I know most forums see these type of threads all the time (and this one is likely no different), but I'm totally clueless when it comes to road bikes, having ridden mostly mountain (or mountain-ish) bikes all my life.

My wife wants someone to road cycle with, as none of her friends own road bikes, so I decided I'm going to get one. I'd prefer to go the LBS route, though I'll consider Craigslist/Stevebay if something too good to pass up comes along.

Looking for a 56/58cm frame (I'm somewhere right in the middle).

Closest LBS carries Marin and Fuji, and is willing to give me a discount since he ordered too many road bikes and they aren't selling like he wants.

I'm willing to go further to look at Trek/Specialized and other brands, but based on what I can see I can get a comparable bike with better components if I buy from a smaller brand.

They have a Marin (I think he said Argenta, though it's black or blue/chartreuse rather than grey/chartreuse of the Argenta Comp, and he said it had Tiagra components where the Argenta Comp has Sora) that I really like the look of, though it was on the top of 3 racks and I didn't get to see it up close and ride it (riding any of my choices is at the top of my priority list this week). He also has a Fuji Sportif 1.3 Disc, but I didn't see that one. He said it was built up in the back, though (Fuji website says this one is red).

Is there anything in the road world I should look out for? Both of these bikes are aluminium with carbon forks. Budget is right around a grand not including shoes/pedals/tubes/bag.

Color is not super important to me. I like the look of the satin black bikes out there now, but I also like the aluminium look of the Marin Argenta (the bottom tier one), and my mountain bike is red. I'm not picky there. I want a bike that I'll be happy with and that will last me a while.

For an intro bike, aluminum with a carbon fork is fine. You'll probably want Tiagra or higher components.

The biggest thing on a road bike is the fit. Try riding all the bikes at shop with Marin and Fuji that the owner says will fit you. It also might not hurt to try bikes at other LBSs like the Trek/Specialized. After you road test the different bikes, pick the ones that fits best. If several of them fit equally well, then get the one that you think will motivate you to ride with your wife.

Also, what kind of bike does your wife have? You might want to get one of similar quality.

GH

She has a Trek Silque S (full carbon/105) and we both have Trek Hardtail Mountain Bikes.

I'm pretty set on Tiagra or 105 as components, and I definitely want to ride the bikes before I buy one.

Really any of them are going to motivate me to ride with her. It's something we can do together. I ride my mountain bike with her all the time.

Looking online, I think I'm better with one of the smaller manufacturers as they tend to have better components (online Treks in the ~$1k range are Sora or Claris, same with Specialized), but I want to go in to a couple of shops anyway as the prices might be different in person.

Test rode 2 bikes yesterday, going to test 2 more today then make my decision between 5.

2 I rode yesterday (and one that I didn't) were in the $1200 range which is doable. One was Aluminium/Carbon Fork (Trek Emonda ALR 4), the other was a used Trek Madone 4.5 (full carbon, 2012 model, 105, used). Both of these were 54cm frames, so a little on the smaller side. The one I saw but didn't ride was a Felt Z85 56 cm.

As much as I liked the Madone, I'm not sure I want to get it. It does have some upgrades (better tires and seat), but most bikes from this particular shop come with a free fitting and up to 4 tune-ups a year for as long as I own the bike. Great deal, but this one does not since it's used/on consignment.

Going to test the Marin and Fuji today and ask the other shop about their maintenance/fitting policy.