I'd set my sights, at minimum, on the Trek 1.2 to get a carbon fork. If you wait until the end of the summer, or early fall, as the 2013 models start to show up in shops, you can probably buy a lot more bike for your $1200 than you can right now, as shops start cutting prices on their leftover 2012 inventory to help move it. For example, you might be able to get a better grande aluminum frame and either Apex or 105 components later in the year, whereas for $1200 now you'll get a lower grade frame and Tiagra components.

But, the entry level bikes aren't junk. The Trek 1.1, 1.2, and 1.5 have the same frame, as do the three lowest priced Allez.