Love the implicit acknowledgement in this argument.

He's not a racer.

He want something livelier than an LHT ( can't blame him for that, I had a similar feeling about my XO2)
and my Sport is a lot faster, and trust me on this, it will take a beating and come back for more.

And if he's inclined, he can have Gunnar/Waterford make him a frame with a tall headtube, and geometry
halfway between sport and performance. I'd suggest keeping the front end of the Sport ( it really is remarkably good )
and split the difference on the rest.

Then you can lean it against a rock without paranoia.