Why Also’s Rivian-Backed E-Bike Signals a Digital Transport Shift
Traditional bike makers see e-bikes as upgraded bicycles, but Also, a Rivian spin-off, is redefining the category with a $305 million bet on software-led design. Their $4,500 TM-B model replaces mechanical parts with digital systems, turning analog pedaling into a computerized input that controls motor assistance. This shift matters because it changes how urban transportation can scale and integrate.
“Bikes as transportation, not toys” is Also’s mantra, blending vehicle-grade battery tech from Rivian and over-the-air software updates akin to Tesla and Apple devices. The TM-B challenges the assumption that e-bikes rely on hardware upgrades alone and instead uses digital feedback loops to tailor ride experience dynamically, an advantage most competitors — like Rad Power Bikes or VanMoof — have not fully embraced.
Conventional e-bike wisdom misses the digital pivot
Many analysts view e-bike competition as hardware races on battery size, motor power, or frame design. This misses Also’s leverage: its TM-B’s “DreamRide” system decouples pedaling from a chain and moves to a “pedal-by-wire” system. This digitization creates a platform for continuous improvement through software updates, reducing need for costly hardware recalls or replacements.
It’s a constraint repositioning play similar to how OpenAI scaled user growth by software iteration rather than hardware investment. Also sidesteps pandemic-era inventory glut problems faced by established players, signaling a shift from supply-driven to software-driven growth in transportation.
Software-defined control extends to form factor flexibility
Also’s modular design lets users swap “top frames” for different seat sizes or cargo racks with mechanical locks and electrical connections. Unlike typical bikes, which require new purchases or upgrades to change capacity, the TM-B turns customization into an intuitive, digitally managed process that works at scale.
While Rad Power Bikes and VanMoof struggled with excess inventory and rigid models, Also leverages platform design to reduce friction for users and simplify manufacturing complexity, illustrating a system-level advantage in a fragmented market.
Urban speed and safety are digital leverage points
The TM-B’s Class 3 rating lets it reach speeds up to 28 mph, matching New York City’s urban car speed limits without the licensing or emissions overhead. Its digital controls include pedal-haptic feedback and over-the-air sound system tweaks, paralleling recent industry moves in electric automotives to blend safety signals with software customization.
This aligns with the trend outlined in Tesla’s digital safety innovations, indicating transportation leverage increasingly depends on real-time software control, not just physical speed or power.
Who wins the new constraint game in urban mobility
Also’s real leverage emerges by viewing e-bikes as software-defined, digitally upgradable transport platforms. This flips the core constraint from hardware manufacturing to software iteration, enabling rapid feature rollout and personalized riding experiences. Urban markets like New York City demand nimble, interoperable vehicles—something legacy manufacturers can’t retrofit quickly.
For operators, this means moving beyond traditional hardware cycles and embracing digital system design to unlock compounding advantages in mobility. The TM-B is not just a bike; it’s an early glimpse of bikes as continuously evolving software platforms. As prices for cars soar past $25,000 pre-owned and $50,000 new, the case for premium, flexible e-bikes will accelerate.
“Digitized vehicles demand software-first system design to truly replace cars, not just augment bikes.”
See also why U.S equities rose despite rate concerns and how Wall Street’s tech selloff reveals profit lock-in constraints. Both speak to the shifting constraints in digital markets that shape mobility’s future.
Related Tools & Resources
As the shift in urban transportation leans towards software-driven solutions, the need for effective communication with potential riders becomes essential. Platforms like Brevo can streamline your marketing automation, ensuring that your e-bike offers reach the right audience. Embrace this trend and leverage technology to enhance your outreach and customer relationships. Learn more about Brevo →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Also's TM-B e-bike different from traditional e-bikes?
Also's TM-B replaces conventional mechanical parts with digital systems, featuring a software-led design and a "pedal-by-wire" system that turns pedaling into computerized input controlling motor assistance. This allows continuous software updates and a tailored riding experience not common in many e-bikes.
How fast can the TM-B e-bike go, and what class rating does it have?
The TM-B e-bike has a Class 3 rating and can reach speeds up to 28 mph, matching urban car speed limits in cities like New York without requiring licensing or creating emissions.
How does Also leverage software to improve the e-bike experience?
Also uses over-the-air software updates and digital feedback loops via its DreamRide system, enabling dynamic adjustment of ride experience and reducing hardware recalls or replacements. This software-first approach differentiates it from competitors focused primarily on hardware.
What is the significance of Also's modular design in the TM-B?
The TM-B features a modular design allowing users to swap top frames for varied seat sizes or cargo racks with mechanical locks and electrical connections, converting customization into a digitally managed process that scales efficiently.
How does Also's approach compare to competitors like Rad Power Bikes or VanMoof?
Unlike Rad Power Bikes and VanMoof, which have struggled with inventory and rigid models, Also leverages software and modular platform design to reduce friction in manufacturing and offer a flexible, upgradable product that adapts over time.
Why does Also view e-bikes as software-defined transport platforms?
Also believes e-bikes should be digital transport platforms continuously upgraded via software, shifting focus from hardware manufacturing to software iterations. This enables rapid feature rollouts and personalized rides, addressing urban mobility demands more effectively.
What role does Rivian play in Also's e-bike development?
Rivian provides vehicle-grade battery technology to Also, supporting its software-led e-bike design. Also is a Rivian spin-off with a $305 million investment backing the development of the TM-B model.
How does the TM-B contribute to urban transportation trends?
The TM-B's speed, safety features, and software control align with trends toward digitized urban mobility systems, offering an interoperable, software-driven solution that could scale better than traditional hardware-based bikes.