ALSO. TM-B on Test – is Rivian’s Sister Brand’s eBike Too Good to Be True?

Rivian’s IPO sent shockwaves through the automotive world. For a brief moment, the young electric car manufacturer was valued higher than Ford and General Motors. With their spin-off ALSO., history looks set to repeat itself. Their in-house ebike brand is currently attracting record valuations, and the bike expected to bring in the big bucks is the disruptive TM-B. We took it out for a spin for you!

ALSO.’s multimillion dollar idea is easy to grasp. These days there are countless bike categories, and the fear of ending up with the wrong one is just as big, whether you’re a manufacturer or a rider. The US start-up wants to take the anxiety factor out of the equation. Their answer is called the TM-B: one frame, countless possibilities. The TM-B is built around a modular concept. The main frame is always the same, while the top frame – essentially the upper structure that sits on it – can be swapped in seconds depending on what you need. You simply pick the right components for your preferred trim level in the online configurator.

The whole concept is paired with a pedal-by-wire drive system on the ALSO. TM-B. With pedal-by-wire, the motor alone provides propulsion, while you still modulate acceleration through the pedals. Your pedal input is fed into the system digitally rather than mechanically. This approach is meant to satisfy all technical and legal requirements while giving the manufacturer far more room to fine-tune the ride feel through software. On top of that, the TM-B packs high-tech integration from top to bottom. The result is an “ebike for everything and everyone.”

Born out of Rivian, ALSO. benefit heavily from the company’s expertise, resources, and production network. They also share Rivian’s vision of zero-emission mobility. Even the name carries a nod to the mobility transition that Rivian are already pushing with their electric vehicles. “ALSO.” in the sense of “in addition” underlines the idea that there are more alternatives to combustion cars. And once you understand that vision, it becomes obvious that TM-B stands for Transcend Mobility Bike.

Every brand launches their new bikes with big claims, and ALSO. are not different. Clearly, though, people trust the start-up. Investors have poured an unusually high 300 million dollars into the project for a bike company, valuing it at a record-breaking one billion dollars. Normally that’s the point where every alarm bell should start ringing, warning of a potential bubble.

And on top of that, the Launch Edition of this high-tech ebike is meant to hit the market next year at a fiercely competitive $ 4,500, followed shortly after by a Base version expected to retail at just $ 3,500.

Are we missing something here? Is the ALSO. TM-B really too good to be true? Will potential buyers find themselves empty-handed by this time next year? Or have ALSO. genuinely reinvented the ebike from the ground up and achieved things that previously seemed out of reach? We’ve already spent time with pedal-by-wire bikes like the mocci Smart Pedal Vehicle, but the TM-B feels like it takes the concept a clear step further than anything currently available on the market. So we packed a travel pillow and jumped on a flight to San Francisco to find out for ourselves.

ALSO. TM-B Test – The Launch Edition in Detail

The top frames show just how well thought out the TM-B really is. This modular section of the frame, complete with its specific seating layout, can be unlocked via touchscreen. A large electromechanical wedge at the rear slides back and forth, while a simple mechanical wedge at the front clicks into place. The idea is much like a ski boot: rock solid and completely tool-free, and you can swap it out in seconds. Each top frame is coded so the bike knows exactly which one is fitted. This even allows ride profiles to be saved according to the frame module you’re using.

The Solo top frame is the standard option. It’s a simple seat tube with saddle and a fixed seatpost, available in two sizes: S for riders between 150 and 173 cm, and L for taller ones measuring between 165 and 203 cm. An intelligent rear light is integrated into the seat tube, and there are two mounts for bottle cages. If you want an additional Solo top frame for your ALSO. TM-B, it will set you back an additional $ 350.

The Utility top frame is also available in frame sizes S and L, retailing at $ 500. It has space for a bottle and features a generously sized, integrated rear rack, with the load forming part of the sprung mass. It also includes a MIK-HD mount for accessories such as baskets, child seats and a small bench for kids up to around ten years old. OPTIONAL accessories for the ALSO. TM-B include hard-shell baskets sized specifically for US supermarket paper bags like the ones you find at Walmart and Target. The setup is rounded off with a front rack that mounts to the crown of the suspension fork. Thanks to the upside-down fork design, the load here also counts as sprung mass. The rack is rated for up to 11 kg, is compatible with MIK mounts, and can also take side-mounted hard-shell baskets.

