Thanks, Rich! Well, besides commuting, I have been known to wander a ways from home on the weekends, and "Be Prepared" is not a bad motto!

So far, I have used Conti's, Avocet's, Vittoria's and Michelin's and never had any problems. The tire that failed was a used one that came in a lot of assorted tires I had gotten last winter, seems to me the brand was MD-something or other. I would not hesitate to use any of the 4 brands I named above, they have all served me well, and being the dainty little guy I am I always run them at full pressure as stated on the sidewalls.