After commuting on a Bianchi carbon road bike with a heavy backpack to work and back for 3 years, my shoulders had had enough and I decided to get a commuter with comfy geometry and mount panniers. Two weeks ago I went with the Apollo Trace 45 http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes2017/urban-3/trace-45#.WazC1Xeg_wc, and so far my back and shoulders are thanking me for it!

However, I'm not loving the 8 speed IGH (not enough gears for hills - I'm in Melbourne and yes there's the odd hill!) and I'm also not loving cable disc brakes. Being a MTBer with a decent MTB, I'm used to hydrolics and going back isn't much fun.
I'm thinking about swapping the Trace 45 for its more sophistocated sibling, the Trace 55. However, I'd have to pay the difference of over $1000. http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes2017/urban-3/trace-55#.WazDcXeg_wc
I've never had any problem spending money on cycling as it's my passion... But I wanted people's opinion. Is another $1,000+ (on top of the $1150 I've already spent for the Trace 45) worth it for hydrolics, an extra 3 gears and a slightly lighter frame?
Any thought apprreciated!