To answer a question further up the chain...I do move to the flats every now and again just to change positions. If I had to guess, I spend about %70 of my time on the hoods, 20 in drops and ten on flats. That can change depending on the kind of riding I'm doing. I generally really like the feel and positioning of the hoods and as Chipcom suggested, love the drops for headwinds and downhill riding.

I don't have the extra levers because I've found I lost braking power with them (i had a Jake the Snake with those and the brakes were for crap). I really don't find it very difficult to move from the flats to the hoods or drops when braking.

I LOVE the position changes drops offer...it definitely helps keep me fresh and less stiff.