Bicycles

Boxer Cycles gives the trike the look of a classic aircraft

Boxer Cycles gives the trike the look of a classic aircraft
The Boxer Rocket brings a new look to the cycle child carrier
The Boxer Rocket brings a new look to the cycle child carrier
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The Boxer Rocket includes a built-in lighting system with central headlight
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The Boxer Rocket includes a built-in lighting system with central headlight
The Rocket is equipped with a Brooks B33 saddle
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The Rocket is equipped with a Brooks B33 saddle
The handlebar controls make it easy to handle the different electrical systems
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The handlebar controls make it easy to handle the different electrical systems
The nose cone storage area offers enough space for all five bicycle helmets
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The nose cone storage area offers enough space for all five bicycle helmets
The E-Rocket has an LCD bike computer
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The E-Rocket has an LCD bike computer
Flashing turn indicators add extra safety
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Flashing turn indicators add extra safety
The included rain cover provides cabin weather protection
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The included rain cover provides cabin weather protection
The headlight includes low and high modes
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The headlight includes low and high modes
Rocket with rain cover
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Rocket with rain cover
The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system
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The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system
The Rocket has five-point seat belts
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The Rocket has five-point seat belts
The Rocket launched earlier this year at the London Bike Show
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The Rocket launched earlier this year at the London Bike Show
The Boxer Rocket is a retro-inspired family trike
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The Boxer Rocket is a retro-inspired family trike
The Rocket's seats can also be configured into a flat sleeping cushion for use when the trike is parked
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The Rocket's seats can also be configured into a flat sleeping cushion for use when the trike is parked
The Boxer Rocket
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The Boxer Rocket
The two reclining bench seats provide enough room for four children
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The two reclining bench seats provide enough room for four children
The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system
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The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system
The Boxer Rocket brings a new look to the cycle child carrier
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The Boxer Rocket brings a new look to the cycle child carrier
Rocket with deployed rain cover
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Rocket with deployed rain cover
Rocket with deployed rain cover
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Rocket with deployed rain cover
Jeremy Davies' son poses with the original Rocket prototype
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Jeremy Davies' son poses with the original Rocket prototype
View gallery - 21 images

Cargo cycles tend to look much more visually interesting than traditional bikes and trikes – designs like the Velove Armadillo are all but guaranteed to turn heads on the street. Even within a segment of such new and unusual designs, the Boxer Rocket stands out with bold, stylish looks. Inspired by both fictional and real-life aircraft from decades way past, the new bicycle carries passengers in an aluminum-skinned "rocket."

If you have that unshakeable feeling that you saw the Boxer Rocket trike somewhere before, it's probably because the front "rocket" shell was inspired by the most infamous aircraft of all time: the Hindenburg. It's not a dead ringer, but the button nose and ribbed body show clear Hindenburg influence. Boxer also took some inspiration from the aircraft of the fictional worlds of Flash Gordon and Jules Verne, creating a familiar but unique fuselage that Boxer calls an "Art Deco" rocket.

The Boxer Rocket looks like a piece of functional art that should be behind velvet rope at a museum. In fact, it was originally designed as a one-off promotional design for a local bike shop named "Rockets and Rascals." After receiving all kinds of positive feedback, Boxer decided to put it into production, marketing it as tricycle that can add some fun and flair to pedaling with children.

The Rocket's front seating area offers room for up to four children on two bench seats. Five-point seat belts keep the children safe and secure, and the seats recline via quick-release hardware, allowing the children to get comfortable and nod off to sleep. The seats can also be reclined into a flat bed, allowing a child to fully stretch out when the trike is parked. The hollow nose cone compartment accessed by the interior panel includes space for storing up to five helmets or other items.

While it looks like the Rocket passenger cell could be handy for transporting other types of cargo, Boxer tells us that it wasn't specifically built for hauling anything but passengers. The UK-based company offers the Cargo and Shuttle models for other hauling needs.

The two reclining bench seats provide enough room for four children
The two reclining bench seats provide enough room for four children

Boxer continues the whimsical look of the Rocket trike right into the rider section of the frame. It describes this part of the build as a heavy-duty 1930s-airliner-inspired girder frame, and it certainly complements the rocket box better than the typical tubular cycle structure. The company says that the chassis geometry was custom designed for a smooth ride. The trike includes a leaning action for sharpened cornering.

Each Rocket cycle includes a full electrical system with centrally mounted headlight with high/low switching, tail/brake light, left and right turn indicators, and electric horn. The handlebar-mounted switch cluster gives the rider control.

The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system
The Rocket has a taillight/brake light system

As of last week, Boxer was marketing both electric-assist and manual Rocket models, but company director Jeremy Davies tells us that it's decided to focus on the electric version, leaving manual models for customized jobs. The E-Rocket is equipped standard with a Swiss-designed motor system offering between 250 and 500 watts. It has seven gears and is powered by a 36V 11.4-Ah battery. It also includes an LCD handlebar computer and USB port for charging devices. Standard components include front and rear disc brakes, a Brooks B33 saddle, and ultra heavy-duty wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Marathon Plus Kevlar-reinforced tires. The included rain cover protects the front passengers from bad weather.

As is probably clear from its design, the Rocket isn't the cheapest way to pedal around town, starting at £5,500 (about US$8,350). The 128-lb (58-kg) aluminum trike comes in a variety of color combinations.

It can be seen in action, in the following video.

Source: Boxer Cycles

Boxer Rocket Cargo Trike at London Bike Show

View gallery - 21 images
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