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Tern Orox S12 Review | Pack it In, Pack it Out, Pack it ALL

Raw Power, Refined Intelligence: How the Tern Orox Combines Strength and Smarts

When a brand introduces a beefy new e-cargo bike under the marketing slogan “Go Anywhere, Go Anytime, Bring Anything,” it definitely catches my attention.

After all, living in Southern Utah gives me unbridled access to some of the most jaw-droppingly epic landscapes the U.S. has to offer, where often, the only limiting factor to my exploration is how far I can pedal without bonking.

With a 100-mile range and the ability to double that to 200 with a dual battery setup, the Tern Orox S12 should theoretically let me explore that beauty deeper into the backcountry than any other bike can.

So, what’s the deal with the Tern Orox S12? Is it the ultimate e-cargo bike that can handle the rugged terrains and long distances of my adventures, or is it just another fat tire e-bike masquerading as a true e-cargo beast?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve tested this bike on everything from smooth city streets to rocky desert trails.

In this review, I’ll share the Orox S12’s performance test results and add some personal thoughts. We tested how far it can really go on a single charge, how fast it can go, how quickly it can stop when braking, how it handles various terrains—and most importantly, whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

If you’re an adventurer, a commuter, or someone looking to combine both, keep reading below to see if the Tern Orox S12 is the right e-bike for you.

Troxus Trax LT Review | Torque or Cadence? You Choose!

This city cruiser prioritizes comfort, customizability, and an active pedaling experience for long commutes or leisure rides.

E-bikes designed for urban environments often aren’t the most comfortable rides on the planet, as they sometimes sacrifice plushness in favor of functionality and weight reduction.

This makes them generally on the more manevuerable side, uncomplicated and simple to operate, and relatively easy to lift, carry, and load up. In short, they’re made to effectively get their rider around town—but not much more.

Many riders might find some of these characteristics appealing, but what is a prospective buyer to do if they prefer a relaxed and comfortable ride? E-bikes in the style we’ve dubbed “city cruisers” might just be the answer.

Enter the Troxus Trax LT; this e-bike (as many like it) combines a clean-looking lightweight frame with large wheels, curved Dutch-style handlebars, and an upright and relaxed riding position. The result is a highly ergonomic, comfortable commuter with quick handling and a fun—yet easily controlled—feel.

With the Trax LT, Troxus added a relatively uncommon feature: the ability to switch easily between torque and cadence sensing modes. Each type of sensor has advantages for different uses, so this ability allows riders to get the best of both worlds with the press of a button.

In contrast with many similarly styled e-bikes we have tested with 500W motors, the Trax LT sported a 350W rear hub. We liked its responsive feel, smooth engagement, and incredibly quiet nature, but with less power, we expected some differences in performance.

To learn how the Trax LT’s torque/cadence modes and motor influenced its feel and performance, continue reading our full review below!

Yakima OnRamp LX Hitch Rack Review | Read This BEFORE Buying

Few hitch racks can come close to matching the weight rating and versatility of the newest design from one of the biggest names in bike racks.

When you consider the number of e-bikes that come with fenders you would think that most hitch racks would have a foolproof way to accommodate an e-bike with fenders that won’t damage the fenders. Alas, such carriers are few.

We’ve been fans of the Yakima OnRamp since its release, but it had one notable flaw: The OnRamp is limited to e-bikes weighing 60 lbs. or less, which leaves out the majority of e-bikes at the value end of the market. There’s a new option, though; Yakima has introduced the OnRamp LX. There’s a lot to it that we liked.

The Yakima OnRamp LX is a heavier-duty version of the OnRamp. It comes in two versions, for 1.25-in. hitch mounts and for 2-in. hitch mounts. The 1.25-in. version can carry e-bikes weighing up to 70 lbs. and the 2-in. version is even more stout, with the ability to carry e-bikes weighing up to 80 lbs., which covers the majority of the market.

What makes the Yakima OnRamp LX so different from other hitch racks is that once in the tray, the e-bike can be held by its top tube or seatpost, thereby completely avoiding the fenders. Few hitch racks grant riders the opportunity to secure an e-bike without bringing an arm down on the front wheel, just in front of the fork, a location which is often occupied by a fender.

