Hi Nicole - glad to see you out in the open

Hmmm, my first serious bike was in fact a nifty little Trek Hybrid. Served me very well. I understand your want to change things up a bit.

The gearset you are thinking of, 30/42/52 is pretty standard in terms of road bikes - at least consumer grade ones. By switching out of your present gears, you'd get more potential top end speed while less of a granny gear, if you will, for real tough hill climbing.

Back to the hybrid thing, I've since moved on to a road bike and it is light years of difference. You start off with less weight, which gives you a big advantage in climbing, then you have more narrow tires, lighter wheels and components, which are more conducive to speed....finally, the riding position is more aerodynamic which again, helps potential speed in the flats.

I suspect if it is speed that you are really after, that a move to a road bike is going to be your best bet. That's what I ended up doing. I know it is a lot of money of course, so think it over, but that's just my experience.