I guess the next question would be what kind of bike did he ride back then, or what position was he in when riding it?

I really hate suggesting that anyone go soak up time and expertise from an LBS only to buy from other sources, but it could be the best way to see if he can get around those issues. A local expert who can look at him on a bike, and talk to him direct about what he likes and dislikes about the whole thing may be the best bet to find a way for him to work through his issues, whether the solution is the type of bike, or proper sizing/setup/positioning. In that case, get as much info as you can from the folks at the shop, and if they don't have a suitable solution in your price range, take the info you've gleaned and use it to shop the local used market.