Dumbest question I'll ever ask- does anyone find the aftermarket Indy 90a bushings softer than the stock?
Next dumbest question- would it make more sense to grind down the kingpin with 90A that are more tightened or swap to 92A? Asking for a friend.
I definitely found the aftermarket 90s softer than stock, but they do seem like different compounds too.
Stock start off mushy and then firm up a bit more, but only a bit, especially the newer ones, whereas the older formula used to harden up to the point where the bushings would end up too hard / trucks too tight for me with stock from back once upon a time.
Aftermarket might be a touch harder in the first instance, but soften right up and stay softer.
For me the 92 duro bushings just felt perfect, especially when I got my hands on the lower top versions, but I still regularly cut about 1 mm from the bottom of the top normal height bushing for lots of people for two reasons, both to get things a little looser for the lighter bodies, but also to get the nut down lower and not have it sitting up at all, which in turn can even give me some room to use an angle grinder on the top of the kingpin, which then allows more clearance, especially when trucks are getting to axle. I deal with a lot of older and well used trucks, more so than having to do this right from go with new trucks, but on a few of my boards with standard Indy trucks, I have taken the top three or so threads off the kingpins with these bushings and the clearance is unbelievable and they still perform exactly as they should.
I have definitely found that slightly harder bushings will work better for me, even though I still run a normal setup with fairly loose trucks - can stand on the board and sit on heels or toes to touch wheel to deck - but as the bushings are a bit firmer, they give me more stability overall too and it takes a little more effort to end up leaning too far and wheelbite, compared to some like stock, which are softer taller bushings, even when tightened down so they feel tighter than my usual ride, which is funny but it works.
@fs1/2cab As for boiling bushings, I have never tried it, nor have I skated any boards that have had it done, but maybe it is just one of those things, like someone put wheels in their freezer, someone else left wheels out in the sun, someone parks on their decks, or any other thing that might seem weird but works for them.
I know I have a long arms list of all the funny things I have done or know I can do to modify skateboard product, shoes, pants, clothing and all the rest to make it just how I like it or make it work for someone who is having issues, but maybe I will have to try it at least once just to see what all the fuss is about.