No Pogo

Name: Centurion No Pogo
Brand: Centurion

e-mtb

Origin

The No Pogo debuted in 1997 as Centurion founder Wolfgang Renner's solution to the biggest problem in early full-suspension MTBs: the pogo-stick bobbing that wasted pedalling energy and killed climbing efficiency. By engineering a VPP-style rear linkage, Centurion effectively separated pedalling forces from suspension movement — winning the European Bike Contest in 1996, BIKE Magazine's Bike of the Year in 1997, and again in 1998. In 2011, Centurion debuted an e-MTB long before the category went mainstream. By 2017 — the No Pogo's 20th birthday — the brand converted the entire platform to electric. Today the SL R8000i, with full carbon frame and Bosch SX motor, represents the state of the art.

Specifications

Frame: Aluminium (R/F series) or full carbon (SL series); twin-link Horst-Link-derived rear suspension; dropper post routing integrated
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: R series: Shimano Deore XT 1×11, 36T chainring, 11-50T cassette; SL R8000i: SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 wireless
Brakes: R series: Shimano Deore 4-piston hydraulic disc, 203 mm rotors f/r; SL R8000i: SRAM CODE Stealth Ultimate 4-piston, 200 mm rotors
Wheels: R series: 29" PROCRAFT Altitude EXR30 (30 mm internal width), tubeless-ready; SL R8000i: mullet — 29" front / 27.5" rear, DT Swiss HX1501 Hybrid

The verdict

+Strengths

Anti-pogo rear kinematics deliver efficient climbing while maintaining plush descending travel — the founding strength still holds up
SL R8000i at 19 kg is one of the lightest full-carbon enduro e-MTBs on the market
Bosch Smart System integration (Kiox 300, eBike Lock, range extender compatibility) is mature and reliable

−Weaknesses

R series at 25+ kg is heavy for technical climbing; the mass is felt on steep switchbacks
SL's 400 Wh base battery gives modest range — the range extender is near-essential for long days
Premium SL R8000i pricing (€9,999) puts it in direct competition with larger-brand e-MTBs with bigger dealer networks