ALSO TM-B e-bike fails to recognize battery after drain — SkimNews
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- ALSO TM-B uses a pedal-by-wire drivetrain that eliminates mechanical connections between pedals and rear wheel, relying entirely on electrical signals to simulate gearing and deliver power
- Aaron Draczynski deliberately drained his ALSO TM-B’s battery to test its low-power behavior, observing progressive reduction in assist levels from Level 8 to Level 1 as charge dropped from 31% to 4%
- ALSO TM-B entered a state dubbed 'Infinite Turtle Mode' at 4% charge, where rider pedaling generates electricity to turn the rear wheel without drawing from the battery
- Aaron Draczynski found Infinite Turtle Mode functional on flat ground—comparable to riding a regular bike in fourth gear—but extremely difficult on inclines, equivalent to being stuck in seventh or eighth gear
- ALSO TM-B exhibited uncommanded gear shifts in manual mode near battery depletion and disabled electronic shifting entirely in Infinite Turtle Mode, leaving no option to select easier virtual gears
- Aaron Draczynski reported his ALSO TM-B lost 52 percentage points of charge over two days while idle in his garage, eventually failing to recognize its installed battery and requiring a physical reset to restore function
Why it matters: For riders relying on the ALSO TM-B in remote or hilly areas, the bike’s failure to revert to a true mechanical drivetrain at low battery creates real mobility risks, while unexpected drain and system lockups suggest firmware flaws that could delay broader adoption of drive-by-wire e-bikes despite their innovative design.
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