check out the vredestein tyres. i've been though a heap of them. if you can get them, get the s-licks, but it looks like they have been superseded. excellent grip (can really lean it over at speed), probably a slightly softer-than-usual compound, so you gotta be careful not to lock the rear too often. i've always got 'em in 1.3". when i couldn't find them anywhere, i'd go some other brand, but always go back to the vredestein tyres. currently running one of the newer models (a moiree), which isn't quite as good as the s-lick, but still better on the front than anything else i've tried (other than the s-lick). maybe i'm just used to the feel of that brand's tyres. next one i'll try is the girando, which looks a little more like the s-lick, so looks good. dunno about the claims that 1.5" is better - the bigger tyres i've tried don't seem to steer as well. dunno what it is, but dodging sydney drivers just seems easier with the sweet spot 1.3 size. just seems to change direction faster - less sidewall flex maybe?
the gearing issue isn't as much a problem for me, as i've set up my hardtail as a dedicated commuter, with slightly higher gearing (46/36 on the front) with a closer ratio road cassette - so i've got about 4 or 5 gears that are usable on the flats, instead of 3 on a usual mtb gear setup.