I did a lot of research on bikes in your price range.
I bought a Cannondale F600 (the SL comes without disc brakes you can probalby find this bike for under $1k; with disc brakes it's about $100 more).
It has a great frame. Decent components. Great suspension lock out feature. Handles like a dream and responds well to climbs.
The other bikes you listed are pretty good, but if you don't at least look into a Cannondale you're selling yourself short.