Ardent Race, 29x2.2 EXO/3C is light at 720g. The HR2 2.3 EXO/3C is like 900g. What accounts for that weight difference? Does EXO mean slightly different things between the XC and AM application?
Both casing size and the amount of rubber for the knobs account for the weight difference. Two completely different tires and applications. Closer comparison to the HR2 would be the DHR2: lighter across all wheel sizes.
The Ardent race is a more open Ikon, works better in soft conditions. That is within equivalent sizes. The 2.35 Ikon is a different beast, same as what the 2.4 Ardent is to the 2.25 Ardent: taller, more aggressive knobs with a larger volume casing to soften the blows.