I bought this bike when I was literally about 100 pounds overweight.  I wanted something that would help me lose weight.  (I also needed a road bike that could handle the weight.)  This was my first road bike, and as such I had nothing to compare it to. 

Don't get me wrong, you probably won't win any races on this.  It has a very relaxed posture, but it was a great training bike.  Since I bought it I have lost almost 90 pounds.  It was a lifesaving investment for me.