I like these: http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Commuter...enda+26+100psi
And have put lots of miles on them. They roll very nicely, support my excessive mass and resist the glass and other sharp crap on the roads around here. They are 40-559 tires; so a fraction wider than 1.5 inches (38.1mm).

Tubes - depends; if you can shove them in, then they're okay.