A build for heavy armor?

[Malevolent_Warlord]

I have a spearman, 1hander, 2hander, poleguy and a horseman. I also have ranged dudes, but they aren't the issue.
Right now I have a +2 clibinarius armor. It has the looks, but it also has the weight. Right now I feel like the armor is more of a liability than help. I can take hits, but it doesnt really help If I cant get away from enemy swings.

My builds right now are mostly 21/18 or 15 for most of my characters. I'm wondering if I should go for 18/21 or 24 builds if I can't trade this one to a good medium armor?
Any thoughts?
I have a heirloom point coming up soon with one of my characters and I wonder if I should just start looming a medium armor from the start or make my clibinarius +3.

[Patoson]

I use a Black Coat of Plates sometimes, which is about one pound(?) lighter than your armour, with 6 athletics and no problems. 21/18 is a very good build, and so is 18/21, but I wouldn't go under 6 PS, and, to be honest, with heavy armour, you really don't benefit from high athletics as much as with lighter armour. The build I've had the most fun with as a 2h with coat of plates was 24/18.

Another thing to consider is how easy you would be able to trade your armour for another (in the future), so, if you really like that armour, I say you keep it.

[Malaclypse]

to be honest, with heavy armour, you really don't benefit from high athletics as much as with lighter armour.

^
I wouldn't bother going more than 6 Athletics with heavier armor. Better to focus Strength + IF to utilize it at the moment.

[oohillac]

If you go the Agility route with heavy armour, use your speed and momentum to step away from enemy swings so they glance more often.

[Miwiw]

As 2h I'm running a 24/15 buid. That's actually 5 IF (if you max PS, ATH and WM), however I did stick with 2 IF right now to go 18 AGI and 1 more ATH/WM on level 32.
Same build as Pole if going without riding, otheriwse 21/18 or 18/18 are fine builds too. 21/15 is my favourite build as shielder, 7 PS, 5 ATH, that's good enough.
I'm used to armors like Heavy Kuyak, Brigandine and Heraldic Trans, all with 5 and 6 ATH, and helmets/gauntlets/boots fitting them.

Important is that you don't start to loom an item from scratch. If you save up two LPs and some gold you could easily trade those for some nice medium armor you like. Put your next LP into your +2 armor.