While the Solo top frame and the Bench top frame can carry riders weighing up to 136 kg, the maximum load on the Utility top frame increases to 147 kg.

The Bench top frame comes in a single one-size-fits-all version. It costs $ 450 and is built with comfort in mind. It’s made for relaxed cruising rather than sporty pedalling, giving you plenty of room to sit back and keep your feet planted at traffic lights. A tail light is integrated, though there’s no bottle cage mount. But don’t worry, you won’t go thirsty. Every frame comes with mounting points in the stem area for a bottle cage and accessories like the ALSO. smartphone holster.

The Design of The ALSO. TM-B Launch Edition E-Bikes in Detail

Unusual for ebikes, the aluminium frame of the TM-B is produced using a gravity casting process. Despite its modular design, the bike looks as if it has been cast in one piece, with no welds, smooth contours, a clean silhouette and a high level of integration throughout. The downside of this casting method is that it often results in very heavy components.

Inside the frame, the magnesium motor housing forms a sort of subframe that carries the motor, the crank generator, the battery and the mounts for the rear linkage. According to ALSO., this magnesium structure is one of the most complex cast components in its size anywhere in the world. It’s covered by a plastic fairing, which varies in colour and transparency depending on the trim level.

Of course, design cues like the front light from Rivian’s EVs are a must. A particularly practical touch is the integrated indicator, which can be controlled via paddle switches on the left and right side of the handlebars. The rear lights built into the seatposts flash in sync – a neat detail that adds an extra layer of safety in traffic.

ALSO. TM-B On Test – The DreamRide Motor in Detail

At the heart of the TM-B sits the DreamRide pedal-by-wire drive system, a true rarity in the ebike world. There’s no mechanical link between the cranks and the drive unit. The cranks power a generator, while the motor above it turns the rear wheel entirely on its own. A low-maintenance belt handles the power transfer.
Why choose a pedal-by-wire system over a conventional ebike concept? In the US, it makes it easy to offer bikes with a throttle. Change a few lines of code, however, and the same system complies fully with EU regulations. It also scales more easily, for example for delivery fleet vehicles – but more on that later.

Anyone who has ridden a drive-by-wire or pedal-by-wire system knows it doesn’t really feel like cycling – at least in most cases. ALSO. are trying to square the circle here. On the one hand, the ride experience should be as software defined as possible. On the other, it should feel completely natural so you don’t instantly notice that you’re not actually driving the belt yourself.

Here’s the spoiler: ALSO. have nailed it so well that the TM-B is no longer comparable to the first generation of drive-by-wire bikes. How is that possible? The crank-mounted generator samples at a very high rate, picking up every crank movement on each side, in every position, all the time, without any drawbacks from vibration, loud motor whine or unnatural resistance. In our ALSO. TM-B test, the motor responded with virtually no delay and delivered strong power straight away, even from a standstill.

The software evaluates your pedal input against the motor’s output, identifies the current gear and measures the gradient to deliver a seamless, natural riding experience. There are also a few playful touches that aren’t strictly necessary but make the experience more engaging. In manual mode, the bike simulates a ten speed drivetrain with gear steps similar to a standard cassette. Each shift is triggered via an ergonomic switch on the handlebars and is accompanied by a small nudge at the pedals and a subtle shifting sound. It feels just like a perfectly tuned mechanical drivetrain.

Alternatively, there’s an Auto mode that simulates a continuously variable transmission. You set your preferred cadence on the display, and your speed is determined by how firmly you push on the pedals. The assistance level ranges from one to ten times your own input. The twist lever that shifts gears in manual mode becomes the assist selector in this case.

The performance of the ALSO. TM-B’s motor is impressive. Up to 180 Nm of torque reach the rear wheel, delivering acceleration forces of up to 0.3 g. While this might not be enough to match the roughly 1.1 g of a Rivian R1T quad motor in launch control, on an eBike you’re not aiming to sprint from zero to one hundred in under three seconds. The acceleration is more in line with what you’d expect from a standard production car and is tuned to let you merge into busy city traffic confidently and keep pace without effort.

