Is lighter/better bike really FASTER?

[szymonef]

Hello,
I ride pretty standard alu Merida road bike 2007. Mostly Ultegra, partly 105. 2008 Aksium wheels. Total weight about 8.7 kg.
As an amateur I'm pretty good cyclist - especially on climbs I ride quite well and can win amateur races, maybe because I weigh 62 kg.
To the point: I know that carbon frame will probably feel "different", lighter wheels will feel faster and more responsive BUT - will these actually make me faster? I would really appreciate posts of members who have changed bikes from mid-class bikes to 7 kg carbons. Is it worth it or my bike will be just prettier?
Thanks

As a noob, I recommend using as this the below thread is in the Road Index

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88913

[sedluk]

Newton's law of Universal Gravitation "The Principia", first published on 5 July 1687


I still here guys say things like, it makes a difference if the bike is lighter until the bike weighs 15 lbs. After that it no longer makes a difference when climbing a hill. Obviously it was hard to argue this before 1687, then Newton's enlightened the world.