{"product_id":"silca-protocol-rcg-3-gravel-tyre","title":"Silca 700c Protocol RCG-3 Gravel Tyre","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe SILCA Protocol RCG-3 is a tubeless-ready gravel race tyre for fast, rough courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt combines a tread pattern borrowed from fast cross-country mountain bike tyres with a supple 120 TPI race casing, SILCA's fastest Pulsar compound and an under-tread puncture breaker. It's compatible with hookless and hooked rims and comes in 45, 50 and 55mm widths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTread for speed and cornering grip\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe centre of the RCG-3 has tightly spaced, elongated knobs that roll quickly on hardpack and firm gravel. Towards the edges the knobs get bigger and taller, so when you lean the bike into a corner the tyre has more rubber and a bigger contact patch to grip with. SILCA calls it a moderate tread: enough bite for loose gravel, without the drag of a full off-road tread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePuncture protection without the weight\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA puncture breaker sits under the tread, and SILCA chose it through impact testing. In SILCA's own lab testing, the RCG-3 resisted 24.7kg of force before puncturing, more than two well-known gravel race tyres it was tested against (22.3kg and 19.9kg), while also weighing less than both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSILCA designed the RCG-3 for a slightly higher baseline pressure than its other tyres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat stops the tyre squashing too far onto the rim over rocks and edges, which helps prevent pinch flats on harsh courses. SILCA has added a setting for this tyre to its online tyre pressure calculator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRace casing and Pulsar compound\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120 TPI race casing is supple, so it flexes over rough ground with less energy lost than a stiffer casing. It's paired with SILCA's fastest version of its Pulsar compound, a lower-density rubber and silica blend made for low rolling resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCarbonBead BeadLock\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RCG-3 uses carbon fibre beads instead of Kevlar, which SILCA says keep the tyre's dimensions stable over its whole life and give a more secure fit on hookless rims.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFit the tyre by hand: SILCA says never to use a tyre lever to install it, because levers can damage the carbon bead. After fitting, check that the bead line sits evenly above the rim edge all the way round. If the tyre wobbles, reseat it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLevers are fine for removal:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet all the air out, push both beads into the centre channel of the rim, then lever the bead off with non-metal levers such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/muc-off-rim-stix-tyre-levers-2-pack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMuc-Off Rim Stix\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRCG-3 or RCG-4?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are SILCA gravel tyres with a 120 TPI race casing, Pulsar compound and carbon beads, in the same three widths. The difference is the conditions they're built for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRCG-3:\u003c\/strong\u003e fast gravel racing and firm, rough gravel. A tighter, faster-rolling tread, and lighter at every width.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/silca-protocol-rcg-4-gravel-tyre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSILCA Protocol RCG-4\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e mud, sand, loose rock and singletrack. Fewer, larger, widely spaced knobs that shed mud, plus bead-to-bead SealSkin protection with an extra sidewall layer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor road riding on rough surfaces and chip seal, see SILCA's \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silca-protocol-rcr-road-tyre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eProtocol RCR road tyre\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChoosing a width\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"min-width: 480px; word-break: normal; overflow-wrap: normal;\"\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eSILCA Protocol RCG-3 sizes\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eMinimum sealant\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003e700 x 45mm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e495g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003e700 x 50mm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e540g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003e700 x 55mm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e590g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidths are measured on a 25mm internal-width rim after 24 hours inflated. As a rule of thumb, every 2mm change in rim width changes the tyre's measured width by about 1mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck your frame and fork clearance before choosing a width, and confirm compatibility with your rim manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTubeless setup and sealant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RCG-3 is tubeless ready. SILCA tested it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/silca-ultimate-tubeless-sealant-65ml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant\u003c\/a\u003e, and says all modern sealants should be compatible. Even the 45mm needs at least 90ml, more than one 65ml bottle. Check and top up sealant regularly. Browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tubeless-sealant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003etubeless sealant\u003c\/a\u003e range. You can also run it with inner tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow long does it last?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a race tyre first, but SILCA says it can be used for training or all season, depending on how much you ride. SILCA expects around 1,600 to 2,400km of life for a typical rider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the SILCA Protocol RCG-3 best for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast gravel racing and rough, firm gravel, where you want low rolling resistance with solid puncture protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the SILCA Protocol RCG-3 tubeless?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It's tubeless ready and can also be used with inner tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use the RCG-3 on hookless rims?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It's compatible with both hookless and hooked rims. Confirm compatibility with your rim manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the RCG-3 and RCG-4?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RCG-3 has a tighter, faster-rolling tread for firm gravel and racing, and is lighter. The RCG-4 has fewer, larger, widely spaced knobs for mud, sand and loose rock, with bead-to-bead sidewall protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much sealant does the RCG-3 need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt least 90ml for the 45mm, 100ml for the 50mm and 115ml for the 55mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat tyre pressure should I run?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSILCA designed the RCG-3 for a slightly higher baseline pressure than its other tyres, to help prevent pinch flats. SILCA's online tyre pressure calculator has a setting for this tyre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use tyre levers with the RCG-3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly to remove it. SILCA says never to use a lever to install the tyre, because it can damage the carbon bead. Fit it by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many kilometres does the RCG-3 last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSILCA expects around 1,600 to 2,400km for a typical rider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eSILCA Protocol RCG-3 specifications\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eUse\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGravel racing, fast and rough gravel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSizes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 x 45mm, 700 x 50mm, 700 x 55mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e495g (45mm), 540g (50mm), 590g (55mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTightly spaced, elongated centre knobs; larger, taller shoulder knobs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCasing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 TPI race casing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCompound\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePulsar race compound (rubber and silica)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eProtection\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSealSkin protection layer, under-tread puncture breaker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eBead\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarbonBead BeadLock, carbon fibre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTubeless\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTubeless ready; can be used with tubes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRim compatibility\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHookless and hooked, ETRTO; widths measured on 25mm internal-width rim\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMinimum sealant\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90ml (45mm), 100ml (50mm), 115ml (55mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Silca","offers":[{"title":"50mm","offer_id":67851898749237,"sku":"810093163328","price":159.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0700\/3468\/6261\/files\/SI163311_2.jpg?v=1792393601","url":"https:\/\/ivanhoecycles.com.au\/products\/silca-protocol-rcg-3-gravel-tyre","provider":"Ivanhoe Cycles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}