I just upgraded to a full carbon bike - carbon frame, fork and bars. The only thing not carbon are the wheels and the seat post. The ride is infinitely better than my aluminum bike with the carbon fork and the carbon seat post/stays. We've got a lot of that chip rock asphalt out here and the cut down on vibration is day versus night. I love it. So your question about every bump being felt that much more on carbon - it's actually the reverse. It's like riding butter and I seriously cannot get enough (good thing cycling is healthier than butter!)