Monstercross News
"Recently, Soma decided to expand the Cazaderro line…literally…with the 50mm Cazadero which was launched right away in both 700c and 650b variants. Don’t think the 50mm will fit? Well if you have disc brakes, pick up a set of 650b wheels as many bikes will fit a 50x650b tire. Bikes like the 3t Exploro & the Open U.P. are designed to fit up to a 2.1 (53.4mm) 650b tire. ��They also launched it right out of the gate with a tubeless ready format. Now, while we did successfully set up a few sets of the old Cazadero tires tubeless, it was the sort of thing you did at your own risk and sometimes you needed to get a little creative to make it work depending on your rims so it’s nice to see the Cazadero 50mm come tubeless ready right out of the gate. That is really the only difference over the original other than of course the 50mm weighs more….but only by 60 grams per tire. So, how does this new 50mm tire compare to the original 42? The most noticeable difference is that the extra volume of the 50mm without a doubt steps up the traction offered up off road. It feels more like a mountain bike tire than the smaller older brother and the extra size does take a ride or two to get used to if you’re coming from the 42s. It does a great job at improving the cushion of the ride in all conditions, which is great even on the road here in Colorado where our roads are rarely smooth even in town. The width also works with wider rims than the original a little better, great for those who have an old set of 29er wheels that are narrow by today’s standard that they want to throw on their monster cross or gravel bike. Surprisingly, the original Cazaderro handled packed snow as well as some snow tires and my guess is the 50mm will only do so even better. We’ll have to wait to see how much better that is as Colorado is having a bit of an Indian Summer at the moment. Now, if you find yourself spending more time on road or smoother trails you may prefer to stick with the nimbler/lighter original 42mm Cazaderro. We dig running 50mm in the front, but throw it up front to give you some extra cush and traction in cornering while keeping the snappy/nimble feel in the rear of the 42. But if riding in the dirt and rough roads is your day to day intention, and your frame/fork can fit it, the Soma Cazadero 50mm is sure to change how you ride your bike and for many the extra weight will be more than worth it. " https://www.facebook.com/notes/monstercross-news/review-soma-cazadero-50mm-x-700c/10155163694877993/
"...At The Finish: The Cazadero is a wonderful tire from the standpoint of smoothness. It just does what you would hope a fatter tire would do, and that is to act as a bit of “suspension” for your bike. This does a good job of reducing vibrations, which is a big benefit to the rider. That also helps lower rolling resistance as well, which has been demonstrated in tests by various publications and other sources. So, it would seem that the Cazadero would be a slam dunk choice for a bike with enough clearance for it, like say, a 29″er, or perhaps a Fargo. The thing is, not all is roses with this tire. For instance, those light casings are going to be susceptible to cuts. There just isn’t a lot there to ward off the nasties. The other thing is that this tire doesn’t seem to be as big as advertised. My samples measure out at 47mm each, for example, and that is after several weeks of use. That makes sense when the tire comes out to such a light weight, there just isn’t enough material to spread over that big a volume. The narrower width puts the tire in a kind of “no man’s land” where it won’t fit in many gravel/adventure frames and is slightly too small for the wants and desires of folks with 29″ers. That said, many will be pleased with the weight and ride quality of the tire, which does a lot for making up for these shortcomings. Of course, there is the 42mm Cazadero, but that tire isn’t blessed with a “tubeless ready” designation. While it has been used that way by many, buyer beware…… If the 50mm Cazadero fits your bike, (it really seems to be slightly narrower than 50mm), and you need a smooth rolling, multi-purpose tire for gravel and dirt, then this tire should be on your radar. Riders with 29″ers looking to convert their bikes to a gravel road machine should take a look at the Cazadero. It is definitely a tighter fitting tire and Stan’s rim owners should be aware that it may be too tight for use on those rims. Otherwise, tubeless performance is very good. I have to reiterate, it rides super smoothly. Probably the best riding tire in this size range I have tested. It is very light for an almost 50mm wide tire, but it may not be as durable as heavier tires, so those with sharper rocks and nastier terrain may want to look elsewhere for a tougher tire. The tread seems long lasting and the tire performs wonderfully on loose gravel and hard packed dirt roads."
Adventure Cycling Review
Made in Japan by Panaracer, this size is great on mountain bikes that see a lot of road and gravel use or for bikepacking bikes that are transformed for commuting. The tread pattern is fast-rolling thanks to a solid center section while the side knobs are stable over loose gravel and dirt. Thanks in part to the width, but also due to the light casing, these tires are supple! I found myself running slightly higher pressures to get them to feel like many of their competitors. If you don’t encounter much in the way of stones, glass, or other sharp objects on your local trails and roads, these tubeless tires will keep you riding in comfort.
CX Magazine
(Excerpt) There certainly are lighter gravel tires, more reinforced tires and more supple tires (with fewer or lower profile knobs), but there are few tires like the Cazadero that do almost everything well and remain both durable and supple. The Cazadero 42mm is the type of tire we’ve mounted up and ridden year ’round (yes, even raced cyclocross on), and based on our initial impressions, expect the 50mm version to be no different.
