Centurion No Pogo SL with Bosch SX: New light e-bike for all situations
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 10.11.2023
There is probably no other current mountain bike that can boast such a long product history as the No Pogo from Centurion. The No Pogo has only been known as an e-bike for a relatively short time: the full-suspension bike first came onto the market in 1996, without a motor of course. In 1997, it was named "Bike of the Year" in BIKE magazine, making it one of the most popular bikes of its kind. Now the latest upgrade is ready: The No Pogo SL.
The name suggests it: After the last No Pogos rolled off the production line exclusively with an electric motor, the latest offspring of the German brand is now a light e-MTB. Instead of an extreme design, the bike with Bosch's Performance SX and moderate geometry focuses on a wide range of applications and a similar target group. The No Pogo SL comes with features that we have never seen on light eMTBs before. And these could prove their worth in the everyday lives of many bikers.
The facts about the Centurion No Pogo SL
- Motor: Bosch Performance SX
- Battery: Bosch Compact Tube 400, permanently installed
- Full carbon frame
- Suspension travel: 150/145 mm (front/rear)
- Wheel size: MX-Mix, 29 inch front, 27.5 rear
- Weight: 18.9 kg (R8000i in size L, measured in the EMTB lab, without pedals)
- Permissible total weight: 140 kg
- Two equipment variants for 7999 and 9999 euros
The No Pogo SL is designed to be sportier than the classic e-mountainbikes from Centurion, but not too extreme. A true all-mountain bike that can handle everything from relaxed tours to easy trail and enduro missions. Thanks to its moderate geometry, it should have a neutral ride and be easy to manoeuvre even when riding at a leisurely pace. The bike offers 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the fork and 145 at the rear. It also relies on a mullet set-up with a large 29er front wheel and 27.5-inch rear wheel. The smaller rear wheel should make the bike more manoeuvrable, enable short chainstays and also allow a better wheel lift curve.
With a carbon frame to the record
However, the Centurion No Pogo SL is unlikely to become a real people's bike. This is because the cheaper of the two models costs a whopping 7999 euros. At 9999 euros, the top model is even the most expensive bike Centurion has ever built. The first reason is easy to find: For the first time, the Swabians are building an e-MTB with a carbon frame. And they're doing it right, because not only the main frame but also the rear triangle are made of carbon fibre.
The e-drive: No Pogo SL with Bosch SX
As the majority of classic No Pogos also run on Bosch motors (Test of the No Pogo E 3600), it comes as no surprise that the SL version is powered by the lightweight Schwaben Performance SX engine. Already with Bosch provided us with a No Pogo SL for our big test to introduce the Performance SX - At that time, however, it was still far from series production, without paintwork and without a name. The Bosch Light motor has a very high maximum output, which according to Bosch is 600 watts, the same level as the Bosch CX. However, this punch is only released at extremely high pedalling frequencies and only for a short time. The power delivery is very dynamic, which should give sporty bikers a lot of pleasure. When pedalling slowly, the motor pushes at a more leisurely pace. It is then also pleasantly quiet and barely audible.
But back to the production bike. Centurion installs the battery, a Compact Tube 400, firmly in the down tube. This is intended to save weight and at the same time maintain rigidity. If something should happen to the battery, it can of course be removed. However, the motor must be removed for this. So this is nothing for everyday charging or changing the battery.
The battery can only be charged on the bike. If the 400 watt hours are not enough for you, you can use the range extender (Power More 250) from Bosch to increase this by over 50 per cent. The additional battery can be clicked onto a special holder on the down tube and is connected to the charging port via a cable. In addition to the Power More 250, a water bottle fits into the frame triangle. This is only the case with a few bikes in this class.
Centurion has opted for a combination of wireless mini-remote and LED display in the system controller for the No Pogo SL. The Swabians have dispensed with a display in favour of a tidy cockpit. If you need more information, navigation or riding data, you can upgrade with a Kiox 300 or a GPS computer of your choice. However, data from the Bosch system cannot be displayed via Garmin and Co.
Attention to detail: a light e-bike full of gimmicks
Most light e-MTBs are on the hunt for records. They want to be as light as possible or as fast as possible downhill. The Centurion No Pogo SL is different. It doesn't want to appeal with extremes, but with its carefree attitude and features that make everyday biking easier. This is a rarity in the light category. It starts with a permanently installed front light that is powered by the main battery. There is also a battery-powered clip-on light for the rear as standard. Another typical Centurion feature is a high weight rating of up to 140 kilos.
What's more, the Swabians have dedicated their Light-E-MTB to backpack-free riding. In addition to the optional range extender, a water bottle fits into the frame triangle. There is also a third attachment point for a tool holder, which can be used to hold a spare inner tube, for example. A mini pump or other tools can also be attached to the bottle cage supplied.
