yeah this is a bummer in general. if you want drop bars and 406 wheels then you have to do either
1) travel agents + regular v-brakes
2) "mini" v-brakes
3) cantilever brakes
I've tried #2 and #3 and been very unhappy with the results. #2 isn't so bad in back, but in the front the wheel drags on the bottom part of the brake. I've tried filing it down but it still drags.
the other possibility is to use sidepull brakes with 451 rims, or maybe extra-extra-long calipers on 406 rims.
I think the cabling from a v-brake is the same as a mech disc brake so a new fork and wheel should do it.
I don't want bar end shifters though. I was thinking something like Tiagra or 105.