Viribus TriGo Trike review

REVIEW – I am intrigued by almost every type of e-transport. So much so that I have been working on turning my garage into an e-bike/gas bike/e-device workshop for building and modding. Having said that, I am excited to see what Viribus has designed for this e-bike they call the Viribus TriGo Trike.

What is it?

The Viribus TriGo Trike is an electric bike with the convenience of a removable battery, allowing you to charge it at your convenience. 

What’s included?

• 1 x Viribus TriGo Trike
• 1 x AC Charger
• 1 x Battery
• 1 x Screwdriver
• 1 x Wrench Set
• 1 x User Manual

Tech specs

The Viribus TriGo Trike is offered with 3 spec versions:

Design and features

• A Journey in Comfort: Embrace unparalleled mobility with the Viribus TriGo. Powered by a robust electric motor, conquer hills effortlessly as you glide through your surroundings. Discover the exhilarating freedom to explore your world, whether a leisurely ride or a practical excursion.
• Safety First, Adventure Always: With the powerful electric motor propelling you forward, hills become mere ripples in your path. Glide effortlessly through your surroundings, embracing the exhilarating freedom to explore every corner of your world. Whether a leisurely ride or a practical excursion, the Viribus TriGo adult tricycle electric effortlessly takes you where you need to be.
• Ample Storage for Easy Transportation: With generous storage capacity, you can effortlessly transport groceries, essentials, or personal belongings. Experience the convenience of having everything you need at your fingertips while enjoying seamless loading and unloading.
• UL 2271 Certified for Safety: Our three electric tricycles use different batteries; the TriGo and TriGo Plus use a 36V 13Ah 18650 battery, certified by SGS(Click to view certificate), while the TriGo Pro uses a 48V 13Ah 21650 automotive-grade battery, certified by UL(Click to view certificate). Both batteries meet UL2271 certification standards, indicating that safety levels are the same.

The Viribus TriGo Trike features a step-through frame, a horn, brake lights, a headlight, and front and rear brakes. There is a cargo basket on the rear. The seat is removable with a quick release and the battery is also removable. There is also a bright and colorful LED display that provides all of the necessary information. The display in the illustration below varies slightly from the one I received.

Assembly, Installation, Setup

So far, I have assembled many e-bikes but only one e-Trike. The previous Trike I assembled came in a wide rectangular box, so I was surprised to see this trike arrive in a slim box like regular e-bikes. Once I opened the box, I realized why it was shipped in the slim box. This bike ships in so many parts that even the brake discs need to be attached, The entire back of the trike including the chain must be assembled. If you are not familiar with assembling bikes or if you do not have the help of a second person, this can be a nightmare. When attaching the rear to the rest of the frame, the tolerances of the bolt holes were challenging. I would advise anyone who is not ready for a challenge beyond that of assembling a regular bike, to take this Trike to a bike store. Nevertheless, I proceeded to assemble it by myself. On the first day, I stopped after 2 hours with most of the main part of the bike assembled. I took a few snapshots during my assembly process: 

I finished up the rest of the assembly a couple of days later.

Performance

So let’s talk about the performance of the Viribus TriGo Trike. After the ridiculous assembly process, I was ready to ride or at least it seemed that way. The bike felt flimsy compared to the Mooncool electric trike I reviewed and to any of the E-bikes I reviewed. I tested the lights to see how they performed. They are nice and bright.

When I powered on the bike I was greeted by a nice bright and colorful LED display that also displayed an error.

The error/issue was reported to the company, and I was instructed to check the pins on the cable to the motor and ensure a good connection. After making sure that all was well with the wiring, the issue remained. At that point, Viribus sent a new front wheel with a motor installed. I installed the front wheel but the error remained. Viribus then sent a new display. I swapped that out but again, the error remained. Viribus then sent a new Controller. The bike worked for a short time, and then the error returned. I decided to troubleshoot by taking everything apart and found a “short” in the wire harness. The wires are packed into a wiring box at the bottom of the bike and are somewhat exposed.

Viribus then sent me a new wire harness with Controler and that finally worked. 

Since the parts replacement, the Viribus TriGo Trike has worked without issue. However, the awkward angle of the handlebar makes the bike feel that no matter your height, the bike is made for a small person. I find the position I have to place my hands in to be awkward. The most comfortable position for me was to lower the seat so that my hands were at the best possible angle. This meant that my knees came up too high when I tried to pedal so using the throttle from “go” was the only way I could ride. When riding the bike does not feel sturdy, the flimsy fenders rattle and everything just feels uncomfortable. The following is a short video of me riding the bike. Note the unhappy look on my face:

What I like about the Viribus TriGo Trike

• The quality of the paint finish
• It has adequate power
• The cargo basket is included
• The headlight is bright
• The customer support is responsive

What needs to be improved?

• The bike requires too much assembly
• It does not feel sturdy
• There is a quality control issue
• The handlebar design can be restrictive and awkward
• Wider tires could provide for a more comfortable ride

Final thoughts

The Viribus TriGo Trike is intended as an on-road commuter for the average person looking to run daily errands and go for leisurely rides. However, the handlebar design makes riding feel awkward or restrictive no matter how I adjust it. I am 5′ 9″, and this bike does not feel like a good fit. That, along with the many pieces required for assembly, the slim tires, and the quality control issues, makes it a hard pass for me. 

Price: $699 – (24″); $749 – (26″)
Where to buy: Viribus website
Source: Viribus provided a free sample for this review. Viribus did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.