Originally Posted by Kindaslow

It is not just weight, and not just going FS, it is also the design, quality of components, geometry....

Look at the bike you have and decide what you can change that could make a difference. Then, figure out the costs. If the costs are as much or more than a much nicer new bike, then take a pause. Maybe, you would be better off spending the next year riding your current bike into the ground and saving money. Maybe at the end of that year, you could afford a much nicer bike???