Hybrid Bicycles - Please need help choosing between Diamondback insight 3 2011 and Specialized Sirrus E

Hello,
Please I need help choosing between Diamondback insight 3 2011 and Specailized Sirrus Elite 2012, the Diamondback is cheaper by $300, both of them have carbon fork and the components on the Daimondback look better than the ones on Specialized. I would like to know whether Diamondback is good or not. I need performance hybrid bike that is fast and comfortable at the same time.
The spec for the Daimondback is
Sizes 15" Small 17" Medium 19" Large 21" XLarge 21" XLarge 23" XXLarge
Frame Insight 6061-T6 Butted Aluminum Performance Hybrid w/ Formed / Hooded Top Tube, Integrated Headtube, Vertical Compliance Stays, (VCS), replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork Insight integrated Aero Carbon straight blade, Alloy Steerer
Rear Shock N/A
Cranks Shimano FCM590 Deore 26/36/48t
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur Shimano FDM590 Deore
R. Derailleur Shimano RD591S Deore
Shifter Shimano SLM590 Deore Rapid Fire 9spd
Brake Levers Avid FR-5
Brakes Avid SD-3 Linear
Gear SRAM PG-950 9spd Cassette (11-28t)
Rims 20h frt / 24h rear Freedom Racine Aero 2.0 Doublewall w/ machined braking surface
Tires Kenda Kwick Trax w/ puncture resistant K-shield 700x28c
Pedals Wellgo Alloy body / cage, toe clip compatible
Handlebar DB 31.8mm low rise Alloy
Stem DB 3D Forged 7° 31.8mm
Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2mm
Seat WTB Devo High Pad
Headset Integrated "Cane Creek" Size Drop-in ACB 1 1/8"
Colors Gold
Chain KMC Z99
Hubset (F) 20h Alloy QR (R) 24h Alloy Cassette QR
Spokes Black 14g Stainless Steel
Grips Avenir Ergo 3-D Comfort
Extras Owner’s manual, Chainstay Protector, Clear Coat, H20 bottle

and the spec for the Specailized is
FRAME Specialized E5 aluminum, fully manipulated butted tubing, smooth weld, internal cable routing, tapered/integrated headset, fender/rack eyelets

FORK Specialized FACT carbon legs, aluminum crown/steerer, Zertz inserts, fender eyelets

HEADSET 1-1/8" sealed Cr-Mo Campy Style integrated bearings, 15mm alloy cone spacer with 30mm of spacers

STEM Specialized EliteSet, 3D forged alloy, 12-degree, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp

HANDLEBARS Specialized PG flat bar, alloy, 6-degree bend, 31.8mm

TAPE Body Geometry Targa, non-locking

FRONT BRAKE Alloy linear pull

REAR BRAKE Alloy linear pull

BRAKE LEVERS Die cast "V"-brake lever, linear pull

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera, 31.8mm, top swing

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Acera Rapidfire, 9-speed

CASSETTE Shimano Alivio, 9-speed, 11-32t

CHAIN KMC X9 nickel plate, reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET Shimano Acera triple, w/chainguard

CHAINRINGS 48/36/26, w/ chainguard

BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm

PEDALS Sirrus pedal, 1.5mm Varus Angle, nylon body, symmetric alloy cage, low profile bearing system, toe clip capable

RIMS Sirrus DRX270, alloy double-wall, pinned, CNC machined, 32h

FRONT HUB Forged alloy, sealed, alloy quick release, 32h

REAR HUB Forged alloy, sealed, cassette, alloy quick release, 32h

SPOKES Stainless 2.0mm threadlocked

FRONT TIRE Specialized Nimbus w/ Flak Jacket, 26 TPI, 700x28c

REAR TIRE Specialized Nimbus w/ Flak Jacket, 26 TPI, 700x28c

INNER TUBES Presta

SADDLE Body Geometry Targa Sport, 155mm

SEATPOST Alloy, double bolt, 27.2mm

SEAT BINDER


Thanks.

I had the 2009 Insight 3 and it was very comfortable and fast after I changed the tires to 700 x 28 Gatorskins. I was riding anywhere from 30-50 miles on it 2-3 days a week and never had a problem out of it. Sold it and bought a bike that i could ride more offroad. Wish I had kept it as a road bike.

I've got a lot of miles on a Diamondback Insight RS I bought a couple years ago when Performance was blowing them out for $199. It's been a solid bike for me. Here's a thread where we discussed the bike and made some posts over a period of time with my thoughts: http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-626494.html

My biggest issue with the bike has nothing to do with the bike itself: at the clearance price the largest frame they had was the 19" and I really should be riding a 21" frame. As a result I've got my stem and seatpost cranked all the way up to get my fit close to where I need it. Considering how much utility I've gotten for such little cash, living with an undersized frame is a small price to pay. The frame itself rides incredibly smooth for aluminum, so I have no qualms recommending it.

The Insight 3 comes with better components than the RS, so I would imagine it would be a better performing bike than mine albeit at a higher price tag. The nice part about the RS is that it includes fenders and a rear rack which is a must-have for a commuter like me.

Specialized makes a great bike too. I have no specific knowledge of the bike you listed but I'm sure it's decent. However $300 is a big price difference, especially in the world of hybrid bikes. I'm not sure you'd realize a $300 difference between riding the two.

The Specialized has a better frame. Their E5 aluminum is a premium frame material. Some guys race the E5 Allez frame. The question is, will you need or even notice the difference between that and the DB frame?

Thank you very much for your feedback. I did drive test for the DB today and it was super light and I felt comfortable, so I purchased it. Thanks again.

Looks like you got a very good deal. If you got it for $300 less then you paid around $500. For a bike with a carbon fork, Deore derailleurs, Avid brakes, Deore crankset, nice cassette, etc., that is a great price.

Yes, I think it is a good price. Thanks.

You will enjoy that bike. I ride my DB Insight 3 on the good weather days, great bike for my commute.