Unlike most other hitch racks aimed at e-bike owners, the OnRamp LX includes the loading ramp rather than make it an add-on accessory. It also secures to the rack itself instead of occupying valuable trunk space.

The existing OnRamp can hold e-bikes with a wheelbase of up to 50 in., but the OnRamp LX increases the tray length so that it can now carry e-bikes with a wheelbase of up to 54 in., making it big enough to handle some cargo e-bikes.

RV owners have faced a challenge in terms of trying to find hitch racks that can be mounted on the front of their vehicle; most can’t be used that way and even when they can, they often suffer a reduced weight capacity. Not so with the Yakima OnRamp LX. The 1.25-in. and 2-in. versions preserve their full carrying capacity (70 and 80 lbs., respectively).

Off-road use is possible as well, though that results in a notable decrease in the weight capacity. The 1.25-in. version can carry bikes weighing up to 42 lbs. and the 2-in. version can carry 48 lb. bikes.

Lectric XP Trike vs. Rad Power Bikes RadTrike

Both Trikes From These E-Bike Heavyweights Have Their Merits. Which One is Best for You?

You might think that e-bike brands would have an easy job when entering the electric trike space, but there’s much more to consider than just the addition of a third wheel. Tricycles handle much differently than their two-wheeled cousins, and with much more bulk to move around, safety and maneuverability are essential factors in their equation.

As two of our picks for the Best Electric Tricycles, the Rad Power Bikes RadTrike and the Lectric XP Trike are two options that consumers are likely to consider.

These models have much in common, and their similarities may make it difficult to sort out which is best for specific individual needs. By comparing the two trikes, we can more easily identify their differences.

Both brands took a unique approach in the areas of propulsion, frame design, brake systems, and user interface. There is certainly overlap between them, but as we will discuss, the two tricycles have individual, well-defined strengths and weaknesses.

With many similar features shared between the two models, which Trike earns our recommendation?

In addition to our standardized test data, there are SIX primary elements we consider when comparing the two trikes, as we detail below.

Lectric XP Trike

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Rad Power Bikes RadTrike

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Save $700 On One of The Best Performing E-Bikes We’ve Tested!

The Ride1Up Prodigy XC posted amazing results in our testing that still rank amongst the best today. If you’re eyeballing a versatile e-bike for commuting and multi-use trails, this deal is about as good as it gets right now.

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We all get more than our fill of time spent indoors. If you’re itching to get out more and take in more fresh air, then you’ll be pleased to hear that one of the best-performing bikes we’ve tested is having a big sale right now. Ride1Up has cut down the price of the Prodigy XC from the MSRP of $2195 to just $1495.

This is a recent price drop from Ride1Up’s ongoing summer sales event. Several models have been heavily discounted, but this might be the best deal currently.

It is surprising to see such a high sale price. Ride1Up is a brand that routinely maximizes buyer value, offering e-bikes that sell for a few hundred dollars less than what we would typically expect to see from many of its competitors.

In our original review of the Prodigy XC, we noted how well Ride1Up was able to thread the needle of making a bike that’s relatively lightweight, intuitive to ride, comfortable on the rider, and versatile enough to meet the needs of people exploring different places. All of that, plus $700 in savings, would be music to almost everybody’s ears.

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What we think about the Ride1Up Prodigy XC

There is a lot to like about the Prodigy XC.

For one, it has a great motor. The Brose mid-drive motor of the Prodigy XC has a natural feel and is very responsive. Even though we originally tested this bike nearly two years ago, it still holds a top 10 result in our hill test among mid-drive e-bikes. It’s clearly got power, but it’s the subtle delivery of it that makes it great.

That’s not its only top-10 finish, though. The battery range tested went 90 miles in our PAS 1 test, which is one of the longest we’ve ever seen.

The rest of the bike comes together nicely. The frame geometry is comfortable, the Maxxis tires do a great job on varied terrain, and the 120mm air suspension fork makes the journey easy on the rider.

As a nice bonus, Ride1Up has even improved its value since our review of the Prodigy XC, as it now comes with the trusty Tektro Orion four-piston brakes (our tester had two-piston brakes).

