Silca 700c Protocol RCR Road Tyre

The SILCA Protocol RCR is a tubeless-ready race tyre for road riding at modern, lower pressures. It comes in 29, 34 and 38mm widths and has a 120 TPI race casing, SILCA's Pulsar race compound and carbon fibre beads. It's designed for hookless rims and optimised for 25mm internal-width rims. SILCA built it for racing on rough surfaces: criteriums, chip seal and cobbles.

Why a wide race tyre?

Road tyres have been getting wider, and pressures lower. On anything other than perfectly smooth tarmac, a wider tyre at lower pressure usually rolls faster, because it soaks up small bumps instead of bouncing the bike and rider over them. It's also more comfortable and grips better in corners.

That matters on Australian roads, where coarse chip seal is common outside the city. The Protocol RCR is built for exactly that kind of surface, at widths from 29mm for road racing up to 38mm for the roughest roads.

Rolling resistance

In SILCA's own lab testing, the 38mm Protocol RCR measured 31.7 watts of rolling resistance, against 40.5 watts for a 38mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Control. That's almost 9 watts less at the same width, and the Protocol RCR is 70g lighter per tyre.

That comes from three things working together:

• 120 TPI race casing: a fine, supple casing that flexes easily over the road surface instead of fighting it.
• Pulsar compound: SILCA's lower-density rubber and silica race compound, made for low rolling resistance and grip.
• SealSkin tread protection instead of a heavy puncture belt: SILCA says the extra air volume of a wider tyre already reduces the risk of pinch flats, so it left out the thick protection layers that slow a tyre down.

CarbonBead BeadLock

The Protocol RCR uses carbon fibre beads instead of Kevlar. SILCA says Kevlar beads can stretch over time, while carbon doesn't, so the tyre keeps a secure fit on the rim for its whole life. That's especially important on hookless rims, where the bead alone holds the tyre in place.

Because the carbon bead can be damaged by tyre levers, SILCA says to fit the tyre by hand and never use a lever to install it. After fitting, check that the bead line sits evenly above the rim edge all the way round. If the tyre wobbles, reseat it.

Removing it is different:

Tyre levers are fine for taking the tyre off. Let all the air out, push both beads into the centre channel of the rim, then lever the bead off.

Use non-metal or coated levers, such as SILCA's Tire Levers Premio, which SILCA designed for removal on carbon rims, or nylon Muc-Off Rim Stix tyre levers.

Choosing a width

Widths 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. Check your frame and fork clearance for the size you choose, and confirm compatibility with your rim manufacturer.

Tubeless setup and sealant

The Protocol RCR is tubeless ready. SILCA tested it with SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant, but other modern sealants should also work; browse our tubeless sealant range. Use at least the minimum amount for your size from the table above. A 65ml bottle of Ultimate Sealant covers one 29mm or 34mm tyre; the 38mm needs at least 80ml. You can also run it with inner tubes if you prefer.

How long does it last?

It'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. Riders covering big training distances may prefer to save it for racing and big rides.

Frequently asked questions

Is the SILCA Protocol RCR tubeless?

Yes. It's tubeless ready and can also be used with inner tubes.

Can I use the Protocol RCR on hookless rims?

Yes. SILCA designed it for hookless rims to ETRTO standards. Confirm compatibility with your rim manufacturer.

What rim width suits the Protocol RCR?

It's optimised for modern 25mm internal-width rims, and its listed widths are measured on a 25mm rim.

How much sealant does the Protocol RCR need?

At least 55ml for the 29mm, 65ml for the 34mm and 80ml for the 38mm.

How does the Protocol RCR compare with the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control?

In SILCA's lab testing at 38mm, the Protocol RCR measured 31.7 watts of rolling resistance against 40.5 watts for the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control, and it's 70g lighter per tyre.

Can I use tyre levers with the Protocol RCR?

Only 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, and use non-metal or coated levers, such as SILCA's Tire Levers Premio or Muc-Off Rim Stix, to take it off.

How many kilometres does the Protocol RCR last?

SILCA expects around 1,600 to 2,400km for a typical rider.

What tyre pressure should I run?

It's designed for lower pressures than traditional road tyres. The right pressure depends on your weight, tyre width, rim width and road surface, so use a tyre pressure calculator as a starting point.

Specifications