Quirky? Playful? Indestructible? Round? Which attribute comes to mind first when you see the ebike from the new brand ALSO, the TM-B, for the first time? Whatever it is, you will probably find the design unusual and, for that reason alone, remember it for longer and recognise it more quickly. Both the marketing department at ALSO and the engineers who developed it are likely to be pleased about that. Behind the unusual appearance, there are a number of other details that are worth talking about.
1. Plans for the ALSO TM-B long before its release
2. The one ebike for everyone and everything?
3. The ALSO TM-B as an urban ebike
4. Software instead of gears
5. Anti-theft solution without a conventional bike lock
6. The ALSO TM-B as an e-mountain bike
7. The ALSO TM-B as an e-cargo bike
8. The Lego bike among ebikes?
9. Range as the sum of battery and recuperation
10. A well-rounded thing, this display
11. North America first, Europe second?
12. Three configurations of the ALSO TM-B
13. Platform including ebike, helmet and quads
1. Plans for the ALSO TM-B long before its release
Its appearance alone makes it clear that this is no ordinary ebike – and indeed it is not. For example, it was not designed by a traditional bicycle manufacturer. Rather, the ALSO TM-B is considered a baby of the automotive industry. More specifically, of the US manufacturer Rivian. ALSO emerged from this as a spin-out at the beginning of 2025.
According to their own statements, Rivian founder Robert Scaringe and ALSO CEO Chris Yu had the idea several years ago to transfer the approach of the car to a comprehensive mobility platform and think bigger. The platform is to be developed by ALSO. And one of its elements is to be the TM-B. In this way, Scaringe and Yu want to anchor the idea of sustainability in today’s definition of modern mobility. In their ideal scenario, we would switch as seamlessly as possible from one type of vehicle to another in our everyday lives, depending on the purpose. From car to bike to board back to car and so on. All electrically powered, of course.
2. The one ebike for everyone and everything?
Scaringe and Yu describe their idea as transcient tobility. TM for short. If you add the B for bike, you get the explanation for the somewhat cryptic name of the newcomer TM-B. 😉
We can therefore tick the boxes for a special design and a product name that is at least short. However, ALSO wants to achieve more than that. The TM-B is intended to resolve the complexity of the bicycle. By complex, the manufacturer means the fact that there are bicycles and ebikes in a wide variety of designs for a wide variety of purposes. Far more than, for example, the mere distinction between city ebikes, e-mountain bikes and e-cargo bikes. From its point of view, this range is unnecessary. If, instead, there were one bike that was suitable for all occasions, the tricky decision of finding the right bike would no longer be necessary.
3. The ALSO TM-B as an urban ebike
If you are looking for an ebike like this, you have no choice but to combine different elements of different ebike types in one model. This is precisely the mix that can be seen in the TM-B. For everyday use in an urban environment, for example, a low-maintenance, reliable and stable drive is required. ALSO appears to have developed this with the Dream Ride. It uses technologies that originate from the automotive sector.
Although the motor is centrally positioned in the ebike and cannot be overlooked, it is not a conventional mid-motor. Instead, it is a type of serial drive. In this drive, a generator and a motor work together. However, there is no physical connection between the two. The crank is connected to the generator. This supplies the energy and momentum for the separate ebike motor. Only from this motor does a belt lead to the rear wheel axle and drive the rear wheel. Such drives are familiar to us from four-wheeled electric cargo bikes such as the Citkar and the Antric Evo 1, from drives such as the ‘eDrive In’ from Pendix, and from other ebikes like CIP Mobility’s Mocci.
4. Software instead of gears
Dream Ride’s software generates the gear ratios. That’s why you won’t find any gearing system on this ebike. You can set both the number of gears in the transmission and the size of the gear jumps yourself. The ALSO press release does not indicate whether there are certain limits to this, nor does it specify the size of the gearing range that Dream Ride offers.
Given the Dream Ride concept, it seems logical that there is an automatic mode in addition to manual shifting. In this mode, you set your desired pedalling speed, which is then maintained by the drive in the gear ratio that best suits the profile of the route. In manual mode, you change gears using the right-hand control unit on the handlebars. There you will find a rocker switch similar to the Fazua Mode Control. You briefly tap the tip of the switch up or down to change gears.
