The 7 Best Surfboard Bike Racks (2021 Review)

Riding your bike to the beach or your favorite surf spot sounds like a great idea until you are caught wrestling your surfboard under one shoulder while your other hand attempts to steer your bike, all while trying to avoid swerving into traffic. The result is a wobbly, inefficient, and dangerous ride. 

With surfboard racks that mount to your bike, surfers get all the benefits of eco-friendly travel on two wheels without the hazardous risk of hanging on to your surfboard with one arm. The best part? You get to use each arm to steer your bike! There are multiple options of surfboard bike racks out there, and we have picked the best racks for a variety of different uses and needs.

Our Top 3 Choices

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
  • Features: Widely compatible bike mounting system with a lightweight and strong aluminum construction.
  • Benefits: Bungee securing system and multiple color options.
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  • Features: Designed specifically to accommodate longboards with a rear and front mount.
  • Benefits: Very durable and easily removable for when you want to ride your bike without the rack.
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  • Features: Aluminum alloy construction made for boards 8 feet and shorter.
  • Benefits: Weighs just over one pound and is easily collapsible making it a great option for traveling.
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7 Best Surfboard Bike Racks of 2023

1. Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack – Top Pick

The Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack is a top rated product with five stars, and has the positive customer reviews to back it up. This is the best surfboard bike rack in the world because for the mid-range price, these racks have everything you need to start transporting your surfboard on your bike. It accommodates boards up to 8 feet long, and these bike racks easily attach to the seat post of your bike with a clamp system. Although it is very easy to install, Ho Stevie! provides an informational installation video for mounting instructions and keeping your surfboards safe. It’s made of with strong aluminum and stainless steel hardware, and has an easy system to rotate the arms of the surfboard bike rack toward the bike to reduce obstruction when not in use. This is one of the only surfboard bike racks on the market with multiple color options, and the brand ensures that the colored metal won’t chip away or rust with prolonged use. It has a rubber coating and a bungee cord system to protect and secure your board while in transit. 

Features:

Lightweight aluminum hardware, quick and easy to install

Pros:

  • Three color options
  • Works with all bicycles, even full-suspension mountain bikes
  • Easy to install using clamp and screw system to secure to bike
  • Foldable arms

Cons:

  • Not recommended to use on a carbon fiber or titanium seat post, but works perfectly on all standard metals

2. Moved By Bikes Longboard Rack – Best Longboard Rack

The Moved By Bikes Longboard Rack is a great rack for those who need to transport a longboard. Because this rack is specifically designed to accommodate longer surfboards with a front head tube and rear seat post mount to the bike, you avoid the wobbly ride that may occur when mounting a longboard to a rack intended for a short board.  

These Moved By Bikes surfboard bike racks are built like a tank, and there is no need to worry about damage when your bike inevitably tips over. It boasts multiple options for mounting, and the rack is easily detachable, so it’s great for when you need to store your bike in a tight space or want to ride your bike without the rack. 

Features:

Longboard specific design, extremely durable

Pros:

  • Longboard specific design ensures a sturdier ride
  • Quick release bars for fast and easy removal when not in use
  • Heavy construction accommodates longboards, SUPs, and heavier boards weighing up to 25 pounds

Cons:

  • A pricier option, but well worth the double-mounting longboard specific design

3. Carver Surfboard Bike Rack – Best Lightweight and Travel Friendly

If you are looking for a lighter weight option for a more efficient ride, look no further than the Carver Surfboard Bike Rack. Weighing just over one pound, this bike rack is easily broken down into a size small enough to fit in a surfboard bag, making it an option that surfers love if they ever find themselves in need of a rack to travel with. Carver surf racks are constructed with an aluminum alloy, ensuring a lightweight set up that doesn’t compromise on function or durability.

It accommodates short boards up to 8 feet long, has an adjustable mount, and easily folds in while riding without a board.

