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In an ideal world, the beach is just outside your house. You wake up to the sun peering through your window blinds, the sound of the waves, and the smell of the sea. It entices you, and all you want to do is grab your surfboard and dive in with the monumental waves.
However, you are probably not living in such an ideal world, and you need a way to transport your items to the beach. If you’re one of the people who prefer riding a bike to the beach, you might be interested in a surfboard bike rack.
Our Top 3 Choices
- Quick-release system that allows you to easily release a lock on arms
- Splined bar design that lets a push of a button secure the bars to the mounts of the bike’s frame
- Foam padding to prevent damage
- TIG aluminum 6061 welded alloy rack that ensures you corrosion, oxidation, and rust resistance
- Black colored for that stylish look to go with any colored bikes
- Rubberized clams to protect seat posts
- Anodized color that won’t chip off like paint
- Padded arms protect your boards even without board sock
- Package comes with bungee cords to secure the board during transport
Best Surfboard Bike Rack Reviews
For most surfers, the best way to bring their boards is by carrying them. Nothing is better for their boards than their caring hands. However, if the journey to the shore is long, they can be too heavy, and the weight can become overbearing over time. Carrying them behind your truck can help, but if the traffic is bad and you want to be at the beach quickly, the fastest route is to bring them with your bike.
Surfboard bike racks are the biker’s equivalent to how a car transports a 2-wheeler. They transport your board with racks mounted either on the side of your bike or behind it. They help you avoid traffic jams, and you don’t unconsciously add to your carbon footprint while preparing to do a healthy exercise.
1. Moved by Bikes MBB Longboard Rack
Specifications and Features:
- Quick-release system that allows you to easily release a lock on arms
- Splined bar design that lets a push of a button secure the bars to the mounts of the bike’s frame
- Foam padding to prevent damage
Moved by Bikes ensures their racks are rust and corrosion resistant by using only anodized aluminum construction and stainless steel materials. This allows you to confidently pedal your way to and from your favorite surf spot.
These U-shaped bicycle racks work best with longboards and shortboards. Its sturdy design can carry up to 25 pounds without making it hard for you to ride it at the side of your bike. Installation is easy with all the mounting hardware included in the package. It leaves you no worries as you attach it to the seat and head tube. Equipped with quick-release bars, all you need to do is press a button and your bike gets freed from the rack.
The challenge in transporting your board is keeping it away from wobbling and moving a lot, which may cause damage. With Moved by Bikes racks, your favorite board will be taken care of as you’re biking by its foam-padded arms.
- Adjustable arm heights
- Lightweight but strong and durable
- Easy to install
- Low weight and height limit
2. Carver Surfboard Bike Rack, The Mini Rack
Specifications and Features:
- TIG aluminum 6061 welded alloy rack that ensures you corrosion, oxidation, and rust resistance
- Black colored for that stylish look to go with any colored bikes
- Rubberized clams to protect seat posts
Carver racks are an all-welded aluminum alloy. That said, they are rust and corrosion-free. The tubular arms are foam-padded, so they won’t scratch your bike or board.
They are designed to be mounted on seat posts 25.4mm – 31.8mm. They best fit full-suspension mountain bikes but can sure be mounted to other bikes, too. This sleek and simple design has been carefully engineered to not crash your bike frame.
Mount it comfortably onto your bike’s seat post. Its lower adjustable arms allow you to fit the boards securely and safely. This setup fits boards up to 8 ft.
Carver Surf Racks has been in the business since 2003. This small family-owned business born on the shores of Oahu, Hawaii has made its way to surfing fans who are bikers too. Their commitment to innovation has sure made them one of the best in the market. If you have a moped or a scooter, you may as well check out their CSR model which will just easily fit onto the existing cargo rack of your bike.
- Lightweight at 1.2 pounds
- Package includes all mounting hardware
- Easy single point of installation
- Periodically needs re-adjustment
- Instability on longboards
3. Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack
Specifications and Features:
- Anodized color that won’t chip off like paint
- Padded arms protect your boards even without board sock
- Package comes with bungee cords to secure the board during transport
Ho Stevie! is your solid bike rack made of lightweight rust and corrosion-free aluminum materials. The color is anodized to the material, so it does not chip off when the paint does. Its foam-covered arms keep your board safe from scratches and dings during bumpy rides.
Carry boards that are up to 8 ft long with the racks attached to seat posts. They come with bungee cords to wrap around the board tight and secured. The carrier’s arms may also be adjusted to fit according to your comfort.
The mounting process for Ho Stevie! is easy and straightforward. The package includes detailed instructions and all the mounting hardware you need. It fits almost any bike from beach cruisers to BMXs with just a single clamp to the bike seat post.
- Rotatable arms to keep them away when not needed
- The thick and heavy-duty bars are surprisingly lightweight
- Easy installation
- If board carried is more than 8 ft, maneuvering may be a challenge
- No rubber fitting on the clamp that holds it to the bike seat
4. COR Surf Surfboard Bike Rack for Shortboards
Specifications and Features:
- TIG-welded 6061 aluminum and stainless steel keeps it rust-proof
- Bright colored foam padding
- Holds boards up to 8 ft long and weighing 55 pounds
COR Surf Bike Racks are lightweight and rust-free. Built with TIG-welded 6061 aluminum and stainless steel, you can confidently be at the beach and worry not about the salty water causing corrosion. They are sturdy and durable and can take up to 55 pounds of weight.
Designed to mount to the rear of your bike, they are outfitted with thick and bright green soft foam padding. These are to not just protect your board and your bike from damage during bumpy and shaky rides but also to make sure you are visible from other motorists.
