Review: I rode the ALSO TM-B E-Bike: Rivian Micromobility Startup’s First EV

[Yota2R1T]

"Very little resistance" means very little power. Which means very little charging is done to the battery while pedaling in auto mode. I assume they are instead heavily leveraging regen as the way to get more range out of the bike.

Which is what I was hoping to hear! A bike with regen is wizardry

Does it include the Gear Guard Camera ad Motion Sensor,
because when parked it will certainly disappear in less than five minutes !!!

The security features are compelling. It is essentially immobilized when parked, so you would have to throw (heave 80lb) into a truck, which would instantly alert the owner and you can track it by GPS. So not a useful thing to steal - though I'm sure it will happen from time to time.

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[the_mace]

Great review. Its interesting how the configs are based on your ride style, on or off road which isn't just what kind of tires you want but other configuration things that seem to happen. I do both. I ride an Aventon today with big thick tires on and off road. So wonder how that works? Also it has fenders but the offroad/bumpy tires dont come with fenders which I thought was odd. What if you want that?

Also, wasnt clear if you can lock the front/rear suspension. Normal bikes with suspension let you lock/unlock depending on what you're riding.

And then the big question for me (as an avid on-road non-e-bike rider) is how the position is for long rides. I ride 60 miles manually on a street bike. The seat fit, adjustments, seat style etc all matter. I'd like to hear from someone that has put a lot of miles on it for the comfort of it.

I have a deposit on it already, thinking about seeing if I can upgrade that to a launch edition order.

 

[Redmond Chad]

I am not sure the bike is for me, but I do like a lot of the thought that has gone into it. It is always nice to see new options.

Just a quick comment on the price - I have paid anywhere from $800 to $8,250 for an e-bike. I have also built one myself (I spent about $900, plus used several bits I already had lying around). In my experience, you definitely get more when you pay more. The top speed/torque/battery size specs may be the same, but the riding, charging and software experiences definitely are not. I ride every day, so these things are important to me.

I'd want to learn more about service options before considering one. And while it looks easy to replace the seat, I am much less sure about the handlebars. My old joints require a very specific geometry, and changing the seat and stem/handlebars are the first thing I do to every bike to get the right fit.

I'd also like to learn more about turn signals. I have a Lumos system (controller, lights on bike, helmet with lights) that I like now, but it would be nice to see something built-in and using the bike's battery.

 

[the_mace]

Great review. Its interesting how the configs are based on your ride style, on or off road which isn't just what kind of tires you want but other configuration things that seem to happen. I do both. I ride an Aventon today with big thick tires on and off road. So wonder how that works? Also it has fenders but the offroad/bumpy tires dont come with fenders which I thought was odd. What if you want that?

Also, wasnt clear if you can lock the front/rear suspension. Normal bikes with suspension let you lock/unlock depending on what you're riding.

And then the big question for me (as an avid on-road non-e-bike rider) is how the position is for long rides. I ride 60 miles manually on a street bike. The seat fit, adjustments, seat style etc all matter. I'd like to hear from someone that has put a lot of miles on it for the comfort of it.

I have a deposit on it already, thinking about seeing if I can upgrade that to a launch edition order.

I also hope that they make something for the Rivian / regular hitch to mount this (I know there are many products out there) in some creative way to make it easy to lug around. My current setup works for a road bike but I wont be able to lift this e-bike into that position.

 

[savethemanual]

"The security features are compelling. It is essentially immobilized when parked, so you would have to throw (heave 80lb) into a truck, which would instantly alert the owner and you can track it by GPS. So not a useful thing to steal - though I'm sure it will happen from time to time."

And apparently there's a loud siren that blares too.

 

[the_mace]

"The security features are compelling. It is essentially immobilized when parked, so you would have to throw (heave 80lb) into a truck, which would instantly alert the owner and you can track it by GPS. So not a useful thing to steal - though I'm sure it will happen from time to time."

And apparently there's a loud siren that blares too.

I still think people will pick it up and take it away and then part it out in bad areas. Im in the sticks so not a problem for me.

 

[savethemanual]

I still think people will pick it up and take it away and then part it out in bad areas. Im in the sticks so not a problem for me.

