Yes, I am looking for more speed and performance, but not for my current hybrid bike. I now realize that I want a road bike for the summer and this hybrid will be my "winter bike". I will install studded tires on it and buy a new summer bike next spring. I will use Schwalbe Marathon Winters, (
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp) a studded tire that has relatively minimal rolling resistance. Thanks for the reply.
Alfie