OK this thread is loaded. I know your new but you really are coming to the board at a crazy time.
Check on some really good info about SS frames here.
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1240
Well since your a clyde (sorry jake he is making it too easy )
You should talk to Jake. He is I think 225, an ex power lifter and brakes lots of bike parts. He likes to try and compare how hard he is on a bike to how hard Maurice is on one (sorry Jake but that one slayed me). Jake also likes to talk about which bike to buy. He says he bought a Mary but I will believe it when i see it. Which even if he did buy it, you would still have to get him on the trail which his wife wont let him do any more.