Don't be deceived into thinking that the new bikes are heavier than the old bikes just because you couldn't get it off the ground - the geometry is so, so different you really can't compare the two.
Forget about the odd pound in weight here and there - it doesn't mean shit really.
Absolutely Rob.
They are very different. OS freestyle bikes (performer, trickstar, etc) were all around the 26-28lbs mark...and the majority of 2010 completes are lower than that.
What you'll find different is that the lower end of the market are targetted towards smaller kids, so you'll find smaller bars, short top tubes and lower front ends. At you height, you need to look at at least a 21" top tube (as others have said).
The best bike with a long tt on a budget is the Kink Gap XL...21" TT, 26lbs and only £349! Bargain.
Oh and upgrade to a top loader stem 53mm reach or more. And when you can add a pivitol seat and post and you'll loose around 1.5lbs off the weight. Sorted.
Give me a bell and I can hook you up.
http://www.radbmxshop.co.uk/shop/article_387.001/Kink-Gap-XL-**2010**.html'shop_param=cid%3D39%26aid%3D387.001%26