on my old trucks, and then i bought indys and tried to change the bushings with my bones soft and it would not stop clicking, so im just gonna use the stock indys, thanks for this video man
Me too, it feels stiff and almost unable to turn in a few seshs but after a week everything feels good actually. I had both of hard and medium ones but they all collapsed already. The hard ones lasted me for 2 months until they blown out and medium ones were a month more than the hard ones. Now I go with the stock bushings for my 144 mids and everything good, no prob and I think I will go with these until they last to the end then switch to bones hard by later
Nollie front heel + switch tail = "just the basics". Damn dude... I have been skating since the 90s and I don't have the basics! Great video, very objective look at the difference between the bushings. I personally have blown out every stock indy bushing I've ever ridden in the first day or week. I always put bones mediums in, and eventually stopped skating Indy's. I have blown out the bones ones too, but like you said it takes a while, especially when I only skate 2-3 times a week.
I've been skating the bones medium bushings for about a week and I love them. After watching Paul Schmitt's Nine Club episode, I put the flat washer that came with the bones bushings on the bottom instead of the top and that has made a huge difference (in a good way) in my pop.
I use Indy 92a conical shape with no threads showing. It feels very similar to the 90a barrel setup but with a bit more durable urethane and a tad more snap back to center. Or maybe I just like the blue. Or the idea that I changed from stock - because we all like to think our tweaks actually matter.
The secret to bones bushings is to use bones hard on the bottom, so they don’t squish, but mediums for the top, so there isn’t too much resistance when turning. Also use your washers for the bottom and top to get the same geometry. Or just like you were saying, stick with the indy bushings, they are really good.
@@jm505 I’ve been think of your same bushings set up. I already have bones soft however, I feel too unstable re-learning ollies/pop shuvs. I am adding the mediums later today. 🛹
I had a question. I've bought like 6 pairs of indy bushings 90a. And the bottom bushings have been splitting on me and i don't know why. I bought a set of Indy 169 hollows trucks and the bushings in them are the same ones I've been buying and have absolutely no problems. Was just curiouse on your opinion. I watch you all the time. The info that you give fits my style Of skating. I'm 46 years old and use my board to get to work. I travel 6 and half miles a day on the board no tricks just fast cruising. I'm 6'3" 240 lbs. I've been cruising for about 3-4 years so I'm not new to the scene. Just in case you needed extra info to make a better response. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Awesome work on your RUclips Chanel. Love your advice on shit! I'm better with what i do because of you. Your the man keep up the good work!! I thank you!!
I just started skating a few months ago after a 15+ year hiatus and the bushings that came on my independent hollow pin trucks started to ooze out, breaking off a ring-shape piece on the base of the barrel bushing after only about two weeks of one hour skate sessions five nights a week and these were brand spanking new trucks with new bushings. I do tighten my trucks to a level where anything but the most fine turn requires you to push down on the tail to lift the nose to point it in the direction you want to go, so they're a little beyond what even people who prefer a mainstream definition of tight would be, but that's the same way I used to skate tight as teenager and I don't recall the bushings doing that. I'm pretty thin too so having them break down so fast really surprised me. I purchased the bones black bushings and they're a lot more solid, like a heavy rubber instead of a nearly translucent jello that get the 'ooze' effect when you tighten 'em down. So if you're weird like me and tighten your trucks to the point you can only turn a few degrees by leaning to one side or another for fine adjustment the bones hardcore seems good.
As a 6’ 3”, 200+ pounder, I’ve found anything other than bones hardcore bushings split after just one session. Definitely recommend them if you’re on the bigger side
@@franck-df3if I've only tried the 96A/Hard on more of a cruiser setup (Landyacthz ATV Ditch Life with soft 60mm wheels), so might be different than what you're working with. They're a little too much at first, but they broke in like a firm medium and are just about right for me. They feel about the same way a 92A felt like 25 years and 50 pounds ago.
I appreciate this comment because I'm also 6'3 230 lbs and haven't skated in about 10 years. I was curious if my size would be a concern, and have been looking around for bushings that will hold. Are the bones hardcore hard bushings the all black version, 96a? Kind of tough finding bones bushings on creditable sites for some reason.
I recently got new indy’s and found out why they were cracking, when you do a crook your washer squeezes/cuts into your bushing. To fix this problem I sanded the washers down on a belt sander and no longer have this problem.
The problem I have with stock indys is they always get pinched with the washer. The washer literally cuts into the bushing so I have to go with bones hard bushings and just try my best to not crank down on them too much to keep the turn intact.
I got some new indys in the beginning of the year and ive noticed what you said about the washer cutting into the bushing. Its still skateable right now and probably will be for a while longer but it is a bit of a bummer when you break the bank to get the best trucks indy has to offer.
Funny enough the replacement Indy bushings comes with washers that have rounded edges, that solves the top washer cutting into the bushing problem. I always replace my top washers as soon as I get a new set. makes you wonder why the stock washers are different.
try the blue medium hard indy bushings, I find them perfect since I notice that the stock orange ones get too soft after long term use and I have to start tightening my kingpin nut more than I want to.
If you tighten the kingpin nut too much you are changing the geometry of the truck......any truck tightened with more than a thread or two hanging out beyond the nut has the wrong bushings for the rider.......known fact since '79
Thank you for this. I had the exact same experience with Bones in my Indys. I went through 4 sets in a year. Stock bushings last me at least a year and feel just as good. I also tried a set of Shortys Doh Dohs bushings most recently and they only lasted 3 hours, they completely collapsed and blew out after one session. So once again I’m back to the Indy stock bushings and that’s where I’m going to stay. My recommendation is stick with the stocks and save your money 💰
I skate 149 indys, and leave them exactly how they come out the factory, and try not to worry about the bushings. Had the same pair for a year without loosening or tightening them and they’re so perfect, I never wanna change anything about them
TIP: I figured out that if you put a washer under the bottom bushing, it stops the clicking/ sticking. IIRC it had to do with the angle the truck was entering the pivot cup changing. I didn’t think I’d love the Bones heads as much as I do. I almost always rode stock or replacement indy bushings. Stable and not too tight or loose. But after breaking them in they are great. A little more agile and def not too hard compared to the Indy’s
I'd like to see you take a look at other aftermarket options like RipTide and Venom, Riptide in particular has a lot to explore in terms of messing with your setup
I never had a problem with stock Indy bushings when I was younger, but I did switch to Bones hards about a year ago because I'm a lot heavier now than when I was a teenager. If you're over 200 lbs. I'd say Bones hards are the way to go.
I agree there. Bones hard bushings are the way to go when you're over 200lbs. The only indy bushings I didn't have problems with were the black ones in the Indy 149 Reynolds edition trucks.
@@waynecartwright9478 hey man. Where do you get Khiro bushings. I saw one site had a cone type bushing with gold or aluminum ring tops but they were sold out. Did you use those bushings or just standard Khiro bushings?
I am riding Tensor trucks right now with the Bones hard bushings and I just love them. I already used them in my previous Venture trucks and loved them. Never had a problem and if u are heavy, they are perfect medium, when they break in. They never broke or collapsed. I hated all the stock bushings, they always broke or bend the top washer, so it was impossible to tight them properly, it never happened with Bones. As soon as I get new trucks, the Bones hard bushings go in.
