The SILCA Protocol RCR is the first high-volume road tire in the 29-38mm size range to be designed and optimised with the same care as a proper racing tire. The cycling industry has historically treated 34-38mm tires as touring equipment, wrapping them in thick, heavy casings that made them sluggish and dead feeling. SILCA took a different approach entirely: starting with a volume-centric architecture that prioritises width and speed without adding useless bulk, and working backwards to strip away heavy, redundant puncture layers in favour of lightweight, fast, supple construction.
At lower pressures matched to modern 25mm internal width rims, the RCR is thinner, faster, and more supple than anything in this size range. The increased air volume does the work of absorbing impacts and reducing flat risk, which is the same principle that lets wider tires be faster on rough pavement rather than slower. In controlled lab testing, the RCR 38mm rolled at 31.7 watts against the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 38mm at 40.5 watts, nearly nine watts faster at the same width, and 140 grams lighter across a pair. CarbonBead BeadLock replaces standard Kevlar beads that stretch and creep over time, which eliminates the blowout risk associated with hookless setups without adding weight.
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Features:
- Pulsar Compound: high-performance rubber and silica race compound balancing rolling efficiency, grip, and durability
- Race Casing: lightweight, supple construction optimised for lower pressures on modern wide rims, with SealSkin Tread Protection replacing heavy redundant puncture layers
- CarbonBead BeadLock: rigid carbon fibre bead that does not stretch or creep over time, eliminating blowoff risk on hookless rims
- Volume-centric design: increased air volume absorbs road impact and reduces flat risk, making the tire faster on rough surfaces rather than slower
- The 29mm width is optimised for 25mm internal width rims and fully compliant with ETRTO standards
- Tubeless Ready: engineered for modern tubeless systems from the bead out
- Suitable for criteriums, Paris-Roubaix cobbles, chip seal, and long road days where comfort holds your speed together
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Specifications:
| SIZES | 700 x 29mm, 700 x 34mm, 700 x 38mm |
|---|---|
| ETRTO | 29-622 (29mm), 34-622 (34mm), 38-622 (38mm) |
| TPI | 120 |
| WEIGHT | 290g (29mm), 320g (34mm), 350g (38mm) |
| COMPOUND | Pulsar |
| CASING | Race Casing with SealSkin Tread Protection |
| BEAD | CarbonBead BeadLock (Foldable) |
| TUBELESS READY | Yes |
| WIDTH MEASURED ON | 25mm rim after 24 hours |
| MIN SEALANT FILL | 55ml (29mm), 65ml (34mm), 80ml (38mm) |
| RECOMMENDED USE | Road Racing, Endurance, Cobbled Classics |
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Our thoughts:
The RCR makes a genuinely compelling case that bigger road tires do not have to be slower. The nine-watt advantage over the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control in independent testing is a serious number, and the weight is competitive with dedicated race tires despite the increased volume. If you are running 25mm internal rims and want a road tire that can handle rough surfaces, cobbles, or just the kind of chip seal that makes 28mm tires feel inadequate, the RCR is the most interesting option in this width range right now. The 29mm in particular is a standout: ETRTO compliant, genuinely race-oriented, and measurably faster than what was available at this size before.