Soma Cazadero Tubeless K Tire, 650b x 50c, Black/Tanwall

Pros

Gravel-knobby tread
Fast rolling
Classic look

Cons

NOT 50c wide
Thin sidewalls
Tubeless set-up issues

Other Thoughts

Had my local bike shop set up these tubeless tanwall Soma Cazaderos so I wouldn’t mess it up. Front took the sealant just fine. The back, on the other hand, would not hold air for more than about two days. After a week, that tire wouldn’t hold air for even half a day. Took the wheel in; shop reset the tire on the rim. After riding for an hour, I thought the problem was fixed. Nope. Took in the wheel a second time for remounting. Tech at the shop told me he’d had a similar issue with a different tire made by Panaracer (which is what the Cazadero really is) that he’s got on one of his bikes. Kept going flat, so he experimented by laying the bike on its side and spinning the wheel so the interior sidewalls would get coated with sealant. He did this on the other side as well. I followed suit and did this for two days. Seems to have worked. Turns out the tan walls are thin enough to allow air to pass through until sealant has a chance to coat the interior completely. Having read great things about this tire, I’m enthusiastic and hopeful.
Compared to other 650b x 50 tires I’ve used in the past, these measure in at about 47c wide—a disappointment, as a true 50c really performs on sand, cinder and big gravel. Hoping these skinnier tires work as well.