General Cycling Discussion - Drop Bars on a hybrid bike?

recently my panisonic road bike (not sure what model it was but it was older) was stolen and im looking to get a new one.

i was looking toward a hybrid because the roads in my area are less than desireable (glass, salt, dirt, bumps, ect) but i need an easy ride due to the distance being traveled (10-25 mpd)

my question being can i add drop bars (curved handle bars) to a hybrid bike? will it be uncomfotable to ride? howe hard will they be to install?

any comments will be apriciated :D

Instead, look into a cyclocross bike. You'll still get the drop handlebars but you'll get the ability to run fatter tires that'll be OK for the roads. You *could* put drop bars on a hybrid, but by the time you buy all the new shifters and brake levers (or a combination thereof) then you may have well just got a bike with drop bars to begin with.

Look at the Specialized "Sequoia" models. That bike is built for the best of three worlds, road, commuting, and touring. It's a hybrid type build with lots of road add ons. There are plenty of others out there like it too.

Adding drop bars gets to be pricey real quick (considered it for my commuter). Get them from the start.

Touring bikes have the drop bars & can take the wider tires. They have provision for racks on the back which are useful for carrying lunch, work clothes, rain jacket etc. The also have longer chainstays than cyclo-cross bikes, so there is less chance of panniers hitting your heels.

Some practical, good value drop bar bikes:
Jamis Aurora
Surley LHT
Bianchi Volpe
.......

Look at the Specialized "Sequoia" models. That bike is built for the best of three worlds, road, commuting, and touring. It's a hybrid type build with lots of road add ons. There are plenty of others out there like it too.
More of a comprimise of all three worlds rather then the best.

Some practical, good value drop bar bikes:
Jamis Aurora
Surley LHT
Bianchi Volpe
.......

Cannodale T800
Cannondale T2000
Trek 520
Fuji Touring

I know for a fact that the T800 will take 37C tires and it will probably handle 47's. And after riding a few hundred miles of dirt trails in Missouri and Nebraska with a 60 lb touring load, I'm sure it will handle just about anything you want to throw at it.

I haven't measured, but it looks like most hybrids have a shortish top tube, so you'd be kind of bunched up even with the drop bars. Another vote for going with a Sequoia or other bike designed for your preference.