In mid-December I picked up a new Maxxis Ikon EXO 2.2 (sidewall protection - 570grams, 29er). I know you're thinking a couple months can't qualify for a long term review, but they have been a hard couple of months on the tire.
I am running the tire tubeless (as a rear only) on a Reynolds Topo carbon wheel at 23-26psi depending on conditions. I've been very happy with it so far. I have several races on it including:
45 mile marathon (mostly roots, scattered pebble, and pine)
75 mile marathon (roots, scattered rock, and jeep roads)
40 miles in a 6hr team race (40 miles of XC race pace over rocks and hardpack)
56 mile marathon (rocks, ledges, hardpack)
40 miles in a 12hr team race (roots and hardpack, full xc sprint each lap)
Super D TT course + 4 practice runs (tons of sharp granite rocks, drops, jumps)
40 miles in another 6hr race (sharp granite rocks, drops, tire scrapers. Flatted three other tires that day, but not the Ikon!)
I've also done all of my training Miles between races on this tire. Training miles are very technical rocks and ledges with lots of opportunity for sidewall tearing. The best thing is that it's given me ZERO issues and has proved to be extremely tough and durable for its weight. It seems to roll faster than the Racing Ralph Snakeskin it replaced (which only last me 2 months max as a rear tire before the tread wears off). After all these hard miles, my Ikon still looks almost brand new. I feel it has slightly less straight line grip compared to the ralph for braking and super steep climbs, but that just required a small change in riding style to compensate (push down harder on rear for slick steep climbs). In the corners, I prefer it over the Ralph as it tracks very predictably.
This is definitely my new favorite rear tire, and I'll probably be trying it as a front as well once I kill my current Ralph (still my current favorite for a front tire). I fully expect it to last through the entire upcoming XC series as well as my training rides. For reference, I'm a fast cat 1 / slow open class racer.
I am running the tire tubeless (as a rear only) on a Reynolds Topo carbon wheel at 23-26psi depending on conditions. I've been very happy with it so far. I have several races on it including:
45 mile marathon (mostly roots, scattered pebble, and pine)
75 mile marathon (roots, scattered rock, and jeep roads)
40 miles in a 6hr team race (40 miles of XC race pace over rocks and hardpack)
56 mile marathon (rocks, ledges, hardpack)
40 miles in a 12hr team race (roots and hardpack, full xc sprint each lap)
Super D TT course + 4 practice runs (tons of sharp granite rocks, drops, jumps)
40 miles in another 6hr race (sharp granite rocks, drops, tire scrapers. Flatted three other tires that day, but not the Ikon!)
I've also done all of my training Miles between races on this tire. Training miles are very technical rocks and ledges with lots of opportunity for sidewall tearing. The best thing is that it's given me ZERO issues and has proved to be extremely tough and durable for its weight. It seems to roll faster than the Racing Ralph Snakeskin it replaced (which only last me 2 months max as a rear tire before the tread wears off). After all these hard miles, my Ikon still looks almost brand new. I feel it has slightly less straight line grip compared to the ralph for braking and super steep climbs, but that just required a small change in riding style to compensate (push down harder on rear for slick steep climbs). In the corners, I prefer it over the Ralph as it tracks very predictably.
This is definitely my new favorite rear tire, and I'll probably be trying it as a front as well once I kill my current Ralph (still my current favorite for a front tire). I fully expect it to last through the entire upcoming XC series as well as my training rides. For reference, I'm a fast cat 1 / slow open class racer.
