which specialized vita are you looking at? componetry wise, the specialized vita elite (the $700 one) is much better than the dash 3, and has the carbon fork. yes, it's got a mountain bike rear derailleur, but that's so that it can have a mountain bike rear cassette - and it's got a deore rear derailleur.

The dash does have road bike gearing, while the specialized is more mtb or touring gearing - it depends on how you're going to feel on hills.

I'd say even the specialized vita sport at $550 has slightly better componentry than the dash, just 'cause they're at least components that I've heard of the names of.

But. Which one did you like better on the test rides? Which fit better?