The ‘XC’ part of the name means you can definitely take it on light cross-country adventures, but don’t underestimate the Prodigy XC’s do-it-all potential. This bike does great on city paths too for being your daily ride.

This bike was a good value in the $2k range, but at $1495, it feels like a steal.

What to know about Ride1Up

Ride1Up launched in 2018. Normally, such a short track record makes it hard to formulate a sense of the quality of the company’s products and how well they support their products after a purchase. With Ride1Up, we’ve seen the brand grow from just a few e-bikes to a dozen different models.

Considering the effort involved in launching a new product, it is evident that Ride1Up is both competent and thorough. They have also delivered on a level of quality high enough never to have issued a recall.

As we mentioned before, Ride1Up has a proven track record for introducing e-bikes that maximize value to a degree we find surprising; they occupy a tier of high-value e-bikes that few brands can claim to achieve. Even before this sale, they were offering some of the most affordable e-bikes on the market with 8-speed drivetrains and hydraulic disc brakes. Some of their models include a rear rack integrated into the frame, which increases its carrying capacity.

What’s the secret to providing high-quality bikes without the need for retail markup? Ride1Up attributes that to a concentrated effort on keeping costs down to pass savings along to the consumer. That means operating with minimal overhead, largely focussing on the DTC model, and manufacturing at scale.

Our take on Ride1Up and their e-bikes

Some brands sacrifice style and quality in the quest for affordability. As we’ve noted, Ride1Up has maximized quality at every price point, but its e-bikes are also stylish and usually come in different colors.

We’ve reviewed nearly every one of Ride1Up’s e-bikes, and in each instance, we found their models to be attractive, packed with value and features we would expect to run hundreds of dollars more, and offering a degree of versatility that makes them ideal for someone who wants to explore the different ways an e-bike can figure in daily life.

We’re often asked what we recommend to our friends and family. What e-bikes do we believe in? The type that performs well and doesn’t blow the budget is typically the answer. This sale is precisely the type of promotion we would steer anyone looking to maximize their purchasing power.

*Ride1Up reached out to us to promote this sale. While we agreed to it, we don’t publish promotional posts unless that company exhibits a great track record. Ride1Up has proven to be a good manufacturer that supports the products they sell, which is why we were happy to agree to share details about their sales. If you click on one of the links above and purchase that e-bike, we will make a commission from your purchase.

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*Please help support our efforts at Electric Bike Report. We work hard to provide the highest quality content, news, and reviews for our readers – and our sponsors make all of this possible. Please visit our sponsors from their ads on our website and let them know that you appreciate what they do for the e-bike industry and Electric Bike Report

Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 Review | Did It Hit The Bullseye?

This cost-conscious eMTB comes with one of the best motors available and recently became even more affordable.

Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 E-Bike Review 2024

Any time someone goes shopping for an eMTB, they are quickly confronted with the way that eMTB cost can take off in a hurry. Carbon fiber, high-end suspension, electronic shifting, there are a variety of features that can drive up cost into five-figure territory. For that reason, we are always excited when we run across a full-suspension eMTB that manages to keep the cost to the $5,000 range (or less, as is currently the case).

Enter the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750. It’s a mouthful, but it’s also true that this is a remarkable eMTB for the money. In our Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 review we will take a look at how the choices of motor, battery, frame and components resulted in a very capable eMTB that can grow with its buyer.

Let’s start with the basics: The Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 is a full-suspension eMTB with 150mm of travel front and rear. The frame is welded from 6061 aluminum and comes in four sizes. It rolls on a mullet setup with a 29-in. front wheel and a 27.5-in. rear wheel; the idea here is that a smaller rear wheel helps keep some of the maneuverability of a smaller-wheeled eMTB, but balances that with the smoother rolling of a 29-in. front wheel. Bulls chose the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which is one of the best motors being spec’d on eMTBs. Powering the Performance Line CX motor is a Bosch PowerTube 750—a 750Wh battery intended to offer great range.

The bulk of the components come from Shimano’s Deore group. Deore is Shimano’s least-expensive 12-speed mountain bike group. It offers most of the features found on top-of-the-line groups such as Shimano’s Deore XT and XTR, such as a 12-speed drivetrain and 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, but doesn’t run the cost up like they are gold-plated.

