Thanks very much for your replies so far, bmxovich and chaadster!

I'm leaning heavily towards the Venturi myself now, since the LBS I am working with can get Breezer, but cannot get Jamis. I am considering a custom build off a bare frame. Here's the build-out I have in mind so far:
Apex brakes front & rear (white)
Force brifters (white hoods)
Rival compact double crankset w/Stages Power Meter
Force FD
Force RD
Ultegra 12-25 cassette
KMC X10SL-DLC chain (black)
ISM Adamo Prologue saddle (white)
Lizard Skin 3.2mm DP bar tape (white)
white headset, white stem, white handle-bar, white seatpost

Wheels:
blue hubs
silver or white spokes
Velocity A23 rims (regular front, off-center rear, both white with machines side walls)

With that said, does anyone know if there's any functional or mechanical difference between the Apex brakes and the Rival or Force brakes? I figured the only difference is material/weight, and they would provide the same performance, but correct me if I'm wrong there. I picked an Ultegra cassette because they appear to be lighter, cheaper and quieter than the 1070 from SRAM. I also have little knowledge of what are considered good stems, handle bars or seatposts that happen to come in white, or wheel hubs that happen to come in blue, if anyone has recommendations, I'm all ears (eyes?).

Any other advice?

-Ed