The motor’s power delivery spans from smooth in the mid-level settings to outright brutal in the 10x assist mode. More tuning options for responsiveness are planned via an app, though we didn’t have access to it during our test.

Getting going on steep hills isn’t a problem for the DreamRide motor, even if you can’t contribute any power yourself. We proved that to ourselves by climbing a typical San Francisco hill with more than 100 kg of rider weight on board. The TM-B doesn’t lose momentum, and keeps on accelerating with confidence, even on gradients of up to 30%.

A hill flattening mode is also in the works. It will automatically increase support as soon as the ebike detects an incline. And ALSO. are already developing additional modes. One idea from the manufacturer is a group ride mode that keeps a mixed bunch of riders at the same pace. Each rider could set their own goals, such as wanting a high intensity workout or simply aiming to arrive with a resting heart rate.

The Smart Assist Features of the DreamRide Drive System in the ALSO.

A traction control system is available, too. The front wheel uses a tone wheel, while the rear wheel is linked directly to the motor via the belt, with no gears in between. This means the TM-B always knows the rotational speed of both wheels, allowing it to adjust power output in fractions of a second and prevent the rear wheel from breaking traction.

In our short test, even with up to 180 Nm at the rear wheel, we couldn’t get it to do donuts or burnouts. A more thorough evaluation would need to take place on Europe’s rain-soaked forest tracks rather than San Francisco’s sun-drenched tarmac. Depending on the selected mode, such as Trail or Cruise, the behaviour of the traction control is meant to adapt accordingly.

Regenerative braking is also built in. The initial free stroke of the brake levers activates energy recuperation at the rear wheel. According to ALSO., the DreamRide motor can recuperate with the same power it can deliver. In realistic best case scenarios, this can cut energy consumption by up to 25 percent. It also keeps the brakes cool and reduces wear on the pads. You can watch the regeneration happening in real time on the display. Only when you pull the lever past the free stroke do the callipers engage both rotors.

As is common on many city and trekking ebikes in the US, the TM-B features a thumb throttle. On the right side of the handlebars sits a small, sensitive twist lever that unleashes the bike’s full power with a single finger. It’s especially handy when you’re starting on a hill or riding with a child on the rear rack, because you don’t have to lift your feet from the ground to get going.

Since a thumb throttle isn’t permitted in the EU, it becomes a temporary assist boost. You can quickly dial the multiplier up to 10x to slot into a faster moving lane of traffic or pop up a curb with both wheels at once. If you’re not pedalling, the throttle also works as an easy to reach walk assist.

Speaking of EU compliance, the TM-B is sold in the US as a Class 3 ebike with assistance up to 28 mph, which is 45 km/h. In Europe, however, it will be introduced as a standard EPAC with support capped at 25 km/h, fully in line with EU regulations.

TM-B Power Hour! – The Battery of the ALSO. TM-B Launch Edition E-Bike in Detail

The TM-B’s smart battery deserves its own chapter. Here, too, ALSO. benefit from Rivian’s expertise, offering features other bike brands simply can’t match because they usually rely on standard motor systems.

You can choose between two battery capacities: 808 Wh or 538 Wh. The smaller version simply omits a few cells compared with the larger one. The housing remains the same, but the lighter version saves a bit of weight. As with the top frames, the battery lock combines mechanical, electrical and digital systems.

You unlock the battery via the display. A mechanical pin then releases the rotating handle. After that, you turn the small front-facing grip by 90º and slide the battery out of the frame to the side. The process is both simple and secure. If someone tries to force the battery out or use it on another bike, a digital fingerprint blocks access, making the battery essentially useless to thieves.

The battery itself features two USB-C ports. It can act as a power bank with up to 240 W on tap, enough to run something like a gaming laptop, and it can be charged at the same power level. The big battery reaches 80 percent from empty in around two and a half hours and takes about three hours forty-five minutes for a full charge. The smaller pack hits 80% in under two hours and reaches 100% in roughly two hours twenty. A small E-Ink display shows the current charge level at all times.

There’s also a USB-C charging port on the main frame, and it’s bidirectional too. So you could, for example, power a portable speaker in the front basket while you ride.