I've loved bones medium for a year now, but I recently have been really frustrating with them blowing out over the hard core of them. So I'm transitioning all my setups to Indy medium/hard conical bushings and I'm loving them. I do have one setup with bones hards and they're holding up alot better. Same boat bones are awesome for a week or two until it starts feeling different every session, or you'll be in the middle of a session and all of a sudden one of your truck starts tracking in a weird direction and you f****** eat ass which has happened to me a few times only to find out oh my bushing just blew out on a freaking pop shove it or something
Got my first pair of Indy trucks recently after using Royal my whole life, the Indy bushing cracked within a month of skating 10 mins a day 5 days a week lol got some Bones mediums today, haven't used them yet though. I had a pair of Royals on one of my boards for like 20 years, original bushings still look perfect :P
I tryed the medium bones bushings on thunder trucks, last year! But was not happy at all. Now im riding on 5.6 venture hollow trucks with bones hard bushings already more then 5 months. And i don´t think i will go back to the stock bushings again! I heard bones were actually more soft then many other brands. So they should be slightly harder then medium on average bushing/truck brand! Can defenetly feel more stable but have no problems with turning at all! If anyone has venture trucks i can highly recomend the bones hard bushings! Since i didnt try them on other trucks, i dont know how well the work! Your videos are really great to watch and opens up alot of new ideas of things to try out!! Great review !!!!!! I have to recommend to use the top washer (the standard truck brand washer) on top of the top bushing, that makes them work better!! I tryed those bones small rings and also without anything on top. It makes them weird!
A bought Indy 159s two years ago. The bushings felt too loose for me, so I changed for a classic blue Indy ones. They are a bit harder and made my trucks perfect. The only thing that sucks is that now my back truck just cracked in the middle, while the axel still holds. It's a little weird, because I skate only small ledges, wasn't trying any Davises or El Toros. I purchased a new truck and will see. Great review Ben, thanx!
I have a varied perspective on bushings. I remember back in the days when Shorty's reds were absolutely perfect. Everything about them was perfect. They never blew out, they turned when you wanted and always re-centred themselves, so no more watching your board go for a little walk around a fictional corner when you slammed or bailed. Then for some reason they changed the formula... They became unskateable immediately... I tried the bones mediums and they were good for a while but they did not give the response I was used to having been so used to bushings that reacted... I was a bit lost, so I then decided to try indy low trucks... Do not try these trucks... Messed with my skating totally... but also with indy low trucks you cannot, unless you dedicate a bit of time and effort to reshaping your bushings, try different bushings... I am back on stage 11's now, the correct height. However what I have noticed, as I see a lot of people saying indy stock bushings are awful. Yes, they are if you ride a thinner board, so we are talking 7.5 to 7.75. I am not sure of the reason. I bought a 9" popsicle as my cruiser, indy trucks and 95A wheels, and I can happily say, the stock bushings are absolutely perfect on wider trucks. I also experimented with a company called Khiro, I got sent a set as they did not have the bushings I wanted in stock from the shop I ordered from. I still have them now, they have not blown out in over 8 years, but I believe the company has now closed down, which is a shame. However, as this is a ridiculously long comment I will end it here. We throw ourselves down steps for fun. What could be more perfect than rolling away?
I’ve changed to bones about a year ago and I started with mediums and thought too spongey - then I bought Hards and I’ll never go back to standard bushings. Love the bones hards.
I'm not a big guy just under 5' 10" and go between 165 to 175 lbs. I tried the mediums and it felt like two chunks of bubble gum in there..way too soft. Are the hards much harder?? I want to try them out but I'm worried they are too similar to the mediums.
I've killed a couple of sets of Bones bushings pretty quickly and when they go it feels like you've broken your kingpin. My favourite bushings are the purple Venture ones.
It's because the Bones bushings are kind of overrated to be honest. They also blow out when you tighten your trucks too early. Then you'll get the ugly performance and one month lifespan, aside from how medium is just never hard enough or a significant improvement over stock bushings.
Curious for you to try the Independent, Medium hards (blue 92a) in either conical or Barrel, do u have a preference in either? I remember from an Old video of your reviews of ventures, is that they don't turn until they do, which is partly why I remove my top washers on most of my trucks (Aces don't need that to turn.)
My purple ventures broke in 1 month. Not only 1 bushing broke, every single bushing of the 2 trucks . Am i very unlucky or venture got different purple bushings type ?
I rode bones mediums for YEARS. Every pair blew out...until I realized (and corrected) the geometry change you explained in the video. The geometry change due to the shorter bottom bushing creates grossly uneven pressure on the bushing. That's what causes the blowout - pressure is applied much harder on the edge of the bushing closest to the board center. If you add a washer, or two, or however many it takes to make the stacked height with bones bushings the same as the stacked height with the stock bushings, they don't blow out.
Been riding bones for years. decided to try indy standards again. Split the top bushing first session and ever blew the back one half way out of the cup! Back to bones. I got two washers to put on bottom (one on each truck) to get back to original geometry and that's what I'm rocking now. also had issue of bones blowing out but they're 8 bucks, I'll get over it. Especially since there's no break in period,
replacing the stock (orange) indy bushings with indy conical reds, and replacing the stock pivot cups with riptide pivot cups (thanks to your recommendation Ben), made my indy trucks feel perfect - not too hard, not too soft.
I switched from stock bushings to Bones because the stock ones got frozen when skating at -20°C temperature here in Toronto. Bones don’t freeze in the winter. However, a year ago I switched back to Indys (medium-hard conical - the blue ones), and I am very happy with it. If you think the medium cylinder is a little to soft, try the mediu/hard conical (blue). Indys have in between hardness from soft to medium to hard, those are the conical ones.
My primary discipline of skating is downhill, and bushing choice is crucial for downhill. I’m not a fan of the bones hardcore at all, even though I love most other Powell/bones products. I would recommend riptide Krank street in whatever shape and duro you want. Make sure you get the street ones because the regular size are taller for rkp trucks.
👍 I’ve been dabbling into outside sources for bushings too. Riptide and Venom. Such a huge selection of hardness and shapes. It’s hard to get a matching size to the stock bushings in your trucks but it is possible. Recently decided to try a set of Indy 215 and it took a while to find harder bushings for them cuz they’re still at stage 4 and those bushings are way different than all the stage 11 Indy bushings. but I found a match with a riptide small barrel on the bottom and a Krux cone top bushing. Sounds weird but it’s a perfect match to the 215 stocks. 🍻
@@Bryan-kl5rr I grew up in the flats of the Midwest, and my friends and I just used what we had to learn. I’ll just say I had 3 skating tickets from parking garages. 20 mph is definitely sufficient to learn the fundamentals of downhill. There’s no sizable hills in the city I live in now, and I just drove an hour each way today to meet up with some downhill skaters.
Bones hardcore hards have been lasting me more then a year already and still holding up super wel. Plus you don't have to tighten your trucks to get them pretty tight. If that's what you like I would recommend
After trying all 3 bones bushings, I’ve found the hard ones to be my favorite bushing. The soft and mediums feel great, but blow out way too fast. The hard ones a little loose, is in my opinion your best bet. They turn great on my indys, and I don’t even weigh that much (125 lb). Also shout out to Paul Schmitt for giving me that tip about putting the washer on the bottom
yep my local shop said the same thing about the washer on the bottom. They told me no washer on top washer on bottom. At least for indys its the secret. Best turning and trick response
I just got the Independent cylindrical Hard 94A bushings and they ride great after break in. I barely get any squeaks and they turn smooth without any wobble. I haven't tries bones but I will try their hard 96A bushings in the future.
Hey Ben! I discovered recently that I prefer bones hard bushings when I ride a deck with a smaller wheelbase. It gives me more stability without feeling too tight at all 🐬
I found my sweet spot by keeping the barrel indy for the bottom and use a bones hard conical bottom (bigger one) as top. The bigger bottom Bones one on top makes for less threads sticking out.
