SILCA Revolutionizes Gravel and Road Tires with the All-New Protocol Lineup

INDIANAPOLIS, IN; AMSTERDAM, NL [August 20, 2026, 11:00am EDT / 17:00 CEST] – SILCA, leader in marginal gains, and known for its dedication to precision and quality in cycling products, today announced the launch of its revolutionary Protocol tire lineup. Instead of traditional manufacturing methods that simply scale up road into gravel tires, SILCA took a fresh perspective by distilling XC mountain bike performance into high-efficiency gravel and road tires engineered for modern air pressures and rim standards. The result is a tire collection that is proven to be faster and more durable than the competition, both in lab and field testing.

By challenging industry norms, SILCA’s inverse proportional design pairs larger tire volumes with thinner, high-density 120 TPI casings. This is contrary to most other cycling tire brands that are stuck in the “touring tire mindset” making gravel tires with treads cut into overly thick and slow rubber rather than designing a specific gravel tire architecture that prioritizes speed, comfort, and handling.

At modern, lower inflation pressures, reduced tension across the casing threads allows Protocol tires to naturally deflect impact forces. Protocol tires reduce flats while delivering exceptional compliance, reduced weight, and lower rolling resistance.

The launch also marks a major milestone for professional gravel athlete and marginal gains advocate Dylan Johnson, who signed his first-ever tire sponsorship deal to collaborate with SILCA in bringing the new platform to life.

• Pulsar Compound: Formulated using solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) and silica reinforcement, the compound minimizes internal energy loss during rolling while maximizing braking and cornering grip.

• Integrated Bias Casing Geometry: Engineered alongside the tire mold and construction profile to stabilize the casing under load and minimize hysteresis.

• Variable Height & Asymmetrical Tread Design: Taller outer knobs engage earlier at gentler lean angles to maintain biting-edge traction, while asymmetrical tread patterns optimize independent braking and acceleration forces.

• Carbon Bead Technology: Replaces traditional Kevlar beads with non-stretching carbon fiber to eliminate moisture absorption, stretch, and tire wobble for a precise rim fit over the entire lifespan of the tire.

• True-to-Size Rim Compatibility: Tuned for modern wide rims with size-specific rim guidelines indicated on every model, coated with a latex-friendly mold release agent that is more compatible with tubeless sealant.

The Protocol lineup includes three gravel models as well as a volume-centric road tire engineered to strip away redundant weight while maximizing air volume and speed.

Protocol RCG-1 (Fast Hardpack & Mixed-Surface Gravel)

Engineered for high-tempo Category 1 and 2 gravel events and mixed tarmac/dirt routes. Featuring low, ramped directional center tread paired with elevated, elongated side knobs, the RCG-1 delivers rolling speed akin to a slick alongside immediate cornering bite when leaned over.

Protocol RCG-3 (All-Around Rough Terrain Gravel)

Designed for demanding Category 3 courses like Unbound and Big Sugar, the RCG-3 features tightly spaced center knobs that scale up in size toward the shoulder. It incorporates a low-friction under-tread puncture breaker and is tuned for a baseline inflation pressure approximately +8% above standard race tires to prevent over-deflection, stabilize the contact patch, and eliminate pinch flats without sacrificing speed.

Protocol RCG-4 (Adventure, Mud & Loose Trail)

The ultimate off-grid tire for sloppy mud, sand, and loose rock. The RCG-4 utilizes aggressive, widely spaced lugs that shed sticky loam and mud in severe weather, wrapped in full bead-to-bead puncture protection to guard against sidewall cuts on singletrack and unmaintained roads.

Protocol RCR (High-Volume Road)

Built to eliminate unnecessary weight in modern wide road tires, the RCR leverages increased air volume to handle impact absorption rather than heavy rubber layers. The 29mm variant is optimized for modern 25mm internal hookless rims to meet ETRTO standards without safety vulnerabilities, while the flagship 38mm model maximizes volume within UCI regulation limits for ultra-fast, supple pavement and cobble performance.

The full SILCA Protocol tire lineup is available through select retailers and directly at silca.cc.

Founded in 1917 in Milan, Italy, SILCA has a long and rich history of innovation in cycling. From pioneering the first frame-mounted pump to developing high-performance lubricants and tools, SILCA provides cyclists with products that embody quality, durability, and performance.