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.
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.
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