Electric bikes are becoming more popular for surfers who want to make a quick trip to the beach to catch the waves. But it can present a challenge to figure out how to put your board on your e-bike.
The best way to take your surfboard on an e-bike is to purchase a surfboard rack and attach it to your bicycle. Other ways to carry your surfboard include getting a soft surfboard bag or a hard case and attaching the surfboard using a rack, bungees, velcro, or a surfboard leash.
Today we’ll discuss how you can attach your surfboard to your electric bike for maximum safety for you and the board. Let’s get started.
1. Purchase a Surfboard Rack
A surfboard rack (check them out on Amazon) is the number one safest and most effective way to carry your surfboard on your e-bike.
Surfboard racks, like car racks, are available in various styles and sizes to accommodate boards of all styles and lengths. They’re also pretty easy to install on both an electric bike and a regular bicycle.
Surfboard racks can run a bit higher cost, but there are a lot of benefits to going with this route rather than a cheaper option.
One of the biggest benefits of using a rack is that you can rest assured your board will be completely protected. The rack is going to hold the board securely. This means you can avoid problems like the board accidentally bumping against the bike’s rear rack, battery, motor, or wheels.
Surfboard racks also limit the bouncing that can occur when riding, even on bumpy surfaces. This means that the surfboard won’t end up with dings and scratches from the ride – keeping it in pristine condition.
In addition, a rack allows you to center yourself on the bike. While it is a bit of a learning curve to get used to riding with a rack, it’s significantly more accessible than riding with your board bouncing around all over the place.
2. Purchase a Soft Surfboard Bag
Soft surfboard bags are a cost-effective option that can be used for any e-bike. These bags aren’t as secure as surfboard racks, but they’re almost as easy to use. When secured correctly, they also provide significantly more safety than attaching the board through other methods like velcro or bungee cords, which we’ll discuss in a moment.
Soft surfboard bags (Amazon) are built to provide padding and protection for your board, which is especially important if traveling long distances on your board.
While this carrying method isn’t as safe as a rack, it still provides adequate protection – much more than strapping the board to the top of a vehicle. One of the things that makes this method so high up on the protection list is the straps that the bag usually comes with.
Made of heavy-duty material, the straps are easy to attach to your electric bike. The downside is that no matter how tightly you strap the bag, it will bounce around a bit. This can cause uneven balance and create challenges when riding.
3. Purchase a Hard Surfboard Case
Hard surfboard cases provide some of the best protection for your surfboard while traveling on your e-bike. Most of the time, the cases come with straps that can easily be attached to the electric bike.
One of the best things about this option is that if your case drops, your surfboard will remain protected. It could even be hit by a car and suffer minimal damage.
However, one of the downsides to going with a hard-shell surfboard case is that the cases tend to be bulky and heavy, especially once you have the surfboard in them. This can make it challenging to maneuver, particularly if you are going downhill or around many curves.
The bulkiness can throw off your balance if you aren’t familiar with riding with a hard case. It’s best to start slow and on flat ground until you get used to it. It’s also wise to avoid putting your surfboard in the case until you become familiar with riding with the case.
Fortunately, pedaling and getting up hills won’t be too much of an issue, even with a heavy case, since you have pedal assist and your e-bike’s throttle to do the work!
4. Velcro Your Board to Your E-Bike
If you don’t have a case of some sort or a rack to carry your surfboard, there are a couple of old-fashioned ways you can strap your board to your electric bike. One of the best ways to do so is to velcro it onto your e-bike.
While this might sound dangerous initially, it’s fairly secure when done correctly. The main thing is to ensure that the velcro straps are long enough to go around the whole width of the board and still have some extra.
Here’s a quick overview of how to use velcro to secure your surfboard to your e-bike:
- Put the nose of the board under the seat and secure it in place with two straps – one on each side.
- Put the tail of the board over the top of your frame and secure it with another strap.
- Double-check that all the straps are secure.
Once you’ve verified that all the straps are secure, you’re good to start going! You should go at a slower speed, at least initially. Be aware that your board can shift as you’re riding and can be easily damaged if you fall.
5. Bungee Cord Your Surfboard to Your E-Bike
This is essentially the same thing as velcroing your surfboard to the bike, except you’re using different materials. However, the setup is slightly different.
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to do.
- Put the front wheel of your bike into the surfboard’s leash cup.
- Take the bungee cord and hook the end to the back of your seat.
- Hook the other end to the front of your board.
The bungee cords are less likely than the velcro to come loose over time, but they don’t grip the board as well as the velcro straps.
Final Thoughts
If you want to take your surfboard on your electric bike, there are quite a few ways to do so, some safer than others. The best option is to use a rack. Your next best options are to use a soft surfboard bag or a hard case. Both can be secured easily with straps that come with the cases.
If you don’t have any of these options available, the next best options are to velcro or bungee cord your surfboard to your e-bike. This can come with challenges, but overall it’s safe for you and your board if done correctly.