5. Anti-theft solution without a conventional bike lock
Effective anti-theft protection is essential for every ebike, especially urban ebikes. ALSO consistently relies on an electronic solution here. This means that the TM-B can be locked either using the app or with a smartphone if it has been defined as a key. When locked, the frame, battery and rear wheel are automatically locked after parking.
The frame lock most likely refers to a lock on the interface that allows various seat tubes to be attached to the frame. You can find out more about this further down in the article. The battery lock is similar to Bosch’s Battery Lock, rendering the battery unusable for thieves. Unfortunately, we were unable to find out exactly what happens when the rear wheel is locked.
If someone bumps into the electronically locked ebike or transports it away, you will receive a message via the app. The TM-B has an integrated GPS sensor that provides information on its current location. If you suspect that someone is trying to steal your ebike, you can also lock it remotely.
6. The ALSO TM-B as an e-mountain bike
Even though some of the images sent by ALSO might suggest otherwise, the TM-B is only suitable as an e-mountain bike to a limited extent. The frame geometry with its low step-through and the large drive unit in the middle do impose certain limitations when riding on trails. Nevertheless, the ebike features a full suspension system with a suspension fork and rear suspension. The 120 millimetres of suspension travel for both elements also reads quite well. Nevertheless, this is probably primarily a decision made with the aim of achieving the highest possible riding comfort on paved roads and paths.
The Dream Ride, on the other hand, exudes true e-MTB spirit with its performance data. These figures seem absurdly high. The drive allegedly provides a maximum of up to 1,000 per cent assistance. This means that the motor returns ten times the amount of muscle power you invest in pedalling. ALSO is not revealing how many watts this means in continuous operation and at peak performance, at least not at this point in time. What is certain is that the maximum torque is 180 Newton metres. You should also be able to select the level of assistance in increments from one to ten. At least, it sounds as if this elemental force can be easily regulated.
7. The ALSO TM-B as an e-cargo bike
At first glance, the ALSO TM-B does not look like an e-cargo bike. However, it can carry considerable loads in relation to its weight. Its maximum payload is around 146 kilograms. Presumably, the weight of the rider is included in this figure. The rear rack is approved for a payload of around 34 kilograms. Among other things, you can mount a child seat on it and take your children with you. The front rack can carry an impressive eleven kilograms. Considering that it is mounted on the suspension fork, this is a remarkable figure. Thanks to its compatibility with the MIK system, it opens up numerous options for attaching a wide variety of bags, baskets and other accessories.
8. The Lego bike among ebikes?
In our opinion, the functional mix of this ebike is reflected in its appearance. It has a certain Lego charm about it. The large diameter of the frame tubes and the transparent housing of the drive block reinforce this impression. Especially since components and building blocks can actually be exchanged in this modularly designed model.
An interface above the drive block serves this purpose. Various seat tubes can be clicked into place there. There is a choice of seat tubes of different lengths with a conventional bicycle saddle. With these options, ALSO ensures that the small and medium frame sizes can be adapted to the corresponding body lengths. Size S for body lengths between 150 centimetres and 173 centimetres comes with the short seat tube, and size M for body lengths between 164 centimetres and 203 centimetres comes with the long seat tube.
There’s also a third seat tube that replaces a bicycle saddle with a shortened seat. However, this version only seems to be available with the short seat tube. In addition to the long and short seat tubes mentioned above, there are also versions with a permanently welded rear rack. Anyone who wants to use such a rack will not be able to remove it later. According to the manufacturer, these variants can also be purchased separately for a model that has already been purchased. If this is not done during the purchase process, the prices are expected to range from $350 for a seat tube with a conventional bicycle saddle to $500 for the utility version with the rear rack.
We can only guess at what the frame is made of at this stage. What is clear is that there are no visible weld seams. Either these are ground down during production or no aluminium is used at all. In addition to the front and rear lights, indicators are also integrated into the frame. The press release also mentions a biomotion design that illuminates the legs when pedalling. We have not been able to discover this in the available images or in the videos of various magazines.
