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Nov 05, 2024

Best Surfboard Bike Racks of 2024 | The Inertia Tested

Surfboard bike racks are a great option for hauling your board to the beach. Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz//The Inertia It’s very likely that you’ve ridden a bike with a surfboard tucked under your arm.

Surfboard bike racks are a great option for hauling your board to the beach. Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz//The Inertia

It’s very likely that you’ve ridden a bike with a surfboard tucked under your arm. It’s a good way to get to the beach, after all, and if you’re lucky enough to live within reasonable biking distance, it’s the best way to get there. No parking, a bit of extra fresh air, a bit more exercise… there aren’t really any downsides. Except, of course, the actual act of riding your bike with a surfboard tucked under your arm.

Stiff headwind? It sucks. Stiff sidewind? It sucks. Stiff tailwind? Better, but still not great. That’s where surfboard bike racks come in handy — two-handy, if you’ll pardon the pun. Having both hands on the handlebars helps keep your skin attached where it should be (not to mention the skin of your precious surfboard). We’ve done our due diligence of testing some of the best surfboard bike racks on the market, and have come up with this list of easy-to-use and reliable options for getting your bike to the beach.

Navigate To: Comparison Table | Buyer’s Guide

Best Bike Rack for Longboards: Moved By Bikes MBB Longboard Rack

Best Bike Rack for Shortboards: MBB Shortboard Rack

Best Budget Surfboard Rack: Cor Surf Shortboard Bike Rack

Best Budget Runner-Up: Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack

Alternate Mounting Style: Carver Surf Rack CSR Max

Best Longboard/SUP Board Trailer: SUP Wheels

Best Surfboard Rack for Scooters/Mopeds: MBB Moped Surfboard Rack

Pros: Wide profile is sturdy for longer, heavier boardsCons: Depending on the bike, can be a bit too wide-set to hold a shortboard

Works With: Longboards, midlengths, some shortboardsWeight: 4.8 lbsWeight Capacity: 25 lbs

Longboarding is a whole lot of fun, but going anywhere with a nine to 12-foot slab of glassed foam is a pain in the butt, to say the least. For this reason, the versatility of the Moved by Bikes Longboard Rack takes the cake. This longboard bike rack was created by people who were tired of trying to fit a longboard into a shortboard rack. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t work very well.

The Longboard Rack features quick-release bars so you can remove the rack when not in use, and a front mount that attaches directly to the frame of your bike, making it a whole lot sturdier. The back mount can attach a number of places, like your seat post or a rear rack. And if you’ve got a special situation, or need a specific mounting style, shoot MBB an email, the brand will get you set up.

That said, depending on how big your board is, what sort of route you take to the beach, and a number of other factors, biking with that much board on one side of your bike might be an issue. If that’s the case, check out The Mule, our favorite trailer-style longboard bike rack, featured below.

This rack should work for most shortboards as well, but it’s worth measuring beforehand just in case, especially if you’re mounting the rear arm to a rear rack, or plan on riding around Venice Beach with the breeze in your long hair and a stubby little fish by your side. If that’s the case, MBB also has a rack specifically for shortboards, which is our top pick for shortboards.

Pros: Quick-release arms, solid buildCons: Bungees not included

Works With: Shortboards, midlengthsWeight: 4.06 lbsWeight Capacity: N/A

As stated above, there is a lot to like about MBB as a “by surfers, for surfers” kind of company. They put as much careful thought into their shortboard rack as they did for our overall top pick, the longboard rack. With extendable arms, it beats out a lot of its competition for seatpost-mounted racks. The arms easily come off and on, which is great if you’re tight on space or simply don’t want the rack on your bike 24/7.

It has the same solid construction as the longboard rack and will hold up for many years to come. Get this rack if you want a strong, nimble, and reliable caddy to bring your shortboard safely to the waves and back.

Pros: Solid construction, good price, thick paddingCons: Not easy to remove the arms,

Works With: Shortboards, midlengthsWeight: 3.08 lbsWeight Capacity: 55.1 lbs

The Cor Surf Shortboard Rack is a solid bike rack for your surfboard, and is our pick for the best budget because it rings in at $10 less than the Ho Stevie! option.

