Carbon is just bling. Get the bike with better components. IMHO, carbon seatposts don't make an appreciable feel difference, it's only worth it if they make a weight difference (I have ridden carbon seatpost in carbon frame, Thomson alu seatpost in carbon frame (no difference at all in feel between former and latter), and alu seatpost in alu frame (no difference in saddle/seatpost feel, actually, but carbon frame IS less buzzy than alu frame was -- fwiw, I had a Felt F50 with carbon fork & stays)).

Currently I'm riding a carbon road bike, but previously I had an alu road bike with carbon fork/stays. I also have a Bianchi alu cross bike with a carbon fork, but alu seat stays. I have ridden said cross bike on pavement with road tires, and honestly it doesn't feel harsher than my alu road bike with carbon stays felt...

Also, I test rode a Cannondale bike (I get the Systemsix and Six13 confused, it was whichever has a carbon front triangle and alu rear triangle) and it was fast, fast, fast and not super forgiving, but not harsh either...

So I would pay attention to fit, handling, and drivetrain components -- how materials feel depends a lot on how a particular frame is built.

Violette -- I think the "sin" you committed (and I think it is completely forgivable) was to assume that everyone has the same needs and preferences. I am pretty happy in semi-hilly terrain with my standard double (53/39), and I have ridden various triple configurations and know what I am missing in terms of low gears -- AND I'm carrying 10 extra pounds right now and am a bit out of shape. So.... "triple, triple, triple" might not be the right mantra for everyone.