Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,642
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Hills are more about the motor, and less about the bike. You are not going to save that much weight wise.
Set the bike up the way you want (within your budget), don't worry about how it works out as an investment, because it won't. It doesn't matter when you keep the bike.
+1 Tires can make a nice improvement.
Make sure what you have is in top notch mechanical shape first: bearings, grease, cables, chain and housings.
LePree is pretty decent stuff.