Agreed with the weird Indy orange bushing break in...they harden up after skating. To dial them in i always carry a tool when skating new trucks. And after tightening to feel I find I then need to loosen after a while of skating.
Would be cool to see a video where you test out multiple Indy bushings. Such as some of the various different durometers or a conical version which I would guess to be more similar to a bones. I get that this comparison is more for people looking to upgrade their stock indy bushings to bones, but the better comparison would be medium hard indy conicals vs bones. Bones are listed at 91a, indy mediums at 90a and indy medium-hard at 92a. So there is nothing directly the same, but they probably measure durometer differently between the brands anyways. Since you think stock 90a's feel soft, trying 90a conical would be pointless, probably even softer. Comparing conical to cylinders is literally like apples to oranges, you could easily test this using indy bushings of the same durometer. If you like the feeling of bones it might be a fair assessment that it is the conical shape that you are liking, not some sort of magical rubber inside. You also get the benifit of using washers, which a lot of people seem to blame on bones being so easy to blow out.
Holy poop I’ve been preaching this since the stage 11’s came out !!!! The size/dimension of your bushings changes board feel bigtime! For Indy you gotta stay with their bushings. I ride the blue med-hard and it’s dam well perfect for me. Also Indy’s conical bushings are really good for anyone who’s a bit more into tech skating! Thanks for showing this to everyone Ben!! Great minds think alike! 😎
I ride the hard bones bushings on an indy truck but with a bottom Washer. (Luan Oliviera does this too) i think it doesnt change the geometry of the truck at all and after a couple sessions the bushings feel really broken in. I like it that way
The plastic inserts in the bones bushings I rode broke on both sets. The plastic cracked as well as separating itself from the bushing at the edges (where the bushing meets the yellow plastic donut). Made the turn inconsistent enough to be unridable. Trucks are the soul of a skateboard, but furthermore, bushings are the souls of trucks. That being said, it'd be really really cool to see redone reviews on the indy stages 7-10, but fixed up with bushings that actually function and are cut to the right size. Some of those reviews just seem like Ben struggling through 20+ year old bushings and are not at all a reflection of the trucks. Love your videos all the same
Currently riding bones hard on indy stage 10 139 standards and i'm loving it. I put the washer under the lower bushing to bring the height closer to its true height/geometry and i have no complaints. I noticed with the standard bushing cups; the lower cup was actually touching part of the hanger and leaving some weird wear marks - removing the cups solved this problem and gives me a deeper turn i think. I ride just loose enough that i can wheelbite when i tip all my weight - probably medium loose. And the trucks have a reduced weight of like 7 grams each from removing the cups.
The bushing blowout, I experienced that the first day riding Bones hard. I’m on the portly side, working on that’s why I got back into skating, and I ride tight trucks. I’m going to try the Indy stock to see the difference. Appreciate the video.
👏👏 so funny you say that. I been really liking softer bushings then tightening the truck to lower them and bring wb in as well. I like the way they skate like that
My experience with indy stock is they shred at first use. Thunder stock has been great. They lasted me about 6 months. Granted, I'm around 200 lbs. So, bones hard is my replacement since thunder blues are never in stock at our shops around here. The bones hard has been good to me. There a little tight at first, but usually doesn't take long to break in.
How did I break my bushing when I only 120 after only 3 months I never even tighten the trucks down they felt good from the start should I try softer ones or maybe even harder
I roll with Indy titanium’ mids with medium bones bushings and bones STF v3 52s. Love the turning, pop leverage and lightness. After skating for 35 years. It’s what I settled on.
Nice that Indy have cut down the top bushing, I always used to cut 'em down with a hacksaw and then sand them flat with a bit of grip. I've had a couple of Bones splitting, I've been using Krux bushings for a while now, they're working fine and broke in pretty good. Oh, I always sand my new bushings with a bit of grip to take that shine off and round off the edges, helps break them in a bit quicker.
Quick story. Until this year I always rode 139 Indy trucks without changing the tightness and loved it. That is pretty loose. The carving was so fun and you don’t have to land your tricks exactly because you can turn the last bit and still make the trick Then two things happened. One: I rode a half pipe and had to tighten my trucks. Two: I rode Indy 144s and they ride tighter straight out of the shop Now I ride my trucks a bit tighter and it means I can go faster
Thank you for this review. Like I would tell all my customers at the shop wI worked at over covid, don't drive yourself crazy, just let the indy stock bushings break in and you'll be glad you stuck it out.
@@bendegros Thank you! When I rode Venture Feather Lights (That's when they first came out, HAHA!) I would boil those green bushings for 30 minutes. It soften them up and help the break in process. When I went back to Indy, never had to do that process again. :)
I have a box full of blown out bones bushings. Both medium and hard. For me it's always my back set, and likely caused by the pinch of an axle stall on transition. My only issue with stock Indy bushings (cylinder) is the rebound isn't too great after a while. Like the board doesn't roll straight, the trucks turn and stay turned. I've recently tried the conical Indys and definitely think these are what I'll be riding for a while. The rebound is fantastic, just need to find the right durometer so I can get a nice turn but without the risk of wheel bite.
Paul schmitt recommended Two washers under the lower bushing on bones,to not change the geometry on the truck. By the way Ben have you tried independent medium hard 92A blue bushings?
So glad to see this video before my 7am sessions. Sorry to hear about your injury dude been wondering where your at. Did you delete your IG? Maybe it’s a problem on my end. My time on my board has been great lately I’ve really nailed down some basics I never really had before and it’s very satisfying. I don’t usually mess around with my bushings much, feel like once I take trucks apart they are never the same again haha superstitious or something. Great to see this content thanks Ben!
thank you so much for this video, I only skate tight trucks so finally understanding that hard bushings are the solution to all my bushing problems is an immeasurable help. Long live tight trucks lol
Loved your explanation. I feel like the more of these I watch and the more I play with bushings, they make the biggest difference in my balance and setup. I'm a bit heavier than you at 200lbs and I really like the bones hard bushings, but it's personal preference obviously. Thanks for sharing!
I have been using one set of standard indy bushings for the past 2 years. (They came with my first ever pair of trucks.) I always switch out the new bushings with the old ones if I get a new trucks.
i skate basically the same, like 1-2 threads showing in my trucks, but i use bones bushings instead of stock all the time. hard in the bottom, and soft in the top, so the truck feels really solid at the bottom, but you can still turn. and i don't use the bones washers, i keep the old one in the top. they last me forever that way, i've yet to have any problems with them cracking or splitting, they just work for me.
Skated bones bushings for while before I went tinkering with several indy bushings of different hardness. Bones lacked a lot of durability and ended up mushing out. There was an awesome article on jenkem on pro setup's loose trucks and I became a fan of tinkering with my trucks with different bushings. I was curious also about the hardness of stock ace bushings (91a top conical / 86a bottom cylinder), so I bought different indy bushings (92a med-hard conical top / 88a soft cylinder bottom) to match the ace stock bushing setup on my indy's.
I used those religiously for a couple of years, but in the Minnesota summer, the soft would crumble/blow out in a matter of days. I’d even bring my board in the house, away from the heat, but they’d still get all messed up from the heat.
Hey thx Ben, I was about to buy Bones bushings in tandem with new indies, but I will stick with the stock bushings for now. I also have Indy hard bushings, 96a on another pair of Trucks, so I can switch those in If I have to.
