Okay...so I've been commuting on Panaracer Crossblaster tires and while I like them, and have only had one random flat (which I believe is more the fault of rim tape gone bad). Unfortunately, I don't spend as much time offroad as I would like and I'm looking to throw some road tires on since the road buzz from the knobbies is starting to get old.

I'd say I've "narrowed" my search down to these, but it's not a very narrow, so bare with me. It just so happens that Velo-Orange is selling just about every tire I've considered.

Gran Compe ENE Ciclo Tire (I've never heard anything about these tires, but they seem right up my alley...a nice rando/touring tire according to Velo-Orange's description, does anyone have any experience with them?)

Challenge Parigi-Roubaix (Out of the 7 choices, everything I've read would indicate these are the nicest rolling tires out of the bunch and supposedly have a tubular "feel" to them. Unfortunately I can't find anything that speaks to the durability/flat protection.)

Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard (I've read a lot about these tires, and outside of all the good things, and "best bang for your buck," I've read that heavier riders (which I am) have a hard time with the sidewalls blowing out, is this a problem they've fixed in recent years, or does this persist?)

Panaracer Ruffy-Tuffy (I haven't heard much about these, but I've read that they're a solid touring tire. Decent ride, decent flat protection. Aaaaaaaaaand, if Rivendell is willing to associate themselves with the tire, they've got to be decent, at the very least.)

Schwalbe Marathon (I've heard these will outlast me, but I've heard mixed things about the ride quality.)

Vittoria Cross XN Pro (Very small diamond tread, I'm kind of interested with keeping a little bit of CX-style stuff on my bike, just incase I ever get the urge to climb up a hill...offroad!)

Challenge Grifo XS (Only one not available on Velo-Orange, I haven't heard much about these, but I've read one review that said they were quite durable and flat resistant while rolling nicely.)

I've heard good things about most of these tires, but I'm torn.

Price isn't an issue, but the Challenge tires are by far the most expensive, and while I don't mind saving a buck if I can, if they're the nicest mix of flat resistance and ride quality, I'll make the leap.

Does anyone have any insight to the flat protection/durability/ride quality of these tires (or have any other suggestions)? I know this has been discussed to hell and back, but there are a couple of tires up there that not everyone has ridden.

Gran Compe ENE Ciclo Tire
No idea. Never seen anyone riding them, or read any reviews.

Challenge Parigi-Roubaix
They feel awesome, but they're a lightweight tire. If you're looking for flat protection, these aren't it.

Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard
I ride Pasela TG 32 folders and they're awesome. I take them on gravel paths all the time and the only thing that has flatted me out has been a blackberry thorn. They're smooth rolling, reasonably light (kevlar bead model) and decent durable tread with flat protection. I weigh 230 and have not had any sidewall problems.

Panaracer Ruffy-Tuffy
Heavier than the Pasela TG folder. Rolls smooth, feels a little stiff in the casing. Less comfortable than the Pasela, more comfortable than the Marathon. Overall good tire. I'd trust it on packed gravel.

Schwalbe Marathon
Good tire, but on the stiff and heavy side. There's almost nothing I wouldn't ride this tire on. Very flat resistant with a durable tread compound.

Vittoria Cross XN Pro
Challenge Grifo XS
Both are CX tires with microfile treads. Good for hardpack-to-concrete transition courses, unnecessary for road riding with a little bit of off-roading thrown in. A good road-touring tire like the Pasela TG or the Marathon offers enough bite to handle more off-roading than you'd think. In the fall, many of us with the Seattle Randonneurs will be riding the 3 Volcanoes 300k, which about 10% is gravel service roads; it's highly unlikely that you'll see a CX tire on anyone's bikes. 35 - 37mm touring tires; definitely. But not much in the way of CX tires.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus great tires and after 100 miles are riding comfortably and Panaracer T-Serve Protect 9 of 10 on puncture resistance and ride like a dream. Mine are 700x32. Don

SMP and the T-serv are both great tires for what they are: Danged near bulletproof. It takes some serious effort to get a flat with either one of those tires. I put over 4000 miles on a pair of SMPs before I gave the bike to a friend, and he's put another 2000 miles on them. They still don't need changed! They might just be the most durable tire ever.

However, they're heavy and ride like tank treads in comparison to a lighter weight flexible tire like the Pasela TG, and you might as well just ride on the bare rims when comparing them to the Parigi-Roubaix.