Bicycles

Boxer creates a flagship version of its out-of-this-world Rocket trike

Boxer creates a flagship version of its out-of-this-world Rocket trike
Boxer Cycles showed the new Rocket Saturn at the 2016 London Bike Show this month
Boxer Cycles showed the new Rocket Saturn at the 2016 London Bike Show this month
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The Rocket Saturn features a Go SwissDrive
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The Rocket Saturn features a Go SwissDrive
The Saturn gets upgraded with leather
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The Saturn gets upgraded with leather
Boxer Cycles Rocket Saturn
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Boxer Cycles Rocket Saturn
The Saturn has a Brooks B33 saddle
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The Saturn has a Brooks B33 saddle
The seats fold flat to create a mattress for when the trike is parked
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The seats fold flat to create a mattress for when the trike is parked
Boxer Rocket Saturn
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Boxer Rocket Saturn
The new electric-assist platform includes a torque sensor
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The new electric-assist platform includes a torque sensor
The Saturn is painted in metallic "candy"
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The Saturn is painted in metallic "candy"
Rocket detailing
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Rocket detailing
Boxer Rocket Saturn
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Boxer Rocket Saturn
The Saturn interior is trimmed in leather
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The Saturn interior is trimmed in leather
The Rocket Saturn e-pedals children around town
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The Rocket Saturn e-pedals children around town
Boxer Cycles showed the new Rocket Saturn at the 2016 London Bike Show this month
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Boxer Cycles showed the new Rocket Saturn at the 2016 London Bike Show this month
The two reclining benches seat four children and can fold flat to serve as a mattress
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The two reclining benches seat four children and can fold flat to serve as a mattress
View gallery - 14 images

A year ago, UK-based Boxer Cycles launched the Rocket, a unique, child-carrying electric trike styled like a classic aircraft. This year, it adds an even more stylish, luxurious version, the Rocket Saturn. Like a special edition car, the new trike enjoys both styling and performance upgrades.

From a performance standpoint, the Rocket Saturn is upgraded with a Go SwissDrive electric powertrain. The rear hub motor offers the same 250 to 500 watts as the standard Rocket bike's motor, but this e-drive includes a torque sensor for more seamless electric pedal-assist performance. The system also includes a removable color LCD display with Bluetooth smartphone connection and a slightly larger-capacity 15 Ah 36 V battery.

The new Saturn also gets a major cosmetic overhaul. On the outside, a new metallic red "candy" paint covers up the natural metal look of the standard Rocket. Boxer promises that the paint looks especially gorgeous when sparkling under natural sunlight. Inside, the Saturn's cockpit is upholstered in leather for the luxurious, supple feel and aromatic smell of a premium car.

The two reclining benches seat four children and can fold flat to serve as a mattress
The two reclining benches seat four children and can fold flat to serve as a mattress

Beyond those new additions, the Rocket Saturn is a uniquely stylish trike just like the original. It's designed to seat four children on its two reclining benches and includes a full lighting system, lockable nosecone storage, horn, USB port for gadget charging and removable rain cover. It has seven speeds and shares the same component set, including Tektro front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and a Brooks B33 saddle.

The Rocket wasn't cheap to begin with, and the premium additions of the Saturn trim certainly don't make it any cheaper. At £7,500 (approx. US$10,400), its appeal is sure to be limited to a very select type of buyer, just like a limited edition version of a high-end car. The Rocket Saturn buyer will be getting one of the most interesting and memorable trikes on the road, though, and is sure to attract many a look and conversation.

Source: Boxer Cycles

View gallery - 14 images
4 comments
4 comments
RalphEllis
These kids carriers are very popular in Holland, where the majority of city centers are pedestrianised and bikeised, and where ALL roads have two bike-lanes. However, I am not sure I would like to pedal my kids along some of the UK rat-race roads, where you only have a 1 in 3 chance of getting to the school/shops in one piece. Face facts, the UK bottled out of spending the money to build a proper transport infrastructure, and so we are stuck with gridlocked roads and poor public services.
bergamot69
I think you'd have to be extremely extrovert to ride one of these.
At least the kids won't be old enough to be embarrassed by their parent's choice of transport, though I'm sure by the time they are maybe 8 years old they would question spending the price of a decent second-hand car on one.
Hell, you could buy a brand new Dacia Sandero for less. Not suggesting that is the 'green' option. But only the very well heeled would spend over £7K on something that the kids will grow out of pretty quickly.
sk8dad
"its appeal is sure to be limited to a very select type of buyer" i.e. there will be a lot of very fit nannies on the local country club trails.
Phoghat
Rich person's e bike. Just a frame is about $3000.