Continuing our special Reader’s Rig Week, we catch up with framebuilder Chris Schmidt of Good Grief in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He shares a look at his custom-made backcountry hardtail, affectionately named Party Boi. Meet Chris and read the story of his latest personal build here…

Words and photos by Chris Schmidt

My name is Chris Schmidt, and I’m a framebuilder working in the occupied homeland and unceded historic territory of the Nuuchiu (aka Colorado Springs, Colorado). My wife Lauren and I launched Good Grief in January of 2024 and have been cranking out custom frames ever since.

Good Grief Hardtail

I’m a bit of a bike degenerate and have been working in and around the industry since my early 20s. I learned framebuilding from Koichi Yamaguchi after attending his framebuilding school back in 2012, and I enjoy deep custom builds that take me out of my comfort zone and make me feel insecure. My cycling interests are primarily in off-road endeavors: I do a lot of fixed-gear bike camping with my wife Lauren and dog Eddy Merckx, but I also love heavy shredding around the Front Range and mountains of Colorado.

  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail

This particular bike (we call it Party Boi) was born from a need for a backcountry hardtail that was as comfortable to ride going up as it is to get shreddy going down. Having Tava (formerly known as Pikes Peak) right in our backyard, there are endless opportunities for sub-24-hour (or longer, of course) bike camping trips right from our doorstep. I wanted a bike that was easy to repair with UDH, full external cable routing, and no paint for easy tube replacement, should I need to do so.

  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail

I tend to be super hard on bikes, and while it’s fun to build new frames, I prefer a more conscientious approach to reduce my resource consumption and prioritize repairing over replacing. This bike has quickly become my daily after-work shredder and can handle everything I’ve thrown at it. I’ve opted to leave the framebag on full time as it’s super convenient (and looks sick). 

  • Frame: Good Grief Custom w/UDH
  • Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate 140mm
  • Rims: Hunt Trail Wide 29”
  • Tires: Maxxis DHF 2.3” and Maxxis Ardent 2.25”
  • Handlebars: Surly Sunrise custom bent to 22-degree backsweep
  • Headset: White Industries
  • Crankset: Truvativ Stylo 175mm
  • Pedals: Time Speciale No. 10
  • Cassette: SRAM NX Eagle
  • Derailleur(s): Currently NX Eagle (or any other 12 speed kicking around in my shop)
  • Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
  • Shifter(s): SRAM GX Eagle
  • Saddle: Brooks B17
  • Seatpost: OneUp 220mm Dropper
  • Stem: Nukeproof Horizon 35mm
  • Frame bags: Dark Void Custom made from upcycled Ikea Shopping bags (Fauxneema!)
  • Other accessories: Paul Dropper Lever

The bag was made in collaboration with Zak from Dark Void and was crafted from upcycled Ikea shopping bags. We call it Fauxneema. It’s light, durable, waterproof, and looks great. He even transferred my now-15-year-old Cars-R-Coffins patch to it. The paint is a forced patina that was inspired by metal artists I follow on social media, and the logo was hand-painted with 1 Shot by Lauren.

Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail
  • Good Grief Hardtail

Using common chemicals, you can force unique and creative surface patinas that help protect the steel underneath and look really neat. It also makes for easy repair should I need to cut out a tube and replace it. Full geo and frame specs can be found at our website, GoodGrief.Bike.

You can follow Chris and his work on Instagram.

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