It's not really about SRAM KoolAid, I just want my riding to be more enjoyable, and if switching to a different group helps, then great. If Campy is better, I'd like to know that too, I'm just not as familiar with their lineup. I figured there might be other riders out there who have had a similar issue, and was curious if this was typical of the Tiagra shifters and if I'm missing some piece of knowledge that would make these shifters work better for me, I'd love to know.

Pushing the lever higher up really doesn't help me because then instead of just pushing over, I have to reach up and then also over from the drops, and there's not as much leverage closer to the pivot point, wrists and arms get angled all wonky, etc. which is why shifting on the hoods is not comfortable. I didn't know about the shims, I'll look into that.

I remember the 105 shifters taking a lot less effort, and feeling a lot less like they're made entirely of plastic. Again, I don't know if that's real, or in my head.