I skated bones mediums with Thunders for over a year, they did eventually break the harder yellow plastic though. Likely because the baseplate didn't support the entirety of it. I'm riding indys now, and that's not a problem. Funny thing you mentioned the clicks, I kept getting clicks with stock indy bushings, the bottom cylindrical bushing kept popping out of the washer. Dunno if they would've settled once they broke it properly, I never gave it the chance.
Best to put an extra bones washer on the bottom bushings to space them up right and skate the hards loose. You'll get turn and stability that lasts with no geometry change
I can't decide. The shop has only in stock 96A or 81A. I have always used the Indy`s original orange bushings and they are 90A. I feel more for the 96A but are afraid they are too hard on the turns. Any recommendations?
It’s like you read my mind! I’ve been experimenting with new bushings, riding 149 Thunder team editions. I tried the barrel shaped Indy bushings but they weren’t at all the right size and were just getting smashed together. Tried the Bones medium bushings and for me (a larger dude) it felt like having two marshmallows in there, which is no fun for trying to pop tricks. Just got the Bones hard bushings and it’s like Goldilocks, just right! Give them some time to break in on a cruiser board or something, I promise they’re worthwhile once they have a little more give
I remember getting a set of the Bones Hard because they the only left at the shop and I couldnt get through a single session xD . Ive been riding the Mediums on Thunders Hollow Light 147s for a few months and its been wonderful. I do use a bones washer at the bottom also. I feel like that made the difference when it comes to longevity.
Had my lower bones medium herniate also. Used the new lower bushings that came with my indies and upper bushing of my bones mediums, and really feels good. Maybe a mental thing, but I dig this combo
Having a few threads showing is not a worry when you can angle grind down the top of the kingpin, giving you more clearance as they get older too. It is something I have always done and it makes a truck last with decent clearance right down to axle.
Totally agree with you! I never could get my Bones bushings dialed in, especially on a vert ramp. I found the Indy bushings in any and all Durometers work really well for me. I’m not always a big Indy fan but they do make really good trucks and even better aftermarket bushings IMO 🤙
Don't get Ben started. He'll go through every permutation and combination of every bushing. It could be years and thousands of dollars spent going through them all.
@@AlexNiedt every medium owners had that moment where they try to tighten their nut down to replicate the out of the box feel until they smash the core. Plus i ride them bottom washer no washer up top so the nut basically has to be barely on or bones hards. Its like a weird concept nut barely on with hards/break into brand new med feel. Get meds...they blow out get loose and you tigten the nut until they completely crack. Either way no top washer is best for turning or transition
@@anhiirr so true. I tightened them as hard as I could, did one crooked grind and the front truck was loose again lol. Now I'm trying out a combo of medium hard and hard Indy bushings
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I ride the bottom bushing Indy and only put in the top bones bushing. You get the easy break in and then the geometry doesn’t change. It’s feels great too right away!
Ryaaaaaaaaan!!!!!!! Can't believe it's actually you :) I look forward to the day we run into each other at a park again some day. I'm sure it's been over a decade!
Similar, I have Thunder hard bushings on the top and Indys on the bottom.
I tried it out and it was amazing, you have the feel of loose and stable at the same time it’s awesome 👏 🎉🐁🪳
You swear by this? I want to try it on my hollow stage 11's but am hesitant.
@@DustinDollinsShinBone i personally thinks it’s good I just have to tighten it more than I use to
Anyone else remember when Ben said he was just gonna skate one set up at a time? I'm thankful he didn't keep that promise.
I said the same thing before but yea I think Ben and everyone should skate whatever u feel will work that day I switch setups sometimes
Ben, I think it's awesome that at 30-something you are still skateboarding at a high level. You're inspiring to this 63-year-old comeback skateboarder after a 45-year hiatus. Thanks for your insights into these different bushing. I just purchased the Bones Hard bushing because I weigh 195 lbs. and felt that I need some stiffer bushings. We'll see how that goes. Keep up the good job on your boards.
That's awesome! Make sure you stretch before each session. Use a rumble roller after a tiring session. Make sure to laugh at yourself when you fall and don't be embarrassed to wear protective equipment. This is coming from a 40 year old skater getting back into it. Never stop!
@@rovingmauler7410 As long as we are physically able we can keep going. I got back into skateboarding in 2018 (age 53) after twisting my knee inline skating. That twist really messed up my skating for a bit. Nevertheless my knee is much improved now since I switched to skateboarding. I'm now 58. Still love skateborading as much as when I first did it in 1975-76. Difference these days is the improved technology with board material, bushing quality and more durometers/formulations, bearing quality, wheel types, sizes, and durometers available. Different truck types for different styles of riding. I am really glad to be alive, healthy, and fit enough to be riding today with so much more to experiment with. I intend to keep riding for as long as my body allows!!! 👊🤘👍
@@Movieman1965, @FlowJunkie65, @ rovingmauler7410 At this point I propose an over 40 group, I started skating again at 44, after a month I still can't do a trick but hearing the noise of the wheels on the asphalt is too cool. I don't have social networks but I'd like to stay in touch with you! Is it possible?
Great!✌✌✌
Came here because my stock indys are doing same as those 1:25 Not sure if they changed bushing material or the inside of trucks where they rest isn't machine smooth enough 🤷♂️
Same here! Bones medium feels perfect right out of the box but broke after 2 months. Stock bushings lasted more than a year for me.
Your insights about the stock Indy bushings improving since I last tried them and the bones bushings blowing out in a month helped me solve some gear madness that had been tormenting me recently. Thanks! Keep up the great work.
I’ve been watching Ben’s home improvement videos for a couple years and just learned he had a skateboarding channel! I told my skateboarding son to check out both.
Hard on the bottom, medium on top! Perfect medium-hardness! I've done it for years. Got the idea from Kevin Romar.
Just got the medium and gonna try those, cause they're a little to loose. 🙌
Started doing the same thing!
Agreed! I'm 200 lbs and the hard bottom with medium top combo is perfect. And if you don't want to change the geo, put the washer on the bottom. Perfect for indy, not for every truck...the only caveat
Thank you so much for your videos. You've inspired me to pick up skateboarding again at age 24. Wish me luck! My new board arrives tomorrow!
Try putting the washer at the bottom bushing it helps to maintain the height of the truck. I prefer the hard bushing cos over time it will become medium feel bushing.
After trying every combination known to man I actually go the opposite - no washer on bottom, one on top (obviously not as important). These micro adjustments actually make a huge difference. It's all personal taste and all worth playing around with for sure.
Ive been skating for near 20 years. I used to have no knowledge or care for dimensions/geometry of skateboard parts. Board shape, wheel base, wheels, truck & bushings, ECT. Ben has turned me into a certified nerd. Once independent started to be manufactured in china I was looking for a different brand. I used to be an Indy Nazi and no other truck brands were acceptable to me. This chanel helped me so much with finding new truck options. Thank you! Hope you heal well!!
I've started putting the flat bones washers on slightly harder (blue) indy aftermarkets and its been really good. The original cupped top bushing start digging into the top bushing and eventually cut into it most of the time, but with the flat washer, it avoids this while keeping the geometry, and also gives you a deeper turn (hence the harder bushings to compensate for stability).
Ive had the same experience with the cupped washer cutting into the top bushing on my titanium indys
I've went through 2 sets of bushing so I figured I'd try the bones hard with flat washers
@@michaeldaggy6836 I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the bones in Indy’s because conical boardside bushing dips/responds differently than the original barrel bushing. Also if you compare them, the Indy’s are a bigger diameter, I think that contributes to them being a bit less sensitive/wobbly compared to bones. The flat washer they come with are awesome on any bushings tho - you can really tell how the cupped washers hit a point of restriction that the flat ones don’t.
