Tern Orox S12 First Look: Offroad Adventure Cargo Bike

Tern Orox S12 – First Look
RRP: $9,995.00 Excluding utilities
Available With: ternbicycles.com

E-Cargo bikes seem to be the hot new thing in the bike industry, and for good reason. A bike section that has never been seen in the field is now a regular feature on any suburban bike path where I live in South East Queensland. The availability and familiarity of pedal assist motors in this category of bikes is thanks to this sudden boom, turning what was once a booming market. Multi-passenger capacity and family car flexibility are the most common selling points for many users, and many cargo bike owners including myself use them for dropping off the kids, going to the playground and running to the grocery store.

You might be wondering why we here at AMB are reviewing a cargo bike, considering it usually has the same off-road prowess as a stripped-down Toyota Hiace. That's because what I had on test is something more powerful than a typical cargo bike, a bike that's the exact opposite of the ubiquitous offering for those looking for a family-friendly utility bike. Enter, Tern Orox.

It's safe to assume that most people reading this article are mountain bikers, and may not be familiar with the Tern brand – so here are the fall notes. Started in 2011, Tern has traditionally focused on bicycles developed for the urban environment. Think folding bikes, commuter bikes and cargo E-bikes. The Orox is the first, and as far as I know the first e-bike specifically designed to carry multiple passengers or up to 100kg of cargo. A quick look at the spec sheets gives a good first impression, with the market leading Bosch Performance Line CX engine and 725wh battery grabbing the headlines. While there is a long list of different configurations available for the Orox, we were given the S12 model with 29×2.6” wheels and the 'urban adventure' configuration. This includes two Thule Yepp seats for my bike-loving toddlers, as well as panniers, wheel guards and a host of other extras. The XT drivetrain, Magura MT5 brakes and Ergon contact points are all standard and should lead to a clean palette during testing, allowing me to really focus on the Orox's capabilities as an adventure bike, cargo bike, car shifter and everything in between.

Just in time for the Christmas break, I managed to get out half a dozen rides on the Orox before writing this first article. This ride included a fire road over Mt Coot Tha, daycare runs, and a quick trip to the hardware store among others. The first impressions are those of comfort, confidence and weight. Unlike most cargo bikes, the Orox is available in multiple sizes to suit riders up to 195cm. The Large I'm testing fits like a glove and feels more comfortable (and more like a regular MTB) than any other cargo bike I've ridden. The steep seat tube, wide bars and short stem all feel very familiar on and off road. Likewise, the fit and finish of this bike really surprised me, making my personal cargo bike feel like a cheap toy in comparison.

The Bosch engine is smooth and powerful, even when the Orox is loaded in fields with toddlers or covering a 20% grade fire road. In addition to this, the accessories all work as advertised and don't rattle a bit while in use, and the integrated lights are bright enough to make you feel safe and confident riding at night. All these features and potential uses come at a cost, the Orox as currently configured tips the scales at just over 50kg! Although not all that noticeable while riding under normal conditions, the weight has already become an issue on a few occasions such as when I had to steer the Orox over a motorcycle barrier at the entrance to our state forest. I'm not sure my back can handle that kind of work too many times.

Although my first impressions are good, I still have more questions than answers when it comes to Orox. How is life? How do you submit it for repair? What are its offroad limits? What is the actual battery range? I look forward to answering all the questions next month. Stay tuned to AMB Issue # 212 and our YouTube page for the full review.