October 29, 2024 - Tern’s new Orox adventure e-cargo bike is a robust extension of the company’s DNA that offers high-quality e-cargo bikes and folding bikes designed for urban commuting and transportation.

The marketing slogan for the Orox is “Go Anywhere, Go Anytime, Bring Anything” and it certainly looked ready to deliver on that promise when we picked it up at Scooteretti in the heart of Ottawa’s ByWard Market district.

The Orox comes in the S12 model (reviewed) and its flagship, R14 model, both beefy looking e-cargo bikes. Available in medium and large frame sizes it accommodates riders from 5’1” to 6’5” in height.

Scooteretti did a great job setting up the Satin Pine-colored Orox S12 e-cargo bike and walking me through the features as well as providing a Tern Captain’s Chair Gen 2, with a Sidekick handle and a Tern Cargo Hold 52 waterproof pannier. The Orox is also available in a Highland gold colour scheme.

I couldn’t wait to review it. 

This ride is impressive looking, but keep in mind that it’s a big bike at approximately 80lbs (36 kg), and a good 12” or so longer than a regular mountain bike. We were able to fit it onto a Thule T2 Pro hitch rear rack and with some extra straps I was on my way.

The Orox is equipped with a powerful Bosch Performance Line CX drive system offering 85Nm of torque that’s supported by a 725Wh battery with a range up to 146 km. A second battery can be attached to double the range up to a massive 292km.  The battery does not quick-charge, so you can expect a full charge from empty to take 6+ hours.

A splash and dust-proof Kiox 300 color display provides info such as speed, distance etc. along with an LED remote for intuitive control of the four assist modes including Eco, Tour, eMTB, and Turbo.

The Kiox also manages the Ignis Hi/Lo Beam headlight with a maximum of 700 lumens.  The light is controlled via headlight buttons integrated in the Magura MT5 brake levers.

Using the app allows you to electronically lock and unlock the bike (it even makes a fancy beep), change the character of each of the four assist modes, and even change the wheel circumference.

It’s worth mentioning that the entire Bosch e-bike system—including the battery, charger, drive unit, and display is tested and certified to UL 2849, the most extensive and rigorous safety standard to date for e-bike electrical systems.

The Bosch drive system is paired with Shimano’s Deore XT derailleur and 12-speed 10-51t cassette and 32t front chainring.

The Orox rolls on 27.5” x 4” Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires which are versatile, all-terrain tires designed for a mix of urban and off-road use. They performed excellently and were up to the challenge regardless of conditions. The tires are wrapped with full fenders front and back and a beefy mudflap up front ensures the rider stays as dry and clean as possible.

I was curious to see how the brakes performed, considering the weight and size of the Orox and was pleasantly surprised by the Magura MT5, 4-piston hydraulic disc with 203 mm rotors.  They modulated to precision and felt confident stopping whether riding solo or with a passenger/cargo in the back.

My first ride was the next day taking my 9-year-old daughter to school. She loved the ride, and her friends were very intrigued by the Orox. This bike gets a lot of attention. 

At the end of the day, I picked her up and we decided to take the long way home, a 15-km loop with a stop for a treat at the local Bubble Tea shop. The stock Atlas Kickstand XL Cargo is great for keeping the bike upright with lots of cargo and/or a kid drinking her bubble tea in the captain’s chair. Extensions to the kickstand legs are available for increased stability. Clearly I was on the hook for more school runs with the Orox. 

Over the next few weeks, I did several different rides from light offroad trails to some of my favourite gravel rides. The Tern Orox is a very capable e-cargo bike for just about every type of riding and you don’t really feel how big it is.

One issue I did run into occasionally on offroad trails resulted from the Orox’s longer wheelbase as the kickstand sits a bit low, and may hit when cresting medium to big rocks and bumps.

For most of my riding I used the Tour and eMTB assist levels, and selected Turbo for longer, steeper hills, or to just give myself a bit of a break. 

The Kiox also displays a dynamic range estimate for each assist level which calibrates itself over time depending on the rider’s fitness and strength which I found to be very useful on longer rides.

Though I never managed a 100km adventure, my daughter and I enjoyed a fabulous 60 km excursion on the day that we returned the bike to Scooteretti. The journey took just over two hours and the battery still had 20% of power to spare.

The Bosch Performance Line CX Mid-Drive motor is one of the smoothest and most natural motors I have reviewed to date, and the system can be paired with Bosch’s mobile Flow app where additional features and controls are available. 

The Orox comes with a multitude of 4mm hex bolts on the frame and fork to secure every imaginable accessory, and the list of offerings is also extensive. 

This e-cargo bike with its huge carrying capacity of 462 lb (210 kg) on pavement and 397 lb (180 kg) off-road offers a multitude opportunities for both personal and commercial use cases. 

It’s no surprise that the Tern Orox won Eurobike 2024 Gold in the “E-bikes” category. The hefty price tag and sheer size and weight mean that it’s not for everyone, but if adventure on two wheels is on your bucket list, this e-cargo bike lives up to its slogan and then some.

The SRP is $9,650 and for more information please visit here.