Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
You asked. Josh answers.

Following the launch of SILCA PROTOCOL Road and Gravel Tires, we collected your questions from the launch video, MADE Show, Gravel Worlds, and the SILCA Customer Service team. In this first PROTOCOL FAQ video, Josh Poertner digs into the questions that kept coming up.

Can you run PROTOCOL tires with TPU tubes? Why use a carbon fiber bead? How does rim width affect actual tire width? Why did we choose 29, 34, and 38 mm road tires? How does PROTOCOL compare with the Continental GP5000 S TR? What should you expect for tire life? And why isn't there an RCG-2?.... These were just some that were being asked.

Josh also gets into Pulsar Compound, tire and rim compatibility, sealant, tan sidewalls, 650B, future XC mtb tires, EU and UK pricing, and some of the decisions and tradeoffs behind the PROTOCOL lineup.

Still have a PROTOCOL question we didn't answer after watching all the way through? Leave it in the comments. There are plenty more questions where these came from, we're sure of it.

▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
PROTOCOL Road & Gravel Tires:silca.cc/pages/protocol-gravel-and-road-bike-tires

Electric Ultimate Mini Inflators:silca.cc/collections/frame-pumps-mini-pumps/products/elettrico-ultimate-inflator

PROTOCOL Tire Width & Rim Width Chart (scroll down):
silca.cc/pages/protocol-gravel-and-road-bike-tires#gm6jBLbe8l

SILCA Tire Pressure Calculator:silca.cc/pages/pro-tire-pressure-calculator

Introducing PROTOCOL: SILCA's New Road & Gravel Race Tires:youtube.com/watch?v=iWI6G5oydY0&t=12s

Wheel Energy Finland: wheelenergy.com/bicycles

ETRTO Tire & Rim Standards / Recommendations:
etrto.org/Recommendations

▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
00:00 - PROTOCOL launch response & your questions
01:44 - Can I use TPU tubes with PROTOCOL tires?
02:10 - Why did SILCA choose a carbon fiber bead?
03:18 - Is a carbon bead brittle or easy to damage?
05:11 - Installing PROTOCOL tires & seating the bead
05:34 - Have carbon tire beads been used before?
06:25 - Ingredients, engineering & tire development
08:18 - PROTOCOL vs. Continental GP5000 S TR
10:46 - How long should PROTOCOL tires last?
12:07 - What is Pulsar Compound?
13:03 - How rim width affects PROTOCOL tire width
13:27 - ETRTO tire & rim compatibility
14:33 - Can PROTOCOL be used on other rim widths?
15:20 - Why 29, 34 & 38 mm road tire sizes?
18:19 - What sealants can I use with PROTOCOL?
19:11 - Why isn't there an RCG-2?
20:49 - How SILCA developed the gravel tread patterns
21:35 - Will there be tan sidewalls?
22:04 - Are 650B & XC PROTOCOL tires coming?
23:32 - Why does PROTOCOL cost more in Europe & the UK?
25:55 - OEM tire pricing & the European gray market
30:25 - What's next & send us your questions

▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel: / @silcavelo
SILCA website: silca.cc
SILCA blog: silca.cc/blogs/silca
Instagram: instagram.com/silca_velo
Facebook: facebook.com/SILCAvelo
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/silca-velo

▬▬▬▬ ABOUT SILCA ▬▬▬▬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA is renowned for its passion for cycling. Led by cycling industry leader Josh Poertner, the brand has expanded from the iconic SuperPista pump to a full range of high-end cycling tools and gear, collaborating with UCI World Tour teams to enhance cycling performance. SILCA combines tradition with innovation, inspiring cyclists to enjoy both riding and maintenance.

▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Created by SILCA, Marginal Gains Media
© SILCA
#SILCA #cycling #marginalgains #Protocoltires #gravelbike #roadbike #mtnbike #oem #tireinstallation

▬▬▬▬ DISCLAIMERS ▬▬▬▬
SILCA participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide content creators with fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Do you have a PROTOCOL tire question Josh didn't answer? Let us know in the comments below!