difference between Control Tech vs Answer Atac quill stem

[RockiMtn]

Recently picked up a used stem which I believed was a Control Tech quill stem. There was no logo but it had the "made in USA" sticker at the rear base of the stem.

However I've been told it should have a rubber/plastic top cap, but what I have is an silver alloy cap. Looking around the forums I noticed that the Answer Atac stem looks to almost identical to a Control Tech stem, and they all seem to have the alloy top cap.

So how does one tell which stem they have without a logo on it? Could my stem be an Atac with a "Made in USA" sticker on it? Or is it a Control Tech stem with an Atac top cap on it???

 

[Scrat]

Photos are a good start

But I have seen both stems with both alloy top caps and plastic bungs.

But I would say you its a ControlTech if it has a flag underneath

 

[Elev12k]

The ATAC is burlier. The CT would look good on say a Prestige tubing frame, the ATAC would look out of proportion.

Moreover I think the CT has an equal round diameter tube between clamp and clamp/shaft ...and from my memmory that is slightly different with the ATAC: Little vatiation in diameter, slightly ovalized maybe.

Of course agree that pics would be a great help.

 

[MJN]

The CT I have has a recessed steerer bolt hence the rubber bung and as said above the A-tac is much burlier.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

afaik there was just one version of the atac stems but at least 2 versions of the controltech stems. the early control tech stems had the controlstem decal and an alloy top cap.

later ones had a controltech decal and the rubber cap.

the answer atac in comparison is much bulkier.

 

[MJN]

Just been out to the garage to look at the Mrs bike(the one which my last remaining CT stem is fitted) and that looks to be a later version,probably from about 1995 if memory serves.I also had a couple of 1" examples bought in 1993 which were the same,when did they change the design?

 

[RockiMtn]

photo from my mongoose build thread…

it has the same small "made in USA by control tech" sticker, same sticker on a red threadless control tech stem with full decals.

more pictures in my mongooose thread of both in my sig.

 

[MJN]

That shape is deffo Control Tech,it must be one of the earlier ones mentioned above

 

[RockiMtn]

hmmm… so it should be an early CT stem. Cool!

 

[tiboltrider]

That shape is deffo Control Tech

Agree with above. Is that top cap original or an after market one? The quill, steerer / inside bit hasn't been modified has it? I thought it would have had a sunken bolt in there.