Summary
Honda unveiled the RN0 at EICMA 2026 as its first high-end electric-assist mountain bike. Developed with German manufacturer ROTWILD, it pairs a carbon monocoque frame with a Shimano drive unit rated for 100Nm of torque and a 720Wh battery.
Honda unveiled the RN0 at EICMA 2026 in Milan on November 3, describing it as its first high-end electric-assist mountain bike. Developed jointly with German e-MTB maker ROTWILD, the bike combines a motorcycle-influenced chassis with a Shimano electric drive system. Honda lists its approximate weight as 24kg.
A chassis designed for all-mountain riding
The RN0’s main structural features are a proprietary carbon monocoque frame and a gull-arm swingarm. Honda says the layout, extending from the head tube to the rear axle, is intended to provide rigidity and feedback from the riding surface. The frame is also designed to flex slightly, which Honda says helps maintain tyre contact during cornering while supporting stability and control across different surfaces.
The rear suspension uses a single-pivot swingarm with a linkage system. Honda describes it as a way to limit unwanted suspension movement while pedalling and still respond to impacts. The bike is offered in S, M and L frame sizes, with geometry developed with ROTWILD for all-mountain riding, including steep climbs and descents.
The specified front suspension is a FOX 36 FLOAT Factory Kashima fork with 160mm of travel, paired with a FOX FLOAT X Factory Kashima rear shock. DT Swiss H1900 SPLINE wheels use a mullet setup: a 29-inch wheel at the front and a 27.5-inch wheel at the rear. Honda says this combination is intended to balance stability and agility. The bike also has Schwalbe Albert EVO Trail tyres and SHIMANO DEORE XT four-piston disc brakes.
Shimano drive, automatic functions and controls
The RN0 uses a new Shimano drive unit that weighs 2.3kg and is rated for maximum torque of 100Nm and maximum output of 750W. It is paired with a 720Wh battery. Honda says the system provides assistance across conditions ranging from steep climbs to high-speed trails.
Three electronic functions shape how that assistance works. AUTO ASSIST adjusts assistance according to the terrain gradient and the rider’s pedalling effort. AUTO SHIFT changes gears to maintain a suitable cadence—the rate of pedal revolutions per minute. Assist Carryover keeps drive power going briefly after pedalling stops, which Honda says can help the bike maintain momentum over obstacles.
A 2.2-inch colour display integrated into the top tube shows information including speed, remaining range and assist mode. Its USB-C port supports device charging, while integration with the Shimano app allows riders to adjust drive settings and lock or unlock the bike’s electronic systems.
Honda places the RN0 in a longer history of bicycle-related development: the company says it began researching mountain bikes in the 2000s and that its RN01 won the overall series championship in the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in 2005. The RN0 brings that work into the high-end electric-assist category through a collaboration that combines Honda’s motorcycle development experience with ROTWILD’s mountain-bike expertise.