Rivian recently launched a sibling brand called Also to “design small electric vehicles, from the ground up, to rethink how we get around in today’s world.” One of Also’s first products is an electric bike, rhe TM-B, and though this probably won’t replace your eMTB, it boasts some pretty interesting design choices.
120mm of travel, front and rear
The Also TM-B features 120mm of suspension travel front and rear. In photos and videos of the bike, you can see gold-colored stanchions, though we’re unable to confirm if the suspension is branded or if it’s been developed in-house.
Another notable design choice is the use of an inverted fork. In demo videos, the fork appears squishy and unsupportive, so hopefully it’s adjustable. Photos show a fat, knobby 24″ tire option in the bike’s “performance” configuration.
The pedals don’t directly drive the rear wheel
Though the Also TM-B does have a chain (er, belt), pedaling doesn’t actually drive the rear wheel. Instead, turning the cranks drives a generator that delivers power to a battery. In turn, the battery delivers power to a motor, which drives the rear wheel via what appears to be a belt drive. Also calls the drivetrain “Dream Ride.”
Pedaling a generator is not unlike riding an exercise bike that has adjustable resistance. In a launch video for the bike, Chris Yu, President of Also, says “you can decide how many gears you have, what the jumps are between the gears. And the really awesome thing is, when you do make a shift in that mode, every shift is perfect, because there’s no derailleur to get misadjusted.”
Though not addressed in the launch materials, with a generator built in, it’s possible that the TM-B or a future iteration of the bike could add power to the battery while coasting downhill.
Also says the TM-B has a top speed of 28mph, which suggests it will be a class 3 e-bike, though it’s unlike any other pedal-assist bike we’ve seen. The motor delivers up to 180Nm of torque, and riders can get up to 100 miles of range, according to Also.
Naturally, there’s a digital display built into the cockpit which shows speed, distance, and navigation information. The battery module is removable for charging and can also be used as a power bank off the bike.
Modular “top frame” fits a wide range of riders
Also touts the ability to swap out the top frame — essentially the seat mast — to fit more riders without having to offer multiple frame sizes. One top frame incorporates a cargo rack while another comes with a bench seat. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the standard “Solo” top frame has a dropper post. According to Also, the TM-B fits riders between 4’11” and 6’8″ tall, which is quite a wide range of heights for a single frame.
Available for pre-order
The Also TM-B is said to begin shipping sometime in 2026. A base configuration is listed for $4,500 with upgrades available for the top tube, tires, and more.
“It’s a utility bike, it’s a commuting bike, it’s a trail bike, it’s a recreation bike, all in one bike,” Yu says in the launch video. Though it’s unlikely serious mountain bikers will adopt the Also TM-B due to its limited off-road spec and (likely) Class 3 e-bike designation, it does offer a refreshing take on bike design.
2 Comments
44 minutes ago
Because if you have to push a throttle AND it's capped at 28mph, then I don't think it would technically qualify for any of the 3 classes of e-bikes.
0 minutes ago