But what happens if you spend too long blasting the neighbourhood with your boombox and drain the battery? In our view, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of pedal-by-wire systems. To stop you having to push the ebike home, ALSO. have built in several safety layers for day-to-day use, with more still in development.

The first line of defence is the integrated navigation, which calculates your remaining range. ALSO. use their own navigation software tailored specifically to riders and to the TM-B with its current rider profile. This enables early warnings if you’re in danger of running out of battery before reaching your destination.

If you ignore the range alert, the next stage kicks in when capacity drops to around ten percent: a power saving mode. It spreads the remaining charge across the distance left to cover and reduces motor output as needed.

Push beyond that limit and the ALSO. TM-B switches into what they call crawl mode or endless mode. The energy you generate through pedalling is split. One part recharges the battery while the other is fed directly to the drive motor. We couldn’t try this mode during our test, but we assume it would require a serious effort. Compared with a conventional EMTB, you’re dealing not only with mechanical losses but also with additional inefficiencies from converting movement into electricity and back again.

Überschreitet man auch noch diese Grenze, wechselt das ALSO. TM-B in einen sogenannten Kriechmodus oder Endlosmodus. Der Strom, den man durch Pedalieren erzeugt, wird dabei aufgeteilt. Ein Teil lädt den Akku, der andere wird an den Antriebsmotor weitergeleitet.

Wir konnten diesen Modus im Test nicht ausprobieren, gehen aber davon aus, dass dies ein echter Kraftakt sein dürfte. Im Vergleich zu einem klassischen E-MTB entstehen hier nicht nur mechanische Verluste, sondern auch zusätzliche Effizienzverluste durch die Umwandlung von Bewegung zu Strom und zurück in Bewegung.

Lowrider or Flowrida? – The Suspension of the ALSO. TM-B On Test

The motor system also has a direct influence on the rear suspension. Much like a motorbike, the TM-B uses a swingarm with a high pivot, similar to what you find on high pivot bikes. Because the drive motor sits close to the pivot point and the belt doesn’t need to loop around a chainring around the cranks, there’s no need for the extra idler pulleys that conventional high pivot designs use. You also don’t need belt tensioners or frame splitters like those found on other full suspension belt drive bikes. Put another way, the complexity introduced by pedal-by-wire is offset by the simplicity it enables elsewhere.

ALSO.’s own air shock is driven by a multi link kinematic to ensure a more progressive rear end. This ensures a more sensitive feel through the first half of the 120 mm of travel, while at the same time providing better support against big hits that push deep into the stroke.

A Hall effect sensor is integrated in the swingarm pivot. It tells the bike how deep you are in the travel and how much suspension you’re using. In future, the companion app is expected to offer setup recommendations based on this data.

The smart rear suspension is paired with ALSO.’s own upside down fork with chunky 36 mm stanchions. Depending on the trim level, it comes with either an air spring or a coil spring. The higher end TM-B models run the air version, which is easier to fine-tune to your body weight. All variants provide 120 mm of travel and mounts for mudguards or a front rack. The golden stanchions likely point to a molybdenum disulphide coating for reduced friction, although we couldn’t spot a Kashima logo like you see on FOX products.

ALSO. TM-B On Test – The Connectivity Package and Smart Theft Protection

The TM-B comes standard with an extensive connectivity package, smart theft protection and a handful of digital convenience features.

Mounted on the underside of the bike is a powerful speaker. Using the rotary switch on the left side of the handlebars, you can trigger either a bell or a horn, depending on whether you give it a quick tap or a longer press. It lets you nudge pedestrians politely or call out drivers a bit more firmly when they misbehave. Or the other way round, if the situation demands it 😉

The 2.75 inch touchscreen, known as the Portal, is integrated into the stem. The UI design wasn’t final at the time of this test, but everything worked flawlessly already. There’s plenty of room for personalisation. Operation feels much like a modern smartphone, with left and right swipes to move between screens and panels that slide in from the top or bottom for actions such as swapping the saddle or removing the battery.

The rotating bezel ring, which clicks noticeably as it turns, works almost like a lock and unlock button, similar to the start–stop button in a car. Over the air updates ensure the system is always up to date.

Navigation is currently planned as a turn by turn display rather than a full map view. ALSO. are using their own navigation system, designed to suit the bike and the needs of its riders more precisely.

