Drop bars also give you a lot of optional hand positions to vary which becomes a lot more important when you get onto week long or longer rides (and when you get older too!). All of those extra places to put your hands helps alleviate numbness, tingling and tired wrists. I also put the top of my drop bars at about and inch or two higher than people usually put their straight bars so i have a wide range of high and low options that are easy on my back, neck, arms and hands.