Thanks for the nice comments left on the "Christmas present" thread concerning my new shop. I had a ton of questions both posted and by direct emails so I thought I'd kill a bunch of "birds" with one post so to speak.
For years I'd used a tiny corner in our garage as my "bike/man cave" and then about 3 years ago that space got eaten by the addition of another car plus skis, sleds, kids bikes, camping equipment etc etc you get the idea. I was fnally down to no room to even do a simple repair unless I went to the driveway which in the Pacific NW is about impossible during winter. So I had to resort to taking my bikes to the local LBS for repairs, rebuilds and anything mechanical. That didn't and doesn't set well with me as more than half my pleasure comes from getting my hands dirty workin', bumblin' and fumblin' with my bikes.

Last May we start house hunting and the first thing my wonderful says is, "make sure there's either room inside, outside or somewhere for you to have the bikeshop you've always wanted".
Well I about die, I can't believe she said that. Just about the most wonderful thing a wife could ever say to a bike geek, especially with no prompting from me!!!!!
We buy a house in Sept, do almost a 100% remodel, complete it and then the guys started on my shop and completed it just in time for for my wife to present it to me for Christmas.
It's still a work in progress as I get things organized, tools situated, bikes hung etc but it's coming along.
It was built under an existing second story deck which provided great ceiling height, about 9.5' which allows me to hang bikes and still walk under them. The roof is flat and was sealed with a system used for cruise ship decks which is guaranteed waterproof and ultra durable. So we got a cool decking for family use and I got a waterproof, no worry roof/ceiling.

The room is 16'x19' insulated and includes 2 doors, one is an electronic 4'3" wide overheard "garage" door and the other a regular walk in. The large door really makes it easy to get our tandems in and out and will be perfect to open up during spring and summer and allow the outside in. The large door also has keypad entry. I sacraficed overhead hanging space for the door but that's OK. Our house sets at the top of a beautiful ravine so I had 2 large 4x4 windows installed that allow a ton of natural light plus give a great view of the woods and as a plus, I can watch our 5 yr playing in the backyard.
Lighting is critical in a shop so we installed overhead 2 flourescent units(2 bulbs each) along with 4 recessed spots in the general area of the bench/workstand and we also installed a set of directional spots in the far corner.
The contractor had the foresight to use 3/4" plywood for the walls and ceiling instead of sheetrock, that way I can drill anywhere I want or need to for hanging hooks, racks or anything else. I don't have to worry that the rock is not strong enough to hold things.
The bench is a fairly straight forward big hunk of sturdiness that can withstand a ton of abuse and is about 28" deep and 4.5' long w/room for a vice, tool box and plenty of open workspace. The grinder/polishing wheel will set outside under the deck.
And lastly, my wife's favorite feature, a digital intercom system from the shop to house. My wife is the best, thanks for the great gift sweetie!

Outside views:





Interior views:





Left overs:Still don't have enough room for all the "stuff" inside. These are hanging outside the shop under the deck and they include 3 Paramounts, a Lejeune, Raleigh Professional, Schwinn Volare, Santana tandem and others


Shop dog:

That is nicer than some LBS's that I have frequented...BTW nice to see the guard dog was included

Aaron

Want.

Nice workshop! Dog looks like a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Border Collie mix. It's smart for sure laying right in front of the heater.

the guard dog seems to think he(or she)is pretty important, hogging the heater like that. What kind of dog?
That room is really sweet, enjoy it!

Wow.. thats just about heaven! I love the Lemond on the wall!

what size is the y-foil?

I hate you.

Thanks for the comments guys and to answer a couple questions:

1. The Y-Foil is a 54 if I remember correctly
2. The dog is a black lab/border collie/springer mix
3. The Lemond has about 200 miles on the odometer

KRhea
Portland, OR

KRhea -- I'm vacillating between extreme envy and deep hatred. You are indeed a lucky man. I agree that shop space would rival many LBS and I doubt any have that kind of view of the outside world. Enjoy the New Year with your wonderful new toy.

Wow.. ugh geezz send it my way, I'll fix up the miles problem!

Wow. I would need to have a team of servants with me at all times to keep my pitiful hobbit-hole of a shop that clean.

Simply amazing set-up you have.

jim

Wow, very cool. Too bright and clean to be called a "man cave," maybe you need another term.

Don't worry it won't be this clean for long I promise. Gotta remember, it's only a week old and I haven't even turned a wrench in there yet. To busy getting stuff moved in, bikes hung, storage taken care of etc. I can't wait until it looks "lived in".

KRhea

Holy cow I'm jealous!!!!!

Everything about it is totally PERFECT.

Very, very cool.

Looks more showroom than workshop
Very nice none the less

I aspire to that.

Lemme know if you ever run out of room for that Somec.

There are 3 frames hanging above the Lemond.

What are you using to hang those frames to get them to sit the the way they do?

Is there a bracket or hanger you were able to find somewhere?

One other thing.

You better be careful about the picture of the Masi in the stand.

A couple of years ago I did a complete restoration on an early '70's Geoffrey Butler, Reynolds 531 tubing.

When I posted pictures of the process on RBR I was welcomed with a stern lecture from some young 'un who has seemingly never heard of bikes built of steel on the dangers of clamping the bike by the seatpost, the tubing is too thin, I have probably ruined it, etc .................................

At least it made for good chuckles.

Wow!

What is the white bike above the bench, looks really sweet.

I have just informed my wife that we will one day have much the same space in our home. She rolled her eyes.

(what she didn't know is that I meant to include a Lemond, Gios, and many of the other handsome frames I see about that shop too. )

I hope that shop has alarms fitted!

I am beyond jealous! No room to build anything like that on my property, but then again no one has that much property down here. No basements either.

That is a beautiful shop!

Yeah, that. Complete with glass break sensors. Beautiful shop. I was speechless.