These guys know their bikes, but these bikes aren't light at all. If I wanted to bike in London I would certainly want a fully upright position for safety and comfort, and I would certainly want fenders and a fully enclosed chaincase so it's allmost maintenance free and all wheather.

But if he's got to carry it upstairs to the 5th floor everyday, maybe a lighter bike is nicer, for the ride it's not an issue as London is quite flat. I would happily carry the 20+ kilo's bike upstairs but only to 3 floor max and not if the stairs are narrow. Also 500 won't buy him such a bike, those are build to last 50 years at least.