Bespoke Schwalbe tyres and twin 800Wh batteries help the Orox carry 210kg loads
Tern has extended its cargo bike range with the Orox, an electric adventure cargo bike that can carry a 210kg load and has a 1,600Wh battery capacity.
The long-tailed electric cargo bike has a claimed range of more than 300km and is trail-rated, meaning you can take your freight almost anywhere.
With such a unique purpose, Tern has worked alongside Schwalbe to produce a bespoke 27.5x4in Johnny Watts tyre to cope with the demands.
Tern offers the bike in two spec levels, with the entry-point Orox S12 priced at £5,900 / $6,499 / €6,799 and the range-topping, Rohloff-specced Orox R14 £8,100 (international pricing unconfirmed).
We’ve had a chance to ride the top-spec bike before launch, so check out our full Tern Orox R14 review.
Breaking new ground
At the centre of the Orox is a Bosch Performance CX electric bike motor, providing 85Nm of torque connected to Bosch’s Smart System.
This enables the bike to combine two 800Wh batteries to create a total 1,600Wh battery capacity, which Tern uses for the claimed range.
An insulated frame pack is used to cover the down-tube mounted battery, which is said to provide better performance in freezing temperatures, while also giving you extra cargo-carrying capability.
Tern says the bike is trail-rated, though in this application its maximum carrying capacity is reduced to 180kg.
The frame and fork are littered with mounting studs, and the bike is available with a seemingly endless combination of racks and fixtures.
As standard, the bike features commuter accessories such as full mudguards, an Atlas Kickstand and an Ignis headlight that’s powered from the bike’s battery and has an output of 700 lumens.
Carrying capacity is based largely on how you spec the bike, with Tern offering its Trail Rack for the front. This can manage 25kg, while the Stow Decks for the rear support up to 35kg on each side.
There’s also the option of the Clubhouse Gen 3 passenger rails, which enable you to carry your children on the rear.
The bike is only available in two sizes, with Tern recommending the Medium for riders with a height of 155mm to 185mm, and the Large for those who are 165mm to 195mm.
Tern claims the Orox S12 tops the scales at 33.2kg for a medium-sized bike with 27.5in wheels, while the Orox R14 is heavier at 33.8kg.
A Rohloff 14-speed gear hub and a Gates Carbon Drive CDX Belt feature on the Orox R14, which is often the choice of many expedition rides for its ease of maintenance and longevity.
The Orox S12 has a more traditional drivetrain, with Shimano’s 12-speed Deore XT being used to shift through the gears.
Both bikes use Magura MT5 4-piston brakes, with suitably sized 203mm rotors for stopping.