If you are bigger, as in taller, you may want to expand your search to include 29ers.
For $1,500 you could get a Salsa El Mar -
http://www.webcyclery.com/product.ph...cat=468&page=1
Gary Fisher has a whole slew of 29ers -
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bik...&bike=XCaliber
There are also many more available as frames that would suit your needs.