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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: Bitter on December 01, 2011, 05:01:31 AM
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Introducing: Bitter Bushings (Cold Weather Skateboard Bushings)
Growing up in Canada, the separation of seasons has always been obvious. Certain activities are meant for certain times of the year. And skateboarding is one such activity. Shake off the rust in the spring, learn some new tricks in the summer, and relish the cool autumn days. Winter means video games, girlfriends, snowboarding and drinking. Yet in those cold winter months, the urge to skateboard remains, until eventually an underground garage is infiltrated, or a skatepark is shovelled. Yet despite our determination to skate, and an extra layer of clothing or two, the elements can?t be avoided. Leaving us to contend with wet griptape, road salt, and of course frozen bushings. Trying to turn and having the board go straight, tic-tacing everywhere, and damaged bushings and trucks are all related to frozen bushings caused by cold temperatures. After suffering through this for years, I started researching how to design bushings that would not freeze. Having consulted with engineers and tested numerous prototypes, I have successfully created Bitter Bushings, the first ever skateboard bushings designed for cold weather conditions. They look and skate like your normal bushings, but hold up to winter temperatures. Patent pending.
Available online at http://www.BitterBushings.com (http://www.BitterBushings.com). Available soon at a skateshop near you.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter -
http://www.facebook.com/bitterbushings (http://www.facebook.com/bitterbushings)
http://www.twitter.com/bitterbushings (http://www.twitter.com/bitterbushings)
Learn more about Bitter Bushings in this introduction video -
Introducing... Bitter Bushings (Cold Weather Skateboard Bushings) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_hv2n9Fd3g#ws)
Thank you,
Clint McLean
Owner & Designer of Bitter Bushings
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Nice work! How do they skate in regular temperatures? I'm interested in trying them, but I don't want to have to switch them in and out as temperatures change.
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Nice work! How do they skate in regular temperatures? I'm interested in trying them, but I don't want to have to switch them in and out as temperatures change.
From the site: Can Bitter Bushings only be used in the winter?
No. Bitter Bushings can be used all year round. When warmer weather comes, Bitter Bushings will continue to skate the same. Tests show that they?ll even withstand extreme heat better than standard bushings.
I was prepared to write this off as another dumb thing, but these actually look pretty sick.
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BUt they're Canadian...
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it's a neat idea.
but i'm sticking to just loosen the nut when its cold
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Solid beard.
It's a good idea (especially for Chicago), although it's going to be damn near impossible to get me off of the Bones Mediums I've been in love with for a decade.
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He said "aboot"!
That's actually a cool (no pun intended) idea, and I wish them the best of luck, and I'm grateful I live in an environment where I don't have to deal with that.
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Thanks for the support guys! Slap is the only board I actually post/lurk on daily, so it means a lot. I've gotten a bunch of orders already. Like AJK said, this isn't "another dumb thing", no holograms here. They will actually help you out in cold weather.
It's a good idea (especially for Chicago), although it's going to be damn near impossible to get me off of the Bones Mediums I've been in love with for a decade.
No doubt that Bones skate awesome in warm weather, but I find they stiffen in the cold.
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What shops do you think will be carrying them in Toronto?
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What would you compare them to as far as the softness goes? I rock bones mediums (like pretty much everyone else) do they have a similar feel? I just don't want anything too hard or soft. This sounds like a really sick product though!
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Rad idea.
NJ is not Toronto, but we can have brutal winters. I have many winter skateboard memories... shoveling and brooming entire parking lots just to get a trick in... wet grip tape, and... yes, broken trucks.
Got anything for smacking your hand on cold ground? :)
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What shops do you think will be carrying them in Toronto?
Not sure yet, this is literally the first day of the launch. But I'd love to work with great shops like Hammer, Blue Tile, Junction, etc. I might send them a couple sets to try out. What skateshop do you usually go to?
