5'11", 205--I ride an Airborne Zeppelin with Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels. No Problems with damage to wheels or bike, 2400+ miles this summer (I live in Michigan--the riding season for non-Eskimos and masochists is April-October). Last year started on a Giant OCR 3 at 255lbs, broke the spokes in the back wheels twice--had a heavier, stronger wheel built and no problems. Of course I dropped about fifty pounds over that summer as well--so that may have had something to do with it
I am a Clydesdale and proud of it. Rode a Century in under six hours this year, ride at 18-20mph on my own and at 20-22 in a group. I may be fat--but I'm fit...can't climb worth a s**t, but I go downhill like a bat outta hell...Dropping another 15lbs this winter should help with the climbing...
It never gets easier--you just get faster...
GL