WRT the tires....

I've had two sets of 'Stones and one set of E4s.
I also found the Stones to be superior in wet weather, but the E4s are amazing on dry pavement and tar snakes.

I got 18,000 out of each set of Stones and at 36,000 I put on the E4s.
The rear E4 was replaced at 18k, the front is still going at 25k.

Cheers,
Steve