Off-Roading with Tern Orox was the highlight of my return to Sea Otter (bike festival in Monterey, California). Well, ok, taking it down the world-famous Laguna-Seca corkscrew was even funner. In the time I had to demo the Orox, I took it on the cross-country course, then the track. It was due back at Tern’s tent or I would’ve tried the dual slalom course too. A huge cargo bike that handles is also confidence inspiring.
Here’s what I had to say on my social channels
What haven’t you heard about the Orox? Well, despite its substantial size and length, it maneuvers like a standard Tern. During the cross-country demo, I even took it down the famous Laguna-Seca corkscrew at approximately 100 mph. Surprisingly, I didn’t need an escape route—it handled marvelously. Kudos to the product engineering team for this super impressive achievement.”
Confident in their target demographic, Tern has published an off-roading guide. I’ll summarize it below and add, check your bike handling skills when pedaling that much weight around anywhere.
Off-Roading with Tern Orox
Off-road cargo capacity
Most electric cargo bikes excel at carrying heavy loads but may not be optimized for off-road riding. However, the Orox stands out with an impressive maximum gross vehicle weight of 180 kg (397 lb) off-road, allowing you to pack all your camping gear, food, and essentials for several days of adventure.
What’s more, you can ride with confidence knowing that the Orox has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its durability. Both the frame and fork of the Orox have been rigorously tested by EFBE, a renowned bike and component testing laboratory, to guarantee their ability to handle heavy cargo and navigate challenging terrain safely and reliably, time and time again. So, while you may push your limits, you can trust that your bike won’t.
Large volume tires with great traction
Navigating potholes is one challenge, but traversing rocky terrain, roots, and loose ground is a whole different ball game. That’s where the Orox shines, thanks to its large-volume tires designed to provide exceptional traction. With these tires, you can maintain focus during every ascent and descent, confidently tackling various types of terrain without worrying about losing grip. If you want to get to your destination quicker, you can run 29rs too.
Bosch Performance Line CX
Finally, Tern’s cargo offerings are not underpowered. They have harnessed the robust power of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Orox provides riders with four distinct riding modes. Among these, the eMTB mode stands out, offering dynamic support that adapts to your pedal pressure. What sets this mode apart is its innovative Extended Boost feature, providing an extra surge of power precisely when you need it most—whether you’re conquering obstacles or navigating challenging terrain. Activating Extended Boost mid-ride is as simple as kicking down on your pedals, ensuring seamless and intuitive control over your riding experience. Also, if you need to portage your bike, the motor provides a walk assist mode. When loaded with your camping and fishing gear, you’ll need it.
Read the rest of Tern’s guide for more details about the Orox. What also impressed me is how good the Orox looks. The challenge you’ll have is how to transport it. As of today, no rack manufacturers makes a tray wide enough. As equipped the R14 (Gates belt drive, Rohloff hub, dual battery), the Orox cost $9K.
Standout Features of the Orox:
- Rohloff Speedhub: Renowned for its durability and low maintenance requirements, the Rohloff Speedhub ensures smooth, silent operation ride after ride.
- Gates Belt Drive: Enjoy a silent, smooth ride with the rust and grease-free Gates Belt Drive, offering hassle-free performance and longevity.
- Custom Schwalbe Johnny Watts Tires: Equipped with custom 27.5″ Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires, the Orox tackles tough conditions with ease, thanks to their optimized tread design.
Orox highlights also include:
- Bosch Performance Line CX Motor: Conquer hills with ease, courtesy of the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor, delivering up to 85 Nm of torque and 340% support.
- Dual-Battery System: Extend your adventures with the dual-battery system, drawing power from two batteries for an ultra-long range.
- Bosch Smart System with Connect Module: Access advanced functions like eBike Alarm and eBike Tracking with the Bosch Smart System and ConnectModule.
- Kiox 300 Color Display: Navigate effortlessly with the splash and dust-proof Kiox 300 color display, featuring an LED remote for intuitive control.
- Magura 4-Piston Hydraulic Brakes: Enjoy powerful and responsive braking performance with Magura 4-piston hydraulic brakes.
- EFBE Certification: EFBE-certified for safety and reliability, the Orox boasts a Max Gross Vehicle Weight of 210 kg (462 lb) on pavement and 180 kg (397 lb) off-road.
- Two Frame Sizes: Choose from two frame sizes to accommodate riders 155 – 195 cm (5’1” – 6’5”) tall, with a weight capacity of up to 130 kg (286 lb).
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