The difference between carbon bikes at lower price points and carbon bikes at the upper levels (discounting jhi mod) is going to be everything but the frame....usually the groupset and wheels are the biggest cost eaters. Other than components the same frame is used for tje entry carbon bikes right up to the highest emd, again discounting hi mod and on the same model. Not sure why someone would claim that it isn't any better than Al...and Al isn't bad at all either. The CDale CAAD 10 is exceptionally light weight