Below is a spec list for a bike that would make a great, relatively inexpensive commuter and decent for bike packing. What makes it stand out from most bikes made by mainstream bike companies in this price range is a few key spec decisions:
Rigid fork for reduced maintenance, complexity
9 speed drivetrain. Cheaper replacement parts, better longevity
Mechanical disk brakes: Easier maintenance, more reliable
100mm and 135mm QR axles: more common replacements on the used market and better off the shelf availability in bike shops.
29x2.4" tire clearance: Bikes in this price range are either low-end MTB's with suspension forks or commuter bikes with anemic tire clearance. It shouldn't cost anything to add extra tire clearance for running Ice Spiker pros in the winter or MTB tires for riding on loose gravel.
Name brand parts where it counts: hubs. House brand parts where it doesn't: bar, stem, post, grips, brake levers, seatpost clamp.
These spec decisions clearly reduce the showroom appeal of the bike, likely making it dead on arrival in most bike shops.
Frame: Aluminum, Clearance for 29"x2.4" tires, threaded bottom bracket, tapered head tube, 135mm QR dropouts, external cable routing, 30.9mm seatpost, rack/fender mounts, 2 water bottle mounts.
Fork: Rigid aluminum, suspension corrected for 100mm, 100mm QR dropouts. Rack/Fender mounts. Straight steerer. Could be sold aftermarket.
Headset: Reducer cup on the bottom. FSA, Aheadset.
Crankset: 104mm BCD, 36T (although bike packers might want a smaller ring). Square taper, octalink, external BB, I don't care
BB: Threaded. Square taper, octalink, external.
Shifters: 9 speed. Alivio or Deore
Rear Derailleur: Alivio or Deore
Cassette: 11-42 9 speed
Front Hub: Shimano Deore
Rear Hub: Shimano Deore. Bombproof
Rims/Spokes: Tubeless compatible (weeds out a bunch of crappy rims), 19, 21, or 23mm width. Butted spokes because why not
Brakes: Shimano Mechanical with metallic pads (could go with Avid BB5 on a higher-end model)
Bars: Riser bar, at least 710mm wide
Stem: 70mm paired with modern geometry.
Seatpost: Rigid, 2 bolt
Grips: lock on
Saddle: I'm not too picky
Tires: 700x38 touring tires stock. Obviously clearance for 29x2.4" mtb tires, Ice Spiker Pros, etc...
Geometry: Modern (longer top tube), head tube slacker than 68 degrees.
