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

Ever wondered if the Tern Orox could outlast your favorite TV binge session? Well, I took this beast out for a spin in our Range Test to see just how far it can go on a single charge.

I did the test in two parts. First, I charged the Tern Orox to 100% and rode it in the lowest PAS setting (Eco Mode—PAS 1) to see how far it would go. Then, I recharged it and rode it until empty on Turbo Mode (PAS 4), the highest level. This gave me a minimum and maximum range in real-world conditions.

Tern claims the Orox, with its Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor and a 725Wh battery, has a range of ‘up to 100 miles’. They also offer an optional dual battery setup that could theoretically double the range to an impressive 200 miles. We tested the single-battery setup, assuming that we could roughly double our results for the dual-battery estimate.

On the first run in Eco Mode, I rode the Tern Orox for 78.93 miles. This range lasted 7 hours and 2 minutes, and I averaged 11.2 mph and climbed 1,316 feet in elevation.

On the second run, with a freshly charged battery, I covered 36.28 miles in 2 hours and 17 minutes, averaging 15.9 mph and climbing 617 feet in elevation—a pretty solid performance when cranked up to the highest PAS setting!

When we zoom out and compare this performance against the results of other cargo e-bikes we have ranges tested; this result shows the Orox achieved one of the longest range tests yet from a cargo bike.

Overall, the Tern Orox performed well despite not hitting the advertised 100-mile range estimation. Whether you’re planning long-distance bikepacking trips or daily cargo hauling, getting nearly 79 miles in Eco Mode is a big deal for an e-cargo bike.

When you’ve got a behemoth like the Tern Orox S12 in your stable, there’s only one thing to do: unleash it on the steepest climb you can find. Enter our infamous “Hell Hole” – a third-of-a-mile ascent that carries an average grade of 12%, enough to make even seasoned cyclists break out in a cold sweat.

With no throttle to lean on, we tackled this vertical challenge using pedal assist only, cranking it up to MAX (or “Turbo” for those who like their settings extra spicy). The result? A respectable 1:37 climb time, with the Orox maintaining an average speed of 11.7 MPH – not too shabby for a bike that’s built like a two-wheeled tank.

To help put this into perspective, our current average conquest time across all e-bike classes (using the same rider for consistency, of course) sits at 1:30. While the Orox didn’t quite reach this benchmark, we’re giving it serious props, considering its considerable heft.

It’s like watching a sumo wrestler complete a marathon – impressive, unexpected, and perhaps oddly satisfying.

In the end, the Tern Orox S12 proved it’s more than just a pretty face with cargo capacity. It tackled our local legend of a hill here in Southern Utah without breaking a sweat. Consider this hill test a resounding success – the Orox has earned its stripes on the steeps.

When it comes to stopping power, the Tern Orox proved it’s not just a heavyweight in build but also in performance. This e-cargo bike, tipping the scales at 83 lbs and rolling on beefy 27.5×4″ tires, is designed to haul a whopping 380 lbs of payload.

With such substantial heft, solid braking is a non-negotiable necessity, and the Orox delivered impressively on this front, as we learned in our Brake Test.

Kitted with Magura 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and 203mm rotors, the Tern Orox managed an average stopping distance of 18’3” across three trial runs.

This distance places the Orox in 11th place overall among all 178 e-bikes we’ve tested on the same course with our dedicated tester, Griffin. This is a podium-worthy performance because many of these bikes are significantly lighter and are also kitted with hydraulic disc brakes.

Narrowing the field even further to its peers—e-cargo, e-utility, and fat tire e-bikes—the Tern Orox clinched an impressive 4th place. This braking performance underscores the bike’s very solid braking capability, making it clear that Tern made an excellent choice with the Magura brakes.

Throughout my two weeks of testing the Tern Orox, these brakes consistently provided a confident and capable feel, allowing me to focus on the adventure ahead without a second thought. I was incredibly impressed by its stable and straight-as-a-rail stopping, too.

The Tern Orox S12 is a heavyweight, coming in at a substantial 83 lbs. The aluminum frame comes in two available sizes and accommodates riders ranging from 5’1″ to 6’5″, ensuring a proper fit for most cyclists. At 5’11”, I felt engaged and comfortable, although I’d probably have picked the larger frame size instead of the medium we tested.

One standout feature that sets Tern apart from other direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands is its commitment to professional assembly. In an era where DTC bikes often leave buyers fumbling with Allen wrenches at home, searching through YouTube videos to help them with assembly, Tern takes a refreshingly different approach.

Every Orox S12 is shipped to a certified Tern dealer for assembly, or in areas without one, to the nearest Bosch retailer of the buyer. This attention to detail helps make sure your bike arrives ready to ride, with no mechanical skills required.

When it comes to build quality, we thought the Orox S12 delivered a ride experience that justifies every penny of its premium price tag of around $6,500. The frame felt solid as a rock, with a fit and finish that seemed durable and long-lasting.

During my test rides, I encountered zero rattles, flexing, or mysterious noises – just pure performance. One minor quibble: on particularly rough gravel, the center-mounted dual-leg kickstand chattered a bit, but it’s just the kickstand, not a genuine flaw.

