Freestyle Bushing Showdown!!
When it comes to pure technical freestyle skateboarding, Decomposed Skateboards has dialed in a bushing lineup that addresses some of the most subtle demands of the sport. Freestyle isn’t like street, vert, or even slalom — everything happens fast, tight, and directly over your trucks. The wrong bushing can ruin your balance, kill your flip rotation, or destabilize your rail tricks.
Let’s break down Decomposed’s key bushing offerings — Ectoplasms, Jellies, Blood Cells, and Honey Drips — and how each fits different freestyle styles.
1. Decomposed Ectoplasms: The Workhorse
Overview:
Ectoplasms are Decomposed’s most well-rounded, classic freestyle bushing set. Think of them as the “baseline” for serious freestyle tech.
Key Characteristics:
- Duros: Range from 85a to 95a
- Shape: Short barrel/barrel combo, stable and centered
- Ride Feel: Quick return-to-center, minimal lean, excellent for rail tricks, pogos, caspers, truckstands
- Rebound: High, but not bouncy — just snappy enough to recover from impact tricks.
- Compression Set: Excellent long-term durability for pogo-heavy skating
Best For:
Riders who want pure consistency. Whether you’re doing old school Rodney Mullen lines or modern spinning varial combos, Ectoplasms give you precise lean without ever feeling twitchy.
Nickname: The all-day freestyle bushing.
2. Decomposed Jellies: The Softer Control Freak
Overview:
Jellies were developed for riders who like a little more flexibility under their feet but still demand precision.
Key Characteristics:
- Duros: Softer range, usually around 80a – 85a
- Shape: Barrel/Cone or Short Barrel/Barrel options
- Ride Feel: Slightly more responsive lean, smoother flow for shove-its, manuals, and edge transitions
- Rebound: Smooth, controlled and slightly delayed compared to Ectoplasms
- Compression Set: Holds up, but best for riders who aren’t doing constant hard pogo abuse
Best For:
Lightweight skaters, beginner freestylers, or those who want a bit more play when initiating flip tricks, shove-its or quick carves during freestyle combos.
Nickname: The “trainer bushing” — forgiving, but still sharp.
3. Decomposed Blood Cells: The Hyper-Tech Option
Overview:
Blood Cells are built for technical monsters who are flipping and spinning at insane speed and want absolutely no delay in rebound.
Key Characteristics:
- Duros: Typically 90a – 97a (stiffer overall)
- Shape: Ultra-short barrel/barrel combo for maximum stability
- Ride Feel: Rock solid under load, highly restrictive lean, lightning-fast return to center
- Rebound: Instant snap-back — great for tricks where perfect kingpin alignment matters (truckstand varial flips, rail flips, pogo spins)
- Compression Set: Built for abuse — survives under continuous pogo & rail stand beatings
Best For:
Advanced freestylers who need precision beyond what even most “freestyle” bushings offer. Blood Cells work like performance suspension for your trucks.
Nickname: The scalpel. Not for beginners.
4. Decomposed Honey Drips: The Secret Weapon
Overview:
Honey Drips are a hybrid option that almost nobody outside freestyle fully understands. They blend a bit of rebound control from street bushings but hold freestyle stability at their core.
Key Characteristics:
- Duros: Around 88a – 92a sweet spot
- Shape: Barrel/Cone or progressive taper shapes
- Ride Feel: Controlled lean for fluid rail tricks, rolling rail combos, edge stalls
- Rebound: Balanced rebound with a little more “give” before full compression
- Compression Set: Durable, but built more for combination tricks than repeated pogo pounding
Best For:
Freestylers who like combining modern flow skating with classic trick sequences. If you’re throwing coconut wheelies into rail flips, Honey Drips give you just enough lean without sacrificing recovery.
Nickname: The bridge between classic freestyle and modern flow tech.
Summary Comparison Table
| Bushing Model | Durometer Range | Feel | Best For | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ectoplasms | 85a – 95a | Fast, stable rebound | All-around freestyle | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Jellies | 80a – 85a | Smooth, forgiving | Beginners, light riders, manuals | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Blood Cells | 90a – 97a | Ultra stiff, ultra snappy | High-speed flips, truckstand mastery | Advanced |
| Honey Drips | 88a – 92a | Balanced lean/rebound | Combo flow tricks | Intermediate |
Decomposed has become the bushing supplier for true freestyle skaters because they understand that not all “soft urethane donuts” behave the same. With these four models, they’ve covered the full spectrum:
- Jellies give you comfort.
- Ectoplasms give you consistency.
- Blood Cells give you surgical precision.
- Honey Drips give you controlled flow.