9. Range as the sum of battery and recuperation
The battery could also come from a Lego construction set. It is located on the drive side in the right-hand part of the drive block. It can be easily removed by turning a handle and charged at any location with a power connection. Reduced to a handy size, it has a capacity of 538 watt hours or 808 watt hours. According to ALSO, this results in ideal ranges of between 60 miles and 100 miles. These values already take into account the fact that the TM-B can return some of the energy generated during braking to the battery via recuperation. The proportion of energy recovered in this way can be up to 25 per cent.
Charging is quite fast. Thanks to fast-charging technology and a corresponding charging power of 240 watts, the larger battery only takes 2.5 hours to charge from zero to 80 per cent. Just as practical are two USB-C interfaces, which allow you to use the battery as a power bank to charge or operate mobile devices.
10. A well-rounded thing, this display
ALSO has simply named the display for the ebike Portal. The five-inch diameter round touchscreen also functions as such. A rotary wheel on the left control unit on the handlebars or any touchscreen gives you access to navigation, theft protection, various functions of your smartphone and additional fitness features. And need we mention that the screens can be customised?
11. North America first, Europe second?
If you’re really excited about what you’ve read so far and have been waiting for the catch, be warned – here it comes. At least for those who don’t live in North America. Because at the moment, the ALSO TM-B is primarily aimed at the North American market. This means that there are two versions of each of the three different trims. Only one of these is a pedelec. In this case, the drive provides assistance up to a speed of 45 kilometres per hour. The second version comes with a throttle. This means you don’t need to pedal to activate the motor. Here, the assistance is limited to a speed of 32 kilometres per hour. So, the bottom line is that we are talking about either an speed pedelec or an ebike featuring a throttle, which is not permitted for use on public roads in Europe.
12. Three configurations of the ALSO TM-B
The three versions of the ALSO TM-B announced by the manufacturer are called ALSO TM-B, ALSO TM-B Performance and ALSO TM-B Launch Edition. They differ in terms of battery capacity, drive performance and suspension system. ALSO uses three different colour schemes to make them easier to distinguish visually.
ALSO TM-B
- Battery capacity: 538 watt hours
- Motor assistance: max. 5x
- Riding modes: standard
- Suspension fork: steel coil spring
- Motor housing: grey, non-transparent
- Colour: grey matter
ALSO TM-B Performance
- Battery capacity: 808 watt hours
- Motor assistance: max. 10x
- Riding modes: standard and sport
- Suspension fork: air suspension
- Motor housing: charcoal, transparent
- Colour: Gray Matter + ‘Ube’ accent
ALSO TM-B Launch Edition
- Battery capacity: 808 watt hours
- Motor assistance: max. 10x
- Riding modes: standard and sport
- Suspension fork: air suspension
- Motor housing: Ube, transparent
- Colour: Gray Matter + accents in ‘Ube’, “Sonic” and ‘Tales’
ALSO is staggering the sale of the models in three legs. The ALSO TM-B Launch Edition is set to hit the market in spring. The ALSO TM-B Performance will follow within the first half of the year, after the ALSO TM-B Launch Edition. And later in the year, the ALSO TM-B will be released. ALSO plans to offer the basic version for less than $4,000. The other two models are expected to cost $4,500 each.
13. Platform including ebike, helmet and quads
We already mentioned the concept of a comprehensive platform for mobility solutions at the beginning of this article. The TM-B is not the only idea from this platform that has now taken concrete shape. ALSO has, for example, presented its own bicycle helmet – the Alpha Wave. It is designed to protect against injuries caused by rotational forces in accidents in a different way to the well-known Mips system. However, the manufacturer does not go into detail about this. It can be put on and taken off with just one hand. Two forward-facing headlights are integrated on the outside, as well as two large tail lights on the back. To ensure that access to your music collection via the portal display really makes sense, the helmet is equipped with four wind-protected speakers and microphones inside. This audio solution also allows you to receive turn-by-turn navigation announcements.
In addition to the helmet and ebike, ALSO presented two electrically powered quads. The larger of the two can be purchased by companies for commercial purposes. The smaller one, on the other hand, is aimed at private customers. On the website, the quads currently still have the same name – TM-Q. Here, too, the manufacturer is acting differently than many might expect. It seems to be part of the company’s philosophy.
Pictures: ALSO, Inc.