One to consider, especially if your buddy does a lot of climbing, is the Scott CR-1 Team. It can be had for about $2000 new. For that price, it won’t be spec’d as nicely as the Talon, but he’d be getting an extremely light carbon frame that he could always make upgrades to. And yeah, that is Shimano 105s on the CR-1. BUT, it weighs 17.4 pounds with the 105s.
Again, one I’d suggest looking at if he does a lot of mountain riding…