The installation process is pretty simple. It only required an Allen wrench and about thirty minutes to properly attach it to the bike. The green might be a bit much depending on your aesthetics, but as the box says, “You’ll be visible to traffic.” Which is true. Unless you’re considering toting around something bigger than a shortboard, the Cor Surf Shortboard Rack performs admirably at an affordable price. If you’re not a fan of the green and are willing to spend a little more, the Ho Stevie! sports a similar design but comes in solid black. Compared to our top pick options from Moved By Bikes, these racks don’t have the same quick-release system for when you want to ride around without the rack sticking out, but don’t want to whip out the Allen key to get the rack off your bike.

There are certainly cheaper options available on Amazon, but when it comes to a surfboard rack for your bike (something you really don’t want to give out on you at the wrong time), we’d rather point you to an option that we trust, from a manufacturer that we trust (such as COR or Ho Stevie!) than a no-name overseas brand of potentially dubious quality.

Pros: Decent price, easy to installCons: Arms don’t extend, only the bottom part of the rack quick-releases

Works With: Shortboards, midlengthsWeight: 3.3 lbsWeight Capacity: N/A

The Ho Stevie! works with all types of bikes, whether you’re on a beach cruiser, a road bike, a mountain bike, or a BMX. It’s lightweight and, since it’s made from aluminum, it won’t rust in that salty ocean air. With anodized paint, chipping will be a thing of the past.

The Ho Stevie was previously our top pick for budget, but then the Cor Surf Shortboard Rack dropped in price and is now $10 cheaper. Both racks have similar designs but the Ho Stevie! is solid black whereas the Cor Surf rack has bright green arms. Compared to our best overall picks from Moved By Bikes, the main difference is that the Ho Stevie and Cor surf racks comes with bungees included, and only the bottom u-shaped part of the rack has a quick release, whereas the MBB racks quick-release from the base, providing a much more streamlined situation for when you want to ride without the rack, but don’t want to pull out the Allen wrench to take the entire thing off.

Pros: Low profile, easy to install, comes with a multi-purpose rear rack for your bikeCons: Won’t fit some bicycles

Works With: Shortboards, midlengths, longboardsWeight: 5 lbsWeight Capacity: 25 lbs

The Carver Max Rack takes a different approach than the popular seatpost-mounted style of surf bike rack, instead attaching to an included rear rack. So you’re basically getting two racks in one.

If for some reason your bike won’t fit a seat post rack but will take a rear rack, you’ll still be in business with this option. The wider-set arms will also support a wider variety of board shapes and sizes, from shortboards to longboards to SUPs with a max weight of 25 pounds. If you prefer the traditional seatpost mount style, the Cor Surf Shortboard Rack is a great, affordable option, but it can only support shortboards and midlengths, not longboards.

Pros: Transports large boards easilyCons: Doesn’t work for shortboards

Works With: Longboards, SUPsWeight: 7.4 lbsWeight Capacity: N/A

If you’re a person who rides something a little larger, like a SUP, or even just a classic log, you know that it’s basically (ok, more like actually) impossible to ride a bike with one tucked under your arm. Sometimes, even a side rack can be a pain in the butt with all that weight pulling you to one side.

So, here’s a trailer that is ingeniously simple: a strap attaches the front and back of the board together, then hooks over your seat. The back is attached to a small axle, and away you go, towing your board behind like a Roman chariot. If you have an e-bike or moped, then you’ll want to opt for something that performs better on busy streets like the MBB Moped Surfboard Rack, which can support all types of boards.

Pros: Solid build – will keep your board secure in all kinds of terrainCons: Adds more weight to an already back-heavy setup

Works With: Shortboards, midlengths, longboards, SUPsWeight: 5.8 lbsWeight Capacity: 165 lbs

If you prefer to commute to the beach via an electric bike or a moped, you’ll want a more durable rack capable of withstanding higher speeds. Cue the MBB Moped Surfboard Rack.

The MBB Moped rack is designed to mount to classic mopeds, E-bikes, and cargo bikes with tubular cargo racks. If you spread the bars out, the rack works well for longboards and SUPs. If you push the bars closer together, then they get the job done for shortboards and midlengths. A key feature of the MBB Moped racks is the quick-release bar that allows you to easily remove the rack when you’re not using it, without any tools. If you ride a traditional bike, then the Carver Max Rack is a good alternative as it works with a wide range of boards but mounts to an old-school bicycle.

