Width and knobs are two completely unrelated considerations that have little to do with each other. A skinny knobby is not a substitute for a fat slick or vise versa.
Wide tires can afford lower pressures, making for a smoother ride and helping the tires track the ground better. Knobs are useful for punching through loose or mucky material and grabbing anything grabbable.
If we're talking about a ride that includes a bunch of dry rocky gravel, I would tend to go for super-fat slicks.
Originally Posted by
surak
I thought I was going to buy some
Continental Contact Plus Travel 1.75" tires, but the listed weight of 950g is eye-popping and now I have second thoughts...
The performance issue with tires like that isn't the weight, it's the rolling resistance.
Do side knobs help smooth the ride and avoid sidewall cuts
If you want a smoother ride, pump the tires squishier. If you want to avoid sidewall cuts, use a bigger tire to reduce sidewall exposure, and/or use a tire with beefier sidewalls.