Funny thing is the soft compound actually conforms pretty well to gravel, so the tire doesn't actually end up too slick. Most of what a high performance tire lacks is the tread block design to really bite. You get the soft compound conforming some over the gravel to give ok operation, but you never really get any serious bite from the tire. Gravel pick-up is dependent on the tire used. I have RE01R, and that does not throw rocks. A different brand/model may be very different though.