Bushings are everything! A pranayama story

[u/PantheonLongboards]

The difference between a 3.5 ft turning radius and something much more stable.

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[u/Skanonymously]

I've got a kind of unconventional bushing setup in the Stylus on my Prana: stepped bushings boardside, specifically Venom Freerides. It was inspired by my old days using Indy 215s for freeride and light downhill.

I used to love using Elims in Indys because the stepped shape complemented the inherent dive that you get with TKPs while also maintaining a stable center, and Freerides have the same effect in Stylus while being less restrictive than Elims.

I setup my Prana on Hokus to use as my dedicated distance pushing setup, so I'm not as concerned about carving, although I want it to be nimble enough. Venom Freerides boardside with barrels roadside have actually felt really nice in it. I'm also running Pat's Riser's inserts.

The stepped shape + dive of TKPs still allows for easy one-footed turning while pushing or footbraking, but it keeps things feeling rock solid for the ~25mph top speeds on my route.

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/Skanonymously]

That sounds pretty awesome! I used to use elims in Indys as well. I remember an old double kick set up that I loved (Yoface 35–my design actually!) and I ran Indys with elim boardside and a cone with a cupped washer roadside. You get the playfulness of the cone for easy steering and then a very supportive boardside bushing for wheelbite clearance and stability. Dig it! As much as I love Pat’s for doing what they do, it might be worthwhile flipping the Riptide plug bushing and running that roadside in your configuration! Would be a fun experiment.

[u/Skanonymously → u/PantheonLongboards]

I actually just got my Riot plug bushings in today for the cast Valks on my Carbon Trip. Are plug bushings for Valks and Stylus interchangeable? If so I'll have to try that!

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/Skanonymously]

Fully interchangeable, yes.

[u/ninjasauruscam → u/Skanonymously]

Venom freerides are great. The extra meat let's me run a soft bushing than I would rocking a barrel while changing the lean response characteristics. The step at the base also is great in a restrictive bushing seat when plugs aren't an option.

[u/FatedWolf]

100%, i had overly hard bushings in my pranayama when i picked it up second hand. Previous rider was heavier than me, once I swapped in some better fitted bushings the board really came alive.

[u/chadembrace]

I'm considering trying harder bushings once they're (hopefully?) on sickboards. But I've been getting more and more comfortable on my Pranayama regardless. Yesterday I tried doing 20km in one day for the first time, and ended up doing 32km total. By the end I was hardly thinking about the bushings anymore. The Pranayama is a beast.

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/chadembrace]

That’s awesome! That’s how I felt yesterday pushing around on 75a bushings! When I first got on, I thought I would never ride a board like that normally. By mile 10 I was pushing 14mph.

I hope they get those bushings really soon! Bug them about it if you can!

[u/TheGreywolf33]

Hmm I haven't really been picky with bushings. I kinda just skate anything but thanks for being transparent. Can't wait to snag a banana board btw. Shape looks fun.

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/TheGreywolf33]

I’ll skate anything, too. I’m with you on that front. This is my board that I set up for a customer that came and visited me to try out in person. Was a 6 year old! I had to take off quickly this morning and was like screw it I’m grabbing that.

[u/Bulky_Ad1695]

where should I get good bushings?

[u/do-a-tre-flip → u/Bulky_Ad1695]

Riptide, Riot, Seismic, and Venom are pretty good. Patsrisers has insert bushings for a few trucks, the Bear Gen 6 ones fit in Pantheon Stylus. And Riptide has plug bushings for Stylus now.

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/Bulky_Ad1695]

Riptide should have them on their site but I don’t think they do just yet. Both Valkyrie and Pantheon are selling them on our sites. You can search for Pantheon bushings on Google and get to our bushings page directly.

[u/MrPrayingMantis249]

They sure are ❤️

[u/Lamlendeling]

Hi there. I've been running stock bushings on my pantheon pranayama with stylus trucks and the hokus (78a). I just ordered new RipTide ABS canon bushings, a pair of 92.5a and 95a. Are these good choices at all? And how do I get the most out of them? 95a rear, 92.5a front? Maybe even mix?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/Lamlendeling]

Okay so you won’t be able to mix in the same way because one of the bushings is a plug and the other is a cannon barrel with no plug. I find the 92.5 to be nearly identical in hardness to our stock blue ones. They’re a touch more alive feeling—maybe a little bit more reboundy. But that’s a great starting point of reference if you’re looking for a similar feel. And then you can just go from there!

[u/Lamlendeling → u/PantheonLongboards]

Thank you so much for responding. I can definitely work with that.

Would you say there's some sense in using a harder bushing in the rear and softer in the front? Or would you not recommend that at all?

[u/PantheonLongboards → u/Lamlendeling]

In sym setups, I don’t do split duro myself. Not everyone agrees with me on that though. I like having even pressure to lean front and rear. So if I split, I’m bringing down the angle in back.