Honda enters electric mountain bike market with RN0 model

Honda has announced its entry into the premium electric mountain bike (e-MTB) market with the unveiling of the RN0 at EICMA 2026. Developed in collaboration with German premium e-MTB manufacturer ROTWILD and component specialist Shimano, the RN0 is a strategic move to target the European market, which is the world’s largest for e-MTBs.

The RN0 features a proprietary carbon fiber monocoque frame combined with a unique gull-wing swingarm inspired by Honda’s motorcycle chassis engineering. This design aims to balance pedaling efficiency with stability and cornering performance on rough terrain. The bike weighs approximately 23.5 kg and utilizes a Shimano drive unit capable of 100 Nm of torque and 750W of output, paired with a 720Wh battery.

Technical specifications include FOX Factory Kashima suspension, DT Swiss H1900 wheels in a mullet configuration (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear), and a Shimano Deore XT Di2 12-speed electronic shifting system. The model serves as a modern successor to Honda’s early 2000s downhill racing project, the RN01.