First ride review of the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i with Bosch SX motor – The first light eMTB from CENTURION

CENTURION are breaking new ground with the No Pogo SL R8000i: It’s not only the first light eMTB in the company’s history, but also their first carbon full suspension bike with mixed-sized wheels and the new Bosch Performance Line SX motor in their portfolio. We tested whether this venture is paying off for CENTURION.

New, nuevo, nouveau, No Pogo: the No Pogo mountain bike is the perennial favourite in the CENTURION range. In 2017, the analogue No Pogo mountain bikes were joined by the first eMTB, and two years ago the series celebrated its 25th anniversary with the R25i. However, there was still no light eMTB to complete the range. This has now changed with the new No Pogo SL R8000i. It is not only the first light eMTB from the Swabians, but also a novelty for CENTURION in many respects. Their new light eMTB is powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX motor with a maximum torque of 55 Nm. It has a completely newly developed full carbon frame, making it the first carbon eMTB from CENTURION. The frame features 145 mm of travel at the rear, paired with 150 mm of travel at the front. The No Pogo SL features a mullet wheel setup, with a smaller 27.5” wheel at the rear. The complete package weighs 19 kg in size L, making it the lightest full suspension eMTB in the company’s history. CENTURION aim to appeal to a sporty group of buyers who are looking for a playful yet powerful light eMTB to enjoy a mix of flowing home trails as well as more technical terrain. The price range is also a departure for CENTURION: the new No Pogo SL R8000i is priced at € 9,999, making it the most expensive eMTB CENTURION have ever launched, surpassing even the “gold plated” No Pogo F3600i.

The new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i at a glance

To be honest, the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i didn’t really come as a surprise to us. We had known for some time that the developers in Magstadt were working on a light eMTB. The first prototype we saw had a FAZUA Ride 60 motor system. However, the prototype didn’t make it into production and the company switched to the new motor system from their long-time partner Bosch. We were able to ride the first No Pogo SL prototype with a Bosch motor in the spring of 2023 as part of our first Bosch Performance Line SX motor review. This pre-production prototype was apparently very popular with CENTURION, which is why they decided to continue with the Bosch No Pogo SL. The Bosch Performance Line SX motor sits well in the frame, but as it’s not one of the most compact units on the market, some adjustments were necessary. One of these changes was the use of a smaller 27.5″ rear wheel. According to CENTURION, this not only complements the agile riding concept, but also provides greater design flexibility and helps to make the motor integration less conspicuous.The integration is further accentuated by the motor cover: as is customary with CENTURION, the motor cover has a radiator grille that directs the air flow and prevents heat build-up.

The 400 Wh CompactTube battery is permanently integrated into the down tube and cannot be removed. Instead of relying on a large main battery or a removable battery approach, CENTURION have adopted a modular concept with range extenders. The frame of the new No Pogo SL fits two bottle cages on the down tube in all four frame sizes (S-XL), and instead of a water bottle you can also fit a Bosch PowerMore 250 Wh range extender to the lower bottle cage mounts. If you do choose the range extender, you’ll also need to order a bracket to attach it to the frame. The range extender connects to the charging port at the bottom of the seat tube. This setup is very practical as the charging port cover tucks neatly away inside the frame above the charging port, preventing it from dangling loosely when the range extender is connected. The motor system is complemented by the minimalist Bosch System Controller and the wireless Mini Remote on the handlebar. Together they act as a control unit for the motor without compromising the look of the light eMTB.

Hello there – The look of the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i

Talking of looks, the CENTURION team has gone to great lengths to create a sleek silhouette befitting a sporty, light eMTB. Despite the permanent installation of the Supernova MINI 2 front light, which requires an additional cable on the handlebar, the cockpit retains a clean and uncluttered appearance. All cables are discreetly routed through the Acros headset into the frame (which might irk some amateur mechanics). The cable ports are sealed with rubber plugs to keep the cables in place and prevent dirt from entering the frame. Inside the frame, the cables are routed through channels in the down tube to minimise unnecessary cable rattle. Viewed from the side, the main frame features a slender, flattened top tube that is more eye-catching for its bright red colour than for its size. The shock, now mounted horizontally, sits snugly under the top tube. Looking from the front to the rear triangle, the glossy clear coat gives way to a matt black finish. If this colour scheme is too bold for your taste, you can opt for a more subdued anthracite finish. The rear triangle, like many of its predecessors, retains a pronounced edge above the dropout. However, this time there’s no kickstand mount in the rear triangle – on a sporty, light eMTB, a kickstand would only add unnecessary weight. On the drivetrain side, there’s only one visible cable: the power cable that runs from the main battery to the electronic SRAM AXS drivetrain. This setup eliminates the need for an AXS battery on the derailleur, and simply requires the bike to be charged regularly.

