Drop bars == more aerodynamic but less comfort.
They originated in racing where being uncomfortable for a short time was worth tolerating if it made the difference between winning and not.
With upright bikes--any time you have your hands below the level of the seat, comfort decreases drastically.
If you are particularly interested in riding comfort, go try a few recumbents. They have their drawbacks but the riding comfort is far beyond any upright bike.
This comment and this entire thread make
no sense. I could take your current bike -- remove spacers/otherwise lower the stem, install any flat bar you want, and put you in pain just as much as any drop bar. Stupid.
It has nothing to do with the drop bar, it's the
height of the handlebar (and
reach to the handlebar) -- period. I ride drop bars on a mountain bike (kind of a monstercross bike) because flat bars are not as comfortable for long distance rides to me. I like the position where my fingers are split over the brake hoods and can ride like that for long periods of time even if I rarely use the "drops" portion of bar.