To carbon or not to carbon?

[Boon 51]

Just got myself my first carbon bike, its a Madone 5.2 Ultegra @ 7.7 kg, which is lighter than my other bike a Caad 8 105 @ 9.5 Kg and its like a different world.
At least one gear higher, reaching top gear much easier I might have to change from a 50/34 to a 52/36 to help matters.
Overall ride is better, just a peach of a bike.
PS.. The Madone 5.2 was not expensive either, I got lucky and got a ex demo which they replaced the two cogs on the derailleur, plus a new chain and 11/32 cassette, new cables, hood covers, bar tape, two new tyres and two years warrenty all for €1800 or £1500 ish about half price.
So the Caad might have to go so I get another lighter bike.

 

[moo]

Wheels and tyres make the biggest difference when climbing. £500 wheels on a 10kg alu will climb better than £100 wheels on an 8kg carbon.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

I have a steel framed bike that weighs 3kg more than my carbon framed bike and do you know the difference in average speed between them? Nothing. The steel frame feels slower when I am riding it, it also absorbs bumps in the road better and in general is more comfortable, but when I download the rides it is the same speed as my carbon bike. I weigh just about 12 stone so my weight with the bike is roughly 84kg. Do you think you will notice an extra 2 or 3 kg? Dont buy the bike because it weighs less. Buy the bike because it is will do what you want it to and is comfortable.