How to Choose the Right Bicycle Surfboard Carrier

Side Board Rack vs Rear Board Rack

Surfers everywhere, depending on your proximity to your surf spot choose to walk, skate, or bike to their beach. And, those of us who choose to bike can either hold their board while bike-riding or choose to purchase a surfboard rack for their bikes. This is the safer option and the way I chose to transport my board to my surf spot. It keeps both my hands unoccupied, free to ride with both hands or with one hand on the coffee! I've had experience with both the side rack and the rear rack setup.

Rear Surfboard Rack

The rear bike setup is just that, set up at the rear of the bike.

Pros

• Compared to the side setup, the rear setup is much more affordable. Most of us are on a budget and might prefer the rear setup.
• When you're riding it does not get in your way in case you have to get off the bike suddenly on the side where the surfboard would have been had you used the side rack setup.
• It is easier to transport on a bike rack especially if you have more than one bike to transport on a bike hitch.

Cons

• First of all, the installation process is more difficult depending on your bicycle, and may not come with proper hardware. You may have to purchase them at your local hardware store.
• Even when set up properly, the board sits lower to the ground is at risk of hitting the ground and getting damaged.
• Depending on your set up and your backpack, your surfboard can push on your back as you are riding and have to ride leaning forward.
• Even when you have a bike stand, the wind makes it less stable when standing alone.

Side Surfboard Rack

Pros

• This side surfboard bike rack is very easy to set up. All you need is an Allen wrench and you can have it set up in less than ten minutes.
• You can easily watch your surfboard as you are riding your bike.
• This bicycle rack keeps the surfboard away from your back and you are able to ride your bicycle in an upright position.
• The surf rack can actually act as a bike stand or a surfboard holder while on the beach. This way, you won't have to worry about the bike toppling over and damaging your surfboard.
• This surfboard rack is adjustable that it can hold even a longboard.
• Finally, it can also hold two surfboards so you can take a board for your kid or a friend. Or, you can have two boards for yourself and be ready to surf regardless of surf conditions.

Cons

• This surfboard rack set up is generally more expensive
• It does obstruct one of your emergency exits out of your bicycle in case you have to bail out of your bike.
• This set up makes the bike wider and it can hinder your passage when biking through a narrower path.
• Since it makes for a wider set up, you can actually damage your board if you attempt to ride in a narrower path and forget to consider the width of your bike with the rack.
• Lastly, it makes for a wider space requirement when transporting the bike on your vehicles bike transporter. Your four-bike carrier may only be able to transport three bikes unless you get real creative, which I have done before.

  Conclusion

I have had experience with both the rear bike rack and the side rack set ups. I prefer the side surf rack set up over the rear due to it's balance while standing on a kickstand. I have left my bike standing on a kickstand with the rear bike rack set up and more than two time I have had it fall over due to the wind and ding my board. The side set up has never fallen over on me while on the same kickstand. Just the security I feel with my surfboard on the side set up is enough to make me choose the side set up. There is nothing more precious to a surfer than his/her surfboard. Not only can you see exactly where your board is while you are riding, it also does not shove your board into your back while you are riding and transporting your surfboard. In my opinion, the side surfboard rack set up is the better of the two types of bike surfboard racks. Now get out there and surf!