Music control and call management can be handled directly via the display or the bar mounted remotes, so your smartphone can stay tucked away most of the time.

The Theft Protection of the ALSO. TM-B Launch Edition E-Bike in Detail

The TM-B’s digital and mechanical theft protection goes far beyond conventional systems and is designed, in the best case, to make a traditional bike lock unnecessary.

You can locate the TM-B via your smartphone, and it sends notifications if it’s moved without authorisation while sounding an alarm. So far, so familiar. You can also disable the bike remotely, cutting all motor functions.

But the TM-B goes a step further. It can lock the rear wheel and decouple the pedals so they spin freely without resistance. That means no quick getaway, no jumping on and pedalling off, and not even pushing it away with ease.

For connectivity, the TM-B relies on GPS, BLE, Wi-Fi and LTE-M. The Connect+ subscription costs $ 15 per month or $ 120 per year and covers all connected services. You can always check the battery status online, and your smartphone acts as the key, so there’s no need for a traditional one. If you prefer not to use a smartphone, you can simply enter a PIN on the display.

The New ALSO. Alpha Wave Helmet

With the Alpha Wave helmet, ALSO. deliver on their promise of high tech integration that reaches right up to your hairline. The helmet is available separately for $ 250, but it only unlocks its full feature set when paired with the TM-B.

Front and rear LEDs with 200 and 75 lumens respectively are built in, and can be controlled directly from the handlebars. The obvious advantage of a helmet light is that it always shines wherever you’re looking. That’s handy not only while riding, but also when you park the bike in a dark garage and then have to find the right key at the bottom of your bag.

Two noise cancelling microphones at the front and four speakers provide communication and entertainment. They don’t block out traffic noise like traditional headphones, but protect you from wind noise. You can listen to music, take calls and receive navigation prompts directly through the helmet, since the lights, navigation and media player are all seamlessly integrated with the TM-B and fully controllable.

ALSO. use a plastic chinbar from the HighBar system. It features a dial closure that you can operate effortlessly with one hand. The helmet also includes a new RLS (Release Layer System) with four ball bearing plates in the outer shell, designed to absorb rotational forces even more effectively than other purpose built systems such as MIPS.

The Alpha Wave helmet is available in three sizes, charges via USB-C and offers a runtime of five to fifteen hours. It’s shorter if you’re making calls using the microphones and speakers, and longer if you’re only using features like the lights. It weighs around 550 g, and the electronics inside are protected to IPX6.

There’s no doubt the tech features are state of the art. The Alpha Wave helmet does feel a bit heavy, though, and ventilation doesn’t seem particularly good. We’ll reserve final judgement on comfort and airflow until we’ve had the chance to ride with a production model, as the one we saw was still pre-series.

ALSO. TM-B – Specs and Equipment Options

We can’t say too much about the components just yet. With only a few exceptions, almost every part is an ALSO. proprietary design, and we’ve never seen them on any other ebike before. On the TM-B they make a coherent impression, with both ergonomics and performance feeling spot on. ALSO. have also made an effort to use parts that interface with existing standards, such as a 15 x 110 mm front thru-axle or brakes that are compatible with pads from major brands. How each component performs on its own will need further testing. What is already clear, though, is that the ALSO. TM-B will depend heavily on the manufacturer ensuring solid long-term availability of spare parts.

ALSO. TM-B Launch Edition, TM-B Performance Edition and Base Edition

The TM-B Limited Launch Edition will be the first version to go on sale, retailing at $ 4,500. It’s scheduled to arrive in the US in spring 2026. It differs from the Performance Edition only in colour and release timing, with the Performance version planned for the first half of 2026. Riders in Europe will have to wait a little longer until a more precise launch date is announced.

The online configurator offers several trims. For the Road trim, you can choose a stripped back version or add mudguards for an extra $ 50. The All Terrain trim comes with grippy flat pedals and knobbly tyres if you want to venture off the tarmac.

For the cockpit, you can pick between the standard option with a tall riser bar at 120 mm or the sport cockpit with a flatter bar at 80 mm rise.

A TM-B base model is planned for later in 2026. Its battery has a smaller 538 Wh capacity, the motor assistance tops out at a 5x multiplier instead of 10x and the fork relies on a coil spring rather than air. The base version also forgoes the colour accents on the motor cover and battery. Further collabs with bold designs are already in the works and will be available in the future.

