From the OP: Today was the day I ran out of patience and decided I was going to buy SOMETHING. The only set of two tires I could put together at any of the local stores was a set of Schwalbe Big Apples (26" X 2.35"). To the minute I plunked down my credit card, I was still drooling for a set of Maxxis Hookworms, but the LBS owner did a great job of convincing me these would be better for commuting and light touring, and that the 2.5" Hookworms probably wouldn't fit my frame. I had committed to supporting one of the bike retailers in my area (rather than an online seller), so I decided to reward this guy, even though I think I paid too much for them ($43.50 each).

I got them on the bike just fine. They fit the frame of my 1996 GT Outpost with no problems (except for a minor adjustment to my rear rack support system) and I didn't experience any struggle to get them on my existing rims. I'm disappointed that they are not as robust as they look in all the photos, but I guess looks are not what I was supposed to have wanted them for. More importantly, I'm really not that impressed with the ride they provided on my test drive around the neighborhood. All the stuff I'd heard about how cushy and comfortable they would make the bike didn't really come to life for me.

Overall, I'm not too happy to have spent $90 on these, but they are dirty now, and the LBS won't take them back. Can anybody convince me that I will learn to like them better?