Features:

Weighs just over one pound, easily collapsible and removable

Pros:

  • Most lightweight and compactible option, making it great for travel
  • Non-corrosive metal won’t rust from rain or saltwater

Cons:

  • Not the easiest rack mounting system

4. Electra Longboard Surf Bike Rack – Best Cruiser Specific

The Electra Longboard Surf Bike Rack functions a bit differently than the others. While this rack also mounts to the rear end of the bike, instead of just mounting to the seat post, the rack is secured to the frame on each side of the rear wheel. The result is a longboard rack that doesn’t take up the entire length of the bike. This rack also provides a metal storage surface, allowing a space to tie down any accessories to ride next to your board. It is made of a durable aluminum and stainless steel bar design that will stand up to wet conditions. 

While it is on the more expensive side, this rack offers a different style for cruiser bikes and added storage space that you won’t find with other brands. 

Features:

Cruiser specific rack with a double rear mounting system

Pros:

  • Added rack for storage above rear wheel
  • Mounts to three points on bike frame for added durability

Cons: 

  • Intended for cruiser style bikes only, but worth the investment if you have a cruiser to get a rack specifically intended for it

5. Cor Surf Short Board Bike Carrier Rack – Best Heavy Protection

If you are looking for a snugger fit for your board, look no further than the Cor Surf Short Board Bike Carrier Rack. Where other surfboard bike racks have a protective rubber coating, this aluminum rack goes the extra mile to protect both your surfboard and yourself. The rack itself is covered with a thick layer of foam to further protect your board from any damage that may occur your ride to the beach. The foam is neon green in color, ensuring that vehicles see you while riding. To ensure your surfboard stays in place, the rack has a bungee cord system to secure the board to the rack. 

The rack mounts to the bike just below the seat, is very easy to install, and accommodates board up to 8 feet long. Like many of its competitors, this rack has a quick release function to remove the bars of the rack when not in use. 

Features:

Bright green thick foam padding, securing bungee cords, and easy to use quick release function to remove bars

Pros:

  • Bright green foam padding on each arm ensures better visibility when riding near cars
  • Compatible with any kind of bike
  • Bungee cord system allows user to snugly secure surfboard to the rack
  • Offers the most protection for your surfboards

Cons:

  • Plastic bungee cords can break easily, but this is something that easily be replaced

6. Norker Surfboard Bike Rack – Most Sturdy

The Norker Surfboard Bike Rack boasts a smoother ride and claims to wobble less than its competitors. While it is intended for short boards under 8 feet long, it has a system to adjust the carrier arms of the rack to perfectly fit the length of your different boards, helping to keep it as sturdy as possible and reduce movement in transit. While these shortboard racks are just slightly heavier than others, the durable aluminum is strong enough to withstand any inevitable damage to your bike.

Features:

Heavier build for maximum durability, adjustable carrier arms to accommodate different board lengths

Pros:

  • System to adjust the length between carrier arms to accommodate multiple boards
  • Bungee cord system to secure board to rack
  • Easy to install with no additional tools required

Cons:

  • Not recommended for use with carbon seat post because of its stronger weight

7. Lixada AU Stock Surfboard Bicycle Carrier Rack – Budget-Friendly

The Lixada AU Stock Surfboard Bicycle Carrier Rack gets the job done for a fraction of the cost. This is the least expensive surfboard rack on the market, and one of the best deals. Designed like many of the others, this rack has a seat post mounting system, fits most standard bikes, and accommodates boards up to 8 feet long. It also has the protective coating and a bungee cord system to secure your board. While it is made from aluminum, it doesn’t have the same durability that comes with paying a higher price for other brands. Regardless, this rack will get you to and from whenever you need to transport your surfboard.

Features:

Aluminum construction, protective rubber coating with securing bungee cords

Pros:

  • Budget-friendly option
  • Works with most bicycles 

Cons:

  • Less durable than other brands

What to Look For When Buying A Surfboard Bike Rack

Most surfboard bike racks attach to the seat posts of a bike, and function as a side rack, mounting your surfboard to the side of your bike as you ride.  While many products have a similar geometry of the side mount style, there are a few other options to consider when choosing the best bike racks for you and your surfboard. Before we get into the detailed review of each product, we should outline a few key things to take note of when choosing your next surfboard cargo rack. 

