It's great this information is kept here as I was able to go back and review everyone's input after purchasing a different tire (price point again). Really don't like it, getting too many flats (Bontrager- Solana). Great looking tire but it seems to pick up EVERYTHING and now after just a few months (Aug/Sept) I have several large splices where the tube is poking out so it's basically done.

Got a big 108 miler ride coming up in mid April so I pulled the trigger on a new Schwalbe Big Ben. $50 ouch, but hopefully it'll work well for my use. Going with the 2.3" as I have a hard time with 2.1" even though they looked pretty good on 1FJEF's photos. If I like it perhaps I'll go with the thinner version on the front and maybe thinner all around at some point but not yet.

Interesting, no LBS stocked it nor could they get one from their dist. so I had to order direct from Schwalbe.
Thanks again gents.