The Tern Orox off road excels like the GSD downtown. I feel fortunate to have demoed a Tern Orox over the past few weeks, covering a hundred miles, and honestly—it might just be the most versatile bike ever ridden. Below is the lowdown in my own words:
First Impressions
Rolling up to the trailhead—or even just running errands downtown—the Orox immediately feels beefy and confidence-inspiring. That stout, cross-braced aluminum frame can handle a whopping 210 kg (462 lb) total load, whether gear for a weekend bike camp or groceries for the week. And despite its cargo bike chops, it pedals like a champ. The Orox has taken me on singletrack, fire roads, and chipseal pavement. The low center of gravity ensures the massive bike handles like a regular bike. The huge knobby tires inspire confidence across mixed terrain. Come around a corner and into a wash of moon dust, no problem. I even blazed a trail across a meadow, bouncing off rocks and sagebrush.
Bosch Power & Battery
Underneath that beefy frame is the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, offering up to 20 mph of smooth assistance. Thanks to its 800 Wh battery (with the dual-battery-ready capability), you are looking at up to 100 mi on a charge—plenty of juice for big days in the saddle or multi-day tours. Couple that with the Bosch Kiox 300 display and anti-theft Connect Module, and you have both ride data and peace of mind at your fingertips.
Ride Feel & Components
The Orox S12 comes spec’d with Shimano Deore 12-speed shifting, giving you crisp, reliable gear changes across a wide range of ratios. For mountain usage and maintenance, the traditional drivetrain is better than a belt and internal hub. Where I am riding, if I need to fix a mechanical, there is no bike shop nearby. The extensive 27.5 × 4″ tires soak up chatter and provide confidence-inspiring traction, while the Ultra-wide Ignis headlight (700 lumens) illuminates the darkest backroads. Overall, the combination of a Deore 12-speed cassette and the quiet motor makes pedal strokes feel efficient and keeps you focused on the ride—not the mechanics.
Cargo Capability
Cargo capability is where the Orox shines: the Atlas X rack is rated for 100 kg (220 lb), so you can ditch your backpack and load panniers, ice coolers, or even carry a passenger—seriously (Tern Store USA). I run the 72 L Cargo Hold panniers for my camera gear, and the weight feels rock-steady, even on rocky singletrack.
Who Is It For
Whether you are an overlander, a commuter with serious haul needs, or someone who wants one bike that does it all, Orox ticks the boxes. The big cargo bike is equally at home on gravel roads, climbing single track, or cruising city streets under load. And if you have ever dreamed of replacing a car for weekend adventures, this is the ticket. I use mine to transport my other bikes and replace car trips for things like a grocery run.
All in all, the Tern Orox blends adventure-bike fun with cargo-bike practicality in a way not seen before. Think of it like a GSD but for a rural lifestyle in the North Cascades. If you are looking for a bike that does it all, give the Orox a spin—you might not want to give it back.
Key Specifications
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX, delivering up to 85 Nm of torque
- Battery: 725 Wh standard, with an optional dual-battery setup expanding capacity up to 1600 Wh
- Range: Approximately 79 miles in Eco Mode; potential to double with dual batteries
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT 12-speed
- Brakes: Magura 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 203 mm rotors
- Tires: 27.5 x 4 fat tires for enhanced stability and traction
- Weight: Approximately 81.8 lbs (37.1 kg)
- Cargo Capacity: Up to 462 lbs (210 kg)
Little Surprises
It is a little surprise—my Bushwhacker helmet and the Bosch controller on the Orox ended up as an accidental color match, and I am here for it! It symbolizes how much fun I am having with the Orox and will continue to do so until Tern asks for it back.
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