I'm a Cannondale fan for road bikes (I still have not warmed up to their mountain bikes). I had a T800 take me 400 miles with no problems, and use it all the time, and it continues to treat me well. The main thing I would look for though is to walk into a shop, say "I need a bike to take me from point A to point B, and I'll be on the road all the time, and here is my price". At which point I would hope to see a stiff framed bike, simple, durable, and comfortable. The other thing a good bike shop should do for you, is let you take it 'out back' or in the parking lot, and watch you pedal. At which point they will help adjust the seats, and handlebars to make sure you are comfortable and what not.
That first shop saying you needed a 19.5inch frame, that's obviously for a mountain bike. You will want a taller frame on a road bike, but I would go to a shop and find out which frame feels right, and then go to craigslist and look at road-bikes there (craigslist is a great resource for used bikes).
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