I agree with Dougolas on the fit angle.  They do vary and while they are all better than older models, well, in general anyway, they are different.  But you need also to consider ergonomics and performance.  I happen to think, for example, that my front shifter/derailleur combo for my 8 speed Dura-ace set up performs better than my 10 speed Dura-ace and 10 speed Ultegra (that I have on my cross bike.)   I think that the SRAMS, which I have test ridden numerous times is close to the Shimano and the shifting pattern with the levers is somewhat intuitive coming from Shimano but I could see how someone might not like it or prefer it over Shimano.  What I can't get used to, even on extensive test rides, is the shifting mechanism on Campy.  My pals who use it love it but while I think the comfort zone when riding the hoods is nearly spot on, the hand action required to press the thumb lever to be way out of wack. It requires an awkward movement, at least for me, pulling my hand back and off the hood to push down that lever. This is terrible ergonomicall speaking and consider I might want to do that action in the middle of a descent. I don't like the idea of minimizing my hand contact interface.

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Some shop guys may try to sell you on the fact that one product is better due to the enhanced capacity to replace parts but I would say that fit and performance should outweigh that value as SRAM or SHIMANO or Campy are all well made products and last a long time.  As far as value, weight and performance, the RIVAL might be a great way to go but for me, I'm sticking with Shimano for now.  Also, for some of you, consider that if you have Shimano casettes and wheel hubs now, they will generally be compatible with SRAM and vice versa (but not Campy.)

Go to a shop and ask to test ride two bikes back to back with both shifters.  Then ride it making sure you come out of the saddle shifting up and down and up and down hills too.

GRF*

EJ

*Go Real Fast!

I ride Shimano on my road bike and SRAM on my mountain bike.  My preference is based primarily on the comfort with the STI shifters than performance.  The SRAM set up on the MTB seems more crisp but that is irrelevant to my roadbike performance.  Still the Shimano set up (105/Ultegra)has not let me down either.

I have until recently, only used Shimano but after try SRAM on a road bike, I think that I prefer the SRAM. I've never really liked Campy. I wasn't sure about SRAM reliability but from what I hear, it's good.

That's my two cents.

Well, there have been some thoughtful insights offered so far. Perhaps we should ask Lance.  I'm not positive but I believe he was the first winner of the TDF to use Shimano and may have been the first on the podium with SRAM.

Often around here we will say, "if it is good enough for Lance it is good enough for me!"

EJ

Of course Greg but what about SRAM appeals to you? I like their ads for example but would use those to get me to try the product.  Ergonomics, cost, replacement warrentees?  You have a shop owners orientation. What say you?  Keeping warm?

It is about 8F here. Just finished a ride, albeit a tad shorter than usual!

EJ

Wow. I've been in and around a lot of riders and shops over the past couple of decades and I've not heard of intrinsic problems with Shimano and in fact the reliabilty has always been considered excellent. About the only issue I've heard of is getting the front derailleur to work when a chain ring set up was swapped to Compact drive.  Sometimes the shifting is dependent upon the construction of the frame or the dimensions as it is oriented to the rings and spacing. A mechanic can certainly explain this better than I.  The two examples cited above are unique to my experience. What were the problems specifically?

EJ

That's a bummer. I don't know how much the set up orientation for the head set would come into play for that to wear out. I'm still on my original on my Felt F1C which is going on six years now and about 18 to 20,000 miles I'd say. My Merlin still is all original with the 8 speed Dura-ace gruppo and the only replacement there was my rear derailleur after probably 15,000 miles or more and that was only because there was a slight delay between the third and fourth cog and my buddy had a spare to give me (he's a nice guy and a great frame painter!) and that bike runs great. As I mentioned I even prefer the front derailleur feel of the 8 over the 10 speed (first edition) components.

I have had great success with my cogs. All Dura-ace. My Felt came with an 11-23 (another discussion I've written about on other threads here on Active) and while I do use other configurations for racing or hill climbing I've probably gone over 15, maybe 17,000 miles on that cassette. While I clean my bike dilegently and that as you know should play a role, I would not have expected a cassette to last this long.  My chain rings, 53-42 (another discussion made elsewhere on Active)  are the orginal rings as well.  Still smooth.

Sorry you had some bad luck I think and your sibling too.

As mentioned, I can't get over the ergonomics of the campy shifters but that is why there are options!

HEADS UP!
EJ