Installation and mounting are easy, thanks to the installation guide and mounting hardware that the package comes with. Simply rest it on the seat’s post, attached to tighten the bungee cords and you are good to pedal your way to the beach!
The frustration of not having a reliable rack to hold his new single fin board drove the founders of COR to create a custom surf rack from sustainable wood. That was in 2005, and since then, COR Surf continues to make its way into the outdoor industry with its Stand-Up Paddleboard racks. Their innovations have been engineered based on their own experiences.
- Mounts directly to the bicycle seat post of any bikes
- Easy to ride with
- Easy installation
- Does not work with lightweight bikes (carbon fiber, titanium, or thin wall aluminum) or larger boards
- Plastic hooks from bungee cords break easily
5. Mule Surf and SUP Paddle Board Carrier Transport System
Specifications and Features:
- Made from the same materials military tactical gears are made of
- Comes with its storage case
- Built-in compartments for your small personal belongings
Mule Surf and SUP Paddle Board Carrier Transport System are handcrafted with materials that are built to last. This system takes pride in having a rack that requires no tools and no hardware – only the military tactical gear that it is made with.
The transport system has been engineered to use only a cloth that attaches wheels to any board size and weight. That means you can ride your shortboard, longboard, and SUP with it. This unique rack has an integrated handle strap and a pocket for wax, leash, and personal items.
As the designer’s quirks include having to use tools and hardware in setting it up, this system discards all that. It doesn’t have to be permanently attached to the bike. The board itself acts as the carrier as it strides down with the plastic mag wheels and quick release pins.
- Can be used as a rack or handheld when walking around
- Can carry any board sizes
- Setup and installation can be done in seconds
- Creates a wide turning arch, making turning on the street’s bend a challenge
- Wheelbase is too narrow for SUPs
Do You Need a Surfboard Bike Rack?
Surfing is fun and easy. Once you put on a wetsuit and jump on your board, you are good to go. However, carrying a board might not be as easy as surfing itself. A bike rack will help you with that. Moreover, biking to the beach will warm up your legs before hitting the waves.
Depending on the model you choose, you may even carry your kayak, skateboard, or snowboard with it, although the chances you’ll bike to a snowboarding spot are quite slim.
Buying Guide: What to Consider in Getting your Surfboard Bike Rack?
Choosing the best can be challenging, and the variety of options in the market doesn’t help it either. Our reviews above are based on factors we consider important. To simplify the process, let’s see in detail what these factors are.
Surfboard Size
Find out the size of your board because certain sizes only work on certain types of racks. There are three sizes of boards: shortboards, longboards, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Shortboards are the small ones, longboards are bigger and longer, and SUPs are huge.
Type of Surfboard Bike Rack
There are three rack types: side-mounted, rear-mounted, and trailer-mounted. The most common are side and rear-mounted.
Side-mounted racks are the most popular. They can be easily installed onto the side of your bike and are ideal for shortboards and longboards.
Rear-mounted ones are mounted at the back of the bike. This type is ideal for bikers who don’t like to counterbalance the weight of the board as they ride, and it goes best with shortboards.
Trailer-mounted racks aren’t common. These are wheeled devices attached to the back of the bike and are perfect for longboards and sup paddleboards.
Ease of Installation
The installation of a rack is easy as riding the bike itself, but there are still points to consider while installing them. These racks have attachment points, and it would be wise to make sure they fit your bicycle. See if they are clip-ons or the ones that need to be permanently installed.
Materials and Fabrication
Think twice about getting a metal rack. Sure, they are sturdy and durable, but they may be too heavy for your bike. Take a rack that is both lightweight and strong. Consider that boards are always in contact with saltwater. Therefore, pick something resistant to rust and corrosion.
Accessories That May Go Along with Your Surfboard Bike Racks
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It is wise to consider purchasing bungee cords for your racks separately. They come in different sizes, colors, and lengths, and keep a stronghold on your boards, providing extra security as you stride down bumpy roads.
Check out Cartman Assorted Bungee cords. This assortment jar has 24 different kinds of cords that can work with anything you want to fasten them with.
Conclusion
Whether you are a pro-surfer or a beginner, if you like biking to your surf spot, it’s better to have a rack that keeps your board safe and your hands-free from the overbearing weight of it. It’s also not comfortable or safe riding a bike with one hand on the handlebars and the other on the board. Getting the best rack ensures that you, your board, and your bike are safe. If you need a surfboard, check out Surf Hungry for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
✅ Is a side rack better than a rear rack?
Side racks are the most common ones because the board fits better on the side. If the board is pointing towards the wind, there is less resistance.
Having it mounted at the rear isn’t so bad either. With it sitting at an angle behind your back, it doesn’t increase the width of your bike, which makes it easier for you to traverse through crowded and narrow streets. What makes it not ideal to use is its chances of getting caught by gust and wind, which may cause a loss of balance. It can also mess up the back tire.
✅ Can you use surfboard bike racks on hills?
Yes. Hills are the reason most users have bought them as it’s cheaper to ride a bike uphill than a 4×4. The rack bars have gripping materials to keep a stronghold on your boards on slopes. They won’t slip when riding on a smooth surface, but if it gets bumpy or shaky, consider strapping them up with bungee cords.
✅ Do surfboard bike racks blow you over when the wind blows?
Choose one that won’t go against the wind, like a side-mounted rack. Riding with the board pointing towards the wind lessens your chances of getting knocked down.
✅ How do you install a surfboard bike rack?
There is no general set of instructions as every rack is different from the other, but for similarly mounted racks, you might get an idea of how they are installed with this video from Carver.
Feel free to also check out our other articles on hitch cargo boxes, best bike racks for the Subaru Outback, and panniers for your motorcycle.