If you configure the TM-B with road tires, the smaller battery and the Solo top frame, ALSO. say the ebike should come in at just under 40 kg. Choose heavier components and the weight can climb to as much as 43 kg.

The ALSO. Quad

Alongside the TM-B, ALSO. are developing a quad that showcases how well the company’s technologies can scale. It’s set to be used both as a fleet vehicle in the commercial sector and as a cargo bike for everyday riders in the near future.

In principle, you can take the drive motor, the crank system, the connectivity package and the software architecture and then simply adapt the frame, suspension and battery capacity to suit the job at hand. Anything is possible, from a two wheeler to a cargo bike, a golf cart or even an Amazon Prime delivery vehicle – and most of these ideas already exist as prototypes in ALSO.’s San Francisco garage.

ALSO. TM-B – Launch Edition Tested on the Streets of San Francisco

In the cult seventies series The Streets of San Francisco, Michael Douglas tore through the city’s steep canyons in a Ford Galaxie. Pulling that off in today’s hectic San Francisco would be far more difficult. For a reboot, they might be better off switching to modern ebikes – which is exactly what we did.

The small 24 inch tires, combined with the battery deeply integrated into the frame, ensure a low centre of gravity, which translates into a very stable ride feel. The solid frame and chunky suspension fork add even more composure . Overall, this makes the bike easy to handle and especially good for cruising, encouraging you to lean into long, sweeping corners. That is, as long as you pick the standard handlebars with a 120 mm rise from the configurator, which puts you in a nicely upright position. The low step through adds to the cruiser vibe, making it easy to hop on and off and turning it into a habit you’ll quickly come to appreciate in daily use and on relaxed weekend rides.

Even so, the small tires give the bike a touch of agility, and the mighty motor lends the TM-B the sort of nippy character you’d expect from a Mini Cooper, letting you weave through traffic with ease. That punchy feel helps disguise its hefty forty plus kilos, and it slips neatly into the gaps between stationary SUVs. There’s no shortage of fun here.

The high system weight actually shows its advantages when you hit potholes or uneven tarmac sections. The extra mass helps the suspension do its job, and impacts are passed on in a much more subtle way. Overall, ride comfort on the TM-B is impressively high.

The safety concept also works well. The lighting system with integrated indicators boosts visibility and gives you more confidence in heavy traffic or poor light. Add the Alpha helmet with its built in indicators and things only get better.

Only in the highest support setting does the motor feel a bit abrupt. It’s worth easing in with the mid-range modes first. The control layout is also new territory: more switches on the cockpit and a touch display take a moment to get used to. But the high quality screen responds quickly and precisely, and the ergonomically placed remotes make the learning curve surprisingly gentle.

One downside is the double leg kickstand beneath the motor. It sticks out slightly to the side, which gives the bike a very stable footing, but it can occasionally catch your heel while riding.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the ALSO. TM-B eBike?

If you’re after a conventional eBike, you’re definitely in the wrong place (and fair play if you’ve stuck with the article this long). The ALSO. TM-B is aimed at those riders who can genuinely benefit from the versatility of its modular concept, whether as an eSUV, a city ebike or a cargo bike. At the same time, the TM-B expects you to approach it with the flexibility of an early adopter. It’s now up to ALSO. to smooth out as much of the typical early-adopter pain as possible. They need to implement all EU regulations, build a solid dealer and service network, ensure availability and maintain the level of manufacturing quality we experienced on our test bikes. If they can do that while keeping the price at roughly € 4,000 and refreshing the ride experience through regular updates and new software features, then the TM-B really is almost too good to be true.

Conclusions about the ALSO. TM-B Launch Edition eBike

With the TM-B Launch Edition, Rivian spin-off ALSO. makes a dream debut in our first test.This versatile ebike impresses with genuine modularity and a set of digital features that really stand out. Both the bike’s handling and fun factor are spot on, the design is appealing and the projected $ 4,500 price tag is more than fair. The big hope now is that ALSO. manage a smooth market launch with the support structures needed to look after their riders in the long term.

For more information, visit ridealso.com

Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: ALSO. / Adam Wells / Max Schmitt