I would try a few more road bikes before I wrote them off. In my case the drop bars offer so many different hand positions and can be set up so many ways that its really no comparison. I think the width of the tires would make me more insecure than the handlebars. My hands go numb a lot quicker on my mountain bike with bar ends than either of my road bikes. Even without riding in the drops the ability to have so many hand and body positions is really nice. Like other people have posted, drop bar bikes can be positioned very relaxed if need be. Good luck.