What exactly is the hassle about drop bars? Do they look at you funny and say nasty things behind your back? Do they get hooked on light poles when you ride backwards? Really, I don't get it. I use drop bars (in San Francisco, not that it matters) and I like them. I usually ride on the tops (which is where the Salsa cyclocross lever happens to be if I need my front brake) except when hammering out of the saddle - then I use the drops. And for different hand positions I sometimes move my hands to where the "hoods" would be if I had hoods. No hassle here.