Attention to detail meets German pragmatism – The new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i in detail

The Germans don’t necessarily have the reputation for being the best lovers. But with the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i, so much love has gone into the details that you get the impression that only truly devoted romantics work at the factory in Magstadt. This devotion is particularly evident in the transport concept of the No Pogo SL. According to CENTURION, a light eMTB makes more sense if you don’t need to carry a rucksack for your ride. We’ve already mentioned the mounting points for water bottle cages, so you don’t have to go without your water bottle, even when using the range extender. The CENTURION Sideclip bottle cage has another clever feature: it contains a small rail with hooks for attaching a mini pump directly to the bottle cage using two O-rings. The bottom of the top tube has two more mounting points for attaching a tool strap or a spare tube. Fizik’s Terra Alpaca X5 saddle features an additional tool-holder to accommodate two CO2 cartridges, for example. CENTURION don’t even rule out the possibility of attaching a trailer to the rear triangle, even if this doesn’t quite fit in with a sporty bike. The icing on the cake is a 6 mm Allen key tool in the rear thru axle that doubles up as a bottle opener. Another quality of life detail is the Supernova MINI 2 light, which saves you having to carry a clip-on light in your bag. We also liked the SAG indicators on the seat stay/shock rocker joint, which make suspension setup a little easier as long as you have a keen eye for small markings. The drive-side chainstay has been fitted with a newly designed rubber protector that uses air chambers to dampen chain rattling. On the downside, the shock mount and rear triangle bearings use Torx 30 and 40 fasteners, which are not served by the standard multi-tool repertoire, let alone the workshop inventory of most amateur mechanics.

Is this still a light eMTB or a cargo bike? The CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i has more pockets and carrying options than a fishing vest.

The specs of the new No Pogo SL R8000i in detail

When it came to the equipment of the new light eMTB from CENTURION, the company wanted to strike a balance between high-performance parts from renowned manufacturers and an attractive price. Although the No Pogo SL R8000i is the most expensive eMTB in CENTURION’s history, it doesn’t break the psychological price barrier of € 10,000. No compromises have been made in the suspension department with a FOX 36 Factory suspension fork with 150 mm of travel, and a finely tuned GRIP2 damper. The 145 mm rear suspension travel is handled by a FOX FLOAT Factory rear shock.

The new SRAM XO Eagle Transmission groupset ensures excellent shifting performance, especially under the demands of an eMTB drive system. For the brakes, CENTURION opted for the new SRAM CODE Stealth Ultimate with 200 mm HS2 discs, which offer a high level of braking power and feedback.The Schwalbe tires were not quite to our taste though, with thin casings and a hard Speedgrip rubber compound on the rear wheel. The front Magic Mary features their puncture prone Super Ground casing, while the rear Hans Dampf has the slightly more robust Super Trail construction. Lighter riders will probably be able to ride this combination on flowing trails without experiencing any issues. However, heavier riders who frequently tackle technical terrain may wish to upgrade to a sturdier, grippier tire. Not only will this increase puncture protection, but it will also improve grip and comfort by allowing you to run lower air pressures. At the same time, we recommend converting the No Pogo SL to a tubeless setup. This won’t necessarily reduce the weight, as CENTURION equip the new light eMTB with extremely light Schwalbe Aerothan tubes, but because a tubeless system can seal small punctures, and allows lower tire pressures.

Tuning Tip: Treat your CENTURION No Pogo SL to a set of sturdy and soft tires for more trail fun in poor road conditions.

A small cost-saving measure – if you can call it that – among all the high-end components is the choice of an aluminium wheels from DT Swiss. The HX 1501 wheelset is not as light as a comparable carbon wheelset, but it always performed well in our tests, even on rough terrain.

Centurion use a few in-house products from their component brand PROCRAFT, such as the grips and cranks, while the cockpit features Race Face parts, including the Race Face Next R carbon handlebar. The seatpost is supplied by FOX, as is the suspension. In size L, the FOX Transfer Factory dropper post offers 175 mm of travel and can be fully inserted into the frame, allowing plenty of room to move around.

CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i

€ 9,999

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line SX 55 Nm
Battery Bosch CompactTube 400 Wh
Display Bosch System Controller
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP 2 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT Factory 145 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 125 – 200 mm
Brakes SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth 200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XO Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Race Face Turbine R 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next R 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss HX 1501 Spline 29"/27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Ground, Soft/ Hans Dampf Super Trail, Speedgrip 2.4"/2.35"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 19 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 121 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Supernova Mini 2 light
range extender compatible

In addition to the top model, CENTURION also offer the more budget friendly No Pogo SL R6000i for € 7,999. Instead of FOX suspension components, the bike features a RockShox suspension system consisting of a Lyrik Select+ fork and a Deluxe Select+ shock.
The drivetrain and brakes are Shimano DEORE XT, complemented by a PROCRAFT dropper and accessories. The more affordable version also appears to have been carefully designed to offer a very good equipment package at a competitive price. Both versions are expected to be in stores later this year, just in time for Christmas.

