Funnily enough been thinking the same as you on the Sirrus and a Giant Rapid as an alternative. But you know DG of old- He is a new man with fresh ideas now and will probably walk into a shop with a nice shiny Raleigh and get it because it's WHITE
It will either be a Raleigh or a Pinarello Dogma-- but that may be more difficult to sell to him--They only come in Red-Or Blue-Or Black.
Only thing i do know is that the sooner he gets a bike- The better it will be. His prowess of taking pics of the Bikini babes on bikes is sorely missed.
Welcome back DG.