I was riding bones soft bushings on my old trucks, and then i bought indys and tried to change the bushings with my bones soft and it would not stop clicking, so im just gonna use the stock indys, thanks for this video man
Personally, I got the Bones Hard Bushings and once they break in they feel and stay like the Bones Mediums do when they are right out of the box.
True story!
This is the way
Me too, it feels stiff and almost unable to turn in a few seshs but after a week everything feels good actually. I had both of hard and medium ones but they all collapsed already. The hard ones lasted me for 2 months until they blown out and medium ones were a month more than the hard ones. Now I go with the stock bushings for my 144 mids and everything good, no prob and I think I will go with these until they last to the end then switch to bones hard by later
Do you have any problem with the stock bushing stay at one place?(new Mason Silva trucks)1 session and switch to hard
@@vinceamir7236 I mean stock bushings can be fine. I just hate breaking in new stock bushings. I like being able to just throw Bones on and ride.
Nollie front heel + switch tail = "just the basics". Damn dude... I have been skating since the 90s and I don't have the basics! Great video, very objective look at the difference between the bushings. I personally have blown out every stock indy bushing I've ever ridden in the first day or week. I always put bones mediums in, and eventually stopped skating Indy's. I have blown out the bones ones too, but like you said it takes a while, especially when I only skate 2-3 times a week.
190-200 pound skater here. Bones hard are essential.
I've been skating the bones medium bushings for about a week and I love them. After watching Paul Schmitt's Nine Club episode, I put the flat washer that came with the bones bushings on the bottom instead of the top and that has made a huge difference (in a good way) in my pop.
I use Indy 92a conical shape with no threads showing. It feels very similar to the 90a barrel setup but with a bit more durable urethane and a tad more snap back to center. Or maybe I just like the blue. Or the idea that I changed from stock - because we all like to think our tweaks actually matter.
There's definitely a difference between the orange and the blue ones though, at least for me. The blue ones feel way more stable.
@@lt_alenko Yes, but then I went from barrel to conical - which makes it more turny.
Barrel vs conical on the bottom makes a huge difference.
The secret to bones bushings is to use bones hard on the bottom, so they don’t squish, but mediums for the top, so there isn’t too much resistance when turning. Also use your washers for the bottom and top to get the same geometry. Or just like you were saying, stick with the indy bushings, they are really good.
Right on! I used to do the same (but soft / medium instead).
@@jm505 I did that also, but like 60 pounds ago.
That’s been my go to for a while
@@jm505 I’ve been think of your same bushings set up. I already have bones soft however, I feel too unstable re-learning ollies/pop shuvs. I am adding the mediums later today.
🛹
I am planning to use a 95A Riptide street barrel boardside, 91A bones medium cone roadside. Is this gonna end badly for me?
I had a question. I've bought like 6 pairs of indy bushings 90a. And the bottom bushings have been splitting on me and i don't know why. I bought a set of Indy 169 hollows trucks and the bushings in them are the same ones I've been buying and have absolutely no problems. Was just curiouse on your opinion. I watch you all the time. The info that you give fits my style Of skating. I'm 46 years old and use my board to get to work. I travel 6 and half miles a day on the board no tricks just fast cruising. I'm 6'3" 240 lbs. I've been cruising for about 3-4 years so I'm not new to the scene. Just in case you needed extra info to make a better response. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Awesome work on your RUclips Chanel. Love your advice on shit! I'm better with what i do because of you. Your the man keep up the good work!! I thank you!!
I really enjoy these nerdy videos about setups. They really get u thinking! Keep it up!
I just started skating a few months ago after a 15+ year hiatus and the bushings that came on my independent hollow pin trucks started to ooze out, breaking off a ring-shape piece on the base of the barrel bushing after only about two weeks of one hour skate sessions five nights a week and these were brand spanking new trucks with new bushings. I do tighten my trucks to a level where anything but the most fine turn requires you to push down on the tail to lift the nose to point it in the direction you want to go, so they're a little beyond what even people who prefer a mainstream definition of tight would be, but that's the same way I used to skate tight as teenager and I don't recall the bushings doing that. I'm pretty thin too so having them break down so fast really surprised me.
I purchased the bones black bushings and they're a lot more solid, like a heavy rubber instead of a nearly translucent jello that get the 'ooze' effect when you tighten 'em down. So if you're weird like me and tighten your trucks to the point you can only turn a few degrees by leaning to one side or another for fine adjustment the bones hardcore seems good.
As a 6’ 3”, 200+ pounder, I’ve found anything other than bones hardcore bushings split after just one session. Definitely recommend them if you’re on the bigger side
Truth
Agreed
im also 200+ , I want to try with some bones, which hardness do you recommend? tnx
@@franck-df3if I've only tried the 96A/Hard on more of a cruiser setup (Landyacthz ATV Ditch Life with soft 60mm wheels), so might be different than what you're working with. They're a little too much at first, but they broke in like a firm medium and are just about right for me. They feel about the same way a 92A felt like 25 years and 50 pounds ago.
I appreciate this comment because I'm also 6'3 230 lbs and haven't skated in about 10 years. I was curious if my size would be a concern, and have been looking around for bushings that will hold. Are the bones hardcore hard bushings the all black version, 96a? Kind of tough finding bones bushings on creditable sites for some reason.
I recently got new indy’s and found out why they were cracking, when you do a crook your washer squeezes/cuts into your bushing. To fix this problem I sanded the washers down on a belt sander and no longer have this problem.
@@ishwav I don’t think so because it is flush with the bushing. You’re probably all good
11:32 nice switch tail slide
I used to put Tracker Hards in my Indys. Long time ago. Vert splinter days.
The problem I have with stock indys is they always get pinched with the washer. The washer literally cuts into the bushing so I have to go with bones hard bushings and just try my best to not crank down on them too much to keep the turn intact.
Same here. Last me about a year before replacing.
I got some new indys in the beginning of the year and ive noticed what you said about the washer cutting into the bushing. Its still skateable right now and probably will be for a while longer but it is a bit of a bummer when you break the bank to get the best trucks indy has to offer.
flat bones washer with indy bushings fixes this!
Funny enough the replacement Indy bushings comes with washers that have rounded edges, that solves the top washer cutting into the bushing problem. I always replace my top washers as soon as I get a new set. makes you wonder why the stock washers are different.
@@slappyskateco.7216 thank you for this information. Imma absolutely give them a try.
try the blue medium hard indy bushings, I find them perfect since I notice that the stock orange ones get too soft after long term use and I have to start tightening my kingpin nut more than I want to.
Exactly this.
try them with the bones the flat washer top :)
If you tighten the kingpin nut too much you are changing the geometry of the truck......any truck tightened with more than a thread or two hanging out beyond the nut has the wrong bushings for the rider.......known fact since '79
@@waynecartwright9478 yes I used to wear out my pivot cups like that with the altered hanger geometry from squished bushings!
@@RideBonesSwiss believe me most skaters do not understand principal....
Thank you for this. I had the exact same experience with Bones in my Indys. I went through 4 sets in a year. Stock bushings last me at least a year and feel just as good. I also tried a set of Shortys Doh Dohs bushings most recently and they only lasted 3 hours, they completely collapsed and blew out after one session. So once again I’m back to the Indy stock bushings and that’s where I’m going to stay. My recommendation is stick with the stocks and save your money 💰
I skate 149 indys, and leave them exactly how they come out the factory, and try not to worry about the bushings. Had the same pair for a year without loosening or tightening them and they’re so perfect, I never wanna change anything about them
Same bro
I used 8.25 latest stage Indy, medium bones bushings with a small top washer on both sides and riptide pivot cups. Feels incredible
TIP: I figured out that if you put a washer under the bottom bushing, it stops the clicking/ sticking. IIRC it had to do with the angle the truck was entering the pivot cup changing.
