I think some tires just take getting used to, but yeah, it is interesting.

The vast majority of your rolling resistance comes via the back tire, so I never use any of these semi-slick XC tires on the front.

I think the tubeless thing would be worth screwing around with, although I'm a total hippocrite coz I have all the stuff just sitting here but I'm too lazy to go bother the LBS for their expertise and compressor.

Stans (www.notubes.com) will convert regular rims to tubeless.

I think if you're a racing idiot, how can you NOT pass up taking 580g off your wheelset by going with some nice handbuilt wheels and Stans?