Road Cycling - Alpina Road Bike?

Anyone heard of Aplina road bikes? I'm looking for an inexpensive entry into road cycling. What do you think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3622568225&category=7298&rd=1

nobody knows about these Alpina bikes, huh?

Well I'll say.. .No I don't.. But at looking at the ebay link I'd say you want to get a more modern bike. The words "vintage" is not something I would want in a bike that I plan to buckle down and do some serious (beginning) riding with.

I'd at least get a bike that has modern STI or integrated brake/shifters... Something like an 8-speed with Shimano 105 or better or a 9-speed with Tiagra or better.

Would recommend steel or aluminium with a carbon fork. Also if buying online be sure you know EXACTLY what size you need. Too big will be a bad experience. Typically I see people buying bikes that are too big because they can stand over it and initially they can reach the brakes... But after miles of riding you find you need to arch your back more to be truly comfortable and to prevent fatigue and that is when they find the bike is too long and that shorten in the handle-bar-stem to compenstate may not be possible.

You may want to look at SuperGo.com or getawaybikes.com for good deals on lower end steel/Aluminum bikes with more modern components.

Thank you for your advice. I currently have a mountain bike that I've been using for the commute to work, but i'm looking at getting a bike made for the road and I'm on a pretty strict budget. I'll see what the shops have to offer.