Originally Posted by
waynesworld
Hopefully you can find the right bars/ends/grips combo for you. I'm surprised no one has recommended trekking bars yet (unless I missed it). They are an interesting option that some really like.
As far as drop bars go, I ride mine almost exclusively on the hoods. The drop bars just allow me to move my hands around for more positions on longer rides, and to get in the drops for headwinds, or the occasional descent. Of course, brifter hoods vary too.
I'm not sure Shimano mountain 3x9 front derailleurs and cranksets are compatible with the road shifters ('brifters') that you would need with drop bars, I think the SiS stepping is different. 3x8 systems were compatible, but all the road stuff has moved to x9 or x10