Honda is turning its mountain bike concept into a commercial project: The Japanese company plans to launch an e-MTB in 2027. Anyone who thinks only of motorcycles is overlooking a remarkable chapter in biking history—featuring Greg Minnaar, World Cup victories, and an unusual transmission.

There are products that are so unique that they burn themselves into the collective consciousness of the mountain bike community. The bright yellow Gravity wheelset - aka Deemax - from Mavic is indelible in this memory. Honda's commitment is also downright legendary: when the Japanese build a mountain bike, the engineers go all out, and the new e-bike is no different. And with Kästle, a - very old - acquaintance rolls back into the studded tire limelight.