Introduction.... and any recommendations?

1. steel frame - tough, absorbs shock, rides smooth - Salsa looking good www.salsacycles.com/ bianchi as welll
   

As a clydesdale I believe you need to have top quality cranks and rear derailleurs. Your drivetrain is your best friend. Def stay away from a full carbon frame(unless you can afford a custom made). Also stick to a 18 or 20 speed, if you are already riding ss you don't need the granny gears.
Looks like you are looking at less than $1000? You may be better off buying used but I have to say bikesdirect (mailorder) has some really good deals on bikes, you can get a really good deal on a bike for under a grand. I cannot vouch for them but the specs and prices on their bikes are def amazing.
Anyone out there bought from them? I was about to try them until I found a great deal on a used Cyclocross.

What does top quality imply? I assume that top quality translates to top dollar and light weight.

There are no special considerations for a clydesdale for cranks and derailleurs. The derailleur itself does not take the additional stress of a larger rider. Entry level drivetrain components are very similar in strength and durability to the top dollar bretheren. I built a Tri bike using nashbar (microshift) branded derailleurs - they work great.

There is no reason to stick to a double chainring setup either. Depending on terrain, as a larger rider you may benefit from having lower gearing. Having a few extra teeth in the back sprocket and maybe a few less on the front chainrings. You may be interested in either a triple or compact double crankset.

Wheels and tires are probably the most common clyde-specific equipment areas for concern. These components are, however, easily upgradeable. Generally, more spokes and a good build quality will result in a stronger wheel. You can get away with riding on 23c tires, but will probably be happier with at least a 25c in the rear.