I've read many more account of Sram shift levers breaking off during the last few years than I have of Shimano shift lever design failures. Levers shouldn't break off with normal (no crashes) use.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...d.php?t=187519

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...hp?f=3&t=60779

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...d.php?t=187519

I currently ride 6600, and it has been amazingly boring in it's reliability I've briefly ridden Sram and like the way it feels/shifts etc., but would not be willing to sacrifice reliability, even for half a pound of weight. A close friend of mine JUST YESTERDAY had his '10 Sram Force lever break off at the exact same point as the pictures in the above threads. He's been training all winter for race season, has his first race next weekend, and only has the one bike. Bummer for him. He rode 7700 before "upgrading" to Force last year, and is now having to consider going back after these failed after a single season of riding/racing. I applaud Sram for the creation of a legitimate alternative, but I won't consider them to be on par until they can make their weight and repair-ability improvements without sacrificing reliability. My $.02.

*edit* To be fair, I don't think I've heard of any Sram "Red" shifters having this problem, so I suppose the relevance of this post is lost in a DA vs. RED thread.

-Jeremy