The Rivian Connection: Status, Speed, and the "Also" Experiment

The Rivian Connection: Status, Speed, and the "Also" Experiment

Owning a Rivian isn't just about driving an electric truck; it’s about signaling a specific kind of modern prestige. It’s the rugged luxury of the outdoors meets the clean aesthetic of Silicon Valley. So, when Rivian quietly spun off its micromobility brand, simply named Also, the tech world leaned in. If Rivian could make a 7,000-pound truck feel like a sports car, what could they do with two wheels?

The answer is the TM-B, an e-bike that feels less like a bicycle and more like a high-performance computer you happen to sit on. Led by Chris Yu—a Stanford aeronautics PhD and the former CTO of Specialized—Also isn't interested in making another "me too" commuter bike. They are swinging for the fences. But as we approach the holiday season, the question for any potential gift-buyer is simple: Is this the ultimate tech gift, or a very expensive promise that might not arrive?

Digital Soul: Why Pedal-by-Wire and Dream Ride Matter

The TM-B is packed with features that sound like they belong in a fighter jet. The standout is the series hybrid pedal-by-wire system. For those of us who aren't aeronautics engineers, here is what that actually means: there is no mechanical link, like a traditional chain or belt, directly turning the rear wheel when you pedal. Instead, your pedaling turns a generator that sends a digital signal to the motor.

Why does this matter? On a normal bike, you feel every clink of the chain and every jerky gear shift. With pedal-by-wire, the "ride feel" is entirely software-defined. It’s eerily smooth. It allows the bike to provide the perfect amount of resistance and assistance regardless of what hill you are climbing. You aren't fighting a mechanical system; you’re collaborating with an algorithm.

This ties directly into their Dream Ride software. This isn't just a glorified fitness app that tracks your calories. Dream Ride acts as the bike's brain, constantly adjusting the power delivery based on your cadence and the terrain. It can make a steep incline feel like a flat road or give you a workout if it senses you’re looking for one. It effectively turns the bike into a living, breathing extension of the rider. Add in the USB-C chargeable battery—finally, an e-bike you can charge with your MacBook brick—and a modular frame that lets you swap out the top bar for different aesthetics, and you have a piece of hardware that is undeniably cool.