Car manufacturers have a pretty dire track record when it comes to bicycle design. Their efforts are often overweight, fitted with indifferent components and outrageously priced.
Honda RN01
One honourable exception is Honda with the RN-01 which has to be one of the most dribble-inducing machines ever made.
Honda began by making motorcycles and after a reasonable amount of success in the motor trade they made their very first foray into the bicycle world in 2004 by forming Team G-Cross Honda.
The team signed Greg Minnaar, the 2003 world downhill champion, as the lead rider for their assault on world class downhill races. They brought an F1 level of detail to the proceedings and a budget that ran into the millions.
The bike they used was specially developed by Honda’s motorcycle R&D engineers. The R stood for Racing and the N stood for Natural Force. The 01 signified that it was Honda’s very 1st bike. Every component was custom built. Showa was responsible for the unique suspension, but the main point of interest was the Honda gearbox which was one of the very first on a mountain bike.
RN01 gearbox
The Honda team guarded their secrets zealously. The box was removed and placed in a case after every run and screens were erected around the machine when servicing took place. Not much has since been revealed about the design, it hasn’t emerged elsewhere, but it’s known that by placing the freewheel in the bottom bracket the riders were able to change gear without pedaling.
The RN01 at work
The Honda team had a successful run with over 20 international wins until the plug was pulled in 2007. It was cited that plans for production would never be profitable so there was no more reason to race.
What became of the bikes themselves? As they were prototypes they followed the motor industry protocol of being crushed for liability reasons. As far as we know a couple were gifted to riders, a stolen frame washed up on Ebay minus all the cool components and that’s about it.
Honda is still sitting on the technology they developed. Quel dommage.
