Explore New Ground: Tern Unveils Orox Adventure Cargo Bike
Tern takes cargo bike utility off-road
21 February 2024 — Mobility specialist Tern today announced the Orox, an adventure cargo bike designed to navigate any terrain and weather condition with ease, while being optimized to haul a passenger, a four-legged friend, and all of your adventure gear. With dual-battery capability and an efficient Bosch motor, Orox has a range of more than 300 km*, opening the door to epic trips to rarely traveled places.
“Six years ago, we introduced the GSD with the belief that a compact and easy-to-ride bike capable of carrying passengers and cargo would get people out of their cars and onto bikes,” stated Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain. “We were right, and we love seeing all the amazing things people are doing with the GSD in crowded cities. But we also realized that there are plenty of places people want to go that are unpaved. And they want to bring their gear. For those trips, we made the Orox.”
*Based on two 800 Wh batteries
Orox is a 4-season adventure cargo bike
Go Anywhere
Traditional cargo bikes face limitations on unpaved roads, while off-road bikes struggle to carry substantial cargo. Orox brings cargo bike utility to any type of terrain. With large-volume tires and a powerful Bosch motor, Orox offers excellent traction and comfort on the most challenging surfaces. Whether it’s negotiating poorly maintained urban streets during the week or heading out for a weekend overnight at a remote lake, Orox can handle it all. Combining the ruggedness of a mountain bike, versatility of a trekking bike, and utility of a cargo bike, Orox provides riders the freedom to craft their own unique experiences.
Go Any Time
Orox won’t let nasty conditions get in the way of a good adventure. Extra-wide tires work in most conditions; but if extreme conditions require special tires, Orox’s frame and fork are designed to let riders swap in their choice of 26 x 5”, 27.5 x 4” or 29 x 3” wheels/tires. Heavy-duty fenders keep rider and bike clean(er) when things get sloppy, while the Frame Pack insulates the battery for optimal performance when the temperature drops. Ride on snow in winter, mud in spring, sand in summer, or off-road terrain when camping in the fall. Orox is always ready to roll.
With two frame sizes, Orox fits riders 155 - 195 cm tall (5’1” - 6’5”)
Bring it All
Orox is a heavy-duty hauler with a max gross vehicle weight capacity of 210 kg (462 lb) on-road and an unmatched 180 kg (397 lb) off-road. Urban riders can seamlessly transition from an effortless morning school run to a fun date-night ride along a favorite river trail. Adventure seekers can extend backcountry excursions by bringing more supplies, or pamper themselves by packing extra comforts such as a favorite cast-iron skillet, an extra tackle box, or even a cooler full of ice-cold beverages. A full selection of Tern accessories lets riders deck out their Orox rig to fit their unique adventuring needs.
Inclusive Design
The Tern team took special care to design Orox to fit a wider range of riders. Special adjustments to frame geometry and component choice allow the Large size frame to fit riders up to 195 cm tall and 130 kg in weight. On the smaller side of the spectrum, the Medium size Orox frame fits riders from 155 cm tall, thanks to a mid-step frame design.
Built for Work
Orox is an ideal vehicle for organizations and businesses that need to move people and gear to tough-to-reach places. Whether that’s chainsaws and shovels for trail maintenance workers, medical equipment for EMTs at concert venues and sporting events, or safety equipment for first responders, Orox is built to get the job done. Businesses interested in Orox can research use cases and contact Tern at bikesforbusiness.com.
Safety Matters
The importance of safety can’t be overstated for a vehicle designed for hard outdoor usage in remote areas. Ensuring that all load-bearing components meet off-road bike safety standards for a high rider weight plus cargo simply ruled out many conventional bicycle components. For example, there is no suspension fork rated to 180 kg MGVW for off-road use. The next challenge is completing the many rounds of testing with cargo loads not seen on typical mountain/downhill bikes. EFBE Prüftechnik in Germany performed the structural testing on Orox using their rigorous Tri-Test standard. Choosing Bosch for the motor and electrical system ensures UL compliance and the highest level of safety and reliability — important when you’re many miles into the backcountry.
Technical Details
Orox models
- R14 - 14 spd Rohloff Speedhub and Gates belt drive
- S12 - Shimano Deore XT 1 x 12 spd
Additional Orox tech details include:
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor for smooth, silent, and powerful boost up the toughest climbs
- Bosch DualBattery-ready, accommodating up to two fast-swap 800 Wh batteries for a range of up to 300+ km. Need even more range? Carry an extra battery (or two) and swap when needed
- Bosch ConnectModule for advanced functions like eBike Alarm and eBike Tracking
- Chromoly rigid fork with 14 braze-ons for additional cargo customization
- Atlas X Cargo Wheels with burly double-wall rims, Boost axles, and thick gauge spokes to support extra heavy loads
- Heavy-duty Atlas Kickstand XL to make loading of cargo or small passengers easier and safer
- Custom 27.5" x 4” / 29" x 2.6” Schwalbe Johnny Watts all-terrain tires or 27.5" x 4” stud-compatible Vee Snowball tires
- Powerful and responsive Magura 4-piston 203 mm hydraulic disc brakes
- Max Gross Vehicle Weight of 210 kg (462 lb) on pavement, and 180 kg (397 lb) off-road
Pricing & Availability
Orox pricing starts at $6,499 / €6,799 / £5,900 and specs may vary slightly according to region. Bikes will begin to arrive in bike shops in Europe and North America this April, with other markets following later in the year.
Explore More Ground
Orox will begin to arrive in bike shops in Europe and North America this April