Centurion No Pogo SL Review

The Centurion No Pogo SL aims to combine the best of both worlds with 150mm of travel. It’s as light as a trail bike but seeks to make no compromises with serious components on the trail. Can it perform well on the trail?

The Centurion No Pogo SL features a powerful Rock Shox Lyrik fork. Schwalbe’s Magic Mary and Hans Dampf tires are the top choice in the enduro segment. And with Shimano’s XT 4-piston brake system and 203 mm rotors, even heavier riders can stop safely. No compromises were made here, yet the bike weighs only 18.7 kg without pedals (but with tubes in the tires).

For comparison, the Canyon Neuron Fly ON and the Focus Vam are in the same price range but are heavier despite having slimmer tires and suspension. The Bulls Sonic Evo AM SX was just as heavy in our test with a price of €10,000. The only notably lighter model was the Scott Lumen, which weighed in at 17 kg with a propulsion-oriented setup. The only serious competitor is the Canyon Spectral ONfly, which also weighs in at 18.7 kg with comparable components.

This weight comparison clearly exposes one fact. The Centurion No Pogo SL has one of the lightest EMTB frames on the market. The manufacturer claims it weighs under 2.5 kg, which is a value many Bio Bikes can’t achieve anymore.

The features have not been sacrificed despite the lightweight frame. There is the option to mount two bottle cages on the down tube. Alternatively, you can also use a Range Extender and a bottle cage. There’s a mount point for tools or a tool strap on the top tube. Using this, you can confidently head out for an after-work ride without a backpack.

Details like the slightly recessed charging port, the sag indicator on the rear triangle, or small fenders leave no doubt: the frame is truly well-thought-out.

The option to remove the battery is not available on the No Pogo SL. This is a clear nod to lightweight construction. The 400 Wh battery is permanently installed in the down tube. If it breaks, you can remove it, but you also have to dismantle the motor. You can’t just do that quickly on the trail.

However, the fixed installation not only reduces weight but also significantly lowers the construction complexity. When the battery is securely bolted in, nothing can rattle or shake loose. For this reason, power only comes into the system through the charging port. In fact, this is the case with most bikes equipped with the Bosch SX motor. Only the Bulls Sonic Evo SX could convince us with a removable battery in our test.

Fans of the Turbo mode will drain this battery within 1000 meters of elevation. Those who push the motor to deliver constant full power in the terrain can empty the battery in less than 1000 meters of elevation gain. This is enough for a quick after-work ride, but the No Pogo SL is certainly not a range monster.

To increase range, there are two options. First, a Range Extender with an additional 250 Wh can be connected. Alternatively, the range increases significantly if you stay away from the Turbo mode.

Our experience has shown: Combining the Range Extender with an energy-saving support mode, 2000 meters of elevation gain is achievable. This puts it firmly in the tour-capable range. Specifically, the range is strongly dependent on the rider’s weight, the ground, and the incline of the ascent, so these data should be considered rough guidelines.

When discussing the support levels, it must be emphasized that the EMTB Mode, which always lights up purple here, is really well executed on the Bosch SX motor. In general, the Bosch SX mode responds very sensitively. It doesn’t engage roughly and fades out smoothly above the support level.

This makes it truly intuitive to ride the bike on trails. The full 600 watts of power promised by Bosch is only available under one condition: you need to pedal really fast.

Only at significantly over 90 revolutions per minute does the motor unleash its full power. And that’s an athletic cadence that can only be achieved while seated and on flat terrain. If you maintain the 90-100 RPM frequency, the motor kicks in impressively for a light motor.

But on the trails, the Bosch SX can’t always play its power trump card over the TQ HPR 50 or the Fazua Ride 60. Instead, it performs at about the same level because it’s difficult to maintain the pedal cadence within the necessary RPM range for full power output.

The motor forces you to overcome your inner laziness and pedal hard yourself. The No Pogo SL with its Bosch SX motor is not for slackers. They will be happier with a full power bike.

Unfortunately, the 600 watts of peak power are accompanied by a noticeable whirring sound. And even downhill on the trails, the gearbox rattles. Many e-bikers have become accustomed to this, as all Bosch or Shimano motors have this rattling. The TQ or Fazua motors are much quieter in comparison.

On the first few meters downhill on the singletrack, you immediately notice that the handling of the Centurion is surprisingly intuitive. The long-truck feeling typical of many eMTBs is not present here.

The combination of lightweight, mullet wheels, a geometry that’s not too extreme, and solid tires and brakes is nearly unique in the market. Compared to many other EMTBs, the Centurion is indeed playful on the trails. The 66.5-degree head angle and the 440mm chainstays allow for quick direction changes without any issues. The long main frame and the low bottom bracket provide the necessary security on rough terrain.

The Lyrik Select Plus fork smooths out all obstacles. It’s really worth opting for this fork instead of the smaller Rock Shox Pike, as it’s also used on 160mm travel bikes. The rear suspension doesn’t feel like a cushy ride but offers good resistance, encouraging an active riding style. This complements the playful handling of the bike.

The Shimano XT 4-piston brake system is a real anchor. With large 203mm rotors front and rear, the brakes provide more than enough stopping power even on very long or steep descents.

This clearly shows that the maximum permissible total weight of 140 kilos is not just a theoretical value on paper. The equipment has been deliberately designed so that even heavier riders won’t face any surprises on the trail. Additionally, the consistently stiff frame

Nur am missing shock reservoir you notice a compromise compared to a potent 160mm e-MTB. The additional reservoir, which bikes with more travel often have, increases the oil volume in the shock and makes it less prone to overheating on long descents. Such an effect actually only comes into play on descents with more than 200 or 300 meters of altitude difference. In the rolling low mountain ranges, the temperature in the shock is less of an issue.

Lights are generally considered a NoGo on classic bio-MTBs. However, more and more EMTBs are utilizing their existing batteries to power fixed lighting systems. The minimal additional weight of the light blends seamlessly with the bike. And the light neither rattles nor disrupts the aesthetics of the NoPogo SL.

However, the light helps ensure you get home safely if you happen to stay late at the beer garden. The front light is not designed for intense night rides on trails. It provides enough illumination to move safely in traffic, which seems to be the intention behind Centurion’s design. In practical tests, the light caused no issues and proved to be a welcome addition to the equipment.

With a MSRP of €8000, the R6000i version is certainly no bargain. But a look at emtb-test.com, at the entire market reveals: Elsewhere you usually pay more for a bike with these riding characteristics. And even compared to the more expensive top model, the more affordable R6000i version performs very well. With the arrow symbol, you have the option to directly compare the top model with our test bike.