Bulls chose plenty of other quality components, including 2.6-in.-wide, downhill-rated Schwalbe tires , a Selle Italia saddle and an SR Suntour suspension fork and shock.

We would be plenty interested in this eMTB at its suggested retail price of $5,500, but as of publication, the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 has been discounted to less than $4,000, making what was already a reasonably affordable eMTB much more affordable.

Let’s take a look at how the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 performed in our tests.

Buzz Drone Review | Will It “Bee” Worth Your Buy?

A Vespa-like moped-style e-bike that is both wallet-friendly and fun to zip around on.

Depending on your age, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of bike brands like Huffy and Niner. As a newer brand, Buzz Bicycles might be less familiar, but it shares a parent company with the other two (and a few others). Collectively, these brands have an established corner of the market—and tons of experience making bikes.

When approaching the Buzz Drone, we questioned how this experience would translate to a moped-style e-bike. After all, the category has a well-deserved reputation for speed, power, adrenaline, and aggressive looks. Would the Drone follow this trend?

Its specs left us unsure, as it sports a 500W hub motor instead of the 750W or even 1,000W motors common on similar bikes we’ve tested. Numbers aren’t everything, though; a 500W motor can feel punchy and power-hungry just as easily as it can feel reserved and controlled.

Visually, the Drone’s uncommon step-thru frame resembles a traditional moped like a Vespa. This gives the bike a cool, approachable appearance, but it also has a functional benefit: getting on and off the bike is easy, with no need to swing a leg over the saddle.

We found the Drone’s price to be approachable, too. It’s common for moped-style e-bikes to start around $2k, but at the time of writing, Buzz sells the bike for a decidedly more affordable sub-$1,500 price tag. With one minor change, we think it could go even lower.

As with every e-bike we review, we tested the Buzz Drone’s real-world performance in a series of standardized tests. Continue reading below to learn if the bike turned out to be just another powerful speedster or if Buzz took a more unique approach.

Schwalbe Clik Valve Is Here: What You Need To Know

Rather than try to improve upon presta or Schrader valves, Schwalbe designed a whole new valve and pump head that is easy to operate and airtight.

Move Over Presta and Schrader Valves? Schwalbe’s Clik Valve Is Here

German tire maker Schwalbe has introduced a new valve for bike tires. Schwalbe’s Clik Valve (SCV) aims to make valves simpler, more foolproof as well as improve the interface between the valve and the pump head.

The Clik Valve is the same diameter as a presta valve, but it requires a new pump head. The pump head snaps onto the valve with little pressure—Schwalbe says just two fingers are enough—and in snapping closed, it creates an air-tight seal.

The primary market for the Clik Valve will be cyclists running tubeless tires, in part because the valves allow a 50 percent greater airflow through the valve than with traditional presta valves.

For those using presta valves with inserts, it is possible to replace the insert alone, rather than replacing the entire valve, which would necessitate removing the tire.

Schwalbe makes both a replacement pump head and a pump head adapter, depending on how the existing pump head attaches to your pump. They will begin producing tubes using the SCV soon. No word yet on whether they will produce tubes for 20-in. and 26-in. tires.

Schwalbe does make a valve cap to protect the inner mechanism—it’s possible to release air with your fingernail—the cap simply pushes on and pulls off.

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As someone who has been dealing with presta valves, pumps and ill-fitting pump heads for longer than Pearl Jam has been together, Schwalbe’s Clik Valve sounds like a dream come true. It would be nice not to worry about the pump head lever pinching fingers or hands or having to pump furiously to overcome a leaky pump head/valve interface.

Schwalbe will sell tubeless Clik Valve sets €23.90($25.83), a conversion kit including two valve inserts with either the pump head €16.95 ($18.32) or the pump head adapter and pairs of just valve inserts €13.95 ($15.08).

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The USDOT has awarded a grant to the NYCDOT to create a lab that will research last-mile-delivery solutions, including the use of cargo e-bikes.

NYC Receives $5.6M Grant for Last-Mile Delivery

The U.S. Department of Transportation has given a $5.6 million grant to the New York City Department of Transportation from its Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. RAISE is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, one of the largest infrastructure investments in U.S. history; to date it has awarded more than $1.8 billion in grants.

