@Gyeswho - Awesome pics! That's exactly what I needed; someone with real first hand experience with the Kilo WT.

Again, I thank all of you for your detailed and varied feedback. Tomorrow, I will visit the LBS to answer some questions and see how much wiggle room we have on price. Frankly, I'd still like to work with the LBS if possible, since they are a good small old shop and everyone there is a real cyclist. I have ridden the Steamroller that belongs to one of the owners, who rides it year round to commute and run errands, but he bought it as a frame only, so it doesn't have the stock components to evaluate. Still, it's nice to know that if need be, I can still go the Kilo WT route and get a good quality and durable bike w/o breaking the bank.