Skate Reanimate

I ordered new bushings and soft risers from Socal Skateshop, which I installed last night and tested before work this morning at the Orem park.

Old bushings

SCS stickers:

The product:

Installed:

If you notice, my old bushings were crushed and deformed. I realize now this is because they were replacements for Grind King trucks, and GK has it’s own unique style of bushings. So not only do these new GK bushings fit better, they perform better, and I think it has straightened out the hold of the board. You’ll notice that I have replaced the kingpins on these trucks, as the hex bolts that GK packs drill into the board when I tighten them down.

My ride this morning was noticeably smoother; the Orem skatepark has a lot of roll-ins and good transitions. I left my trucks a little looser than normal, so I don’t know if that improved the overall ride, or if the risers had anything to do with it. I really have no way to tell immediately if they disperse the impact and protect my joints, but I may be able to tell after a week of skating.

A couple parts questions have been on my mind this week:

First, bushings: what does hardness affect?

I’ve got some old Grind King trucks that I threw on the deck my mother gave me for Christmas, but they hold to a peculiar angle, and so I figure I need new bushings. As a freestyler in the 90s tight trucks were the norm, and though I’ve eased up a bit these days, I still like my trucks pretty tight. I recall setting up with hard bushings–95 or 99a–so I’ll probably go with that again, even though I’m not sure how much hardness of bushings affects anything–if at all.

Second, riser pads: do they impact tricks?

As I get older I look for more ways to absorb some of the beating my joints take, especially my knee. I recalled that right before we stopped using risers altogether (as wheels lessened in diameter) one company–maybe Independent–put out some cushy little black riser pads–maybe 1/8 or 1/4 inch. I remember how well they absorbed impact for the deck–virtually eliminating pressure cracks around the trucks–and am now wondering if the new generation do anything for impact on landings. On the one hand they’re really small, and landings are quite hard. On the other hand, the natural cushioning and pillow between one’s joints is similarly small, so it’s got to be better than nothing, right? The real question is, do they impact tricks? Do they absorb some of the force your feet might exert on the board before, say, an ollie?

With no ready info on the web I suppose I’ll have to just try each out and report back here..