I am sorry, there is just too much plastic for it to be a "Perfect" anything bike. noobie or not. What are you planning on upgrading?

New shifters = Brifters = new brakes, handlebars, derailuers, cassettes, crank, and everything attached to those parts. That is pretty much the cost of a new bike man. Keep the Denali for friends to ride with you, or sell it to the next unsuspecting victim. Normally I am an advocate for anything on two wheels, but something just does not sound safe with an All Aluminum, Road bike that costs like thank 170 new?