I was wondering what was the exact name for the brake/shift levers, I guess you drop "sh" in shifters and replace it with "br" from brakes and you get brifters... nifty!
Would you buy a road bike or build it up? I have been looking around trying to get some ideas. I know what you mean about tinkering around and I feel I can almost go down that road but on the other hand I have to keep in mind any extra time I have I need to spend it on riding. I was looking at the Felt Z100 and Z85. And many others, Bianchi, Cannondale, Fuji, Trek and Specialized. I think in that price range, $700-$1200, they look like the have similar components. I'm not sure, I'm also looking at used.
https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Road/Z-Series.aspx
In hindsight I should have just picked up a beater for the city and put all money in road bike. Although, it has been a pleasure riding the hybrid zipping in out through Brooklyn, Manhattan traffic.

I have a Scott Hybrid and I just installed some drop bar ends from Origin 8 drop bar ends. I just cut the ends of the grips and slid them in about an inch and a half, while at the same time moving the shifters/brakes inward as well. The drop bar ends just bolt on to the ends. All you have to do is wrap them in some grip tape. The bar ends were only about 20 bucks.