Honda is reentering mountain bikes with the RN0 E-bike, featuring a Shimano EP8 motor that delivers 100 Nm of torque and 750 W of peak power, Pinkbike reported. Developed alongside Rotwild Bikes, the carbon monocoque frame uses a single-pivot suspension design yielding 145mm of rear travel.
The Bottom Line
- Power Metrics: The new unannounced Shimano EP8 motor scales peak power to 750 W while shedding 300 grams compared to previous generations.
- Chassis Architecture: Built with a motorcycle-inspired carbon monocoque frame, the setup employs mixed wheels (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear) and a 65-degree head tube angle.
- Component Integration: The system incorporates a 720 Wh external battery from the underside of the downtube, powering an electronic XT Di2 12-speed derailleur.
Honda Adopts New Shimano Motor for E-Bike
While Honda holds status as the world’s largest manufacturer of combustion engines, the RN0 E-bike eschews proprietary propulsion in favor of an all-new, unannounced Shimano motor. The power unit produces 100 Nm of torque, marking a 15 Nm increase over older iterations, though it falls short of competing units such as the Avinox motor at 150 Nm and the Bosch CX at 120 Nm. Peak power climbs substantially to 750 W, up from the previous 500 W limit.
Chassis Architecture Replicates Racing Program Design Cues
The chassis relies on a monocoque front triangle paired with a Gullarm swingarm, mirroring design cues from Honda’s historical RN01 downhill racing program. According to Honda, the structure is engineered to reduce lateral stiffness for improved cornering while raising vertical stiffness to improve braking performance and stability. The single-pivot layout manages 145mm of rear wheel travel, complemented by a 160mm fork. Frame geometry spans three sizes (S, M, L) featuring a size Large reach of 480mm and a consistent 442mm chainstay length across all builds. An oversize head tube allows for a plus-or-minus 0.6-degree adjustment to the head angle and a plus-or-minus 5mm shift in reach.
Power Delivery and Ancillary Hardware
Energy storage relies on a 720 Wh battery operating at 43.2V, utilizing a Swing-In fitment design that permits external removal from the downtube’s underside. The electrical architecture integrates directly with an electronic XT Di2 12-speed derailleur, supporting automated shifting functions such as Auto Assist and Auto Shift. Rider interface hardware matches competitors through a 2.2-inch full-color display equipped with a USB-C charging port and Bluetooth connectivity for the Shimano Connect app. Global pricing, distribution channels, and specific build kit availability remain undisclosed by the manufacturer.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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