SILCA Protocol RCG-3 Gravel Tire

The SILCA Protocol RCG-3 is the result of an uncompromising mission to build the best gravel tire on the planet. Engineered specifically for the harshest Category 3 gravel events—Unbound, Big Sugar, The Rift—the RCG-3 delivers the trifecta that elite gravel racers demand: more grip, more puncture protection, and all the speed. This is the tire riders reach for when lining up in Emporia or Bentonville knowing the course will test every piece of equipment to its limit.

Arriving at gravel tire development with a fresh perspective, SILCA took the characteristics that make fast XC MTB tires exceptional and optimized them for modern gravel with ultra-fast road tire casing concepts. Built around the supple Pulsar casing, the RCG-3 integrates a SealSkin under-tread puncture breaker selected through extensive testing for superior impact resistance. Unlike conventional protective tires that feel heavy and sluggish due to high internal friction, the RCG-3 architecture minimizes hysteretic losses—protecting against flats while maintaining optimal rolling efficiency. In controlled lab testing, the RCG-3 returned 24.7kg of puncture resistance, ahead of the Continental Dubnital at 22.3kg and the Schwalbe Thunder Burt at 19.9kg, while rolling faster than both at just 28.2 watts.

The RCG-3 tread features tightly spaced, elongated center knobs that increase in both size and height as the pattern moves outward, building buoyancy and contact patch through corners. This intelligent tread architecture keeps riders rolling smoothly on the rubber rather than squirming on the casing, delivering confident handling on loose, unpredictable surfaces without sacrificing straight-line speed.

Tuned for slightly higher baseline inflation to maximize its unique structural layup, the RCG-3 prevents over-deflection, stabilizes the contact patch, and enhances pinch-flat protection without compromising traction or handling confidence. The CarbonBead BeadLock system maintains dimensional stability across the tire's entire life, ensuring the width measured at installation is the width maintained throughout the season. Tubeless-ready engineering ensures sealant, valves, and lower pressures all perform exactly as intended from day one.

For gravel racers who refuse to choose between protection and performance, the RCG-3 is the definitive answer—a fast, supple, and resilient tire that allows riders to attack demanding courses with complete confidence that their speed won't be compromised by a flat.

Available in 45mm (495g), 50mm (540g), and 55mm (590g). 120 TPI. SealSkin protection layer. Pulsar compound. Tubeless ready. Width measured on 25mm rim after 24 hours.

Key Features

• SealSkin Puncture Protection - Industry-leading 24.7kg puncture resistance outperforms competitors without the weight or rolling resistance penalty
  
• Progressive Tread Architecture - Elongated center knobs increase in size and height toward the shoulder for smooth rolling and confident cornering grip
  
• Pulsar Race Casing with CarbonBead - Supple 120 TPI construction with carbon fiber bead maintains dimensional stability and rolling efficiency across the tire's entire life