I believe you need a new wheel or at least new cassette body to get 9spd.
Barends V Brifters... depends what you like better. There are some 7spd brifters around I believe.
I like Nitto B115s and they may slip right into your present stem.
Why didn't you buy a bike with drop bars?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk