heck, I'm going to have some fun spending this guys money
whatcha think of this beauty?
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...-triple-crank/
I'd put 48, 36, 24
with caveats though that he'll have to read up on depending on this and that and this and that
and for dropbar shinanigans:
https://www.gevenalle.com/product/gx/
go with ten speed, deore or whatever dynasys rd, front shifter is friction so will work with all kinds of triple fd's. My Genevalle bike has a 9 spd era triple xtr fd and Im sure anything would work.
12-30 for fun riding, 11-36 for touring
there, wallet probably a grand and somewhat bucks lighter, but the bike would look cool.