Tires for a multi purpose bike
 

I have 38's on my Cannondale tourer and on plan on using it also for commuting, light touring and club rides. I was wondering would this be a good size for a multi purpose bike. I like to be to keep up with the other riders on the club rides and still be able to use it for commuting and tours.

That's a seriously fat tyre for road use. I'm happy with my 25s but would go to 28 at a push, even off road I only use Conti Speed Kings in 35 (all 700c wheels).

+1 on 35's being a big fat tire. I run 35's on my commuter but I could easily go down to 28's. On my roadbike I use 25's for long rides in the country and 23's when I want to keep up.

I just put some 23 's on the bike and what a difference it makes. I think I will end up running 25's

I like 32s, to me, that is somewhat fat. Anything bigger is really fat.

Depends on the roads and the clutz factor. I can, if alert, ride tubulars on rough stuff. I can also kill 25s on relatively benign roads if I behave like a dofus. Conti gatorskin 28s should probably take most people through most stuff and be adequately fast. Lots of other choices, for sure. Don't be scared of skinny, just learn to be alert. Of course, tempered by weight. Heavy people need fatter tires. Light people can ride rather skinny at fairly low pressure.

I' m not thin, 200 lbs.

I run 25's on my commuter. Have also taken it on group rides, centuries, brevets, etc. Anything larger I find too heavy for long or fast rides.

no club rides yet, I will be riding it this weekend on our Sunday Social

I love 32s. I run them on my Trek 520 and take them over any terrain save for crazy mountain trails.

Well, that's entirely dependent on the ride and your legs.

If you're in the C ride, then it shouldn't matter. If you try to jump in with the fast guys group then you'll need all the help you can get. And if it matters, the C's won't care that you showed up on 38's. The A+'s will probably give you a few odd looks.

25mm will get you want you want I think.

I'm heavier than you. I commute on 25's with zero issues. On my road bike I run 23's.

I like speed and efficiency, the extra comfort of anything wider isn't worth it to me.

105Kg on 700c25 @ 120psi with no problems. Off road I'll run 700c35 at 35psi and haven't had any problems with pinch flats.

I'm using an old MTB w/ semi slick tires. 26 x 1.95

Not sure if should I should get better tires (different size) since I tend to use it for commuting mostly.