Tern Orox, getting started with this longtail fat bike cargo bike – Ready for adventure?

At the end of February, we presented the Orox offered by Tern, a good big longtail cargo bike. A mount shod with good big tires. We had the opportunity to take this bike for a few spins. Not really a test, but simply a getting started, just to get to know each other. Enough to get a first idea. Insufficient to verify the brand promise. We offer you this first return.

Tern: Orox is not a dinosaur

The Tern Orox is not a species of dinosaur (the Ternausorox?). Given its size, its lines, one might think it is from another time. If we are to believe the manga forums, the Orox would be Japanese (さなぎ Kusanagi): “It is a Rare S Rank Yo-Kai. It is It was born from the fusion of Bonneto and the sacred sword“. You don’t understand anything about it? Neither do we! Are you interested? So, run here.

While we have just published an article on our conviction in the relevance (and future growth) of the compact bike segment, we offer you this take on one of the largest bikes on the market! You will think we are crazy and fickle! What do you want. That’s the way the cycling world is, folks.

The Tern Orox in detail

Last February, Tern launched the Orox, a longtail all-terrain fat bike type cargo bike! We weren’t expecting the Taiwanese brand in this niche. After introducing the GSD, the HSD as well as the Quick and Short Haul – more classic longtail models – Tern pulls out all the stops with a model designed for less conventional paths. But you know what ? We are not going to write the article describing this bike again; his measurements, his abilities, his promises. Xavier did it very well here. Why paraphrase? Everything is said there and very well said.

The conditions for handling this Tern Orox

We like the idea of ​​respecting our readers. This is why we did not write in the title of our article “Tern Orox test”. However, we are convinced, it would have generated many more clicks thanks to the algorithms of your search engines. Ten kilometers, thirty minutes on the bike; thirty minutes looking at it and photographing it. This is not a test, just a getting started, a first contact.

A test, in our opinion, is to check the alignment between the brands’ promises on a product and the lived experience. Difficult, when for example, the brand announces up to 360 km of autonomy and we barely covered 10 when handling this Tern Orox.

A mount designed to go long distance in soft terrain, loaded like Modestine. It’s not my fanny pack, my quintal and the bucolic paths of the Bois de Vincennes that are going to give me an ounce of idea of ​​the bicloune’s crossing capabilities. Because it is also longtail, offered for everyday use, at some point, you have to experience the bike on a daily basis to identify what works and what doesn’t.

10 kilometers & 30 minutes is still enough

10 kilometers & 30 minutes, that’s still enough to understand this Tern Orox. In hand, while riding with or without assistance. Try to see if it brakes correctly. Quickly assess whether it is stable on land. If it’s a calf on the asphalt. If he seems well born, in short.

Off

The first question we can ask ourselves. Is it complicated to crutch/uncrutch? And no, as easy as child’s play. The center stand barely lifts the rear wheel. The bike tested has no load on its rear part (which supports up to 100 kg). A priori, it will remain as easy to install whether it is loaded or not.

Second legitimate question: is it so bulky that you need a hangar to handle it? No. Surprisingly, the Tern Orox is as easy to remove from its stand as a classic longtail. No more bulky. So, does it take Herculean strength to carry him on foot? Neither. Well, I didn’t ask a kid passing by, but the empty bike, really, is as nimble as a classic longtail.

On the other hand, yes, I didn’t have fun climbing the five steps to bring it back to the lobby of the Parc Floral without using the function Walk Assist proposed by the engine manufacturer Bosch. A fun feature can seem unnecessary in many cases; and how this same functionality can sometimes prove essential. It will undoubtedly be on your Tern Orox when you are loaded for an expedition Into the wildin survivalist mode (modern and electrified, survivalist mode).

On the asphalt

The cockpit is classic. Obviously, the view is a little different. The 100 mm section tire reminds me that I am on a “Monster Fat Bike” (which is not monstrous, see the paragraph above). So here I am setting off on the asphalt roads of the Bois de Vincennes.

I’m a player. I start without assistance. The model tested is in the Shimano Deore XT 12-speed derailleur version. The chain positioned on the middle sprocket, on the flat, no problem moving the beast. Quicker than expected, I reach 18-19 km/h. And this will be my top speed without assistance. Without feeling like you’re forcing it like an idiot. Without being disturbed by the noise of the tires on the asphalt either.

I decide to turn on the assistance. I recognize the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. This engine, the most powerful in the German equipment manufacturer’s catalog (torque up to 85 Nm) was necessary to offer chassis/engine consistency on this bicloune. Nobody would imagine a 2CV engine on a Defender 110. Here, it’s the same. 25-26 km/h are reached without difficulty.

In the undergrowth

I remind you. Nothing that looks like an adventure, a few short kilometers on forest paths. Modest singletracks. Getting started with the Tern Orox is easy. He seems very comfortable. Grip and drive. In a standing position on the pedals, the bike is very easy to ride, the position is not sporty, but its geometry is clearly designed to accept riding while standing on the pedals.

For technical passages, downhill, uphill, flat out or in trial mode, it seems that only your driving skills will be your limits. From what I have seen, the brakes are smooth and will certainly be effective in more extreme conditions (loaded weight or more complicated terrain).

In conclusion of this handling of the Tern Orox

We knew it (and we said it above): to properly test a bike, you need time. And when the bike is “special”, it takes time and special conditions. There, it’s at best a getting started, a moment to get to know this Tern Orox. Enough to make us want to go camping, just to see how this bike can be a good companion, or not.

Finally, by making this Tern Orox, which still remains very specific, we say to ourselves that it could be a very interesting bike to slip into bike rental companies. For roaming, a little more involved, a little wilder than the Loire by bike. A little less sporty than a bikepacking trip, but not necessarily less good.