Things to Consider 

Surfboard Size

This is probably the largest factor to consider when buying a rack for your surfboard. You need to determine if you are going to be transporting your longboard or short board to the beach. 

If you are using a longboard, you need to choose a longboard racks that are long enough to accommodate the length of the boards. This also means you will need a double mounted rack to support the length. If you are using a short board under 8 feet long, a rear rack with one mount will suffice. 

Bike Mount Capability

Whether you have a road bike, or a full suspension mountain bike, most of these products are compatible with almost all styles of bicycles. However, it is important to note that many do not recommend using the surfboard racks mounted to carbon fiber or titanium seat posts, with the fear that the weight of the surfboard rack on the side of the bike will cause damage to the more fragile seat post. Keep in mind, the size of your bike frame should not matter when making these considerations.

If you will be using a beach cruiser style bike to transport your surfboard, you may consider purchasing a cruiser specific surfboard rack for a more stable and comfortable ride. 

Ease of Removing

This is important to consider if you are someone who frequently uses your bike when you aren’t riding it towards the waves. If it looks like you will be using your bike for things other than surfing, like commuting to work, the last thing you need is an unnecessary obstruction attached to your bike.

If this is the case, you will want a surfboard rack that has either foldable arms, so you can fold them in toward the bike when not in use, or one where you can easily remove and reattach the arms of the rack. 

Weight            

The weight of the build of all the surfboard bike racks vary, as some are lightweight for a more efficient ride, and some are heavier but claim to be made of more durable materials. Although the difference will only be a few pounds, weight is definitely something to consider when purchasing. 

Surfboard Protection

Each bike rack has padding in some sense. Most options offer a rubber coating around the metal build of the bike rack to protect your surfboard from damage. However, if you feel that you need something additional to ensure that your board doesn’t sustain any damage on the ride to the beach , you may want to choose a bike rack option that offers thick foam as protection pads.  


Final Thoughts:

A surfboard bike rack will change the game next time you commute to your favorite spot to catch some waves on two wheels. Whether you’re in Hawaii, or near any surf in the world, you will rethink how you travel your usual driving or walking distance to the beach. Jumping on a bike is even easier than making the commute on foot. If you usually drive to the beach, you will no longer need to worry about finding a parking spot, getting gas, or failing to balance on your bike while carrying your surfboard all while reducing your carbon footprint. If you have any plans to ride your bike the next time you go to the beach, this will be a necessary investment. We have also written a blog about the best Jeep Wrangler ski racks if you happen to own that type of vehicle. And of course, an outside trip would require you to bring a lot of travel necessities. Our recent blog about luggage roof racks can help you learn how to carry luggage on top of your car.

When choosing the best rack for your needs, just remember to consider the key items: the length of the boards you need to transport, how often you will use your bike without the rack, the style of bike you will be using, and how durable and protective you require the rack to be. If you have looked at countless surfboard bike racks, and you are struggling to find the right product for you, remember that the Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack is a great option. 

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
  • Features: Widely compatible bike mounting system with a lightweight and strong aluminum construction.
  • Benefits: Bungee securing system and multiple color options.
Check Latest Price
  • Features: Designed specifically to accommodate longboards with a rear and front mount.
  • Benefits: Very durable and easily removable for when you want to ride your bike without the rack.
Check Latest Price
  • Features: Aluminum alloy construction made for boards 8 feet and shorter.
  • Benefits: Weighs just over one pound and is easily collapsible making it a great option for traveling.
Check Latest Price
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Austin Mills

Austin Mills in an outdoor enthusiast. He's been featured on some of the top outdoor & fitness blogs sharing his expertise in order to help others. In his free time, he likes spending time with his dogs enjoying the outdoors.