I've been getting back in the commute by bike mode for a few weeks now. I love riding and all things about it. I currently ride a Trek 7000 hybrid with about 40lbs in a pannier. I am wondering if I should upgrade to an entry level road bike such as a Trek 1.1 for a faster ride? After doing some digging people have suggested getting new, thinner tires. But, they implied getting a road bike won't help too much unless there is hilly terrain, which I must say constitutes about 8 miles of my trip each way. These are steep, traffic-ridden hills. So, do I spend $250 on road bike wheels and tires or is it practical enough to plop $550 on a Trek 1.1? I do have some bumps and large cracks on my commute, fyi.