MrCatbr3ad,
Your thinking is spot on. The Steamroller is a good, not-a-single-crap-part bike, Purchase from your LBS. This will give you bargaining power. Want different tires? Good. The LBS will do a swap. Most likely no charge. Want fenders? Saddle change? Pedals? You will get all these things and have a live human being in front of you to discuss options. Doing your own maintenance (or trying) is again spot on thinking. No need to go nuts with tools but talk to your LBS about starter tools. Make a stubby 15mm wrench (maybe Sears is the best place for this), tire irons, a spare tube and patches part of your purchase. I have every confidence you will walk out with a very much to your liking bike.