Well...I don't understand the negativity toward carbon.
I bought my first carbon bike last September when I tipped the scales at 302lbs. I currently weigh 262-ish and have used it for everything from 60-mile mountainous, to 20-mile criteriums, to 40-mile commutes, and tomorrow my first century in about 10+ years with about 6,000 feet of climbing.
I do agree...get some good wheels. I was/am riding 32-14gauge spokes with Mavic CXP33's, laced 3-cross in the rear and 32 single-cross 14/15-gauge spokes in front. Broke my first spoke yesterday in 3,000+ miles.
Not too bad for a clyde on a carbon frame.
My 2 cents.