Originally Posted by
wearyourtruth
no it's not that much slower, i don't feel "slower" on my cyclocross bike at all. a bigger tire will give you a more comfortable ride, but they really don't offer your any more protection... honestly the more tire in contact with the pavement, the greater risk of getting something in your tire. what your tire is made of is more important than how big it is. look for kevlar and such.
more protection against pinch flats.
puncture flats are more of how good the tire liner or kevlar belt is.
but those two add rolling resistance, slower and make for a poorer ride quality.