I didn’t think I’d love the Bones heads as much as I do. I almost always rode stock or replacement indy bushings. Stable and not too tight or loose. But after breaking them in they are great. A little more agile and def not too hard compared to the Indy’s
I'd like to see you take a look at other aftermarket options like RipTide and Venom, Riptide in particular has a lot to explore in terms of messing with your setup
I never had a problem with stock Indy bushings when I was younger, but I did switch to Bones hards about a year ago because I'm a lot heavier now than when I was a teenager. If you're over 200 lbs. I'd say Bones hards are the way to go.
I’m over 200 lbs, and I found that Bones Hards work great. I like my trucks kind of loose but you could easily tighten them if you wanted.
I agree there. Bones hard bushings are the way to go when you're over 200lbs. The only indy bushings I didn't have problems with were the black ones in the Indy 149 Reynolds edition trucks.
That’s why I take the stock top Indy washer and use it as the bottom washer with the bones hard bushings. It keeps the trucks at the correct height
If you like Bones hard try Khiro black......I use them on my Pool Crusher with 215s
@@waynecartwright9478 hey man. Where do you get Khiro bushings. I saw one site had a cone type bushing with gold or aluminum ring tops but they were sold out. Did you use those bushings or just standard Khiro bushings?
I am riding Tensor trucks right now with the Bones hard bushings and I just love them. I already used them in my previous Venture trucks and loved them. Never had a problem and if u are heavy, they are perfect medium, when they break in. They never broke or collapsed. I hated all the stock bushings, they always broke or bend the top washer, so it was impossible to tight them properly, it never happened with Bones.
As soon as I get new trucks, the Bones hard bushings go in.
I've loved bones medium for a year now, but I recently have been really frustrating with them blowing out over the hard core of them. So I'm transitioning all my setups to Indy medium/hard conical bushings and I'm loving them. I do have one setup with bones hards and they're holding up alot better. Same boat bones are awesome for a week or two until it starts feeling different every session, or you'll be in the middle of a session and all of a sudden one of your truck starts tracking in a weird direction and you f****** eat ass which has happened to me a few times only to find out oh my bushing just blew out on a freaking pop shove it or something
After many bushings I settled on Indy hard in the conical and medium on the cylinder one and they just needed to be snug not tight.
Got my first pair of Indy trucks recently after using Royal my whole life, the Indy bushing cracked within a month of skating 10 mins a day 5 days a week lol got some Bones mediums today, haven't used them yet though. I had a pair of Royals on one of my boards for like 20 years, original bushings still look perfect :P
I tryed the medium bones bushings on thunder trucks, last year! But was not happy at all. Now im riding on 5.6 venture hollow trucks with bones hard bushings already more then 5 months. And i don´t think i will go back to the stock bushings again! I heard bones were actually more soft then many other brands. So they should be slightly harder then medium on average bushing/truck brand! Can defenetly feel more stable but have no problems with turning at all! If anyone has venture trucks i can highly recomend the bones hard bushings! Since i didnt try them on other trucks, i dont know how well the work! Your videos are really great to watch and opens up alot of new ideas of things to try out!! Great review !!!!!! I have to recommend to use the top washer (the standard truck brand washer) on top of the top bushing, that makes them work better!! I tryed those bones small rings and also without anything on top. It makes them weird!
A bought Indy 159s two years ago. The bushings felt too loose for me, so I changed for a classic blue Indy ones. They are a bit harder and made my trucks perfect. The only thing that sucks is that now my back truck just cracked in the middle, while the axel still holds. It's a little weird, because I skate only small ledges, wasn't trying any Davises or El Toros. I purchased a new truck and will see. Great review Ben, thanx!
I have a varied perspective on bushings. I remember back in the days when Shorty's reds were absolutely perfect. Everything about them was perfect. They never blew out, they turned when you wanted and always re-centred themselves, so no more watching your board go for a little walk around a fictional corner when you slammed or bailed. Then for some reason they changed the formula... They became unskateable immediately... I tried the bones mediums and they were good for a while but they did not give the response I was used to having been so used to bushings that reacted... I was a bit lost, so I then decided to try indy low trucks... Do not try these trucks... Messed with my skating totally... but also with indy low trucks you cannot, unless you dedicate a bit of time and effort to reshaping your bushings, try different bushings... I am back on stage 11's now, the correct height. However what I have noticed, as I see a lot of people saying indy stock bushings are awful. Yes, they are if you ride a thinner board, so we are talking 7.5 to 7.75. I am not sure of the reason.
I bought a 9" popsicle as my cruiser, indy trucks and 95A wheels, and I can happily say, the stock bushings are absolutely perfect on wider trucks.
I also experimented with a company called Khiro, I got sent a set as they did not have the bushings I wanted in stock from the shop I ordered from. I still have them now, they have not blown out in over 8 years, but I believe the company has now closed down, which is a shame.
However, as this is a ridiculously long comment I will end it here. We throw ourselves down steps for fun. What could be more perfect than rolling away?
I’ve changed to bones about a year ago and I started with mediums and thought too spongey - then I bought Hards and I’ll never go back to standard bushings. Love the bones hards.
I'm not a big guy just under 5' 10" and go between 165 to 175 lbs. I tried the mediums and it felt like two chunks of bubble gum in there..way too soft. Are the hards much harder??
I want to try them out but I'm worried they are too similar to the mediums.
I've killed a couple of sets of Bones bushings pretty quickly and when they go it feels like you've broken your kingpin. My favourite bushings are the purple Venture ones.
Me too i feel that the purple bushing are the best! I got 5.6 v-hollow and the bushing are green and dont feel like the purple!
It's because the Bones bushings are kind of overrated to be honest. They also blow out when you tighten your trucks too early. Then you'll get the ugly performance and one month lifespan, aside from how medium is just never hard enough or a significant improvement over stock bushings.
Venture ones squeak so bad for me, but they ride great. I've tried wax, speed cream and WD-40 if anybody has any other ideas lemme know
Curious for you to try the Independent, Medium hards (blue 92a) in either conical or Barrel, do u have a preference in either?
I remember from an Old video of your reviews of ventures, is that they don't turn until they do, which is partly why I remove my top washers on most of my trucks (Aces don't need that to turn.)
My purple ventures broke in 1 month. Not only 1 bushing broke, every single bushing of the 2 trucks . Am i very unlucky or venture got different purple bushings type ?
I rode bones mediums for YEARS. Every pair blew out...until I realized (and corrected) the geometry change you explained in the video. The geometry change due to the shorter bottom bushing creates grossly uneven pressure on the bushing. That's what causes the blowout - pressure is applied much harder on the edge of the bushing closest to the board center. If you add a washer, or two, or however many it takes to make the stacked height with bones bushings the same as the stacked height with the stock bushings, they don't blow out.
Been riding bones for years. decided to try indy standards again. Split the top bushing first session and ever blew the back one half way out of the cup! Back to bones. I got two washers to put on bottom (one on each truck) to get back to original geometry and that's what I'm rocking now. also had issue of bones blowing out but they're 8 bucks, I'll get over it. Especially since there's no break in period,
True, bones hard bushings do get torn up quick but I'm used to it. I always have a spare to swap them out. I like my trucks super tight.
replacing the stock (orange) indy bushings with indy conical reds, and replacing the stock pivot cups with riptide pivot cups (thanks to your recommendation Ben), made my indy trucks feel perfect - not too hard, not too soft.
