Can't afford a Rivian EV? Then how about an e-bike with the same stylings and some of the tech as the luxury carmaker? I had a chance to test ride the Also TM-B, a new electric bike from a company spun out of Rivian.
The bike shares some vestigial DNA with the parent company — just check out it headlights — but also has a drivetrain and features that set it apart from other electric bikes.
The TM-B (which stands for "Transcendent Mobility-Bike") also comes with a pretty steep price tag, especially when compared to the best electric bikes we've tested. Can its performance transcend its price?
Price and configurations
This Rivian-inspired ebike also has a Rivian-size price tag. The base model TM-B, which has a 538Wh battery with a range of 60 miles, air shocks and front coil suspension, costs $3,500. The Performance model, which has an 808Wh battery with a range of 100 miles and air shocks and air coils, costs $4,500.
When configuring your bike online, you can choose either a small or large frame, and can even add a splash of color by picking from a gray, orange, purple, blue, or yellow seatpost.
You can also pick a seatpost with a built-in rear rack for an extra $150, or a larger bench-style seat for $50. Fenders are not included; they're a $125 extra, and if you want all-terrain tires, that will set you back an additional $200.
Also plans to release additional accessories, such as a rear passenger seat, front rack, and panniers in the future.
The company is currently taking preorders, with shipments expected to start in August; that's a bit of a delay from earlier announcements, as it was initially targeting the first half of 2026.
Design
The TM-B stands out for its unique design, which is unlike any other electric bike I've seen, save perhaps for the Infinite Machine Olto (also an eye-watering $3,450). Both scream "futuristic," by the TM-B is a little less dystopian.
At the core of the TM-B is a squarish section that houses the motor and battery. The cover is transparent, so you can see the belt drive as it winds its way around the sprocket. Half of the space is taken up by the battery, which can be removed by turning a small handle, but only after you press a button on the center console to release the electronic lock.
Not only can the battery be recharged away from the bike, but it also has two USB-C ports, so you can use it as an external power source for your devices.
Equally futuristic is the TM-B's center display, a large circular affair that shows everything from your speed and distance to whether or not you're using power from the battery or adding to it via regenerative braking.
The bike has both front and rear turn signals — something I like — but, due to the design of the lights (which look like the headlight on a Rivian), the turn signals are smushed together, so it's not as obvious if you're turning left or right.
Each handlebar has a cluster of controls ; on the right is a throttle, while the left has a scroll wheel and selector button for navigating the on-screen menus. Interestingly, the turn signals are activated by using your index fingers, something I've not seen on any other e-bike or scooter.
The seatpost of the TM-B is also connected electronically, and can only be released using the center control (or the Also app). The bike is designed so that, if you buy a model without a rear rack, but decide you want one later, the company will send you the rack along with a new seat, rather than just the rack itself.
The ride
I (and my rear end) really appreciated the dual suspension of the TM-B as I rode over cobblestoned streets and potholes of lower Manhattan.
Unlike a regular ebike, your pedaling motion doesn't directly translate to moving the rear wheel. Instead, you're basically spinning a generator, which is recharging the battery; a separate, disconnected motor is then doing the work.
This novel setup allows Also to do some pretty interesting things. You can ride it like a traditional e-bike, and adjust the level of motor assist, or you can switch to a mode where selecting a different assist level is more akin to switching gears on a regular bike.
I tried both modes, and could definitely feel the difference between the two; the latter requires you to pedal a bit more, but the bike feels more responsive to your inputs; I would liken it to driving stick vs. automatic.
The TM-B's handlebars are mounted in a aggressive stance, more like a mountain bike than a commuter. I felt the handlebars were set a bit too wide for my tastes, and put a bit of extra pressure on my shoulders as compared to the other ebikes I've ridden. If you're considering buying this bike, I would definitely recommend a test ride first.
The TM-B is rated as a Class 3 e-bike; it has a top assisted speed of 28 miles per hour, and its thumb throttle can accelerate the bike up to 20 MPH where it's permitted. It certainly felt zippy as I was cruising through traffic, with a fast, smooth acceleration curve.
Outlook
There's no doubt that the Also TM-B was a fun ride. Apart from my issues with the handlebar design, I enjoyed riding the bike up and down the west side of Manhattan, even though it was on a day where the skies were filled with smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The issue I suspect many will have with the TM-B is its price. At $4,500 for the top-end model, it's up there with other premium ebikes such as the Gazelle Avignon and Cannondale Mavaro 2, though those models aren't as futuristic-looking, and only have front suspension.
Still, I like that companies such as Also are experimenting with new ebike designs and features, even if they're out of the range for most riders right now.
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