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What would you compare them to as far as the softness goes? I rock bones mediums (like pretty much everyone else) do they have a similar feel? I just don't want anything too hard or soft. This sounds like a really sick product though!
Thanks man! They're somewhere between a soft and a medium bushing. I usually do comparisons between Bitter and Bones, because I love Bones like everyone else (except when they're frozen). I can step off a board with medium Bones, on to a board with Bitter Bushings, and it's easy to adjust.
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Expand Quote
What shops do you think will be carrying them in Toronto?
Not sure yet, this is literally the first day of the launch. But I'd love to work with great shops like Hammer, Blue Tile, Junction, etc. I might send them a couple sets to try out. What skateshop do you usually go to?
Im actually not from the city, but when there I usually just go to Adrift. All of those shops seem really tight though.
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Expand Quote
What shops do you think will be carrying them in Toronto?
Not sure yet, this is literally the first day of the launch. But I'd love to work with great shops like Hammer, Blue Tile, Junction, etc. I might send them a couple sets to try out. What skateshop do you usually go to?
Do it man! Hammer and BTL are your spots. If it doesn't cost you too much, send the shops a few free sets for their owners/teams/homies to try out. If they like the bushings I'm sure they'll push them. If the product works the way you say it does; it's brilliant.
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Thanks man! They're somewhere between a soft and a medium bushing. I usually do comparisons between Bitter and Bones, because I love Bones like everyone else (except when they're frozen). I can step off a board with medium Bones, on to a board with Bitter Bushings, and it's easy to adjust.
I think it's awesome you aren't crazy and claiming everything sucks except your bushings. I showed my friends who will probably order some and I'll be ordering some soon as I can get back on a board again (I'm out with a fractured ankle, needed lots of metal, blah). Good work man!
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That's a rad idea! Makes me feel spoiled for living in the Bay Area! haha.
Also, Sig'd ;D
BUt they're Canadian...
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great idea. goes to show that the best innovative ideas for skateboarding come from real skateboarders.
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Thanks for the kind words guys! I really appreciate it.
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just ordered a set.. i will put them through the paces.
i love bones.. so...
my question is. with bones that have the hard plastic on the edges. to i dont' use a bottom washer.
what about using the bitters with no bottom washer? i ride my trucks pretty loose. to with no bottom washer on bones. my nut is still above the of the king pin. do you recommend using a bottom washer? or will they hold up with out one? (btw skating thunder 149 hollow lights)
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What is your background bitter? Are you a chemical engineer or something?
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not too sure about this guy... i'd only buy canadian bushings if rawbertson was making them
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Pretty sick idea, not that i'll ever use them since it doesn't get frozen when i skate outside
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just ordered a set.. i will put them through the paces.
i love bones.. so...
my question is. with bones that have the hard plastic on the edges. to i dont' use a bottom washer.
what about using the bitters with no bottom washer? i ride my trucks pretty loose. to with no bottom washer on bones. my nut is still above the of the king pin. do you recommend using a bottom washer? or will they hold up with out one? (btw skating thunder 149 hollow lights)
Got the order! Thank you. They'll ship today.
I've been riding them with both top and bottom washers, but they will hold up without a bottom washer. It's really a matter of personal preference. Play around, see what feels best.
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What is your background bitter? Are you a chemical engineer or something?
My background isn't in chemical engineering, but I've been researching the subject over a number of years. I've designed and tested prototypes of numerous materials and hardnesses, working directly with experts in the field (yes, chemical engineers) until we concluded that this is the best alternative to traditional bushings.
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Brilliant! Norwegian winters are not funny at all! 6 months with stiff trucks...
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You should put Bobby Puleo on the team...
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For the Canadian homies - Bitter Bushings is excited to announce our partnership with Ultimate Skateboard Distribution, Canada's largest skateboard distributor. In business for over 25 years, Ultimate distributes top brands including Toy Machine, SK8mafia, Think, and Powell. Bitter Bushings will now be available in skateshops across Canada. Please contact your local shop for availability.
