Standard Bike Repair

Bikepacking with Barret

Bikepacking with Barret – How the Program Works

It all starts with a frame.
Actually, it all starts with a conversation.

Building a bike from scratch means understanding you — the rider — along with the kinds of trips you want to do, the routes you’re dreaming about, your budget, and your likes and dislikes. Once we get that picture, we can narrow down the frame. We commonly work with Surly, Soma, and Crust, but we’re not limited to those. The goal is always the right frame for the right adventure.

Below is the full Bikepacking with Barret program, step by step:

Initial Consultation (1 hour)

Your adventure begins with a one-hour kickoff meeting at Standard Bike Repair.
Barret will talk through your bikepacking goals, riding style, terrain plans, and general preferences. It’s relaxed, fun, and collaborative — a chance to sketch out what your dream bike looks like.

To reserve your spot and get the process started, pay a $100 deposit via Calendly to begin Bikepacking with Barret.

Personalized Planning & Build Spreadsheet

During the consult, we’ll co-create a detailed spreadsheet that becomes the “blueprint” for your build.
This living document lists:

  • Every part
  • Every piece of gear
  • Estimated costs
  • Notes and ideas we’re considering

It keeps everything transparent and organized, and it’s great for tracking progress as your bike comes to life.

Consultation & Labor Package — $700 Flat

Barret offers a $700 flat package that covers all of his guidance and labor throughout the build.
This includes:

  • Planning
  • Parts advising
  • Frame prep
  • Full assembly
  • Final adjustments and bolt checks

You get Barret’s expertise from start to finish — no surprise charges, no hourly clock ticking away.

Frame Selection – $500–$1,500

The frame is the foundation.
Together, you and Barret will choose the right one based on your riding goals. Most bikepacking frames land in the $500 to $1,500 range. Whether you’re aiming for a versatile gravel machine or a sturdy off-road touring rig, we’ll find the best match for Colorado’s terrain and your travel plans.

Frames we like, but are not limited to: Surly, Soma, and Crust. Or bring your own.

Parts & Components – $1,000–$2,500

Next comes the fun part: components.
Expect to budget $1,000 to $2,500 for items like:

  • Wheels
  • Drivetrain
  • Brakes
  • Cockpit
  • Seatpost / saddle
  • Tires

Barret helps prioritize where your money is best spent — for example, low gearing for mountain passes, or bomb-proof wheels if you’re loading up for long trips.

Gear & Accessories – $300–$1,500

Finally, we outfit your bike with the right bikepacking gear.
This may include:

  • Frame bags
  • Seat packs
  • Handlebar rolls
  • Racks or cargo cages
  • Lights
  • A comfortable saddle
  • Tools and repair items

A typical gear budget is $300 to $1,500, depending on how dialed-in you want the setup. We always recommend essentials first, then add anything that enhances your specific riding style.

Also, you don’t need to get everything in one “Go.” You may already have things. You may want to peruse places like the Boulder Sports Recycler or Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist.

Multiple Checkpoints – One to Two Consulting Sessions and One to Two Bike Building Sessions

A custom bike build is a journey. We have found that it is best to keep the first meeting to an hour-ish due to the overwhelming amount of choices.

We will begin to make choices to get the big details ironed out. We generally ask for 60% of the expected overall cost at the first meeting before we start ordering parts.

Parts start to land within 2-3 days and we invite you back for the second round. We start “bolting the parts on.” This is typically a very hands-on part of the experience.

Many times, parts are coming from a multiple amount of suppliers. Between different parts landing at different times and the fact that building a bike from start to finish can take 2.5 to 4 hours, we have found that putting the bike together in two sessions instead of one is generally more fun.

These touchpoints ensure you’re involved at every stage — and by the end, you’ll not only have a bike you love, but also the confidence to make basic adjustments on your own out on the trail.

Barret’s Experience

Barret has years of experience with both bikepacking and custom builds.
He’s helped create everything from lightweight gravel grinders to fully loaded mountain touring setups. We’ll be showcasing some of his past builds here so you can get inspired and see the craftsmanship firsthand.

Would you like to build a bikepacking bike with Barret?

Click here to pay a $100 deposit and sign up with Calendly.