Protocol RCG-3 Gravel Tire

$ 99.00
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When lining up in Emporia, KS or Bentonville, AR finding the fastest tire that won't flat is key. This is the choice for those types of courses. More grip, more puncture protection, and all the speed.

The RCG-3 is the successful result of our mission to make the best gravel tire on the planet. Arriving at gravel tire development with a fresh perspective, we took the characteristics everyone loves about fast XC MTB tires and optimized them for modern gravel with ultra-fast road tire casing concepts. The RCG-3 delivers robust flat protection without sacrificing speed. It was engineered for harsh courses and unpredictable terrain like you find in Category 3 gravel events like Unbound, Big Sugar, and The Rift. 

Built around our supple Pulsar casing, the RCG-3 integrates an under-tread puncture breaker selected through many rounds of testing for its superior impact resistance. Unlike conventional protective tires that feel heavy and sluggish due to high internal friction, the RCG-3 architecture minimizes hysteretic losses to protect against flats while maintaining optimal rolling efficiency and traction. 

The RCG-3 tread features tightly spaced, elongated center knobs that increase both in size and height as the pattern moves outwards to enhance buoyancy and contact patch during cornering. This clever shape keeps you rolling smoothly on the rubber rather than squirming on the casing. 

To maximize its unique structural layup, the RCG-3 is tuned for slightly higher baseline inflation. This optimized pressure dynamic prevents over-deflection, stabilizes the contact patch, and enhances pinch-flat protection without compromising traction or handling confidence. Accordingly, we added a new casing option to our tire pressure calculator to account for the differences needed for the race casing in our tires. The result is a fast, supple, and resilient tire that allows riders to attack demanding courses knowing their speed won't be compromised by a flat. 

• 45, 50, 55mm options
• 495g in 45mm, 540g in 50mm, 590g in 55mm
• SealSkin Protection Layer
• Fastest Pulsar compound
• Width as measured on a 25mm rim after 24 hours
• Designed for courses like Unbound and Big Sugar
• Moderate tread pattern for increased grip while keeping rolling resistance low
• Ideal when used on Category 3 gravel
• Race Casing for flat-out speed

The Protocol RCG-3 Gravel Tire

RCG-3 Architecture

Tightly spaced, elongated center knobs increase in both size and height as the pattern moves outward, building buoyancy and contact patch through the corner. That shape keeps you rolling smoothly on the rubber rather than squirming on the casing.

Performance Data

The RCG-3 returned 24.7 kg of puncture resistance in controlled lab testing, well ahead of the Continental Dubnital at 22.3 and the Schwalbe Thunder Burt at 19.9. It rolls faster than the Dubnital at 28.2 watts and undercuts both on weight, so the added protection arrives without the penalty that usually comes with it.

Ideal Conditions

Harsh courses and unpredictable terrain, the kind you find in Category 3 gravel events like Unbound, Big Sugar, and The Rift. When you do not know exactly what the day holds, this is the tire to start with.

Protocol Tire Technology

Pulsar Compound
A high performance rubber and silica race compound engineered to hold rolling efficiency, grip, and durability in balance rather than trading one away for another.

Race Casing
A race casing architecture developed around modern tire pressures, so the tire keeps its shape and its ride quality at the pressures wide rims actually run.

CarbonBead BeadLock
Carbon fiber bead technology that keeps the tire dimensionally stable across its whole life, so the width you measure at installation is the width you keep.

SealSkin
Enhanced puncture protection for terrain that asks more of the casing, adding durability where the ground is rough enough to make it part of being fast.

Tubeless Ready
Engineered for modern tubeless systems from the bead out, so sealant, valves, and lower pressures all work the way they were meant to.

The Ultimate Tire Setup

Ultimate Tubeless Sealant

Ultimate Rim Tape

Ultimate Tubeless Valves

Ultimate Sealant Injector

TPU Tubes

Sealant Fill Recommendations

The fill volumes below are the minimum recommended amount of SILCA Ultimate Sealant per tire to provide reliable puncture protection and long-lasting performance. Additional sealant may be beneficial based on climate, riding conditions, riding frequency, tire inserts, and service intervals.

Inspect sealant regularly and replenish as needed to maintain sealing performance.

Model ISO ETRTO Minimum Sealant Fill Recommendation
Protocol RCG-1 45 mm 700 × 45 45-622 90 ml (3.0 oz)
Protocol RCG-1 50 mm 700 × 50 50-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCG-1 55 mm 700 × 55 55-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCG-3 45 mm 700 × 45 45-622 90 ml (3.0 oz)
Protocol RCG-3 50 mm 700 × 50 50-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCG-3 55 mm 700 × 55 55-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCG-3 32" × 2.4" 32 × 2.4 61-686 135 ml (4.55 oz+)
Protocol RCG-4 45 mm 700 × 45 45-622 90 ml (3.0 oz)
Protocol RCG-4 50 mm 700 × 50 50-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCG-4 55 mm 700 × 55 55-622 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Protocol RCR 29 mm 700 × 29 29-622 55 ml (1.85 oz)
Protocol RCR 34 mm 700 × 34 34-622 65 ml (2.2 oz)
Protocol RCR 38 mm 700 × 38 38-622 80 ml (2.7 oz)

FAQs

Measured tire width is based on a 25 mm internal rim width and recorded 24 hours after installation. Actual installed width will vary with rim dimensions.

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

The Protocol Tire Lineup

RCG-1

45, 50, & 55mm

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RCG-3

45, 50, & 55mm

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32" RCG-3

32" x 2.4"

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RCG-4

45, 50, & 55mm

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RCR

29, 34, & 38mm

Learn More