Once I first noticed the Viribus SC5 electrical trike, I figured it could be a budget-friendly utility trike with fundamental options and restricted efficiency. I’ve tried a Viribus e-trike earlier than, and whereas it acquired the job achieved, it was a reasonably fundamental and entry degree mannequin. However this time, I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out that the SC5 delivers extra than simply the fundamentals.
I’ve been testing it now for numerous errands, grocery runs, and informal rides across the neighborhood. After logging some first rate miles on it, right here’s what I’ve realized about this three-wheeled e-bike, and why I believe it’s a powerful contender within the rising world of electrical trikes.
Viribus SC5 Electrical Trike video overview
Need to see what it’s prefer to hop on the SC5 and go for a experience? Watch my video overview beneath! Or hold studying for my full overview.
Viribus SC5 Electrical Trike tech specs
- Motor: 500W entrance geared hub motor (750 W peak)
- Prime pace: 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle or 24 mph (38 km/h) on pedal help
- Pedal-assist vary: As much as 65 miles (104 km)
- Throttle vary: 38 mi (61 km)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
- Max load: 395 lb (180 kg)
- Rear rack max load: 110 lb (50 kg)
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes with 160 mm rotors
- Value: $1,299
- Extras: LED show, 7-speed Shimano shifter, massive rear basket with tail gate and facet panels for flatbed-style carrying, plush consolation seat with backrest, LED headlight and tail mild, electrical horn, right-side half-twist throttle, and three colour choices
Energy that holds up in the true world
Let’s begin with the motor. The SC5 makes use of a 500W entrance hub motor (750W peak), and whereas that’s not mind-blowing energy on paper, it really feels fairly stable out on the street. I used to be capable of cruise comfortably at 20 mph utilizing the throttle, and even acquired as much as 24 mph with mild pedaling help.
A entrance hub motor is much less elegant than a rear motor mounted in a jackshaft model to drive the rear axle, since it may possibly imply that an excessive amount of torque causes entrance wheel slippage, however the SC5 appears to have discovered a superb answer in modest torque that stops the wheel from spinning beneath regular operation. When you’re going full-throttle in moist leaves or different free terrain although, you may wager that you just’ll get a little bit of entrance tire burnout, so pay attention to that.
The modest 500W motor additionally implies that the trike will not be a rocket ship, however it doesn’t must be. I discovered the acceleration to be clean and predictable – precisely what you need from a utility-focused trike. The half-twist throttle is detachable, however I left it on throughout testing as a result of let’s be sincere, it’s good to have that prompt go-power once you’re loaded down with cargo.
I don’t have many hills to check it on in flat Florida, so I can’t say for positive how effectively it climbs up something tremendous steep, however that entrance mounting location for the motor isn’t going to do it any favors on steeper hills the place you have got much less weight (and thus much less traction) on the entrance tire.
Huge battery, first rate vary
The 48V 15Ah battery (720Wh) is mounted within the downtube for higher weight steadiness and is rated for over 38 miles of vary on throttle, which is true if you happen to’re going considerably slower. When you’re blasting round at 20 mph on a regular basis, you’re not going to get 38 miles of vary. However even if you happen to’re snagging the mid to excessive 20s of miles, that’s nonetheless loads of vary for a day of errands or a number of days of informal using with out recharging. Few persons are commuting lengthy distances on e-trikes; they’re extra widespread for leisurely using, and 20 miles is plenty of leisurely using.
And simply keep in mind, increased ranges are completely potential at slower speeds, and trikes love slower speeds anyway to stay steady in turns, which brings me to the following part.
Surprisingly snug experience
Stability and luxury are each necessary for trikes, and one of many massive promoting factors of a trike is that it affords higher stability at low speeds because you don’t have to steadiness or put your toes down. You do must be cautious turning at excessive speeds although, since sharp turns at excessive pace could make trikes tippier.
I are inclined to experience with my seat decrease on a trike than on a bicycle because the decrease heart of gravity makes them much less tippy, however clearly you don’t wish to go too low or it will provide you with points attempting to pedal. When you’re not pedaling although, be happy to deal with it like a low-rider and drop that seat method down.
Consolation is among the largest promoting factors of any electrical trike, and this one actually leans into that. The seat is vast and soft, with a supportive backrest that makes longer rides really feel stress-free as an alternative of inflexible. The entrance suspension fork isn’t probably the most superior suspension I’ve seen, however it does assist clean out bumps once you’re cruising over uneven pavement or sidewalk transitions.
And the fats 20×3” tires do plenty of the heavy lifting in the case of absorbing street chatter. I rode over grass, gravel, and cracked metropolis streets, and the trike dealt with all of them higher than anticipated.
Constructed to haul
One in all my favourite components of using the SC5 was utilizing it like a mini cargo hauler. I loaded up the rear basket with groceries, baggage of substances, and even a few super-heavy moveable energy station batteries, and I had no issues. The rated payload capability is 395 kilos (rider plus cargo), and it felt steady even once I was close to the restrict. The rear basket’s weight restrict is 110 kilos, which I completely exceeded, and it did simply high quality.
I additionally actually like that the basket has these two wings that exit over the wheels and offer you a kind of flat bed-style assist for carrying bigger objects. I’m not saying it is best to transfer a washer on the trike, however no less than you have got the choice of doing it due to that cool flat mattress setup of the basket.
Oh, and there’s even a tailgate to the basket too, which is simply one other cool characteristic to see included. That’s very uncommon on trikes, however it means you don’t need to carry as excessive to load one thing heavy again there.
Ultimate ideas
The Viribus SC5 isn’t attempting to compete with high-end cargo trikes or efficiency e-bikes. It is aware of what it’s: a stable, approachable, and surprisingly succesful electrical tricycle for on a regular basis riders. I’d say it does that job fairly effectively.
It has the ability most individuals want, the vary to make errands straightforward, and the cargo capability to switch plenty of native automotive journeys. Is it good? No. It’s a bit cumbersome to retailer, and like several trike, it takes somewhat finesse in tight turns. The mechanical disc brakes are extra maintenance-prone than hydraulics, particularly on a heavy trike that’s going to stretch these cables over time. It additionally has a sub-ideal motor format and lacks a number of the extra refined options on higher-dollar e-trikes. However for $1,299, it delivers a ton of worth!
When you’ve been on the fence about attempting an electrical trike, the SC5 is a implausible entry level. It’s steady, snug, sensible, and enjoyable to experience. And in case your objective is to get out of the automotive and into one thing extra eco-friendly (with out giving up utility), this is likely to be your fully-accessible ticket.