How does one test the best surfboard bike racks? By biking to the surf, of course. As surfers who are lucky enough to live within biking distance of the beach, both Will Sileo and Rebecca Parsons have been able to get out there with all of the racks included in this review over the past couple of years. Surprisingly, or not, there has been little change-up in the surfboard bike rack industry since we first published this article in 2020, so we’ve had plenty of time to test the long-term durability and reliability of the racks included here. All of the above racks are great options for transporting your surfboard, be sure to see our buyer’s guide for more information on which rack may suit your needs the best, depending on the type of board you wish to transport, the terrain you’ll be riding on, and the type of bike you intend to use the rack with.

We’ve also had the opportunity to test these surfboard racks out with a number of different electric bicycles in conjunction with our Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes review, getting a feel for how these racks hold up to the acceleration and speeds of electric bikes – needless to say, they all passed with flying colors.

Rear-rack-mounted surfboard racks keep the board behind you for more unobstructed pedaling. Photo: The Inertia

It’s pretty simple. A good surfboard bike rack accomplishes several basic tasks. It keeps your surfboard secure while in transit and protects your surfboard (and you) by reducing the chance of a catastrophic fall. It should be easy to install. Bonus points if it’s easy to take on and off, too. And it should make a minimal impact on your biking experience – the less it affects your mobility and visibility, the better.

Each of the surfboard bike racks on our list checks these boxes, some better than others. After examining everything available on the market, we’ve found the above surfboard bike racks to be the best of the lot.

Keeping your board in a surfboard bag can help reduce board motion inside the rack with a bit of extra padding. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

We come in all shapes and sizes. So do our boards. So there will have to be a compromise somewhere if you have a quiver. A few factors will help you determine which surfboard bike rack is ideal for you. Some things to consider:

Type of Terrain

If you’re on a freshly paved bike path at sea level, you can get away with something that’s not so tech like the Cor Surf Shortboard Rack. The less varied the terrain, especially if it’s fresh asphalt, probably means you are ok with the bare bones. But if you’re on bumpy terrain, you’ll want more than one attachment point, so a seatpost mount isn’t the best option for you there — a good pick for bumpier terrain is the Carver Max Rack.

Type of Bike

If your bike has a rack on the back, you have a few more options. The frame or seatpost size makes a difference as well. So make sure you get the bike measurements down before you choose your rack to avoid disappointment if the chosen model doesn’t fit.

How Hard You Ride

If you’re a cruiser, you probably don’t need something too beefy. But if you’re the type who likes to take shortcuts and is always late, it might be wise to invest in a bit of a sturdier rig to ensure it can handle whatever you send its way.

If you ride hard or regularly peddle through terrain, you should consider that your board can bounce around and rub against the side of your racks. If you’re worried about your board getting dinged or scratched, we’ve found that Gnarly Padz are a great solution – they’re small inflatable pads that secure to your bike rack adding extra protection and security. In our experience, they work even better than bungees at keeping your board secure and ding-free. Keeping your board in a board bag can also help.

If you’re biking or hauling a large board, SUP Wheels are a great pick. Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz//The Inertia

Board Size

We’ve covered a few different sizes above, so make sure that you’re not getting a shortboard rack if you’re a longboarder, and vice-versa. If you do have a large quiver, best to go with a longer rack than a shorter one to ensure better balance.

Some racks like the Moved by Bikes Longboard Rack are specifically designed for longboards whereas racks like the MBB Shortboard Rack were created with shortboards in mind. And then there are versatile racks that work with a wide range of boards like the Carver Max Rack or the MBB Moped Surfboard Rack.

Budget

If you’re scrounging couch change for this purchase, then you probably don’t want the most expensive option. But even if your dad is buying this for you, maybe you don’t need all the bells and whistles. We’ve listed several options here in the budget range like the Cor Surf Shortboard Bike Rack and the Ho Stevie! Surfboard Bike Rack in case money is an issue. But no matter what your budget, a rack is a good investment in your peace of mind to ride with both hands on the handlebars while your board gets safely escorted to the ocean and back.

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Editor’s Note: Not biking to the beach with your board? These are The Best Surfboard Racks for Your Car. Need a place to store your board at home? We’ve got you covered with The Best Surfboard Racks for Display and Storage. Check out more gear reviews here.