I don't think price range is important yet.
What is important is that she gets a bike that fits him, has 3 piece crans and she gets the two other things I suggested. He doesn't absolutely need a full 4130 frame like some of us do, after all, he's not doing roof gaps or anything.
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"the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land."