The geometry of the Centurion No Pogo SL
You will look in vain for extreme values in the entire geometry table of the No Pogo SL. The wheelbase of 1241 mm in size L is moderate for a bike in this suspension travel class, as is the steering angle of 65.5 degrees. This should give the No Pogo SL manoeuvrable handling. This also applies to the chainstays. At 445 mm, they are rather short in an e-bike comparison, but other light e-MTBs take an even more radical approach here for more playfulness. On the other hand, the No Pogo SL should remain light and predictable in handling. Centurion takes a similar middle course with the specifications. Robust enough for demanding terrain and high durability - but not too extreme to maintain light-footed handling.
On test: The top model Centurion No Pogo SL R8000i
If you have the all-round orientation of the No Pogo SL in mind, you will be surprised on the trail. Off-road, the No Pogo SL is sporty and direct. The riding position is pleasantly balanced and places the rider in the centre of the bike. When setting off, the handling is lively and direct, and the bike responds to impulses unfiltered. As long as the surface is not too rough, this gives the bike a really fun feel. It's easy to push through bumps, shoo around tight bends and pull into the air to jump. The rear suspension provides plenty of support and the moderate geometry gives the bike its manoeuvrability.
This also applies uphill. The powerful motor and good geometry are pleasing and make even steep climbs easy. The stable rear suspension keeps the rider centred on the bike. However, the rear wheel cannot generate enough traction on roots or rocks and we would have liked more sensitivity from the rear. This shortcoming is particularly noticeable in wet and slippery conditions. The Bosch SX motor is powerful for a light bike. However, only at a sporty high cadence. If you pedal at a leisurely pace or can't crank quickly on technical terrain, you might miss out on some torque and thrust.
Back to the descent. Thanks to the balanced handling, you quickly feel comfortable on the bike. However, as soon as the terrain gets rougher, you wish the suspension was fluffier. The confidence gained is quickly lost when roots and stones spread out in front of the front wheel. The rear is not very sensitive and therefore generates too little traction. In combination with the moderate geometry, handling on more difficult trails becomes challenging. Compared to other 150 mm e-bikes, the stability and riding safety of the No Pogo SL are therefore only moderate. While other candidates only really blossom on rougher trails, the Centurion really starts to sweat here.
This is particularly unfortunate because the equipment gives a different impression. Above all, the powerful Fox suspension fork, the good tyres and the top cockpit give a good feeling and raise high expectations of the off-road performance. The bike feels much more comfortable on moderate terrain with its neutral and easily controllable handling. But even here, the character remains taut rather than emphatically comfortable.
The EMTB rating
Strengths
- Lively and direct driving behaviour
- Balanced seating position
- Sophisticated detailed solutions
- High-quality carbon frame
Weaknesses
- No exchangeable battery
- Little traction due to insensitive chassis
- Moderate driving safety on hard terrain
SUMMARY of the EMTB editorial team
The Centurion No Pogo SL is a lively trail rocket with well thought-out everyday features, a high-quality chassis and a clean look. It scores points with its manoeuvrable and direct handling. Off-road, however, the chic speedster lacks riding safety and traction.
Equipment, prices and availability
The good news first: the No Pogo SL should be in the shops this year, just in time for the Christmas present hunt. However, the bike will suffer the same fate as the vast majority of light e-MTBs on the market: there is no affordable entry-level version. In addition to the high-quality carbon frame, this is due to the equally high-quality equipment variants. There are only two models to choose from, starting at 7999 euros.
Centurion No Pogo SL R8000i - 9999 Euro
The top model costs 9999 euros, making it the most expensive Centurion bike ever built. In addition to Fox Factory suspension with 36 Grip2 and Float damper, Sram's wireless X0 Eagle Transmission wireless shifting system adds a touch of glamour.
- Suspension fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2
- Shock: Fox Float Factory
- Gear system: Sram X0 Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: Sram Code Ultimate Stealth
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX 1501
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Superground Soft, 29 x 2.4 / Hans Dampf Supertrail Speedgrip, 27.5 x 2.35
- Cockpit: Race Face Turbine R / Next R carbon handlebars, 780 mm
- Seatpost: Fox Transfer Factory, 125 - 200 mm depending on size
- Extras: Supernova Mini 2 front light, Lezyne Femto rear light
Centurion No Pogo SL R6000i - 7999 Euro
The more affordable model of the Centurion No Pogo SL costs 7999 euros. The gears and brakes are from Shimano's XT range and the suspension comes from Rockshox. According to Centurion, the R6000i in size M is only 200 grams heavier than the top model R8000i.
- Suspension fork: Rockshox Lyrik Select+
- Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT 8120
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX 1700
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Superground Soft, 29 x 2.4 / Hans Dampf Supertrail Speedgrip, 27.5 x 2.35
- Cockpit: Procraft with carbon handlebars, 780 mm
- Seatpost: Procraft Drop Pro adjust, 125 - 200 mm depending on size
- Extras: Supernova Mini 2 front light, Lezyne Femto rear light
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
