Originally Posted by
Andy_K
Ride lots and take note of what you do and do not like about the tires. After 1000 miles or so you'll be ready to make an informed decision about your next tire purchase, though you may not need to make that purchase until 2000 or more miles.
Good advice!
I used the same basic idea to decide that I don't use my 29er like a mountain bike but for mixed surface riding, generally hard surfaces, including asphalt, hard-packed dirt road and hard-packed trail with some softer trail and dirt road surfaces mixed in. Therefore, I upgraded my 55mm wide knobby tires to Continental Country Plus (47mm wide) for smoother riding on the hard surfaces, soft on the butt with somewhat wide tires, and some texture for softer surfaces. I can't comment on their durability/life because I've only ridden about 200km on them (although I have passed the 8mi mark that Andy_K had his flat).