BQ Tests: Tern Orox cargo adventure bike

Tern Bicycles have become synonymous with small-wheeled cargo e-bikes the world over. While their range also includes folding bikes without pedal-assist, you are more likely to have seen riders aboard a Tern cargo e-bike. Whether they are doing a grocery run, the daycare drop off or taking a bikeway to work, the Tern e-cargo bike range has rapidly increased in popularity. Within Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, that growth is easily linked to the Lug+Carrie stores, who sell the Tern bikes but also have e-bike subscription packages. A subscription removes the cost hurdle for e-mobility, while also taking care of things like servicing and accessory swaps. Bicycle Queensland members can even save 50% on their first 2 months of an e-bike subscription, as one of many BQ Member discounts.

Last year Tern stepped out of their bread and butter small-wheeled e-bike range and released an adventure e-bike. The Tern Orox arrived as the bike that is ready to accompany you through the apocalypse. It has 29” wheels, a huge 210kg cargo capacity, dual battery capability, wired front and rear lights, mudgoards, wide-range 1×12 gearing and enough mounts for just about every accessory you could imagine.

Supported by the Bosch Performance CX Smart System, the Orox has 85Nm of torque and a peak power of 600W, while still meeting the normalised power of 250W maximum to be EN15194 compliant. There has also been a recent firmware update to boost torque to 100Nm and peak power to 750W. While these changes are likely targeted at e-mountain bikes, the higher torque and peak power will be well-received by any e-cargo riders. The bike retails for $9995, no small change but well within reason for a full-service e-bike to use for recreation and utility.

First look at the Tern Orox

I first took a look at the Orox in late 2024, while dropping into the Lug+Carrie store to have the BQ Office Tern Quick Haul appointed with a few new accessories. A quick spin around the streets showed how different it was to much of the current Tern range – as it handled more like a 29” wheeled-mountain bike. And that shouldn’t be a surprise. It has been marketed as an off-road adventure bike, and it is.

The Tern Orox comes equipped with a 100kg rated rack, long wheel base and design features to suit loaded riding off road or on. This bike can quickly navigate from being your daily driver to activating family adventures. There’s no need for the whole family to be on an e-bike when one rider can pilot the Orox. Whether you have a couple of kids on seats, or you carry the picnic equipment and everything else, the Orox can be loaded up like a modern day station wagon.

There is no denying it is a big bike, and with two batteries fitted (800Wh and 725Wh) and massive Tern panniers when I collected this bike for a few days of testing, the weight clocked over 35kg. Given the length of the bike, it’s not something you’re about to put in the back of your car. But you’re better to think about the Orox as a car-replacement.

I was going to be using the bike while at the Y2W event, a 3-day rail trail adventure that Bicycle Queensland was running along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The huge battery capacity meant I probably wouldn’t need to think about charging the bike over 3 days, and the cargo capacity would make it easy to have spares and supplies to help out any riders, and place or collect a few extra signs to improve the signposting around a few hazards on the route. As a purely off-road ride, it would also be a chance to see how well a brand known for their urban utility bikes could transfer to a wilder environment.

As this bike was a demo from Lug+Carrie, it did have a few differences from stock, including having the pannier bags fitted, and a phone mount was supplied instead of the Kiox head unit. The Bosch LED remote still gives all the control and data required for modes and battery life.

On the rail trail

While my first ride was commuting back to the office from Lug+Carrie in Woolloongabba, the next was climbing up the BVRT from Linville, through a frosty valley to put out some essential signs for the gullies on the event route. Riding on the gradual incline, the predictable support from the Bosch CX system was like an old friend. This is a very reliable system, and using the EMTB mode I could have access to up to 340% support when I was pushing hard on the pedals, with a lower level of support when just turning the pedals over. It’s a really great mode to give you the extra boost when needed, while not taking off like an unpredictable rocket ship when you put some pressure on the pedals.

As a rigid bike, and a heavy one at that, you do notice rougher terrain. But the riding position and contact points means the bike is ready to be ridden like a mountain bike. Get out of the saddle and let the bike move. This is so different to Tern’s other bikes, which are primarily designed around being one size fits most and navigating urban infrastructure. The slacker head angle, wide bars and long wheel base means that the Orox responds to rider input in a completely different but appropriate manner – spot your line, level the pedals out of the sit and push through the rougher section and carry on!

In terms of handling, I appreciated the ergonomics of the setup, from the Ergon saddle and grips to the 800mm wide low rise handlebar. The Orox comes in two sizes, which should cover riders from about 155-195cm. I was on the large and at 178cm all I would have changed would be perhaps a stem with 10mm less reach.

Unlike a commuting type e-bike or cargo e-bike, being able to ride the Orox more dynamically is what makes it work so well off-road. Even with a loaded pannier bag (on one side only) it was balanced and confident. What makes a bike like the Orox, or many other high end e-bikes, stand apart from cheaper e-bikes is the how complete and considered the spec is. From custom rolled double-wall alloy rims, to heavy duty 2.6” tyres and some big, 4-piston Magura disc brakes with huge 203mm rotors. Given the load rating (max gross vehicle weight) on the Orox of 210kg for on-road, and 180kg for off-road – proper brakes, tyres, wheels and gearing are a must-have, and something Tern clearly considered.

If you go straight to the marketing, Tern suggest the Orox is for ‘exploring new ground’. Again, compared to their popular bikes like the Quick Haul or GSD, the Orox is leaps and bounds ahead for all-terrain use, especially considering the capacity to have two batteries (as I did) allowing potentially over 300km of range, depending on mode use and system weight.

So does it help for exploring new ground? I think within the bike type, that’s a resounding yes. I didn’t even tickle the edges for load carrying capacity on the Orox over a few days of riding. And while I did ride a few tighter trails, I didn’t get the opportunity to rail singletrack on the Orox, or test it out with 27.5 Plus wheels, or loaded with a couple of kids on it. Or with a bike on the optional hitch, so you can tow another complete bike.

But, BQ Member Hayden Wright did many of those things when he reviewed a Tern Orox for Australian Mountain Bike – so you can watch his review for his take after a longer term and more varied test.

Our take

The Tern Orox is relatively new to Tern and Tern dealers around Australia. As a cargo e-bike with proper off-road capability, the Orox plays in a very limited market. While the Orox was a near ideal partner to assist on our event on the BVRT, that’s just one string in its bow. The Orox is just as capable for loading up with a couple of kids for the school run, or even taking your partner for a night out on the town if you opt for an accessory like the Captain’s Chair. You could attempt a family bikepacking weekend like a loaded pack horse, or just fill panniers with the weekly shop. The Orox can easily cross between being a commuter, car replacement for a young family and a vehicle to support outdoors adventure – all in one purchase.

There are a few things to consider though. Firstly, it is a big and heavy bike to move around. That includes changing direction from where you park it. I was happy enough lifting it up to move it, but you need room for three-point turns, especially if loaded. This is not a bike to sneak down the laneway and over a few steps into your garden shed behind your townhouse or terrace house. Similarly, if your bike adventures are often further afield, you will need to consider how you get there. I had to lower the passenger seat in my long wheel base car van (Citroen Berlingo LWB) and use a loading ramp and some persuasion to get the Orox in. Another option may be a motor bike rack but the overall length will need to be checked once carried across your vehicle.

For some, these won’t be concerns. If you see the Orox as a daily driver that is your car replacement and best friend for activating adventures from your front door – it has few peers. While it may prove more cumbersome in some ways compared to its small wheeled bretheren, for those who want more offroad capacity, be it for parkland, gravel roads or rail trails – the Tern Orox is well worth investigation.

RRP: $9995
From: Lug+Carrie