Shimano also makes flat bar road shifters, which work with a double or triple front.

Or, do what I did and put bar-end shifters in Soma Sparrow bars, with a longer stem.

Once you get the shifters, all you really need is a handlebar and possibly a different stem. Although, they make flat and riser bars in 31.8 diameter now, so even if your road stem is 31.8 you can still get new bars for it.

If it lets you ride your bike more often, it is worth it. I was riding mine less because I didn't like the drops. I ride it a lot more often now. According to my cyclecomputer, I didn't even lose any speed switching to the new bars, except when it is really windy.

Also, if it is a normal road bike without rack mounts, that doesn't mean you can't get a rack for it. You can get this rack, which mounts to the rear brake bolt and the rear axle:

http://www.axiomgear.com/product/rac...uct.php?id=142

Get the new shifters, new bars, that rack, and possibly some fenders, and you will be commuting in speed and style. You will be going so much faster than the commuters on converted mountain bikes and hybrids. And you can always put the drops back on later if you want to ride it like a road bike again.