Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - From Mountainbke to Road - looking for advice

Hi Guys,

I'm mostly a "lurker" here and am heavy into mountainbiking but am looking to pick up a road bike and was looking for some advice from you guys.

I'm a Clyde, 6'6" 270lbs and recently test rode a Seven Alaris Ti bike that I absolutely love. I just don't want to drop that kind of cash on a bike or at least wasn't planing on it.
Now I have learned, you buy cheap you buy twice (learned that from mountainbiking) and guess I want to do the right thing the first time around.

Can a clyde my size get away with an aluminum frame? I realize the Ti is a lot more "forgiving" and a smother ride but is it really worth the extra $$?
The Seven is a 63cm frame with Ultegra components '08 and by the looks/feel of it would be solid enough for me to ride without upgrading the wheels, etc.

I guess I should be looking at steel frames as well but really don't have the foggiest of what is out there.

What else would you guys suggest for a guy my size. I'm looking for mainly an alrounder road bike to use to group ride and to just get a good workout in when I'm not able to get to the mtbk course.

Thanks in advance for your help.

at your weight i wouldn't worry about the frame. Pick any frame you like and get it. Aluminum will be fine so will steel, ti, and carbon.

The only thing you might consider are the wheels and tires.
Some say you must use 36 count spokes but i think its more important on the wheel quality.
i'm about 275 and ride a blue competition rc8 carbon frame with mavic ksyrium equipe wheels with 25c tires
The mavic wheels are low spoke count 18front 20 rear, but i have not had any problems so far, and was assured they are well built and can handle my weight.

Just get a bike from a reputable company. The wheels that come with it might not be great, but you can ride them now and upgrade later. I philosophy is buy the best frame you can afford, and then the best components you can afford to go with the frame. You can always upgrade the components later.

Just a thought but have you looked at a cyclocross? You could swap out the tires to 25/28's road tires and still get a reasonably light road bike built to take some abuse. I'm 230 and went this route. Still very fast but a little easier on my mind and body.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll look into those wheels as well. I sort of feel the same way as well. Get the best frame I can afford and upgrade the components later or as I break them.

I have looked at the cyclecross bikes as well. I really need to test ride some cyclecross before I make up my mind.

Thanks!