I love bones medium, skated them for a long time. But i also love skating Thunders trucks with Indy bushings.
I switched from stock bushings to Bones because the stock ones got frozen when skating at -20°C temperature here in Toronto. Bones don’t freeze in the winter. However, a year ago I switched back to Indys (medium-hard conical - the blue ones), and I am very happy with it. If you think the medium cylinder is a little to soft, try the mediu/hard conical (blue). Indys have in between hardness from soft to medium to hard, those are the conical ones.
My primary discipline of skating is downhill, and bushing choice is crucial for downhill. I’m not a fan of the bones hardcore at all, even though I love most other Powell/bones products.
I would recommend riptide Krank street in whatever shape and duro you want. Make sure you get the street ones because the regular size are taller for rkp trucks.
👍 I’ve been dabbling into outside sources for bushings too. Riptide and Venom. Such a huge selection of hardness and shapes. It’s hard to get a matching size to the stock bushings in your trucks but it is possible. Recently decided to try a set of Indy 215 and it took a while to find harder bushings for them cuz they’re still at stage 4 and those bushings are way different than all the stage 11 Indy bushings. but I found a match with a riptide small barrel on the bottom and a Krux cone top bushing. Sounds weird but it’s a perfect match to the 215 stocks. 🍻
I wish I could get into downhill skating around my area, but it’s pretty flat around here. Consider yourself lucky!
@@Bryan-kl5rr I grew up in the flats of the Midwest, and my friends and I just used what we had to learn. I’ll just say I had 3 skating tickets from parking garages. 20 mph is definitely sufficient to learn the fundamentals of downhill.
There’s no sizable hills in the city I live in now, and I just drove an hour each way today to meet up with some downhill skaters.
@@Bryan-kl5rr Got any friends that would let you Skitch their vehicle with a long rope?? Get a similar dose of adrenalin and speeds.
@@MirageTactics Love your comment. Finding solutions instead of excuses shows your passion.
Bones hardcore hards have been lasting me more then a year already and still holding up super wel. Plus you don't have to tighten your trucks to get them pretty tight. If that's what you like I would recommend
After trying all 3 bones bushings, I’ve found the hard ones to be my favorite bushing. The soft and mediums feel great, but blow out way too fast. The hard ones a little loose, is in my opinion your best bet. They turn great on my indys, and I don’t even weigh that much (125 lb). Also shout out to Paul Schmitt for giving me that tip about putting the washer on the bottom
yep my local shop said the same thing about the washer on the bottom. They told me no washer on top washer on bottom. At least for indys its the secret. Best turning and trick response
Try Khiro soft or mediums. I’m around 135 and find those super nice.
@@jm505 how long do they typically last you?
Both are good, I like the soft red indy bushings
I go washerless on the top bushing as well, then add the washer as they break in.
I just got the Independent cylindrical Hard 94A bushings and they ride great after break in. I barely get any squeaks and they turn smooth without any wobble. I haven't tries bones but I will try their hard 96A bushings in the future.
Hey Ben! I discovered recently that I prefer bones hard bushings when I ride a deck with a smaller wheelbase. It gives me more stability without feeling too tight at all 🐬
I found my sweet spot by keeping the barrel indy for the bottom and use a bones hard conical bottom (bigger one) as top. The bigger bottom Bones one on top makes for less threads sticking out.
Agreed with the weird Indy orange bushing break in...they harden up after skating. To dial them in i always carry a tool when skating new trucks. And after tightening to feel I find I then need to loosen after a while of skating.
Would be cool to see a video where you test out multiple Indy bushings. Such as some of the various different durometers or a conical version which I would guess to be more similar to a bones. I get that this comparison is more for people looking to upgrade their stock indy bushings to bones, but the better comparison would be medium hard indy conicals vs bones. Bones are listed at 91a, indy mediums at 90a and indy medium-hard at 92a. So there is nothing directly the same, but they probably measure durometer differently between the brands anyways. Since you think stock 90a's feel soft, trying 90a conical would be pointless, probably even softer. Comparing conical to cylinders is literally like apples to oranges, you could easily test this using indy bushings of the same durometer. If you like the feeling of bones it might be a fair assessment that it is the conical shape that you are liking, not some sort of magical rubber inside. You also get the benifit of using washers, which a lot of people seem to blame on bones being so easy to blow out.
Holy poop I’ve been preaching this since the stage 11’s came out !!!! The size/dimension of your bushings changes board feel bigtime! For Indy you gotta stay with their bushings. I ride the blue med-hard and it’s dam well perfect for me. Also Indy’s conical bushings are really good for anyone who’s a bit more into tech skating! Thanks for showing this to everyone Ben!! Great minds think alike! 😎
I ride the hard bones bushings on an indy truck but with a bottom Washer. (Luan Oliviera does this too) i think it doesnt change the geometry of the truck at all and after a couple sessions the bushings feel really broken in. I like it that way
The plastic inserts in the bones bushings I rode broke on both sets. The plastic cracked as well as separating itself from the bushing at the edges (where the bushing meets the yellow plastic donut). Made the turn inconsistent enough to be unridable.
Trucks are the soul of a skateboard, but furthermore, bushings are the souls of trucks. That being said, it'd be really really cool to see redone reviews on the indy stages 7-10, but fixed up with bushings that actually function and are cut to the right size. Some of those reviews just seem like Ben struggling through 20+ year old bushings and are not at all a reflection of the trucks.
Love your videos all the same
omg the "click" im so glad Ben mentioned this. I thought it was just me!
Currently riding bones hard on indy stage 10 139 standards and i'm loving it. I put the washer under the lower bushing to bring the height closer to its true height/geometry and i have no complaints. I noticed with the standard bushing cups; the lower cup was actually touching part of the hanger and leaving some weird wear marks - removing the cups solved this problem and gives me a deeper turn i think. I ride just loose enough that i can wheelbite when i tip all my weight - probably medium loose. And the trucks have a reduced weight of like 7 grams each from removing the cups.
I remember Bones hards with tight trucks were in back in '07-'10ish. Everyone had the Chris Cole tight trucks
Ur video quality is getting better keep it up
The bushing blowout, I experienced that the first day riding Bones hard. I’m on the portly side, working on that’s why I got back into skating, and I ride tight trucks. I’m going to try the Indy stock to see the difference. Appreciate the video.
I’d try loosening your trucks too dude
@@barnabaswilson1062 There good now. They broken in the way I like them.
👏👏 so funny you say that. I been really liking softer bushings then tightening the truck to lower them and bring wb in as well. I like the way they skate like that
My experience with indy stock is they shred at first use. Thunder stock has been great. They lasted me about 6 months. Granted, I'm around 200 lbs. So, bones hard is my replacement since thunder blues are never in stock at our shops around here. The bones hard has been good to me. There a little tight at first, but usually doesn't take long to break in.
Biggest problem with stock Thunders is how squeaky they are. That’s the only reason I immediately pull them out. The noise they make drives me nuts.
@@TheDealer1228 energy suspension prothane grease
How did I break my bushing when I only 120 after only 3 months I never even tighten the trucks down they felt good from the start should I try softer ones or maybe even harder
I roll with Indy titanium’ mids with medium bones bushings and bones STF v3 52s. Love the turning, pop leverage and lightness. After skating for 35 years. It’s what I settled on.
