SILCA Protocol RCR Road Tire

The SILCA Protocol RCR is a category-redefining road tire that challenges everything the cycling industry has assumed about larger volume rubber. Where high-volume road tires have historically been treated as touring equipment—thick, slow, and dead-feeling—the RCR takes a volume-centric approach that prioritizes width and speed without adding useless bulk. The result is the first road tire in the 29-38mm size range designed and optimized with the same obsessive care as a true racing tire.

The philosophy behind the RCR is straightforward: leverage increased air volume to absorb impacts and reduce flat risk, then strip away the heavy, redundant puncture layers that make conventional wide tires sluggish. Running at lower pressures on modern wide-rim setups, the RCR is thinner, faster, and more supple than anything else in its size range—proven in controlled lab testing where the 38mm RCR rolled at 31.7 watts versus the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 38mm's 40.5 watts, saving nearly nine watts at equivalent width. It achieves this while weighing 70 grams less per tire—140 grams off the wheels on a pair.

At the core of the RCR's performance is SILCA's Pulsar compound, a high-performance rubber and silica race formulation engineered to hold rolling efficiency, grip, and durability in balance rather than trading one away for another. The Race Casing architecture is developed specifically around modern tire pressures, ensuring the tire maintains its shape and ride quality at the pressures that wide rims actually run. SealSkin Tread Protection adds an additional layer of confidence without compromising the lightweight, responsive character that defines the RCR.

The 29mm model is optimized specifically for modern 25mm internal width rims and fully complies with ETRTO standards. To eliminate the safety vulnerabilities typical of hookless setups, SILCA integrated Carbon BeadLock technology throughout the range. Unlike standard Kevlar beads that stretch and creep over time—increasing blowoff risk—the rigid carbon fiber beads never stretch, maintaining precise dimensional stability from installation through the life of the tire. The width measured at installation is the width riders keep.

Engineered for tubeless performance from the bead out, the RCR works seamlessly with modern tubeless systems, sealant, and valves at the lower pressures that unlock its full performance potential. From local criteriums to the punishing cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, the Protocol RCR keeps riders rolling fast, comfortable, and safe across the full spectrum of challenging road conditions.

Available in 29mm (290g), 34mm (320g), and 38mm (350g). 120 TPI. Tubeless ready. Widths measured on 25mm rim after 24 hours. Designed for race conditions.

Key Features

• Pulsar Race Compound with Race Casing - High-performance silica formulation and pressure-optimized architecture deliver class-leading rolling efficiency at any width
  
• Carbon BeadLock Technology - Rigid carbon fiber beads eliminate stretch and creep for permanent dimensional stability and hookless safety
  
• Volume-Centric Race Architecture - 29-38mm sizing designed like a true racing tire for riders who refuse to sacrifice speed for comfort