Revonte and Pässilä Bicycles Unveil A Titanium eMTB Prototype

Mar 29, 2023
by Revonte  

Press Release: Revonte

The Revonte ONE Drive System is an eBike drive system that places the electric motor and the gears inside compact mid-motor housing. Not only that, but the gears work in an automatic & stepless fashion! To show the capabilities of the drive system, we partnered with Pässilä Bicycles – another Finnish company – known for their progressive frames that are made of no other than titanium. With ingredients like this, the end result will be something not seen before. Some eagle-eyed readers might have seen a glimpse of the bike with the release of the Runtu frame.

If you want to learn more about the prototype bike, and the capabilities of the Revonte ONE Drive System, read on.
The Facts
• Frame: Pässilä eMTB Prototype
• Frame material: Grade 9 titanium alloy
• Drive system: Revonte ONE Drive System
• Shifting: Automatic & stepless
• Max continuous assistance power: 250W
• Max. torque: Plenty
• Gear range: Cadene-dependent
• Battery size: TBA
• Price and availability: TBA

Revonte X P ssil Bicycles eMTB Prototype

Doing It Differently
The Revonte ONE Drive System is the most versatile e-bike drive system with its capability to cater for the needs of all types of e-bikes, from commuters to heavy-duty cargo e-bikes – and everything in between. The mechanical design employed in the Revonte ONE Drive Unit is ingenious in its simplicity while offering unparalleled ride-characteristics. Partnering up with Pässilä Bicycles provided an opportunity to fine-tune our system for the unique needs posed by modern eMTB riding.


Pässilä Bicycles hails from Finland and has quickly established its position in the market with its titanium frames. Besides the gorgeous raw finish and sleek looks, Pässilä Bicycles lineup truly delivers when it comes to handling. and performance. The Finnish brand was one of the early adopters of modern mountain bike frame geometry, and arguably the first one to do it with titanium as the material of choice.

Revonte X P ssil Bicycles eMTB Prototype
Uncluttered cockpit. No routing through the headset taking place here.


Design Without Constraints
The fast-looking silhouette of the Pässilä Bicycles X Revonte ONE bike turns heads wherever it goes. The classic look granted by the slender, but still, supremely strong titanium tubing combined with the Revonte ONE Drive System with its simple and robust single-speed drivetrain creates a combination that the eMTB world hasn’t yet seen.

Adaptability was the name of the game in the design phase. Being able to try out as many configurations and components are the main goal of prototyping. Therefore, the frame was made compatible with a traditional chain as well as with an almost fully maintenance-free Gates carbon belt drive. Adjustable slider dropouts were used to keep the chain (or belt tension) in check as well as for being able to test out the effects of running different chainstay lengths.

Revonte ONE Drive Unit with the Gates carbon belt drive
A clean execution.The Gates carbon belt provides low-maintenance riding in all conditions.

These factors combined with the low-maintenance drivetrain create a bike that’s fun to ride – possibly more fun than anything else out there!

No Shifts Needed
Looks are one thing – even an important one – but performance on the trails is what matters the most. Continuing in the geometry front, a similar design philosophy was implemented as in the current lineup; stability at high speeds while maintaining manoeuvrability for tight switchbacks and technical sections.

The automatic& stepless gearing found in the Revonte ONE Drive System offers considerable benefits in all types of riding – including ripping the trails, whether the front tire is pointing up or down! The simplicity of being in the “right” gear all the time without the need for frequent shifter use can be described as liberating When coupled with modern frame geometry, and the lively ride-feel that titanium frames are known for, the ride experience is like no other.

Revonte ONE Drive Unit
The rear view of the Revonte ONE Drive Unit mounted on a titanium bracket.

The need for less rider input by removing the need for paddle pushes in order to switch gears is just one of the benefits that come with the Revonte ONE Drive System. Moving the gears from the rear wheel around the bottom bracket improves handling in a non-trivial manner. Since the motor and the gears reside inside the same housing, the added mass is located in the best place possible; low and centered. Thanks to this, the bike is easier to manoeuvre, while providing even more stability at speed!

An added benefit in running a single-speed drivetrain is the sound – or the lack of it to be more exact. When the rear wheel is positioned so that the chain is tensioned properly, tires gripping the trail and the suspension fork doing its thing are the only audible things sensed even in the rowdiest sections.

When and for How Much?
The most pressing questions are most likely when the bike is going to be available and for how much? As we are talking about a prototype and testing is still ongoing, there are a lot of moving bits and variables at play. Therefore, any concrete information related to availability or pricing can't be disclosed at the moment. However, what we can say is that were farther in the development than most would possibly anticipate.