Comfort-wise, the Orox S12 struck a balance between utility and ride quality. While it lacks suspension, the beefy frame and wide 27.5×4″ Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires soak up vibrations really well. On my off-road rides, I found dropping tire pressure helped smooth out the terrain.

The bike’s geometry borrows from mountain bike design, featuring an 800mm handlebar with a slight rise, complemented by an Ergon e-mountain saddle and lock-on grips. It has a front rack rated for 55 lbs and a rear rack capable of hauling a staggering 220 lbs. The bike’s overall payload capacity is 380 lbs on pavement and 314 lbs off-road.

Powering the Orox S12 is Bosch’s renowned Performance Line CX motor, delivering up to 85 Nm of torque and 340% support. What sets this motor apart is its natural feel – it provides assistance that seemed like it was my own power, but I just happened to now ride like a pro (minus my physique, for some reason that hasn’t changed).

The Orox S12 truly shined in its component selection. This isn’t your average e-bike; it’s a two-wheeled tool built for riders who demand control and performance. From the Magura 4-piston brakes to the Shimano Deore XT 1×12 drivetrain, it’s loaded with performance-oriented parts.

The Tern (in-house) custom-made double-walled wheels with boost thru-axles, wrapped in 27.5×4″ Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires (with optional Vee Snowball tires for winter warriors), complete a package that’s ready for anything.

Tech-savvy cyclists will appreciate the Orox S12’s advanced display and tracking capabilities. Built-in power and cadence sensors cater to data-hungry riders, while turn-by-turn navigation ensures you’ll never lose your way.

Dare I say, just toss out your Garmin and Wahoos?

Tern hasn’t skimped on accessories, either. From tow bars for trailers to child seats and bikepacking gear, the Orox S12 can be customized for nearly any adventure. An optional second battery, stored in an insulated frame-mounted bag, can double the bike’s range to an impressive 200 miles.

Overall, the Tern Orox S12 is a tour de force in the e-cargo bike world. It combines solid construction, thoughtful design, innovative tech, and premium components into a package that’s as versatile as it is capable.

Bosch has been busy in the digital realm too, and their latest Flow App update brings some nifty features to the Orox that should level up your adventures.

For starters, the Orox comes standard with four pedal assist settings called Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo. But if you don’t want to have to switch between them, you can load up some other options (Tour+, Auto, and eMTB) that adjust their power automatically based on where you’re riding, giving you more juice when it’s needed.

Next up, range anxiety should be a thing of the past. The bike’s display shows you range estimates for each of the four currently-synced assist settings. I found them to be conservative, which is the better way for them to err. That’s not all, though!

The new AI-powered Range Control feature is like an autopilot for your battery. Plan your route, and the app will show you how much juice you’ll have left when you arrive. But here’s the kicker – you can tell it how much battery you want to have at the end, and it’ll adjust the motor’s output to make sure you get there with power to spare.

Security-wise, the eBike Lock feature uses your smartphone as a key, only giving the motor power when it detects your phone nearby. If some bum tries to make off with your Orox, the eBike Alarm will sound an alarm—as long as you sign up for the Flow+ subscription, which is an affordable $35/year. You also get GPS tracking to help you track down the bike.

Navigation gets a boost in the app, too. When searching for a route to your destination, you can choose between “Leisure” for the more scenic route, “Daily” for the quickest point A to point B, or “eMTB” if you’re feeling adventurous.

The map’s details are customizable, showing everything from popular routes to trail difficulty levels. Once your route is selected, your turn-by-turn navigation will appear on the Orox display, guiding you to your destination. And if you’re into flexing your efforts on riding apps, it plays nice with Komoot, Strava, and others.

In essence, the Flow App turns your Tern Orox S12 from a simple e-bike into a smart, connected ride companion. It’s a big step towards making your electric steed work smarter, not just harder. And in the world of e-bikes, that’s a flow we can get behind.

This bike is a serious contender in the e-cargo world—especially for those on the adventurous side. At $6,500, it’s not the cheapest option out there, but we can confidently say that it delivers the quality that matches its price tag. The Orox S12 felt rock-solid whether we were cruising city streets or tackling off-road trails.

What really stood out was the Orox S12’s versatility. With its impressive cargo capacity and range of accessories, this bike could adapt to all sorts of jobs – from grocery runs to long-haul bikepacking adventures. The Bosch motor provides smooth, natural-feeling assistance that makes hauling heavy loads feel surprisingly easy.

I appreciate Tern’s attention to detail on this bike. The professional assembly, high-quality components, and thoughtful design touches all contribute to a premium riding experience.

That said, it’s not for everyone. The weight and size might be overkill for some riders, and the price is definitely an investment (and remember the cost of accessories). But if you’re looking for a do-it-all e-cargo bike that can handle whatever you throw at it, the Orox S12 is hard to beat.

In the end, I’d say the Tern Orox S12 is a top-tier option for those who want a capable, reliable, and versatile e-cargo bike. It’s built to last and designed to tackle a wide range of tasks with ease. If that sounds like what you’re after and it fits your budget, I think you’ll be extremely happy with this bike.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Tern Orox down in our comments section.