New to road bikes and wondering between two

[DismalScientist]

True, but the hybrid position is relatively comfortable in all the areas I stated, and hands on the drops can introduce neck, back, shoulder, wrist, etc discomfort and/or pain.

Perhaps you can raise your stem or move your seat forward relative to the bars. Use gloves for wrist issues.
Normally you don't shift from the drops, but rather from the hoods.

(Or from the downtube, as God intended...)

[creadinger]

(Or from the downtube, as God intended...)

Because the last time bikes were made with downtube shifters was during creation.

[DismalScientist]

If you want upright bars on a road bike, that can be done: http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009...t-ii-true.html

(Thanks to Tim Kelly for the link.)