When I first saw the Viribus SC5 electric trike, I figured it would be a budget-friendly utility trike with basic features and limited performance. I’ve tried a Viribus e-trike before, and while it got the job done, it was a fairly basic and entry level model. But this time, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the SC5 delivers more than just the basics.
I’ve been testing it now for various errands, grocery runs, and casual rides around the neighborhood. After logging some decent miles on it, here’s what I’ve learned about this three-wheeled e-bike, and why I think it’s a strong contender in the growing world of electric trikes.
Viribus SC5 Electric Trike video review
Want to see what it’s like to hop on the SC5 and go for a ride? Watch my video review below! Or keep reading for my complete review.
Viribus SC5 Electric Trike tech specs
- Motor: 500W front geared hub motor (750 W peak)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle or 24 mph (38 km/h) on pedal assist
- Pedal-assist range: Up to 65 miles (104 km)
- Throttle range: 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
- Price: $1,299
- Extras: LED display, 7-speed Shimano shifter, big rear basket with tail gate and side panels for flatbed-style carrying, plush comfort seat with backrest, LED headlight and tail light, electric horn, right-side half-twist throttle, and three color options
Power that holds up in the real world
Let’s start with the motor. The SC5 uses a 500W front hub motor (750W peak), and while that’s not mind-blowing power on paper, it actually feels pretty solid out on the road. I was able to cruise comfortably at 20 mph using the throttle, and even got up to 24 mph with light pedaling assist.
A front hub motor is less elegant than a rear motor mounted in a jackshaft style to drive the rear axle, since it can mean that too much torque causes front wheel slippage, but the SC5 seems to have found a good solution in modest torque that prevents the wheel from spinning under normal operation. If you’re going full-throttle in wet leaves or other loose terrain though, you can bet that you’ll get a bit of front tire burnout, so be aware of that.
The modest 500W motor also means that the trike is not a rocket ship, but it doesn’t need to be. I found the acceleration to be smooth and predictable – exactly what you want from a utility-focused trike. The half-twist throttle is removable, but I left it on during testing because let’s be honest, it’s nice to have that instant go-power when you’re loaded down with cargo.
I don’t have many hills to test it on in flat Florida, so I can’t say for sure how well it climbs up anything super steep, but that front mounting location for the motor isn’t going to do it any favors on steeper hills where you have less weight (and thus less traction) on the front tire.
Big battery, decent range
The 48V 15Ah battery (720Wh) is mounted in the downtube for better weight balance and is rated for over 38 miles of range on throttle, which is true if you’re going somewhat slower. If you’re blasting around at 20 mph all the time, you’re not going to get 38 miles of range. But even if you’re snagging the mid to high 20s of miles, that’s still plenty of range for a day of errands or a few days of casual riding without recharging. Few people are commuting long distances on e-trikes; they’re more common for leisurely riding, and 20 miles is a lot of leisurely riding.
And just remember, higher ranges are absolutely possible at slower speeds, and trikes love slower speeds anyway to remain stable in turns, which brings me to the next section.
Surprisingly comfortable ride
Stability and comfort are both important for trikes, and one of the big selling points of a trike is that it offers better stability at low speeds since you don’t need to balance or put your feet down. You do need to be careful turning at high speeds though, since sharp turns at high speed can make trikes tippier.
I tend to ride with my seat lower on a trike than on a bicycle since the lower center of gravity makes them less tippy, but obviously you don’t want to go too low or it will give you issues trying to pedal. If you’re not pedaling though, feel free to treat it like a low-rider and drop that seat way down.
Comfort is one of the biggest selling points of any electric trike, and this one really leans into that. The seat is wide and cushy, with a supportive backrest that makes longer rides feel relaxing instead of rigid. The front suspension fork isn’t the most advanced suspension I’ve seen, but it does help smooth out bumps when you’re cruising over uneven pavement or sidewalk transitions.
And the fat 20×3” tires do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to absorbing road chatter. I rode over grass, gravel, and cracked city streets, and the trike handled them all better than expected.
Built to haul
One of my favorite parts of riding the SC5 was using it like a mini cargo hauler. I loaded up the rear basket with groceries, bags of gear, and even a couple of super-heavy portable power station batteries, and I had no problems. The rated payload capacity is 395 pounds (rider plus cargo), and it felt stable even when I was near the limit. The rear basket’s weight limit is 110 pounds, which I absolutely exceeded, and it did just fine.
I also really like that the basket has those two wings that go out over the wheels and give you a sort of flat bed-style support for carrying larger objects. I’m not saying you should move a washing machine on the trike, but at least you have the option of doing it thanks to that cool flat bed setup of the basket.
Oh, and there’s even a tailgate to the basket too, which is just another cool feature to see included. That’s very rare on trikes, but it means you don’t have to lift as high to load something heavy back there.
Final thoughts
The Viribus SC5 isn’t trying to compete with high-end cargo trikes or performance e-bikes. It knows what it is: a solid, approachable, and surprisingly capable electric tricycle for everyday riders. I’d say it does that job quite well.
It has the power most people need, the range to make errands easy, and the cargo capacity to replace a lot of local car trips. Is it perfect? No. It’s a bit bulky to store, and like any trike, it takes a little finesse in tight turns. The mechanical disc brakes are more maintenance-prone than hydraulics, especially on a heavy trike that is going to stretch those cables over time. It also has a sub-ideal motor layout and lacks some of the more refined features on higher-dollar e-trikes. But for $1,299, it delivers a ton of value!
If you’ve been on the fence about trying an electric trike, the SC5 is a fantastic entry point. It’s stable, comfortable, practical, and fun to ride. And if your goal is to get out of the car and into something more eco-friendly (without giving up utility), this might be your fully-accessible ticket.
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