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Description
Performance Tires for Modern Race Conditions
The Silca Protocol RCG-1 Gravel Tires feature a directional tread made for fast rolling performances on hardpack gravel, pavement transitions, and high-speed race conditions. The lightest and fastest member of the new Protocol gravel lineup, this tire is optimized for "Category 1" gravel riding, aligning with recommendations from Silca's own tire pressure calculator.
Modern gravel racing demands different tire characteristics for different racing conditions. Rather than asking one tire to excel everywhere, Protocol offers three purpose-built directional tread patterns. Every Protocol gravel tire is built around the same engineering philosophy. The difference is how each model balances the complete performance equation for different racing conditions. The RCG-1 is ideal for fast gravel race builds, all-road performance bikes, and pavement-heavy mixed terrain platforms.
The Complete Performance Equation
Designing a modern race tire isn't about maximizing a single performance characteristic. Every improvement has the potential to influence something else. More puncture protection can increase weight. More grip can affect rolling efficiency. Lower tire pressures can improve comfort and traction while changing handling characteristics.
The goal isn't to maximize one attribute. The goal is to optimize the complete performance equation. Every engineering decision in Protocol exists because it contributes something meaningful to the complete performance equation.
For years, Silca has developed products that help riders better understand and optimize the complete tire system. Every product contributed to a better understanding of how modern tires perform and how riders can optimize them for speed, efficiency, confidence, and control. That journey led to:
- The Silca Tire Pressure Calculator
- Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
- Ultimate Tubeless Rim Tape
- Ultimate Tubeless Valves
- Ultimate TPU Tubes
Each product answered part of the equation. Eventually, there was one component left: The tire. That's the Protocol.
Check out our first impressions of the RCG-1 both on and off the pavement.
Features:
- Pulsar Compound: Hi-performance rubber/silica race compound engineered to balance rolling efficiency, grip, and durability.
- Race Casing: High-performance casing architecture developed around modern tire pressures.
- CarbonBead BeadLock: Carbon fiber bead technology that maintains dimensional stability throughout the life of the tire.
- Ghost Shield: Lightweight puncture protection optimized for maximum rolling efficiency.
Specs:
- Size: 700c (622) x 45, 50, and 55mm
- Compound: Pulsar Compound
- Construction: Race Casing
- Bead: CarbonBead BeadLock
- Tubeless: Tubeless Ready
- Designed Around: Modern wide internal rim widths
B-Stock - This product has one or more B-Stock units available. These units can be purchased at a discount (see option select). B-Stock units were returned from other customers and may have missing or damaged packaging materials. These units are otherwise as new. The full manufacturer warranty applies. Click Here for more information.
Specifications
Threads Per Inch: 120 | |
Tire Type: Tubeless Ready | |
Wheel Size: 700C/29" (ISO 622) | |
700 x 45mm - Black | Mfg PartNum: AM-AC-071-ASY-0100 |
Tire Width: 45mm (1.8in) | |
700 x 50mm - Black | Mfg PartNum: AM-AC-071-ASY-0200 |
Tire Width: 50mm (2.0in) | |
700 x 55mm - Black | Mfg PartNum: AM-AC-071-ASY-0300 |
Tire Width: 55mm (2.2in) | |
Reviews
I mounted the RCG-1's by hand on Enve SES 4. 5 (25i) inflated them without removing the value core. They weighed 450 & 470 . After riding a mix of road and class 2 gravel, using the Silca PSI guide set for the RCG-1 tires, they are sitting at 45.6. The RCG-1's have an extremely supple and soft feel, even more so than the Caracal race 45's which are extremely supple and smooth. I took them out for a ride on a route I regularly ride with a power meter. It's mostly class 2 gravel with about 20% rolling paved road. . On the road section the RCG-1 makes a bit of a whirling noise compared to the Caracal Races however my power meter and speed showed a very slight speed increase with the RCG-1's. Turning onto class 2 gravel, the tires showed how well the compound absorbed vibration. Even with a narrower tire, (45.5 vs 48.5 for the caracal race 45) the RCG-1 was smoother and had a luxurious damp and planted feel with excellent grip on punchy 7-10% climbs I had no issues with loose corners and loose over hard sections and the added vibration damping was much appreciated. At the end of the ride, my avg speed was about . 5-. 7 mph faster than my normal speed on this route. I did ride ~8 watts NP faster, but even taking off . 3mph for added watts, the RCG- 1's were still faster! More rides and testing ahead. Although the Caracal Race is still and excellent tire, the added speed, 200 grams savings for the silca and the next level ride quality make the Silca a better overall choice.
Mechanic's Corner
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