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I really like Schwalbe tyres. I think the carcasses are really good and allow me to run lower pressures than other tyres without squirm or bounce, but they're still light and grip really well. I have Ralphs on my rigid bike and Hans Dampf on my big bike. The XC bike however has Specialized Ground Controls on which I hate. Felt sketchy as hell on rocks from the off. And they aren't as light as they ought to be given their size.
The bike in question (Trek Superfly FS) spends its time in local woods, with a few miles of road at either end. It may be raced one day, but not currently. The terrain is usually thin clay on top of sandstone or limestone rocks, with roots, some mud, and some loam. The rocks are the worst though because they get polished and slippery.
I reckon Rocket Rons would be good. They should be still quick but with a smidge more grip than Ralphs, and should grip better than the Ground Controls. I don't think I need full on mud tyres, and I don't want to be changing tyres frequently. Weight is a concern. So I think 2.2 Rons in Speed or Speedgrip would be good.
I'm assuming Speed is a harder compound than Speedgrip which would be nice for durability (at £45 for a general riding tyre!) but I don't want to be sliding around on wet rocks too much.
Rocket Rons are good, fast and if you get snakeskin reasonably durable. They do ave a tendency to wash out in loose over hardback though. I'd suggest Speedgrip F Speed R.
However, Vittoria Barzo TNT is much better in every way albiet slight heavier IMHO an goes up tubeless in 2 seconds with a puff on a straw (well not really but you know what I mean.
I've found in mixed/soft a Barzo up front and wearing out my Rons on the rear seems to be a good combo. I have Gato 2 on the rear of the hardtail but haven't ridden it yet.
I don't like the new schwalbe compounds no where near as grippy as the old ones imo
Speed rear sounds like a good idea.
I've really gone off Schwalbe tyres they always feel like a compromise and when the grip goes it just snaps away, I normally use Rons/Ralphs but have started using Maxxis Ikon/Ardents they are a bit heavier but if the grips goes it seems easy to control, I would rather give up some weight for better control.
Think this should answer most your qus