Exploring Rivian's Bold Bet on $4,500 Electric Bikes

Before RJ Scaringe brought Rivian, a company focused on adventurous electric vehicles (EVs), into existence, he had a fascination with a different mode of transport—bikes, but not in the traditional sense. His vision encompassed pedal-powered hybrid minicars and alternative transport solutions. This was roughly three years prior to Rivian's inception and more than a decade before the company's emergence from obscurity. Eventually, Scaringe concluded that the market for such vehicles was too narrow, appealing mostly to enthusiasts much like himself.

A Missed Opportunity?

Yet, the idea of a Rivian-branded microcar was intriguing. "It would've been spectacular," Scaringe noted in a conversation with The Verge. That concept may have been shelved, but the ambition behind it—to innovate sustainable and adventurous mobility options—endured.

Emergence of Also: A New Chapter

Fast forward to four years ago, Scaringe contacted Chris Yu, the former Chief Technology Officer at Specialized, to collaborate on exploring pedal-driven transportation innovations. This partnership led to the birth of 'Also', a company that introduced a lineup of cutting-edge products, including an adaptable e-bike, a pedal-driven four-wheeler, and a groundbreaking helmet that significantly reduces head injury risk during crashes.

Rivian, confronting a decline in EV sales following the lapse of a $7,500 federal credit, finds itself in uncertain times. With the critical launch of its R2 model on the horizon, Rivian faces financial challenges. It has yet to see profitability and is bracing for a contracting EV market. Is venturing into the e-bike realm a prudent move under these conditions?

The Bold Launch: Also's Debut

Nevertheless, the initiative holds potential. Also is well-financed and has attracted talent from notable companies such as Apple and Tesla. Unlike others, it is fully integrated like Rivian, potentially offering cost advantages. But the strategy stretches beyond e-bikes; the aim is to explore various small-scale mobility solutions.

Scaringe emphasized, 'Our focus is on diverse sub-car form factors. We approached the e-bike from fundamental principles to redefine it entirely—a foundation for future innovations.' Although Rivian’s e-bike images haven't surfaced, insiders suggest it is unlike any other. Having examined countless e-bikes over the years, from bulbous tires to folding models, the uniqueness of this bike is noteworthy.

The Unique TM-B Model

The TM-B model, shorthand for 'transcendent mobility bike', defies easy definitions. It features a convertible frame that allows swapping between seat types, be it a standard seat, utility with an additional rack, or a bench-style reminiscent of a motorbike. Remarkably, the electronically attached seat post permits easy release through screen settings. Chris Yu, who transitioned from Specialized to President of Also, boasts that seat switching takes mere seconds.

Central to its engineering is the 'Dream Ride', a futuristic mid-drive apparatus with elegant curves and a semi-transparent purple chassis. A departure from conventional e-bike propulsion, this innovative pedal-by-wire system dispenses with the direct mechanical link between rider input and wheel motion. The cyclist powers a generator motor attached to the crank, thereby charging the battery; movement is driven through a separate motor at the bike’s rear via a software-enabled Gates Carbon belt.

Breaking Tradition: Reinventing the Drivetrain

Historically, bike drivetrains channel pedal power mechanically from crankset to rear wheel, a standard persisting over a century. The pedal-by-wire system, however, revolutionizes this by removing those conventions entirely. Also’s application of this forward-thinking technology seeks to modernize traditional bike architecture, appealing to cycling veterans and beginners alike.

Also's design offers simplicity—no gear shifting, only adjustable resistance—and remarkable assistance power, supporting up to ten times rider input and delivering significant torque for heavy loads and steep climbs. Users can choose a fixed-ratio feeling, akin to traditional mountain biking, facilitated by software that seamlessly executes gear transitions.

Advanced Features and User Interaction

The TM-B’s removable battery comes in two sizes: a 538Wh variant supporting around 60 miles and an 808Wh option for up to 100 miles. Conveniently chargeable to 80 percent within a couple of hours, it also includes USB-C PD ports offering substantial power bi-directional output. Furthermore, an E Ink display provides energy-saving charge status updates.

User Experience and Technology Integration

Through an in-house developed 'zonal' architecture, interacting with the TM-B becomes a seamless experience. The bike can act as a personal digital device, unlocking upon proximity with a paired phone and adjusting to saved user settings. Profiles link with its modular frame, auto-configuring settings based on changes. A robust anti-theft mechanism secures it when the user departs.

Display and controls are intuitive—a five-inch circular touchscreen on the headset relays navigation, power status, and assistance levels. Integration allows media control via a handlebar-mounted button, enhancing rider convenience without jeopardizing safety.

Looking Ahead: Also's Broader Vision

As a premiere class 3 e-bike, the TM-B reaches speeds up to 28 mph and features comprehensive suspension to manage urban challenges. Yu describes additional models under the Also banner, such as the TM-Q, a pedal-assisted four-wheeler, intended for both commercial and personal applications. Filling urban landscapes, this model rivals battery-powered cargo systems by virtue of its adaptability.

Additionally, a newly introduced helmet promises enhanced safety, incorporating Release Layer System technology to markedly reduce head trauma risks in collisions. Integrating lights, microphones, and speakers, this helmet empowers riders to maintain connectivity without sacrificing safety.

Introductions to market like the TM-B, priced at $4,500 for its initial release, invite questions of necessity within a competitive market. Yet, Rivian's objective, Scaringe elaborates, is to revolutionize micromobility, pivoting from fragmented attempts to robust mainstream endeavors.