Cabal is a South African brand quietly making a name for itself by offering riders something refreshingly different – well-specced bikes with a focus on fit, performance and personalisation. Whether it’s the Aero 2 road bike or the more versatile Project X (cross bike), each model delivers thoughtful design and impressive value, with the kind of ride quality that stands up to local conditions.

All Cabals are custom fitted, custom designed, custom painted, and custom built – uniquely one of a kind.

The Aero 2 is a pure-bred race bike – fast, stiff, and responsive – for riders chasing performance on tarmac. The Project X (Gravel / Aero Road bike), on the other hand, brings a little more flexibility to the table, with wider tyre clearance and a more forgiving ride that opens the door to mixed-surface routes and gravel racing.

Let’s take a closer look.

Cabal Project X

Project X is Cabal’s first foray onto gravel roads, and it’s a bike that draws heavily on the tech already present in their Aero 2 road bike (below). Project X, being a gravel / aero road bike, is almost as fast as the Aero 2 and looks similar in profile, with a muscular down tube and dropped seat stays. The main differences are the extra tyre clearance and carbon composition.

But what a difference that clearance makes. Running fast 38mm tyres, it’s a dream on tar and soaks up every bump. If you want to ride rougher gravel, the frame will clear 42mm tyres, even 43mm at a squeeze.

It’s the kind of road bike more people should be riding. Need to hop onto the curb to dodge a taxi? No problem. Potholes? The Project X takes it all in its stride. Riding at speeds of 40km/h and faster, the whole bike gave off that whirrr sound that you only get when everything is as aerodynamic as it can be. The 40mm-deep Cabal carbon wheels look great and roll with a satisfying buzz, and the in-house Cabal carbon cockpit is just as sleek – it’s a one-piece bar and stem combo that hides all the cables.

Weighing in at just over 8kg for the SRAM Force build, it’s light for an aero, disc-brake road bike, let alone one that can also handle gravel! There’s also the option of a cheaper but just-as-crisp Rival AXS groupset. If you compare the spec with certain big-brand rivals – and when you throw in the customisation – Project X is a winner.

Cabal Aero 2

The Aero 2 is a quintessential race bike, with all the modern flourishes like dropped seat stays, disc brakes, aero seat post and aero integrated handlebar. The frame and wheels are made from the best commercially available carbon fibre on the market, the Japanese Toray carbon fibre, and you can choose from two drivetrain options: SRAM Rival eTap AXS or Force eTap AXS.

Cabal offers riders the chance to build up this beautiful one-of-a-kind race bike, and they take it to the next level with world-class customer service. When you order an Aero 2, you’ll have a bike fit done and your Cabal will be built up to your physique. A custom design and paint job is part of the deal, and the work is done by local renowned artists right here in sunny SA.

Indeed, no two Cabal bikes are the same, and that’s how it should be. The size range is extensive, and they’re fully committed to helping you dial in the perfect fit.

Pricing is very competitive, especially considering the spec you’re getting; and because Cabal is a local brand based in Cape Town, you can rest assured that if you have any issues, the after-sales service is second to none.

Go on, spoil yourself.

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