Claud Butler Ridge 2.0 Review (2026): Ridge 1.0 vs 2.0 vs Wrath

The Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 has been our best-selling electric mountain bike for a good while now, and we've already reviewed it in full. The Ridge 2.0 is the upgrade — £1,299.99, down from an RRP of £1,649.99 — and it fixes the two things we marked the 1.0 down for: the mechanical brakes and the modest motor. It's only £82 more than the 1.0 at current prices.

This is the review from the people who build them. We'll go through what's changed, whether it's worth the extra over the 1.0, and where it sits against the bigger-wheeled Wrath. Fair warning: the Ridge 2.0 comes in from the manufacturer in batches and both sizes are showing as sold out as we write this — use the notify button on the product page and you'll get an email the moment they land.

⚡ Verdict at a glance — 4.5/5

The best-value e-MTB we sell. For £82 over the Ridge 1.0 you get a 45Nm motor, hydraulic brakes, a Cues 1x9 drivetrain and a colour display — everything we wanted the 1.0 to have.

Key specs

Selle Royal saddle, lock-on grips, platform pedals and a bell are all in the box.

What's changed from the Ridge 1.0

The frame, fork, wheels, battery and tyres are carried over. What Claud Butler have done is spend the money in exactly the places we'd have told them to.

Motor: 32Nm → 45Nm. Same Bafang rear hub layout, but the 2.0 gets the stronger 45Nm unit that also goes in the Wrath 2.0. Torque is what gets you moving from a standstill and what keeps you moving on a climb. On the 1.0 you learn to carry speed into hills; on the 2.0 you can stop at the bottom, look at the view and still ride up it. For a lot of riders — heavier riders, anyone commuting with a rucksack, anyone in the hillier bits of Shropshire — this alone is worth £82.

Brakes: mechanical → Shimano MT200 hydraulic. The Ridge 1.0's JAK7 cable discs work, but they need a firm pull and regular adjustment as the cables stretch. The MT200s on the 2.0 are self-adjusting, need two fingers rather than four, and don't fade on a long descent. On a 21kg bike this is the upgrade that makes it feel like a "proper" e-MTB, and the 180mm front rotor is the right size.

Gears: Altus 1x8 → Cues 1x9, 11–46T. The 1.0's 11–40T cassette was already decent; the 2.0's 11–46T gives you an even lower crawler gear for when the battery's on its last bar. More importantly, Cues is Shimano's new, tougher mid-range groupset — thicker cogs, better chain retention, designed with e-bikes in mind. We've written a full Cues explainer if you want the detail.

Display: LCD → colour screen with remote. The 1.0's DZ40 LCD is fine. The 2.0's colour display sits in the middle of the bar with a separate thumb remote on the left, so you can change assist mode without taking your hand off the grip. It's the one upgrade you'll appreciate every single ride.

What hasn't changed — and whether it matters

The 375Wh battery is the same as the 1.0. With a 45Nm motor pulling from it, you might expect range to drop, but Claud Butler quote the same 40 miles and in our experience the stronger motor means you spend less time in the top assist mode, which roughly evens out. If you want more, the Wrath 2.0's 540Wh is the answer — but that's £168 more and 6kg heavier.

The 27.5" wheels and 120mm fork are a deliberate choice. Compared to the 29" Wrath, the Ridge is nimbler, easier to manage for shorter riders, and 5–6kg lighter at 21kg. That weight difference is real when you're wheeling it through a gate or lifting it into a boot. The 120mm of travel (versus 100mm on the Wrath) also means the Ridge is slightly the better bike on rough, rocky descents, even if the Wrath rolls faster over roots.

Ridge 1.0 vs Ridge 2.0 vs Wrath 1.0 vs Wrath 2.0

Look at the Ridge 2.0 against the Wrath 1.0 and it's hard to make a case for the Wrath 1.0 unless you specifically want 29" wheels: the Ridge 2.0 is £18 cheaper, has the stronger motor, a wider-range cassette, more fork travel and weighs 5kg less. The Wrath 2.0 is the only bike here that clearly beats it, and that's down to the 540Wh battery. Read our Wrath 1.0 vs 2.0 comparison if big wheels and big range are what you're after.

Who is it for?

Good for - Anyone who wanted a Ridge 1.0 but wasn't sure about the brakes — this is the fix - Hilly commutes, bridleways, forest tracks and towpaths - Riders of average height and up who want an e-MTB that's manageable to lift and store - Cycle to Work / Bike2Work buyers — at £1,299.99 it sits comfortably inside most scheme limits, and the saving is up to 42%

Not for - Shorter riders — there's no small frame (Medium is the smallest); send us your height and we'll tell you honestly if it fits, or look at a step-through e-hybrid instead - Anyone regularly doing 50+ mile days — you want the Wrath 2.0's 540Wh - Aggressive, jumpy riding — it's a 120mm leisure/trail hardtail with a hub motor, not an enduro bike

Alternatives

• Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 — £1,217.99. Save £82 and put up with cable brakes and 32Nm. Available in Medium and Large.
• Claud Butler Wrath 1.0 — £1,317.99. 29" wheels, 32Nm, hydraulics, Cues 1x9. For taller riders on rooty trails.
• Claud Butler Wrath 2.0 — £1,467.99. 45Nm, 540Wh, Cues 1x10. The range king.
• Falcon Turbine — £899.99. 35Nm, 368Wh, 1x7 Tourney, cable discs. A lot less bike, but £400 less money.
• Dawes Scenic — from £1,062.99. If you're honest with yourself and it's mostly tarmac, a commuter e-hybrid with mudguards and a rack will serve you better. Our Scenic review is here.

Final verdict

The Ridge 1.0 was a 4/5 bike with two obvious compromises. The Ridge 2.0 removes both for £82, and adds a nicer display and a tougher drivetrain on top. At £1,299.99 it's the best-value electric mountain bike on the site and the one we'd steer most people towards. Only go for the Wrath 2.0 if you need the 540Wh battery or specifically want 29" wheels.

Like every bike we sell, it's delivered free across the UK before it leaves, with free UK delivery, a 12-month warranty and 90-day no-quibble returns. Tick and there's nothing to assemble.

More from the blog

• Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 Review: The Best Budget Electric Mountain Bike?
• How to Get a Summer Sale E-Bike for Around Half Price with Cycle to Work
• What Size Bike Frame Do I Need? UK Height Chart

Ready to find your next bike?

Check the Ridge 2.0 price → Ridge 2.0 Medium → Shop all Claud Butler bikes →

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