Honda Unveiled the RN0 Electric Mountain Bike with a 750 W Shimano Drive System

Honda presented its first production premium electric mountain bike, the RN0, at the EICMA 2026 exhibition in Milan, Italy. The Japanese corporation engineered the bicycle in collaboration with German high-end manufacturer ROTWILD, as reported by ua.news ua.newsua.newsua.newsOpen source ↗. The project builds upon Honda's motorcycle engineering experience, following its non-commercial RN01 downhill racing project that won the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in 2005.

Chassis and Suspension Setup

The RN0 is built around a carbon-fiber monocoque frame paired with a distinctive gull-arm rear swingarm. Total bike weight stands at approximately 24 kg. Front suspension is handled by a FOX 36 FLOAT Factory Kashima fork with 160 mm of travel, matched with a FOX FLOAT X Factory Kashima rear shock absorber. The chassis uses a mixed-wheel configuration with DT Swiss H1900 SPLINE wheels, featuring a 29-inch rim at the front and a 27.5-inch rim at the rear. Stopping power is provided by four-piston Shimano DEORE XT hydraulic disc brakes.

Powertrain and Control Electronics

The powertrain is built around a 2.3 kg Shimano mid-drive unit generating up to 750 W of peak power and 100 Nm of torque. Energy is supplied by an integrated 720 Wh battery. Electronic management includes the Shimano AUTO ASSIST system, which dynamically adjusts support levels based on terrain feedback and pedaling inputs, alongside AUTO SHIFT automated gear switching to preserve cadence. The Assist Carryover function briefly sustains drive torque after pedaling stops to maintain momentum over technical obstacles. A 2.2-inch color display is mounted flush in the top tube, complemented by a USB-C charging port, wireless configuration through a Shimano smartphone app, and electronic motor locking. Honda has not announced retail pricing for the model.