Tag: C Line

Soma C-Line First Impression

The New C Line Tires are available CLICK HERE to purchase

We have been working with soma since last Spring to bring some wide, supple, high quality tires to market.  The results are in and the new C-Line tires are looking great out of the box, and on initial test rides.

Background:  There has been a bit of a hole in the market for a well made, light weight and wide 700c tire.  I have been happy with their New Express 700×37, but having ridden both the NE and B-Line versions of this tire in the 650b size I knew that there could be more.  Starting with everything good about the well-regarded Panaracer Pasela and New Express tires, the inquiry was made about the status of their 700x3xxmm molds.  Apparently it had worn beyond use, they were in the process of making new molds and we were given a bit of a clean slate.  Taking notes from the B-Line we asked for the tread width and pattern of the 35mm Pasela, the casing of the 37mm, No extra protective lining, a folding bead, and since we were going this far we asked for color options on such a relatively small run of tires.  Panaracer said yes, and the wheels were rolling.

The first batch made its way from Japan to Soma and now us.  Testing and distribution began yesterday.  Using aspects of a proven design and partnering with a high quality producer like Panaracer we are confident that the tires will meet and exceed expectations.  This batch has two color options, Terra Cotta with tan skin walls and Black with Tan skin walls.  The color does not influence performance, and is only aesthetic.  I will be riding a set of the Terra Cotta tires over the next few months.

10.28 cl initial WP-2Knowing that the question will be asked the first thing i did after opening them up was take them to the scale and compare the weight to an existing 700×37 New Express.

10.28 cl initial WP-114082610.28 cl initial WP-2-2The 76g drop per tire totals up to a savings of over a 1/4 pound of rotating mass.  Paired with a lighter wheel set like the Velocity A23 rims and some light weight tubes the weight savings can add up fast.  The weight saving in the tire comes from two places.  The C-Line has a different, slightly narrower tread pattern, as well as no hypertext protective casing.

10.28 cl initial WP-2-4 10.28 cl initial WP-2-3Both of these characteristics not only shave weight but decrease rolling resistance.  This translated into a tire that is easier to accelerate to speed, keeps rolling longer, and delivers the silk pillow like ride that only fat tires can give.  The days of wide tires being perceived as heavy and slow are quickly coming to an end.

Next up was getting them mounted up on My Velocity A23 rims, which are known to have a tight fit, particularly when tires are new.  I am happy to say that both front and rear went on with my hands only, no tire levers needed.  They inflated round and evenly along the bead without talc on the tube or any of the other tricks like soapy water at the bead.

10.28 cl initial WP-1140839Even with a week of my left hand attacking my right, there was new undue struggle or pain.

10.28 cl initial WP-2-5the tires slid on, the bead popped into place around 60psi.  I took them up to 110psi to give a bit of initial stretch and confirm evenness than backed them off to 60psi for a starting point to wide.  Initial width on the 23mm rims is 37.8mm, and I am sure they will stretch a bit in the first weeks of riding.

10.28 cl initial WP-2-6The only downside I can see to these tires is the lack of sidewall protection.  This is not a surprise and is part of the design.  Only putting the tread rubber where you really need it.  The thickened tread section wraps just to the road side of the tires apex or bulge.  The price of improved performance on the road means that these may not be the best choice for dirt roads with sharp or tall rocks.  Like all things in life there are tradeoffs, performance often coming at the cost of durability.

10.28 cl initial WP-1140842I have been able to get out for a quick 8 miles or so, and am very happy with the ride quality.  They feel in many ways just like the B-Line, as they should, but with the subtly different handling that the larger diameter brings to the equation.  Like new “component” day often does I am excited to get out there and put some miles on these.  Follow up impressions will come in a couple of weeks.

The C-Line tires are available through out storefront HERE at $98 a set

New Soma C-Line Coming Soon

Back in the spring when we visited with Merry Sales (Soma Fabrications) the conversation turned towards some projects that we would like to see come to fruition and possibly collaborate a bit on.  They have been good to me as a wholesale account for the parts I need on complete bikes, and their expertise and sourcing relationships in Japan and Taiwan run deep.   They see value in the fat tired road bikes, as well as the French inspired bicycle geometries, as do we.  Things went well and our first project is coming to fruition.

10.7 C-Line WP-1140643

There has been a bit of a hole in the market for a well made, light weight and wide 700c tire.  I have been happy with their New Express 700×37, but having ridden both the NE and B-Line versions of this tire in the 650b size I knew that there could be more.  Starting with everything good about the well-regarded Panaracer Pasela and New Express tires, the inquiry was made about the status of their 700x3xxmm molds.  Apparently it had worn beyond use, they were in the process of making new molds and we were given a bit of a clean slate.  Taking notes from the B-Line we asked for the tread width and pattern of the 35mm Pasela, the casing of the 37mm, No extra protective lining, a folding bead, and since we were going this far we asked for color options on such a relatively small run of tires.  Panaracer said yes, and the wheels were rolling.  I kept checking and persisting, then an email showed up confirming that the tires were done and shipping soon.  Continuing to push for info, I requested photos.  A bit of time passed, then this gift hit my inbox last week.

10.5 c.line-0414Coming in at 400g exceeded all my hopes.  At that weight we got everything we asked for.  This is in the same weight league as the well-regarded 650bx42 Grand Bois Hetre.  Combine this with the favorable rolling resistance data that the 700×35 Panaracer Pasela received in the Spring 2013 issue of Bicycle quarterly and I am convinced we hit it out of the park with this one.  This tire meets and exceeds everything that was good about the tire they reviewed and takes it a step further.

With delivery slated for early November I set up a Pre-Sale on out store front, the tires start at $49 each, buy two or more and you will qualify for free shipping.

I think this is just the start of some good projects with us and Merry.  They deserve a huge thanks for backing projects like this, as well as Panaracer for their willingness to make tires in runs of hundreds when they generally do thousands of a model.

C Line 700×38 Poll

I have been talking with the great folks at Merry Sales about bringing a new 700x38mm tire to market fora while now.  IMO the best platform is to use the existing Soma New Express mold and casing from the 700×37 tire they currently sell and have a batch made up without the hypertex casing.  This has worked with great reception on the 650b version of the tire.  Having put many miles on both versions of the 650b tire as well as the relatively new 700×37 New Express I am convinced that a “C Line” would be my Goldilocks tire.

At this point I need your help in picking a color for the first run

[polldaddy poll=”7161169″]

As with all projects of this nature there will be one color for the first batch, once consumer reception is felt out we can move to have batches made up in more than one color.