Unfortunately it is... Sounds like an old manual cash register when it shifts. An improvement that can be made to the SRAM gruppo's is Yokozuna cables. http://www.yokozunausa.com/

I may do that next season. For now, it is what it is.

I generally like the double tap over Shimano, but the front dr requires a certain amount of getting used to. Also, although the general ergonomics are very nice, the bulge at the bottom of the hoods seems to hit me in just the wrong spot on the palms of my hands. Maybe if I add some bar phat under the Fizik tape it would help smooth the transition.

I do like the looks of the Force over the new Ultegra. After about 6 wks of hard riding, everything still looks pristine on my '09 Force. BTW, I'm running a DA 7900 chain and DA/Ultegra cogs.