You really gotta separate gravel from cross to get the discussion you want here. jstonebarger's posts are perfect for cross related stuff. They are clearly speaking from cyclocross experience. I really agree with them saying there's too many factors for a blanket statement. That's why people show up to cross races with 4 sets of wheels. As you start getting towards higher categories, there's a certain level of homogeneity of riders, thus a corresponding similarity between the 'best' equipment for them.
If somebody has an 'aha' moment with much more aggressive tires, I'm guessing it's because they have more horsepower than handling. There's nothing wrong with that. Shore up your weaknesses. It's also possible they are finally able to achieve a lower tire pressure due to a larger tire. If people are passing you (a collective 'you')in corners and technical sections and you're getting them back in the straights, climbs and other power sections, then it might be time to try tires with more grip whether that's wider, more knobby, or lower pressure.
Gravel is primarily just finding the mix of comfort and rolling resistance that you're comfortably with. The small amount of grip needed is coming from lower tire pressure, not tread.
I feel that the best cross racers are using their brakes the least and/or doing the least slowing down so they are kind of a moot point.
Edit (there were a few posts while I wrote the above section): A discussion of CX tires without mention of pressure is not very beneficial. 32 mm dry tires in wet conditions is a recipe for disaster.
The tire width 'rule' is a pointless discussion in the USA. USAC does not have a tire width rule for cyclocross. It's a UCI rule that USAC borrows once a year for half of its categories. Even at a UCI race like Trek CXC, Jingle Cross, etc. the rule does not apply to you unless you're racing in the elite/pro categories. The other categories are run under USAC rules.
If you are looking for a single do-it-all tire, the Schwalbe X One all around is a solid option. It's going to measure around 35 mm on the average rim, it's low rolling resistance, it's a tight bead for better tubeless performance, the corner knobs are going to get you through most cyclocross racing except the really wet/loose stuff and the center tread is spaced tight enough that it won't be a bad roller on gravel.
If somebody has an 'aha' moment with much more aggressive tires, I'm guessing it's because they have more horsepower than handling. There's nothing wrong with that. Shore up your weaknesses. It's also possible they are finally able to achieve a lower tire pressure due to a larger tire. If people are passing you (a collective 'you')in corners and technical sections and you're getting them back in the straights, climbs and other power sections, then it might be time to try tires with more grip whether that's wider, more knobby, or lower pressure.
Gravel is primarily just finding the mix of comfort and rolling resistance that you're comfortably with. The small amount of grip needed is coming from lower tire pressure, not tread.
I feel that the best cross racers are using their brakes the least and/or doing the least slowing down so they are kind of a moot point.
Edit (there were a few posts while I wrote the above section): A discussion of CX tires without mention of pressure is not very beneficial. 32 mm dry tires in wet conditions is a recipe for disaster.
The tire width 'rule' is a pointless discussion in the USA. USAC does not have a tire width rule for cyclocross. It's a UCI rule that USAC borrows once a year for half of its categories. Even at a UCI race like Trek CXC, Jingle Cross, etc. the rule does not apply to you unless you're racing in the elite/pro categories. The other categories are run under USAC rules.
If you are looking for a single do-it-all tire, the Schwalbe X One all around is a solid option. It's going to measure around 35 mm on the average rim, it's low rolling resistance, it's a tight bead for better tubeless performance, the corner knobs are going to get you through most cyclocross racing except the really wet/loose stuff and the center tread is spaced tight enough that it won't be a bad roller on gravel.