Jcm1960 Just because you're mostly riding on pavement, doesn't mean you have to go straight to a 32mm slick. BF (and the General Cycling forum) are very road-bike biased, and the knowledge base skews that way. Not trying to bash anyone, but that's what it is.

It's really the tread pattern and the carcass construction that determines 'performance' especially at the lower speeds found in 'around town' riding. I like a higher volume, lightly treaded tire, for in-town general purpose riding, since you tend to encounter a lot of different surfaces and obstacles / surface transitions. I prefer a 1.95"-2.1" tire, which gives me enough air volume to bounce off of things, by running a slightly lower pressure than you could on a 'skinny' tire.

The Conti Tour Ride and Michelin Protek Cross are good budget commuter tires. They are inexpensive ($20-$25), but well made and fairly long-wearing. They also come in a 47mm width (~1.95") and are available with reflective sidewalls.