Viribus Trio Plus electrical tricycle evaluate: The bottom value e-trike I’d nonetheless journey

Electrical tricycles are having one thing of an e-bike renaissance. They’ve been round for years, however now they’re lastly beginning to get the credit score they deserve as each utilitarian runabouts and a good way for older riders to get again within the saddle once more. I’ve been testing out the Viribus Trio Plus e-trike (the dual-chain model), and I’m blown away by how good this e-bike is for the worth.

It’s not even essentially the most inexpensive e-trike that Viribus gives. The corporate’s entry-level trike mannequin is priced at simply $779, however that’s for a single-chain setup. The slicker dual-chain mannequin makes use of a extra typical trike jackshaft setup and is priced at $849 (although that’s the present sale worth, marked down from an MSRP of $1,299).

At below $900, it definitely cuts a number of corners. However you continue to get a surprisingly good journey with this e-trike!

Try my expertise in my video evaluate under, or carry on studying for much more information!

Viribus electrical trike video evaluate

Viribus Trio Plus Electrical Tricycle Twin Chain tech specs

• Motor: 350W entrance geared hub motor (650 W peak)
• Prime pace: 13.6 mph (22 km/h)
• Pedal-assist vary: As much as 30 miles (48 km)
• Throttle vary: 21.7 mi (35 km)
• Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
• Weight: 87 lb (39 kg)
• Max load: 330 lb (150 kg)
• Rear rack max load: 55 lb (25 kg)
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
• Worth: $849
• Extras: LED show, three pedal help settings, thumb throttle, rear basket, LED headlight, selection of 24-inch or 26-inch tires

What are you able to probably get for this worth?

OK, now proper, off the bat, I’ll let you know this isn’t the nicest or highest-performance electrical trike on the market. The Lectric XP Trike has a lot larger efficiency, and the RadTrike is far nicer. However this mannequin prices considerably lower than each of these and but nonetheless gives an incredible journey, which is why I wished to characteristic it at present.

A theme that you just’re going to see right here is that a lot of the trike is okay, however not nice. And that’s OK for a price range mannequin, so long as it’s nonetheless secure and efficient, which it positively appears to be.

The electronics are merely fundamental, however they’ll be adequate for many informal riders. A 350W steady and 650W peak motor will get you rolling quicker than you may count on, although it probably received’t climb hills fairly just like the 1,000+ watt motor within the XP Trike. With the low-geared single-speed drivetrain, although, you may all the time assist it up a hill should you had been… so inclined.

The excellent news concerning the decrease energy operation is that it sips away slowly at that 360 Wh battery, although that battery isn’t a really large energy plant, both. You may get round 20 miles of vary on throttle-only driving or 30 miles on pedal help. And once more, that’s probably sufficient for many riders.

On the bike element aspect of issues, once more, we’re taking a look at a largely fundamental setup. I discussed the single-speed, which has its benefits and downsides. However then there’s no suspension, no parking brake, and solely a entrance headlight (although you do get twin reflectors within the rear that appear like taillights).

The twin mechanical disc brakes appear loads robust for stops, although, and I can’t actually complain a couple of sub $900 electrical trike not having hydraulic disc brakes, now can I?

However regardless of the elements being pretty easy, the expertise is what actually issues right here.

The carbon-steel body isn’t mild however continues to be enticing, which means this bike seems properly below its 8-pound curb weight. The guards across the wheels are a pleasant contact, particularly for brand spanking new riders who can by accident get their wheels caught on obstacles whereas getting used to a wider rear finish.

The truth that Viribus offers you an choice of 24-inch or 26-inch wheels is good, too, although I positively suggest going with the 24-inch choice. The decrease journey peak makes it really feel a bit extra steady, and also you received’t miss the marginally improved journey high quality you get from the tad bigger 26-inch wheels.

At this worth, I’m frankly amazed that the bike seems and feels pretty much as good because it does. Sure, there’s a little bit of wobble within the stem – these simply aren’t top-shelf bike elements. However you’re not going that quick anyway. The highest pace is barely 13 mph with a tail wind, so that you’re not going to get away from your self right here.

That’s pretty par for the course, with most e-trikes being restricted to 14 or 15 mph as a nod towards security. The very last thing you need in a three-wheeler is to take a high-speed flip, so limiting the pace is smart since a majority of these e-bikes are largely geared towards older riders – although, should you ask me, this 34-year-old electrical bike reviewer had a boatload of enjoyable driving this trike, so I don’t suppose we must always think about this a motorcycle only for older riders.

All instructed, I’m blown away by how good the bike is at this worth. A sub-$900 electrical trike used to sound to me like a recipe for catastrophe. However because it seems, should you’re OK with giving up a number of fancier options, like an enormous show, light-weight aluminum body, and highly effective motors, you may find yourself with a fairly good and stress-free journey. Certain, it’s a little bit of a slower and heavier trike, nevertheless it will get the job performed! This won’t be the way in which I sometimes get round, however I can completely suggest it to anybody in search of an inexpensive e-trike that doesn’t really feel too low cost.

In case you have a bit additional cash, a $1,500 XP Trike is a serious step up. However for the tightest e-trike price range, I nonetheless suggest Viribus as an incredible choice.