Harsh? You're kidding. I love my bike (2008 Trek Madone 5.7, I think? The one with the integrated bottom bracket, the 'lowest' model with that but is made in the US).

The first time I rode carbon, I knew it had to be all carbon. It's so smooth, like butter. Not even a contest vs aluminum. I haven't ridden steel in ages, but based on weight alone, yeah, carbon.