Carbon Frame Upgrade from High End Alu Frame, Worth it?

Hello All,

First time post on this fantastic forum after following for many a year.

After growing up riding many bikes through my youth, I finally jumped on the road cycle band wagon a few of years ago with the fantastic Canyon Ultimate Al 105. What can I say, an incredible bike (thanks road.cc for pointing me in its direction) and one that I really enjoy riding on a daily basis (within reason) through all weathers with the odd century and many a ride out and back into Sussex.

However after years of being bombarded by the cycling press I am starting to wonder what I might be missing out on Carbon wise. With my 30th coming up in the next few months I thought I would reward myself with the carbon steed that everyone seems to bang on about and seem to acquire with abandon over they’re aluminium brethren.

HOWEVER I am in two minds as to whether an upgrade to a circa £1700 pound (most likely Canyon or Rose) carbon road bike will really be money well spent given that my current ride hits the scales at 8kg dead (105 and ksyrium equips) and seems to tick all the boxes. In short is Carbon REALLY that much of a revelation over a good quality Alu frame and worth the outlay or am I just being duped by all that marketing hype?? Yes the frame would be a few hundred grams lighter, but that in itself can't be the deciding factor surely?

Part of me thinks I could spend the same money and get an outrageous set of wheels and a high end group set rather than a mid-range carbon frame with a step up one wrung in group set and wheel set.

Thanks in advance.