CENTURION No Pogo SL R6000i

€ 7,999

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line SX 55 Nm
Battery Bosch CompactTube 400 Wh
Display Bosch System Controller
Fork RockShox Lyrik Select+ 150 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Deluxe Select+ 145 mm
Seatpost Procraft Drop Pro Adjust 125 – 200 mm
Brakes Shimano DEORE XT 200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano DEORE XT 1x12
Stem Procraft Trail 40 mm
Handlebar PRC Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss HX 1700 Spline 29"/27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Ground, Soft/ Hans Dampf Super Trail, Speedgrip 2.4"/2.35"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 18,7 (manufacturer spec)
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 121 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Supernova Mini 2 light
range extender compatible

The geometry of the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i in detail

The new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i will be available in four sizes from S-XL, which should cover all rider heights from 156 cm to 200 cm. The geometry is fairly moderate. In direct comparison to its big brother, the R25i, the new No Pogo SL has a slightly shorter reach, shorter chainstays (445mm in all sizes) and a slightly steeper head angle (65.5° to 65°), which is more in-keeping with the concept of an agile and responsive bike.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	420 mm	445 mm	460 mm
Top tube	573 mm	596 mm	625 mm	655 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	125 mm	140 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1,186 mm	1,209 mm	1,241 mm	1,272 mm
Reach	430 mm	450 mm	475 mm	500 mm
Stack	616 mm	625 mm	639 mm	652 mm

First ride review of the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i – A new definition of sportiness at CENTURION?

When you get into the saddle of the new CENTURION light eMTB, you naturally assume a sporty riding position, with quite a lot of weight on your hands. This position is ideal for pedalling efficiently under your own power or for using the Bosch Performance Line SX motor to its full potential with high cadences. Even beyond the 25 km/h limit of motor assistance, you can still pedal efficiently under your own power. The riding position, however, is less suitable for relaxed, leisurely rides.

Uphill, the front-heavy weight distribution is an advantage. Even on steep climbs, you don’t have to lean too far forward to prevent the front wheel from lifting, and the No Pogo SL holds its line well, while remaining manoeuvrable. Paired with the firm rear suspension, this makes for a fairly efficient climbing machine – no need to reach for the lockout lever here. However, combined with the hard Speedgrip rubber compound on the rear wheel, the rear end often struggles for traction on loose terrain, requiring subtle adjustments to pedal pressure on challenging technical sections.

When you get out of the saddle for the descent, you are well integrated into the light eMTB, though the low front end still tips you forward a little. This keeps plenty of weight on the front wheel, which helps to maintain traction in flat and open corners. On steeper gradients, however, it can feel like you’re going to tip over the bars, and beginners may wish for a slightly higher handlebar for extra protection.

The firm suspension gives the CENTURION a playful character. When you push the No Pogo SL over rollers or through berms, it rewards you with a lot of support and generates speed. On less flowing trails, the firm character means that fast bumps aren’t filtered cleanly and the eMTB lacks a little smoothness and, above all, rear wheel traction (a Schwalbe Big Betty with a Super Gravity casing doesn’t roll as well, but could work wonders in terms of grip and damping). As it is, it requires an experienced rider who is not put off by the rather nervous handling.

Who is the CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i light eMTB for?

With its clever frame details and comprehensive equipment package at a fair price, the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i would be of interest to a wide market. However, its riding character makes it unmistakably clear that it is aimed at sporty experts rather than newbies. If you don’t like steamrollers with over-damped suspension, and are looking for a firm and efficient light eMTB with great feedback and some practical features, you should arrange a test ride at your CENTURION dealer.

Conclusion on the new CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i

The new No Pogo SL R8000i light eMTB opens many new chapters for CENTURION and marks a successful debut. The frame impresses with clever details all around and the equipment package leaves little to be desired, without the price tag of a small car. The firm ride character may put off ebike novices, but sporty riders looking for a responsive, light eMTB will feel all the more at home.

Tops

• well thought-out frame with many integrated accessories
• high-quality equipment package that doesn’t cost the world
• front light (improves any eMTB)

Flops

• puncture-prone tires
• demanding handling on challenging descents
• permanently installed battery needs to be recharged at the parking place

For more information visit centurion.de

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Mike Hunger