I've just (in the last year) have had to deal with 700c road-bike tires.
My first new bike (in over 20 years), a flat-bar road-bike came with Michelin Dynamics (700 x 25). These seem light and fast (although, at around 350 grams, I assume many roadies would consider them heavy), but they are just too thin-skinned for my taste, especially for using on the back wheel. I just don't feel confident (about flats) when I am riding them. I ride about 35 miles a week for fun, exercise, and commuting. I have been averaging around a flat a month over the course of 2007, 80-90% on the back-wheel tire. I bought a Marathon Plus (700 x 25), which is probably overkill for me as far as what I need for flat-prevention, it is on the heavy side (not sure, probably 600 plus grams), and cost close to what a car tire would cost. I will probably use it for a long time, but I am considering what my options are in the future.
So my point: Back-in-the-day I used to go to the department store and get tires (20 inch, the old 26 x 1 & 3/8, and 27 x 1 & 1/4). A lot of those tires were Cheng Shin brand. They were cheap and heavy (by todays standards), but quite durable. I had a flat about once a year on those old-school tires. So I did a search on the internet and was surprised to find Cheng Shin tires in a 700 x 25 size for around $5 a tire (I found them at Niagara Cycle Works) Does anyone have any experience with these and does anyone know what the recommended max pressure is for these tires (stamped on the side of the tire)? The weight would be interesting also, but that is not my greatest concern, I assume they are not going to be very light (maybe 400-500 grams)
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=1425