Photo by: Super73
Why E-bikes are popular among surfers
Electric bikes have become super hyped over the past couple of years, and it’s no wonder why (you no longer have to worry about being that “kook” on an e-bike).
If you’ve ever been to Bali, you will be familiar with the popularity of scooters as a means of transportation among surfers. Electric bikes serve a similar purpose; a practical and fast way to do the daily beach commute. However, e-bikes are a more sustainable option, better for the climate and environment, without compromising on the fun and practical aspect of your commute.
Any surfer probably dreams about a pickup truck or a nice car, but let’s face it, most of us live close enough to our local beach break, and it might not always be necessary to opt for the car. An electric bike will not only be a sustainable means of transportation it will also save you money on parking, gas, and time in traffic jams. Furthermore, you will get fresh air and a quick warmup when opting for the bicycle instead of the car on your way to the beach.
There is no better way to start the day than taking your e-bike for a ride to check out the conditions at your local beach break. Those who have one will know!
Anyway, when you’re buying an electric bike for surf commuting, you need to know what to look for in a good e-bike.
What to look for in a surf e-bike?
Let’s cover the most important aspects of the buying process.
Type & style
E-bikes come in many different types and styles. Generally, the most popular model among surfers is the beach cruiser. But some might prefer other types, like a foldable e-bike, or a mountain bike model which is useful in different terrains.
Motor
The motor on an e-bike is usually installed in one of three placements: either on the back wheel, the front wheel, or at the cranks. The best option is considered to be motors placed at the cranks, but this solution also tends to be more expensive. Placing the motor at the cranks offers an overall better weight distribution and smoother shifting.
Pedal-assist vs. throttle?
Electric bikes can get divided into two different categories: pedal-assist and throttle. It’s easy to tell the difference between the two, as the pedal-assist motor only will kick in if you’re actively pedaling, whereas a throttle motor works even when you’re not pedaling.
While throttles can be more fun and give you the feeling of riding an actual motorcycle, the pedal-assisted motor will provide longer rides on a battery charge and give you more of a traditional bicycle experience.
Battery & Distance
One of the most important factors when choosing an e-bike is the battery capacity and its riding range. The price of an e-bike is generally reflected in the power of the battery.
Battery capacity gets measured in Watt-hours (Wh), which takes into account battery output and battery life. The higher the WH – The more range you achieve.
From most e-bikes on the market, you can expect a riding range of anywhere between 30 and 70 miles (48-112km) on a full charge. Be aware that this number is usually determined under ideal circumstances and needs to be taken “with a grain of salt”. For example, when you are riding at the beach, the wind will affect the power, and so will the extra weight of your attached surfboard and other surf gear.
Some e-bikes have removable batteries, which can be an advantage if your commute to the beach is long and you, therefore need a “refill” in form of an extra battery.
Power & Classification
Maintenance
When choosing the right e-bike as a surfer, maintenance comes into play, as riding near the beach will get your bike exposed to sand and saltwater.
You will need to take care of your e-bike, just like you do with your surfboard. Therefore, you should wash down your bike after a day at the beach to get the salt and sand out of the chain and wheels. It’s an important step to avoid rust as the salty air often leaves some residue on your bike.
With this knowledge, it’s easier to choose an electric bike that has easy access to the chain and other parts that can get exposed to rust.
Safety features
Safety is an important factor when it comes to e-bikes. You need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment such as a helmet, etc. Furthermore, you want to make sure that your surfboard is safely mounted before you take off.
If you are a part of the dawn patrol or enjoy a good sunset session, then you would likely be riding your e-bike in the dark. In this scenario, it can be worth looking for an electric bike with built-in lights to reduce the number of extra accessories needed.
Surf racks for electric bikes
It will not be a proper “electric surf bike” before you mount a surf rack to transport your surfboard. You can find many universal surf racks online to mount on your electric bike. Make sure the surf rack fits your e-bike, and pick a surf rack for the right size board; shortboard or longboard.
