Can i ask for some advice?

Drag him along to a bikeshop and get him properly fitted, its hard to be accurate when determining his frame size based only on his height - most shops are more than willing to do this for free if you look really interested in buying a bike . The amount of money to spend depends on how long he is likely to stick with it and what type of riding he wants to do - bikes decked out in shimano sora and tiagra components are good for recreational riding (will set you back around AU$1000 for sora, AU$13500 for tiagra); shimano 105 is ideal for entry level racing(AU$2000>); and shimano ultegra is good if you start racing and training all the time (AU$2800). Stay away from triathlon bikes for the moment - a good road bike will do the job. You could keep an eye out in the trading post, but check before you buy the "bargain" is not a lemon ei: cracked frame (usually in carbon fibre), warn out components etc.

aidan

As usual, Aidan has great bike advice!

Hey thanks heaps - ill pass that on to him

kas