Hi welcome to the forums. I have a '09 Uno and I love it btw. my original intent was to put a internal geared 8spd hub on it but liked it SS better.
the main problem with this bike for converting it to a geared bike is there is not cable guides to hold the cables. so the bike will be covered with zipties to keep them in place. also there is no rear deraileur hanger and with the track style dropouts changing a flat will be a hassle.
where in NY is your brother going to medical school? you and he are better off looking in the local CL for a used mountain or hybrid bike rather than spending $800 on this.
2010 Fantom Uno
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk