Looking to go big (tires)
 

I'm looking into bigger tires and would like to find the a fast tire with decent durability. I'll mainly use the tires for commuting, tooling around town, and Weekends on Rail Trails.

I'm looking at the following

Schwalbe Big bens 28 x 2
Schwalbe Big Apple 28 x 2
Continental Top Contact II 700 x 47
Compass Barlow Pass 700 x 38
Specialized Fatboy 700 x 45

Anyone have any additions to or experience with any of the above tires?

Thanks

I have Panaracer Pasela Protex 700x35. Kevlar bead and tan sidewall. I have heard that the sidewall is not the most durable but if you ride them only on the road or bike trails that is no big deal. They are extremely supple and fairly fast and they run true to size unlike a lot of other tires. I got them for $30 per tire.

I use the Larsen TT works well on road and off... Mountain | Maxxis USA

Compass Tires ride exceptionally well, but have zero protection. I wouldn't use as a commuter tire.

I'd personally go Pasela 700x37. Plenty tire for what you're wanting. Maybe Schwalbe if your routes are rougher than average.

I had the 38mm Little Big Ben's. I liked them a lot. Great speed for a lugged tire, and the "lugs" really did make a difference off-road. For a general purpose tire, it's hard to do better. Durability was good and I never got a flat.

I keep finding myself leaning toward the Big Bens but I just can't find enough information regarding rolling resistance. I also found the Maxxis Max Grifter.

I've been riding the Compass 700x32 tires for a couple of years now. They are the best thing by far that I've ever done to improve the ride quality on my bike.

That being said, they are more likely to get punctures than some of the beefier options you've listed. I feel the tradeoff is worth it. Replacing a tube is a simple process made even simpler by the fact that the tires can be dismounted and mounted without tools. I'd rather enjoy superior ride quality and deal with maybe 6 punctures per year than ride on bricks and still get two punctures per year.

The Barlow Pass is one of the nicest-riding tires I've used. Super plush, even on broken pavement and dirt roads.