The RAISE money will fund the creation of an Urban Freight Mobility Collaborative (UFC). It is intended to serve as an innovation hub that will revolutionize urban freight movement while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will be the first lab of this sort in the United States.

The UFC will work with the community, industry and universities to create public-private partnerships that will explore ways to decarbonize freight movement. Their goal is to secure a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions caused by freight movement by 2032.

A recent study demonstrated that delivery micro-hubs and cargo e-bikes could help save the city more than $240 million per year by simply eliminating delivery trucks idling while parked and blocking traffic.

The Urban Freight Lab will work to establish “microhubs” for delivery where a large delivery truck can offload its packages and then have those packages delivered to their final destination by smaller, nonobstructive forms of transportation including e-bikes—especially cargo e-bikes—handcarts and EVs. It will also work to develop marine infrastructure so that some trucks could be replaced by ships.

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TRP has collaborated with Bosch on a new electronic drivetrain for e-bikes equipped with Bosch motors. The TRP Bosch E.A.S.I. A12 uses a TRP-made electronic rear derailleur powered by the e-bike’s Bosch battery. But that’s just the beginning.

TRP is the high-end arm of Tektro; it stands for Tektro Racing Products. The TRP Bosch E.A.S.I. A12 is a 12-speed drivetrain. Though we’ve seen photos of integrated control levers for road and gravel e-bikes, TRP shows the drivetrain on an eMTB on their website. They show two cassettes; one features a 520 percent range (10-52t). The other features a slightly narrower 11-50t setup. Among the features that TRP touts on the site are automatic shifting so that you never have to think to shift. Riders can use Bosch’s Flow e-bike app to set their target cadence in case they choose automatic shifting. Manual shifting is, of course, an option, but so is a temporary manual override for riders who choose automatic shifting.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the drivetrain is the torque reduction it performs when shifting. The higher the torque the drivetrain is under when shifting, the more wear the drivetrain suffers. By reducing the amount of torque the motor produces while shifting, drivetrain longevity is increased. The shifting tends to be smoother and quieter as well.

The wireless shifter features a classic two trigger design. The shifter communicates via CMD technology and it runs on a CR-2032 watch battery.

As we mentioned, we’ve seen photos of integrated control levers that feature a two-paddle design similar to Shimano’s road STI levers, but we have yet to see what sort of cassette it would be paired with. As they haven’t shown a front derailleur, we suspect this will be a strictly 1x system. We also suspect that this will be appearing on e-bikes that retail for $4000 and up.

This is an exciting development and considering the hold Shimano has on the industry, it would be healthy for suppliers to have an alternative to the bike industry’s dominant drivetrain supplier.

You don’t have to be a New Yorker to appreciate what this grant could help establish. Anyone who has ever been stuck in traffic behind a double-parked delivery truck knows the frustration that comes with traffic that won’t move due to one vehicle.

The solutions that this grant will help establish won’t be limited to large urban centers, either. Cargo e-bikes are certain to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Blog

Raw Power, Refined Intelligence: How the Tern Orox Combines Strength and Smarts

This city cruiser prioritizes comfort, customizability, and an active pedaling experience for long commutes or leisure rides.

Few hitch racks can come close to matching the weight rating and versatility of the newest design from one of the biggest names in bike racks.

Both Trikes From These E-Bike Heavyweights Have Their Merits. Which One is Best for You?

The Ride1Up Prodigy XC posted amazing results in our testing that still rank amongst the best today. If you’re eyeballing a versatile e-bike for commuting and multi-use trails, this deal is about as good as it gets right now.

What we think about the Ride1Up Prodigy XC

This cost-conscious eMTB comes with one of the best motors available and recently became even more affordable.

A Vespa-like moped-style e-bike that is both wallet-friendly and fun to zip around on.

Rather than try to improve upon presta or Schrader valves, Schwalbe designed a whole new valve and pump head that is easy to operate and airtight.

TRP and Bosch have collaborated on an electronic drivetrain for both road and mountain that will shift automatically and be powered by Bosch’s battery.

The USDOT has awarded a grant to the NYCDOT to create a lab that will research last-mile-delivery solutions, including the use of cargo e-bikes.

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