FWIW - I went through a similar choosing process, and had pretty much made up my mind on a Surly Cross Check. People seem to love them. But I'd have to hop on a train and go all the way into the city, then ride halfway across the city just to find a stocking dealer.

If you need dealer support, you're basically up the creek.

It sounds like your local dealer stock Trek and Specialized. I think you should pick something from among their offerings. Go with your gut feelings and actually pull the trigger. You're driving yourself crazy trying to over analyze everything online. These little details are not going to make that big of a difference. You're trying to figure out every. single. possibility, then buy THE PERFECT bike. There's no such thing, so you'll never get there.

Just pick one, already. Use information relating to what you WILL do, not what you MAY want to do one day.

Also, you have to either get over your fear of riding among cars or just accept that you'll never be a commuter. This thing with letting every car accident scare you a bit from cycling.... maybe you just don't have the guts for cycle commuting and you should stay on the bus and feel safe. Make sure you use the seat belts though.