Revonte X P ssil Bicycles eMTB Prototype
Looking fast, even while being still.

If you want to be the first to join the party, ditch the shifter paddle and enjoy some care-free riding, be sure to follow our social feeds and visit our homepage at Revonte.com for updates. For inquiries, please contact Pässilä Bicycles directly.

Author Info:
Revonte avatar

Member since Feb 19, 2019
7 articles

74 Comments
  • 66 1
 looks like a $20k filing cabinet Smile
  • 10 2
 dental filings cabinet?
  • 3 0
 They are taking the Pass
  • 14 1
 I thought it looks like an ironclad civil war era battleship, in a bad way.
  • 2 0
 Ain't no planetary gears in my filing cabinet, but OK... Hello Leo, please put the RODU in a Pole and do what you do. And it's silent. This Bliss Index goes to 11!
  • 4 5
 It's a pity. Without motor it could have looked like a bike.
  • 43 0
 transmission and motor in one unit - this is the future for ebikes - I've been waiting for this for years - surprised its taken this long and a big manufacturer hadn't taken the lead.
  • 7 0
 @rjmogul Funny how the elephant in the room has got no attention...but then again who actually reads the articles lol.
Field Test asap please!
  • 2 0
 Everything about this looks fantastic, including the geo, and suitability to riding in the shit. Would love one, but not in titanium. Their normal ti frame is £2K, so would expect £3.5-4K for this. Someone must be able to do a alu or steel version for £2K?
  • 1 0
 Conti had a motor on the way but stopped it. There are also others on the way to bring stuff like this. for example valeo.
  • 1 0
 @Zany2410: yeah, valeo and intradrive
  • 3 0
 There are some more brands offering gear box motors, meanwhile, they just didn't make it into the market in bigger numbers, yet:

Intradrive (UK), Revonte (Finland), Valeo, Decathlon & Kervelo (all 3 France) and Okawa (China).

Expect to see way more of these, first in commuter bikes,
For eMTBs they have to get way lighter IMO.
  • 4 0
 @one38: Copy that - relatively early days for eMTB let alone an integrated CVT transmission. Gotta start somewhere.

Looking forward to an industry review and the chance to actually ride a bike with the One Drive System. Sea Otter?

Motor noise and feel are the metrics IMO, weight reduction to follow - battery tech will help offset motor/transmission weight, for now. My 52lb/23.5kg Quinney style dual crown mullet Kenevo works just fine, but ya a 45lb/20.5kg full fat eeb with no derailleur would be quite something.

