Excellent entry level bike, had it 3 years now and it surpasses all my expectations. Was late getting into cycling, if you ignore riding to work (6mls) daily after leaving school through my apprenticeship and visiting friends at weekends (45mls), now 60 and enjoying the leisure side of the sport. Both my father and younger brother raced (all forms), but I found motorbikes instead! Now I'm out a couple of times a week as time/work allows, anywhere between 20 and 60 mls all year round, and thoroughly enjoying the 'un-flat' terrain here in North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. I must admit, I didn't buy a built bike though, only the frame. I then set about building what I wanted and what suited my use. I started with alloy forks but eventually went to carbon, but only because I needed mudguard eyes and I couldn't find an alloy set with them! I've a couple of wheel sets, winter/summer, both run Schwalbe tyres, Marathon's for the winter and Lugano's in the summer, both are excellent! I will say that you will not get a lot of clearance for mudguards with anything other than the 23c's as standard, I use 25c's and have had to modify both guards to fit, If you want more clearance it may be worth looking at 650b's as an alternative wheel/tyre combo.
I also ride with flat bars, with my type of cycling I don't need drops. Not that my riding budy and I are slouches, we bang along at a fair lick given the hilly territory, our local Spring sportive (60k) is an under 3 hour affair averaging 15mph, we do their more challenging Autumn 100k at the same speed.
If anyone is looking for a cheap well put together bike, either as a newbie or as a second or 'training bike, then you can't go far wrong with MEKK's AL-ZR Pinerolo. I wouldn't say it is a good choice for touring or winter bike, it may have mounting points for mudguards and a rear carrier, without modifications to mudguards 23c's are not great for winter or touring!
At the end of the day I can categorically recommend the MEKK, but it doesn't matter what I say, it's your choice, all you have to do is get out there and ride whatever you end up with, and enjoy it!