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Great innovation. Living in Michigan puts me directly in line for buying some, which I will do after I get some christmas money.
best of luck to you
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For the Canadian homies - Bitter Bushings is excited to announce our partnership with Ultimate Skateboard Distribution, Canada's largest skateboard distributor. In business for over 25 years, Ultimate distributes top brands including Toy Machine, SK8mafia, Think, and Powell. Bitter Bushings will now be available in skateshops across Canada. Please contact your local shop for availability.
Damn those are good guys to link up with. Good work!
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I'm from the UK and these sound good. Not that cold over here but I can feel the difference depending what time I go for a sesh. 7? difference in a couple of hours so nothing major but enough to have to twiddle your trucks.
Any plans on a Euro distro? If these are good (compared to Bones) and certainly at that price then you'd be onto a winner in Europe as long as they don't fall apart after 2 months (like Bones).
Any plans for harder ones - I'm a fat fuck!?
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i got some and put them in my indys (standard 139s) and they have no response. like whwn the truck turns, it stays bent and they dont turn smoothly. when ive had brand new indy bushings this never happened. i guess they just need to break in?
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i got some and put them in my indys (standard 139s) and they have no response. like whwn the truck turns, it stays bent and they dont turn smoothly. when ive had brand new indy bushings this never happened. i guess they just need to break in?
Is there a break-in period before Bitter Bushings skate like normal?
Yes. Bitter Bushings will be somewhat stiff when first installed on your trucks. However the stiffness will typically only last for the first couple minutes of skateboarding.
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i never got to read the faq cuz the site doesnt work on my phone, but ive skated them for about an hour and they still turn shitty. i guess they need still need more time
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They might just need more time to break-in. Or consider playing around with your set-up a bit. We've had positive responses about the bushing's rebound. At the end of the day, a lot of it comes down to personal preference too.
Check-out this clip shot a few days ago in the Toronto cold -
Skate Loft / Bitter Bushings Contest entry - Nicky Young (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqFv84hFB6M#ws)
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That was a pretty sick edit! Inspiring to keep skating in the snow and cold!
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clint, the bushings don't turn smoothly, they rock back and forth. and they're broken in. not sure why.
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Sorry to hear that man. The initial response has been generally positive. I've had some complaints about softness/turning, but I'm realizing that largely comes down to personal preference. I wish I could offer more advice, because I really appreciate you trying them out.
Here's a winter skating clip I just got sent. Dude rocks loose trucks, so he's stoked to skate Bitter Bushings in the winter...
Slow Motion Minute ft. Nicky Young (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoQfCsK8LM#ws)
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Sorry to hear that man. The initial response has been generally positive. I've had some complaints about softness/turning, but I'm realizing that largely comes down to personal preference. I wish I could offer more advice, because I really appreciate you trying them out.
Here's a winter skating clip I just got sent. Dude rocks loose trucks, so he's stoked to skate Bitter Bushings in the winter...
Slow Motion Minute ft. Nicky Young (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoQfCsK8LM#ws)
sick. they are really really soft bushings. you really can't tighten them up. i had them set up for some sub freezing days. they didn't freeze.. like my bones had the day before. but they were to loose for me. and i like loose. but its really closer to jiggly loose, without the jiggle. IMO
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I would love to try them, Sweden is cold as fuck right now + i like lose trucks.
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I was thinking about trying out a set, but then i read about how soft they are. I rock my trucks on the tighter side of medium. You think you'll be coming out with a higher duro bushing in the near future?
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if you made some that were a little bit harder thatd be great. i like loose trucks too, but these just arent really working, they just made my trucks so wobly it was hard to skate.
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Canadian ripper Trevon Casselman skating Bitter Bushings...
(http://www.bitterbushings.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BitterBushings-TrevonCasselman-Kickflip.jpg)
Trevon Casselman 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8bMwG98984#)