Many of the options on the list have their own custom surfboard racks for their e-bikes, which will guarantee a perfect fit. You will find the surfboard racks in their accessories category.
The 9 best electric bikes for surfers
- Battery: 960Wh
- Class: 3
- Maximum Speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 40-70 Miles (65-120 km)
- Price: 2.695$
In our opinion, the Super73 S2 is the ultimate electric surf bike. Besides scoring top marks on every technical aspect, it comes in a unique design unmatched by its competitors. The Super73 S2 is within the high price range, but you will get the best and most powerful e-bike on the market.
- Battery: 1.029Wh
- Class: 3
- Maximum Speed: 25 mph (40 km/h)
- Range:25-45 Miles (40-72 km)
- Price: 2.295$
The Murf e-bikes are branded towards surfers, and they live up to the hype. The electric bikes from Murf deliver an outstanding amount of power and still provides you with a max range of 45 miles. Incredible!
Our Favourite model is “The Fat Mule” as it offers good value for money and has a beach cruiser design. Furthermore, it has 4-inch fat tires, 5 different levels of pedal assist, a great suspension system, and a fixed headlight.
- Battery: 672 Wh
- Class: 2
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 25-45 Miles (40-72 km)
- Price: 1.299$
Rad Power Bikes is a popular e-bike brand known for its high quality and fair price. The RadRunner 1 is their flagship model, and it’s well known among surfers due to its customizable format that easily fits a surfboard rack. It is a class two e-bike, meaning it has both pedal and throttle assist. The big 672wh battery provides a good range.
- Battery: 500Wh
- Class: 2
- Maximum Speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 20-40 Miles (32-64 km)
- Price: 1.999$
The electric beach cruiser from the brand Sixthreezero has a 500 Wh rear hub drive motor, with an ergonomically designed frame for maximum comfort. Besides the good specs, we really like this e-bike for its beautiful aesthetics and the selection of colorways. We also like the innovative placement of the battery and the fact that you have both paddle assistance and throttle, as it’s a class 2 e-bike.
- Battery: 500 Wh
- Class: 1
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 60-100 Miles (96 -160 km)
- Price: 3.700$
Trek has been one of the leading bicycles manufacturers for years, and their e-bikes live up to their good reputation. The Allant+7 Lowstep model delivers an outstanding maximum range of 100 miles, due to the Bosch performance motor and the powerful 500 Wh battery. We really like their unisex Lowstep models as the frame structures make it easy to get on and off. Furthermore, it provides a good balance for when a surf rack is attached.
- Battery: 400 Wh
- Class: 1
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 34-68 Miles (53 -106 km km)
- Price: 3.999 $
Tern is another well-known brand, and the Vektron S10 is the top model of its class. The Vektron S10 stands out from the competition by being a foldable e-bike, which gives it a unique and small form factor, great for bringing on a road trip. Furthermore, the e-bike has an excellent range that goes up to a maximum of 68 miles.
- Battery: 418 Wh
- Class: 2
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 15-20 Miles (24-32 km)
- Price: 1.395$
Another model from Super73 is their friendly entry-level electric bike, Z1 (or ZG in Europe). With this model, you get the same sleek design but in a smaller form factor in terms of battery and power. The Z1 is a class 2 e-bike with throttle, which gives a shorter rage. However, with this e-bike, you get great value for money.
- Battery:360Wh
- Class: 1
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 30 Miles (48 km)
- Price: 1.300$
Hurley is a well-known brand within the surfing community, and with their version of an e-bike, you are guaranteed quality. The technical aspect of this electric bike speaks for itself.
- Battery: 400Wh
- Class: 1
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 64 Miles (103 km)
- Price: 3.000$
Cannondale is specifically known for its great selection of e-bikes. We especially like Adventure Neo 3 model, as it offers great value for money, a clean design, and high performance with a range of 64 miles from a 400 Wh battery.
