So...

After my brand new $10 crappy bontrager sport 700x23 tire is approximately 1 skid away from exploding (through the textile threads, running on the inside rubber bit) after SIX DAYS USE (AAAAH! $10 a week is more than i would be spending on gas if I owned a car!!!) I'm starting to think a little harder about tires.

I know, I know... "get a brake and use it." Well, I like riding brakeless. BUT--does anyone have experience riding a variety of "trim levels" of tire? My original thought in buying the cheapest tire available was that I go through tires fast enough that I shouldn't spend too much on them. I'm wondering if any specific tire has a more favorable cost-life ratio than others? Are the more expensive ones worth the extra money, in terms of durability? My frame is old, heavy and steel, so I really don't care about weight differences.

Any insight would be helpful...

JD