Every part is serial number coded, so the instant it goes on another bike it will be flagged by the software, except the basic stuff like the wheels, drive belt etcetera...

And you can track the jerks down with GPS!

 

[AlanP]

Too expensive.

Lacks CarPlay.

It's a city commuter bike, not a recreational bike. Repeat too expensive.

They will sell 37 of them to weird people.

Got my token

 

[ENVErider]

Hey now....

Don't diss the purple ....

Well, deep purples against black accents are badass; something Batman or the Joker might drive. That light purple/lavender against white and fluorescent yellow, not for me. I hope they sell 100K's of these bikes, but the color choices are not making me want to pull out my wallet.

 

[hammick]

So I'm kind of intrigued by this bike. I currently own a 2020 Turbo Levo Comp which weighs a little over 50lbs and it's a hell of a workout if you dial the power way down or no power at all. How in the hell is 80lbs going to feel? I'm shocked it's so heavy.

Assuming the suspension is not crap, this bike is a bargain compared to the higher end Turbo Levo's but I'm guessing nowhere as capable off road.

I'm wondering if you get low on juice if it has the option to sit on the bike on the center stand and pedal to get some charge into the battery to get the range needed to get home.

 

[savethemanual]

I'm wondering if you get low on juice if it has the option to sit on the bike on the center stand and pedal to get some charge into the battery to get the range needed to get home.

That's a great idea, I'm sure it's something they could add with an update if it's not in the software already!

 

[Luvolbikes]

Will the charging network be called the ALSO RAN?
But seriously I don't find it unappealing at all. Take a look at most of the other ebikes available. Most are either bulky or gaudy or both. I own 4 ebikes that are the more standard Inexpensive brands averaging 1000 to 1500 dollars. 2 are folding bikes. One is like a traditional 10 speed in appearsnce. One is a heavy commuter bike (75 lbs).
If you're used to conventional bicycles you'll think the ALSO ebike is "ugly".
I am not familiar with the high dollar ebikes. So to me the Rivian design and function is innovative and impressive. The modular battery motor pack. The belt drive. The pedal by fly. The multiple programmed choices for gear ratios or no shift. The detachable pieces that allow for on and off road and child seat. The swing arm and fork suspensions with adjustable settings. Class 1 thru 3 ebike options.
I'm not surprised it weighs a heavy 80 lbs. You can carry a passenger and also perform well on off road courses.
I'm not in the market for a mid to high dollar ebike.
I'll stay with economy ebikes for my limited purpose of use. I'll buy an e motorcycle if I want true mc features since I have a motorcycle license.
But I am impressed with how smart the ALSO ebike design is . I hope they have a market that fits the multi use intent and price range.

 

[bigsky]

ebikes do look excellent as mobility alternatives to driving EV sometimes. They perhaps may not be fitness machines, so to speak. Maybe some day I will get one. For now, I still treasure my road bike with human-only propulsion. Cycling, racing that way is awesome.

 

[R1S88]

ebikes do look excellent as mobility alternatives to driving EV sometimes. They perhaps may not be fitness machines, so to speak. Maybe some day I will get one. For now, I still treasure my road bike with human-only propulsion. Cycling, racing that way is awesome.

You should try one as the advantage is it can be both - an alternative to driving or a fitness machine. Just turn down, or off, the assistance. Granted, e-bikes are heavier then regular bikes, but you can still dial in the fitness level you want. Some high-end e-bikes are relatively light...I have a 35 lb folding e-bike. but I also ordered the Also due to its innovative tech. I hear you though, that racing is best suited for a traditional bike.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

"The security features are compelling. It is essentially immobilized when parked, so you would have to throw (heave 80lb) into a truck, which would instantly alert the owner and you can track it by GPS. So not a useful thing to steal - though I'm sure it will happen from time to time."

And apparently there's a loud siren that blares too.

I really wish they would have made gear guard in a such a way that if the locking cable broke it would sound an alarm.

I don't want an Alarm to sound just because someone is locking their bike next to mine.

I do want an alarm to go off if a cable is broken.

I have looked into getting a bike lock with an alarm but they all seem to have bad ratings.

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