Knowing that Panaracer is not known for fast road tires, and that they also make the Compass tires, I did another search for actual test data on gravel tires. And I found some!
It could be better, but at least they took some data across 10 different models. Panaracer SK did pretty well. Keep in mind that tread choice varies with locale, and preference. But, tread = drag, so you only need as much as you need, more is only slower all else being equal.
Other notes:
* Damping is hysteresis. It may feel good, but it is slow. What feels fast is not always what is fast.
* 30 years ago my friends and I picked MTB tires by which one gave the most grip on the tightest DH turns, and the steepest rutted climbs. The tires that let us keep traction the best, and let us stay on our bikes the longest were the best! Panaracer Smokes and Darts were popular. WTB Velociraptors were even better!! ...and as it turns out, even slower. Looking back we were picking tires to perform best on 2% of our ride terrain. We were taking a big hit in rolling resistance everywhere else (98%). We were picking good downhill tires, not good cross country tires.
* I am coaching a rider who is doing a long race that is about 30% gravel. After surveying the gravel sectors (grade, turns, texture), we are leaning towards a fast slick tubeless 30c-32c road racing tire, and airing down as needed.