Re the bike - the Passila oozes Cyber Truck presence, no doubt.
  • 21 1
 This looks like the product of a good understanding of the market, because it sure seems like there's quite a lot of overlap between "old enough to want an ebike" and "old enough to think titanium bikes are cool."
  • 8 4
 Man, that hits pretty close to home, good thing I’m still hanging on to pedalling my way up (or still in denial about needing an e-bike)
  • 25 0
 More likely "old enough to reasonably afford a titanium bike". Ti bikes are cool no matter how old you are!
  • 2 0
 Sold enough Fuji 9 to buy a ti ebike
  • 1 0
 truth hurts. Need some Tums.
  • 1 0
 I wasn't ready to be attacked this morning lol.
  • 1 0
 @EvilBun: check out waltlytitanium.com they'll whip you up a wicked ti frame to your spec for about $1000.
  • 1 0
 @alexsin: I had them make me an aggro hard tail. Its held up very well over the years and is tons of fun.
  • 12 0
 Keep them comments coming PB community! . Based on all the love, we’re on to something with this prototype. Our absolute favourite so far is @Brave1i1toaster’s comment: ”It has the silhouette of a pregnant cat.” @Brave1i1toaster email us info@passilabicycles.com and we’ll send you a T-shirt!
  • 4 0
 We might throw in a cap or a t-shirt as well for a good measure!
  • 1 0
 For what serves the 4th tube (cable housing) on the handlebar if transmission is automatic?
  • 1 0
 Is it engine controller?
  • 1 0
 @fluider: Yes, indeed.
  • 15 5
 Pinkbike commenters: FFS If you are going to make a motor it needs to have a gearbox inside
Revonte/Passila: Ok here is our new E-Bike with a motor/gearbox combo
PinkBike Commenters: Dear god that is ugly, burn it before it multiplies
  • 5 0
 Go Revonte! That's some real progress and innovation! It took a while to launch their product in the (e)MTB segment and I hope this will make the big ones worry (and that Revonte will not be swallowed by the likes of bosch, shimano, yamaha... that tend to keep in their comfort zones of "innovation").
  • 13 6
 So sad that a company known for building beautiful hardtails is responsible for creating something so ugly.
  • 8 1
 I heard Your dad essentially said that to your mum when you were created
  • 5 1
 @enduroNZ: Yeah, but at least I know who my dad is.
  • 1 0
 @commental: yeah, my dad’s boyfriend Wink
  • 5 1
 I have two planetary CVTs sitting in my shop right now...connected to a combine harvester for variable speed feeding and threshing. They have been in that application since 2003 at least. With electrics showing up on analog bikes, there is no reason that a transmission like this couldn't be implemented on a non Ebike.
  • 1 0
 The lack of efficiency is a killer though!
  • 5 0
 I have an ebike I have a steel hardtail too And this thing making my pants a bit toight! Totally a unnecessary bike but I want one bad
  • 2 0
 you can just throw a CYC mid drive kit to your hardtail and have all the power!
  • 3 0
 As per usual. The knuckle draggers of the Buy/Sell section think they are in control and drop a slew of sophomoric comments. Others see what just happened. Downvote this please. It deserves to be preserved in the Tier 1 section.
  • 2 0
 Take the motor out of it, this could revolutionize drivetrains in general, If they could get the gear ratios right, this system could overcome the hinderances of current gear boxes, such as, weight, complexity, and the inability to shift under load. Super interesting stuff.
  • 2 0
 I had the same drivetrain idea a while back and was mightily disappointed to find the patents. This looks so good! I am so excited for the derailleur to be put out to pasture. Keep up the great work and make it happen!
  • 4 0
 The eye of the beholder, I suppose. I'd ride the it if/when the time comes that I need an eBike.
  • 2 1
 Wait wait wait, this combines 2 things that are mutually exclusive of each other and hate eachother. Ti hardtails (you know it's single speed) and ebikes are 2 completely different markets
  • 4 0
 I own a ti hardtail single speed and a Spesh Kenevo! Don’t put us in a box bro!
  • 1 0
 @Cambot: but would you ride a titanium hardtail eBike, bro?
  • 1 0
 @therealnobody: No, I would not ride this bike lol. I just wanted to make a point, many e-bikers are just ride obsessed and riding these things now for big recovery days. I love the e-bike after a few big muscle powered rides.
  • 1 0
 Who wrote this copy?? it's all marketing fluff ffs... Cool idea neat execution...props for doing something different hopefully well...
Maybe less marketing/promotional hype to describe it next time....
  • 1 0
 looks like shimano motor, will it fit on my VLT.. joking. this actually looks sick.. chop chop and get a price so i can put it on my wish list.
  • 4 1
 the downtube looks like an ironing board
  • 15 2
 It has the silhouette of a pregnant cat.
  • 2 0
 I’m somehow getting leaf blower vibes
  • 4 1
 Ay I ain't no e-bike hoe but I can still appreciate a beautiful bike
  • 2 0
 That cadene-dependent gear range sounds totally unique. Cool and all for Cadenians, but what about the rest of us?
  • 1 0
 *puts down the T-handles from building up a Ti Hardtail*


guys, this joke about middle aged men and Titanium bikes is not true and hurtful!!!!
  • 1 0
 It’s awesome beautiful and I definitely enjoy this, love motorcycles too much to invest in techno jewelry , really enjoy the e-bikes but…..
  • 2 0
 "Oh yes I want a hardtail EMTB, because I want to cruise to the top and then suffer on the way back down" #saidNoOneEver
  • 3 0
 no one gonna talk about that downtube? dammmmn he thick
  • 1 0
 Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
  • 1 0
 Interesting, but not sure why you would want 200nm of torque with a titanium frame if they were going for a lightweight rig.
  • 2 0
 I would tap that any day of the week
  • 1 0
 M6? No, M10x1.0? Hmm, maybe M8? Surely it's bigger than M5?
  • 1 0
 It might be fatter than its target audience(boomers), but its cool that its Titanium.
  • 1 0
 I almost spit out my coffee when I saw that pic. FFS
  • 4 3
 This is getting a little silly
  • 2 1
 Think I'll Páss on this one...
  • 1 0
 I think I could retrofit that motor into my Merlin!
  • 1 0
 They want to call it the Revolte
  • 2 3
 The forever Broped, that your (overweight) great grandchildren can ride to In-N-Out 100 years from now
  • 2 3
 ABOMINATION
  • 6 8
 Ebike Filter not working
  • 10 2
 @lukeno I call BS on that, just enabled the filter and this article went away...it works fine. Looks to be user related.
  • 2 1
 @lukeno1 PS: Go to Username - Profile - Edit Profile - News Settings - eMTB - Save.

You're good to go!
  • 2 2
 @lukeno1 yeah calm down bro
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