You could look at the tire tech articles at Rene HERSE Cyclces. Jan Heine is a PhD scientist and does his own testing. He supports 26" at the highest levels of gravel racing and uses them on his own bike. The price of his tires is controversial, but then buying wheels, tires and brake adapters isn't free either. I bought his lightest 26x2.3" Extralight gravel slicks and I'm very glad I did. I kept my 20yo Mavic Crossride rims and now have smooth ride, fast rolling, great traction, and quicker acceleration. His knobbies do all of that also, but weigh slightly more.