Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
I commute with 622mm (700C) x 47mm tires and very much like the smooth, comfortable ride. I use Schwalbe Marathons (Not Plus) and they cost about $30 each but are well worth it due to reliability (No Roadside Flats in 11 years) and long wear. I was not happy with Michelin brand city tires in the same size I used while in Europe.
I recommend spending the extra bucks and getting the Schwalbe Marathons.
11 years without a flat
I've tried the Schwalbe Marathon and then the Marathon Plus. In both cases I was getting flats just as frequently as with any other tyre, which was about one a week (I was commuting 300 miles a week). The culprit was about 50% glass and 50% bits of steel belting from shredded truck tyres.... I got real good at fixing flats.
I started using Mr. Tuffy liners a few years ago out of sheer frustration and since have only had one flat tyre every 6 - 9 months. In every instance they've been caused by steel belting.
I encounter a bit of everything during my riding, much like what the OP describes. My favorite tyre is the 700x28 Continental UltraGatorskin. Fatter tyres don't seen to be any more comfortable, but they make the bike more squirrely during fast cornering.