I have searched a lot and can't find the answer.  What are the exact differences in the ct and ct-r and is the ct-r worth the price difference. Thanks

A bit of red paint and a different gear ratio. Maybe a slightly different spool. Unless you want the 8;1 ratio particularly it's probably not worth the extra.

Don't know about the CT, but from what I've read the only difference between the CT and original is the size.  Therefore I have to assume the differences are about the same.  For the originals the Type R is a different color, is offered in a faster gear ratio, has a lighter spool, two corrosion resistant bearings  and from reading the TT article is "tuned".  I've owned both.  I am not good enough to notice a casting performance difference between the two.  However the Type R was worth it to me for the faster ratio and I would still prefer it without that option because I like the finish on the Type R better.  I probably would buy the CT Type R just because I like the finish better as I see you can get the faster gear ratio in the CT..

It's probably a trivial difference to most, but the drag star material on the CT-R is Zaion and higher quality than the regular CT drag star. Just anotber of the few differences.

The Type R has dragon's tears mixed in with the fairy dust and unicorn horn, the regular does not use unicorn horn.

 

I have one of each.  The technical differences have been noted .  The Type R is .2 oz. lighter.  The difference in casting a actually negligible. The lighter spool and spool bearing upgrade gives the Type R a very slight edge in casting  lighter baits.  Worth the 50 bucks?   That's debatable.