[grayrest]

Rivendell, Velo Orange, Rene Hearse and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone else in that group more or less do this.

I'm nowhere near an expert but I think most small (or steel) bike brands never moved off english threaded bottom brackets so I think that's mostly a major manufacturer issue. The brakes are frame dependent but calpier and cantilever arms are fairly simple/available or flatmount if discs (ignoring that Shimano just kind of decided they didn't like post mount). Finally, if you're comfortable with (ratcheted) friction shifting then most drivetrain compatibility issues are covered.

The components themselves tend to be pricier since they're targeting a niche market but there are people serving it.

[CobaltFire]

I just purchased a kit to convert the 10/11 speed SRAM brifters to 12 speed from Ratio in the UK [0], and there is a set of instructions in the community for turning the front shifter into a dropper lever.

I love how much people hack this stuff to overcome corporate shenanigans!

0: https://ratiotechnology.com/

[wiredfool]

I love Rene Herse stuff (tires mostly), but ... they're niche of niche.

(Seriously, the complete bikes they sold are literally more expensive than any car I've ever bought. Not that I wouldn't like one, they're even roughly the style of bike I like, but I wouldn't use one enough to justify it. Their parts though, they're heirloom quality solid performance.)

There's a ton of custom and semi custom manufacturers out there of parts and frames, some of which are even affordable. A quick perusal of the Radavist will give pointers galore. Some of them even do production runs to make frame prices under 2k.

Personally, I like the look of the Crust Lightning bolt, but it's seriously pricey to import to the EU, so maybe something more like the Brother Mr. Wooden is next in line for me.

[grayrest]

To be clear, I was intending my post to be exclusively about components. I was assuming people would get their preferred niche frames to put them on.

If I'm going to pick a fancy niche frame I don't want to afford I'd opt for a Jones LWB space frame. I'm actually a recumbent rider so the more likely expensive cycling purchase would be a velomobile.