Surf’s up. But before you paddle out, it will be necessary to devise a safe way to transport that surfboard down the road while riding a bicycle. A bicycle surfboard rack is the perfect answer and it is easily accessible.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Hacksaw
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- Razor knife
- 4 Hose clamps
- Old bicycle inner tube
- PVC glue
- 2 one-inch PVC tees
- 6 one-inch PVC elbows
- 1 five-foot length of one-inch PVC pipe
- 2 bungee cords
Step 1
Cut the top third off the two PVC tees using the hacksaw. These tees will mount directly to the bike. Test that they fit properly by mounting one at the top of the seat tube, directly below the top tube, and the other on the highest point of the down tube, behind the head tube. If loose, or if frame damage is a concern, use the razor knife to cut shims from the old inner tube.
Step 2
Cut the five-foot length of PVC pipe into two lengths of 10, eight, six and four inches. Place the eight-inch pieces into the tees. Place an elbow on the end of both pieces with the open side of the tees facing down. Insert the six-inch pieces into the open ends. They should hang vertically, parallel to the bike frame. Attach an elbow at the bottom of the six-inch pipe pieces with the open end facing away from the bike. Insert the four-inch pieces and attach the remaining two elbows, open end facing up. Insert the 10-inch pieces.
Step 3
Remove all pieces from the bike except the tees. Assemble each rack on a flat surface and bind them together using the PVC glue. When the glue has set, glue each rack to a tee. Further secure the tees to the frame by fastening the pipe clamps with the screwdriver, one on top and one below the extending arm.
Step 4
Before gluing all joints, drill a hole in the top outer portion of the two 10-inch pieces. After each rack has been later glued and set, these holes will be used to hook one end of a bungee cord, securing the board to the racks by wrapping them around the frame and hooking them back on themselves.
Tips & Warnings
- When cutting the tees, if they do not fit onto the bike frame, cut a quarter-inch more off the back so they can slip on easier. If the bicycle frame seat tube is large, such as with a Cannondale, a larger gauge of PVC pipe may be needed.
- To avoid the rails of the surfboard from becoming damaged, line the bottom of each rack with an old sock taped to each rack using duct tape.
