I am preparing for my US west coast tour. Last trip I did was on a hybrid with flat bars and just some extenders for a second option in handling. This time I chose drop bars. The bike I ended up buying (Raleigh Sojour) has the WTB Mtn Drop bars, with the shifters at the bar ends.

I was initially a bit skeptical for the nature of the bars and to how wide they are at the bottom. It's also my first time I am riding with drop bars... so I was worried that I may not like them and I was considering swapping them with some normal drop bars I have. I am now slowly getting used to them and I think they will show their advantage once I load the bike. I think wider bars means easier to hold the bike while pedaling standing.
Has any of you used those? Is it worth swapping them to something else?

Another question is about the shifters. Again it takes some get used to, as I constantly have to reach my arm down to change gear. The main selling point of these at the shops, was that it's a simpler design and easier to maintain and fix, which I can definitely understand and makes sense. What I realized though after I bought the bike, is that if my bike drops, especially with these bars, the first thing that will hit the ground is the shifter. So I wonder, will it take the hit?
Has anyone had a bad experience with these?


thank you