Nice that Indy have cut down the top bushing, I always used to cut 'em down with a hacksaw and then sand them flat with a bit of grip. I've had a couple of Bones splitting, I've been using Krux bushings for a while now, they're working fine and broke in pretty good. Oh, I always sand my new bushings with a bit of grip to take that shine off and round off the edges, helps break them in a bit quicker.
Quick story. Until this year I always rode 139 Indy trucks without changing the tightness and loved it. That is pretty loose. The carving was so fun and you don’t have to land your tricks exactly because you can turn the last bit and still make the trick
Then two things happened. One: I rode a half pipe and had to tighten my trucks. Two: I rode Indy 144s and they ride tighter straight out of the shop
Now I ride my trucks a bit tighter and it means I can go faster
Thank you for this review. Like I would tell all my customers at the shop wI worked at over covid, don't drive yourself crazy, just let the indy stock bushings break in and you'll be glad you stuck it out.
Well said!
@@bendegros Thank you! When I rode Venture Feather Lights (That's when they first came out, HAHA!) I would boil those green bushings for 30 minutes. It soften them up and help the break in process. When I went back to Indy, never had to do that process again. :)
I used to love bones, but have come to find an appreciation for stock bushings in any truck. ACE did that for me. Best stocks ever.
I used to put a strong metal washer because tightening the bolt would bend the standard one , and also changing the bolt when it snapped
I have a box full of blown out bones bushings. Both medium and hard. For me it's always my back set, and likely caused by the pinch of an axle stall on transition. My only issue with stock Indy bushings (cylinder) is the rebound isn't too great after a while. Like the board doesn't roll straight, the trucks turn and stay turned. I've recently tried the conical Indys and definitely think these are what I'll be riding for a while. The rebound is fantastic, just need to find the right durometer so I can get a nice turn but without the risk of wheel bite.
Paul schmitt recommended Two washers under the lower bushing on bones,to not change the geometry on the truck.
By the way Ben have you tried independent medium hard 92A blue bushings?
So glad to see this video before my 7am sessions. Sorry to hear about your injury dude been wondering where your at. Did you delete your IG? Maybe it’s a problem on my end. My time on my board has been great lately I’ve really nailed down some basics I never really had before and it’s very satisfying. I don’t usually mess around with my bushings much, feel like once I take trucks apart they are never the same again haha superstitious or something. Great to see this content thanks Ben!
thank you so much for this video, I only skate tight trucks so finally understanding that hard bushings are the solution to all my bushing problems is an immeasurable help. Long live tight trucks lol
I use to always use the shortys doh dohs back in the day in all my trucks
Loved your explanation. I feel like the more of these I watch and the more I play with bushings, they make the biggest difference in my balance and setup. I'm a bit heavier than you at 200lbs and I really like the bones hard bushings, but it's personal preference obviously. Thanks for sharing!
I have been using one set of standard indy bushings for the past 2 years. (They came with my first ever pair of trucks.) I always switch out the new bushings with the old ones if I get a new trucks.
i skate basically the same, like 1-2 threads showing in my trucks, but i use bones bushings instead of stock all the time. hard in the bottom, and soft in the top, so the truck feels really solid at the bottom, but you can still turn. and i don't use the bones washers, i keep the old one in the top. they last me forever that way, i've yet to have any problems with them cracking or splitting, they just work for me.
Skated bones bushings for while before I went tinkering with several indy bushings of different hardness. Bones lacked a lot of durability and ended up mushing out. There was an awesome article on jenkem on pro setup's loose trucks and I became a fan of tinkering with my trucks with different bushings. I was curious also about the hardness of stock ace bushings (91a top conical / 86a bottom cylinder), so I bought different indy bushings (92a med-hard conical top / 88a soft cylinder bottom) to match the ace stock bushing setup on my indy's.
I used those religiously for a couple of years, but in the Minnesota summer, the soft would crumble/blow out in a matter of days. I’d even bring my board in the house, away from the heat, but they’d still get all messed up from the heat.
Hey thx Ben, I was about to buy Bones bushings in tandem with new indies, but I will stick with the stock bushings for now.
I also have Indy hard bushings, 96a on another pair of Trucks, so I can switch those in If I have to.
The Indy conical bushings are amazing. I put them in all of my trucks.
I skated bones mediums with Thunders for over a year, they did eventually break the harder yellow plastic though. Likely because the baseplate didn't support the entirety of it. I'm riding indys now, and that's not a problem.
Funny thing you mentioned the clicks, I kept getting clicks with stock indy bushings, the bottom cylindrical bushing kept popping out of the washer. Dunno if they would've settled once they broke it properly, I never gave it the chance.
Best to put an extra bones washer on the bottom bushings to space them up right and skate the hards loose. You'll get turn and stability that lasts with no geometry change
@ben degros try Riptide APS 90a bushings in street cone/street barrel. And also try Venom SHR street bushings.
I can't decide. The shop has only in stock 96A or 81A. I have always used the Indy`s original orange bushings and they are 90A. I feel more for the 96A but are afraid they are too hard on the turns. Any recommendations?
i have indy soft bushings cuz i ride super loose trucks, and i love how they feel on impact, i feel so much more support
It’s like you read my mind! I’ve been experimenting with new bushings, riding 149 Thunder team editions. I tried the barrel shaped Indy bushings but they weren’t at all the right size and were just getting smashed together. Tried the Bones medium bushings and for me (a larger dude) it felt like having two marshmallows in there, which is no fun for trying to pop tricks. Just got the Bones hard bushings and it’s like Goldilocks, just right! Give them some time to break in on a cruiser board or something, I promise they’re worthwhile once they have a little more give
I remember getting a set of the Bones Hard because they the only left at the shop and I couldnt get through a single session xD . Ive been riding the Mediums on Thunders Hollow Light 147s for a few months and its been wonderful. I do use a bones washer at the bottom also. I feel like that made the difference when it comes to longevity.
If you use the regular top washer cap it stabilizes/tightens the truck. makes a big difference in effecting the turning rebound
Had my lower bones medium herniate also. Used the new lower bushings that came with my indies and upper bushing of my bones mediums, and really feels good. Maybe a mental thing, but I dig this combo
Having a few threads showing is not a worry when you can angle grind down the top of the kingpin, giving you more clearance as they get older too. It is something I have always done and it makes a truck last with decent clearance right down to axle.
Totally agree with you! I never could get my Bones bushings dialed in, especially on a vert ramp. I found the Indy bushings in any and all Durometers work really well for me. I’m not always a big Indy fan but they do make really good trucks and even better aftermarket bushings IMO 🤙
Hi Ben! I like to combine different bushings (top/ bottom) with different specs, this works very well for me!
Don't get Ben started. He'll go through every permutation and combination of every bushing. It could be years and thousands of dollars spent going through them all.
@@idmhead0160 hehe :-)
Was hoping you'd break in the Bones hards, because they end up a perfect medium once broken in.
why not just get medium?
@@aidanfrench7255 Medium end up soft
@@AlexNiedt every medium owners had that moment where they try to tighten their nut down to replicate the out of the box feel until they smash the core. Plus i ride them bottom washer no washer up top so the nut basically has to be barely on or bones hards. Its like a weird concept nut barely on with hards/break into brand new med feel. Get meds...they blow out get loose and you tigten the nut until they completely crack. Either way no top washer is best for turning or transition
@@anhiirr so true. I tightened them as hard as I could, did one crooked grind and the front truck was loose again lol.
Now I'm trying out a combo of medium hard and hard Indy bushings