I wasn't really giving that enough consideration - thanks for the reminder.

I think I put the question the way I did because shopping end of season specials at the stores that carry major brands . . . doesn't work to the local shop's favor. At least not on first glance. For example, there's a carbon fiber Giant Defy w/ Apex components for $150 less after discount. The funny thing is, that bike doesn't seem *any* lighter than the debernardi build. It's possible that custom build is across-the-board superior with respect to wheels and all those parts you mentioned.

Anyway, capitalism says the bike is worth what I'll pay for it, and for a new bike that'll give me thousands & thousands of miles, it's worth it to me. I think I've decided to go with the local shop. The intangible is that it just felt right. Just a couple quick adjustments, and it felt like something I'd already been riding for forever. Other than SRAM components; my old bike had Shimano. But I'm not interested in starting that debate here. I was able to adjust pretty quickly, so I dismissed that as a concern.