I'm not fast and never will be again, so I want stability and comfort for my 12 mph average loafing pace on mixed terrain ranging from smooth pavement to chipseal to lumpy gravel. No single track, no tricks, just leisurely rides of 10-50 miles a few times a week. So far I'm satisfied with 700x35 up to 700x40, and may go wider after the current tires wear out.

My Globe Carmel, a compact frame hybrid with simple spring suspension fork, wears 700x40 Michelin Protek Cross Max with chevron pattern most-terrain tread. They're heavy, bulletproof, secure and comfortable once I found the right pressure for me: around 50-55 psi front, 60-65 psi rear, well below the 75 psi recommended by Michelin. These tires look wider than 40, and I might go even wider still after these tires wear out. The bike weighs about 35 lbs as I usually ride it, with rear rack, full 24 oz water bottle, a few basic tools and first aid kit, and handlebar pouch for my phone or camera, etc. I might replace the heavy padded springy saddle with something firmer that should also be a bit lighter. Otherwise I'm satisfied with the bike as-is.

My Univega Via Carisma is an early 1990s mountain bike style -- horizontal top tube, chromo frame, rigid fork, weighs in the mid to high 20s. It came with a new set of Innova tires -- 700x35 front, 700x38 rear -- that were nearly identical to the Michelin Protek Cross Max chevron tread pattern, although I don't know yet whether the Innovas equal the puncture resistance and durability of the Michelins. I do know the Innovas are just as stable and secure on loose gravel, etc. These tires look skinnier than the nominal specs, but ride well. I liked 'em at 55-60 psi front, 60-65 psi rear, below the sidewall specs that were identical to Michelin's suggested 75-85 psi.

However, just out of curiosity, I swapped out the Innovas after a couple of weeks and put on the Specialized Hemisphere tires that originally came with the Globe Carmel. The Hemispheres are lighter, with a thinner 1 mm puncture shield and block tread rather than chevron. They're faster rolling but noisier. At the maximum 95-100 psi the ride was harsh and uncomfortable. At 80-85 psi front, 85-90 psi rear, the ride is much more comfortable yet still feels fast -- and the cycle apps show I'm riding a bit faster than with the Globe Carmel over the past month.

I had four flats in one month last year on the Hemispheres, so I'm not sure yet how long they'll stay on the Univega. The tread is good, but it's a thinner tire between the tread blocks and along the flexible sidewall, compared with the thicker and more rigid Michelins and Innovas. If the Hemispheres prove unsatisfactory I may try something up to 700x50 balloon tires, which should fit the Univega frame and cantilever brakes.