CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

With the No Pogo SL R8000i, CENTURION killed two birds with one stone. Not only is it the German manufacturer’s very first light eMTB, but also their first full-susser with a full carbon frame. The No Pogo SL R8000i generates 150/145 mm of travel (f/r) and comes equipped with a Bosch Performance Line SX motor, which makes it an appealing option for sporty riders. But how did it fare in our group test?

The No Pogo name has been an integral part of CENTURION’s portfolio for over 25 years, but the German manufacturer didn’t have a light eMTB in their product range until now. For the upcoming season, CENTURION present the CENTURION No Pogo SL8000i, which features a full carbon frame and is their very first light assistance eMTB. It generates 150/145 mm of travel (front/rear) and rolls on a mullet wheel setup, with a 29″ wheel at the front and smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear. At the heart of the bike lies a Bosch Performance Line SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque at 600 watts peak power, and draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. CENTURION’s new light eMTBMTB is aimed primarily at sporty riders and is the brand’s most expensive bike to date, retailing at € 9,999. Our test bike in size L tips the scales at 19 kg, which makes it the “heaviest” SX competitor in this test. But since the numbers alone don’t say anything about the character of a bike, we tested the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i to find out how it fares on the trails.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i 2024 apart from the competition?

For the No Pogo SL R8000i, CENTURION’s designers came up with a sleek look that perfectly suits the light eMTB concept. The carbon frame boasts a clean, rectilinear silhouette, and the shock transitions seamlessly into the seat stays. The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the headset, only to reappear shortly before reaching the components where they’re needed. The discreet look is rounded off by a bright, rather sophisticated paint finish, with glossy clear sections giving way to a matt black finish. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice painstaking attention to detail: particularly striking are the SAG indicators on the seat stay/shock rocker joint, which make suspension setup a little easier – provided you have a keen eye for small markings. Other practical features are the tool mount on the top tube and the additional mount on the Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 saddle, which allows you to stow away two CO2 cartridges, for example. The CENTURION Sideclip bottle cage has another clever feature: it contains a small bracket to attach a mini pump directly to the bottle cage using two O-rings – water and air supply in one clever system! The cherry on top is the 6 mm Allen key tool hidden in the rear thru axle, which also doubles up as a bottle opener.

CENTURION’s developers also did a great job with the motor integration, rounding off the overall discreet look of the No Pogo SL R8000i. Although the Bosch Performance Line SX motor is slightly beefier than its direct light eMTB competitors, the TQ and Fazua, thus making it harder to achieve seamless integration, the German designers used this to their advantage. In typical CENTURION fashion, the No Pogo has a radiator grille on the motor cover that directs the air flow and prevents heat build-up. The 55 Nm Bosch Performance Line SX motor draws its power from a 400 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery, which is permanently integrated into the down tube and can’t be removed for charging. CENTURION opted for a modular concept with a range extender. Once again, the Germans have put a lot of thought into the details, providing the down tube with two mounting points for the bottle cage and range extender. This means that you can carry either two water bottles on a hot riding day, or combine a water bottle and 250 Wh range extender when embarking on epic backcountry expeditions. The charging port is positioned at the bottom of the seat tube and protected by a clever cover that tucks away neatly inside the frame like a garage door, preventing it from dangling loosely when the charging cable or range extender are connected. To do the bike’s sporty character justice, CENTURION use an integrated Bosch System Controller in the top tube and wireless Bosch Mini handlebar remote.

Unlike with their other bikes, Centurion only use a few in-house components, instead using parts from well-known manufacturers with a sporty image. However, the cranks and spider are still sourced internally, paired with SRAM’s new electronic Eagle Transmission X0 drivetrain with a robust direct-mount rear derailleur that bolts directly to the frame. SRAM also supply the powerful CODE Stealth Ultimate four-piston brakes and 200 mm rotors, which provide powerful and reliable deceleration, even on long descents. One of the spec’s undisputed highlights is the FOX Factory suspension, consisting of a top-tier 36 mm GRIP2 fork and matching FOX FLOAT Factory air shock. Both come with a fancy Kashima coating and offer countless adjustment options, ensuring a tremendous performance on the trail. The bling suspension is complemented by a FOX Transfer Factory dropper post, which offers 175 mm of travel, but can’t be inserted all the way into the frame. For the wheels, CENTURION rely on a robust DT Swiss HX 1501 Hybrid alloy wheelset and Schwalbe tires, combining a Magic Mary in the thin SuperGround casing and Soft rubber compound at the front, and a Hans Dampf in the slightly tougher SuperTrail casing and harder Speedgrip compound at the rear. While this combo might work well for light riders who ride flow trails, more aggressive, heavier riders who love to tear it up on technical terrain are better off upgrading to more robust rubber.

Tuning tip: More robust front tire with SuperTrail casing

What is the 2024 CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i capable on the trail?

Perfectly in line with its sporty look, the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i places you in a fairly stretched, XC-like pedalling position, which puts plenty of pressure on your hands when riding on level ground. At the same time, this prevents the front wheel from lifting on steeper climbs, meaning that you don’t have to actively weight the front end. The firm rear suspension hardly bobs, but it also generates little traction, and the rear wheel tends to quickly spin out of control. This makes the Centurion one of the worst climbers in the test. In keeping with the CENTURION’s sporty character, the Bosch Performance Line SX motor requires high pedalling cadences to fully develop its power. That said, it still provides significantly more assistance than its direct light eMTB competitors from TQ, FAZUA and Specialized, and can even keep up with its bigger brother, the Bosch Performance Line CX, provided you’re willing to work a little harder. When stopping for a coffee, you can activate the Bosch eBike Lock function to shut off the bike and its motor functions – but it doesn’t replace a good-old heavy-duty bike lock!

When you finish your cappuccino and drop into a trail, you’re well integrated with the bike. Even downhill, the riding position is front-heavy, which keeps the front wheel tracking in open corners without having to actively weight the front end. Compared to the Cube AMS Hybrid One44 C:68X SuperTM 400X 29, the CENTURION’s rear suspension is significantly firmer, despite generating more travel. This allows you to pump through rollers and berms and generate plenty of speed on flowing trails. When the going gets rough, the No Pogo SL lacks sensitivity and composure, passing impacts directly onto the rider in gnarly rock gardens and requiring a great deal of concentration to hold your line. On steep chutes, the low front end can quickly lead to chilling OTB moments, making you wish you bought handlebars with a higher rise, particularly if you’re an inexperienced rider. Should you decide to stretch an epic trail session far into the night, the Supernova Mini 2 headlight under the stem will get you home safely.

The XC-like riding character of the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i perfectly matches its sporty look

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i and who should look elsewhere ?

Although packed with practical everyday features and elegant frame details, the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i is aimed primarily at sporty riders who can handle its direct, firm character, including former XC enthusiasts who want a bike for fast paced post-work rides on moderate trails. If you’re looking for a gravity-oriented light eMTB, you should look elsewhere.

Our conclusions about the 2024 CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i

CENTURION are breaking new ground with the No Pogo SL R8000i. The German manufacturer’s first light eMTB comes with a new, modern design language and countless clever frame details – and the spec leaves little to be desired. While beginners might struggle with the firm suspension and direct handling, sporty riders who know what they’re doing will find a trusted companion for fast laps with the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i, even when the going gets rough.

Tops

• Clever detail solutions
• High quality spec
• Headlight

Flops

• Direct handling can be challenging on technical terrain
• Puncture-prone tires

For more information, visit centurion.de

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF (Click for review) | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro (Click for review) | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words & Photos: Mike Hunger