Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
If you can't get enough traction to safely ride on a road with 38s, something is off.
I have found that too wide a tire starts to float for me, when at a lower pressure.
This is 90% road riding- something wide enough for comfort while still holding road tire characteristics would be, in my view, the best balance. I just don't find something wider that 1.5" to be needed on pavement.
I go for the 10%. And staying upright. I'm a mountain biker first, commuting and touring secondary. And the more comfortable ride. At 225 lbs, plus a loaded touring bike, weight for a tire is of little concern. It's the ride comfort I'm after and dirt road and gravel issues as well. Most of my "tours" involve dirt, gravel, crappy New England roads and sometimes singletrack. YRMV. Choices are a great thing. One of my commuters has 35 mm wide rims and 29 x2.3" slicks. Go figure.