OK I'll jump in. This is my limited experience with SRAM and Shimano. My Masi Gran Criterium (AL w/CF fork and rear) is 10 yr. old Dura Ace w/Ultegra crankset. My Guru (steel) is SRAM Red w/Force shifters. The Masi is about 12 yr. old and the Guru about 3 yr. old. I have no real preference for either but they are different. The SRAM engagement is more pronounced. The Shimano seems more fluid...slicker. Either is fine with me. Just different. Have not had reliability problems with either. Thankfully neither of them "suck."