NYC Bike Shop Recommendations?

Hoping the board's collective expertise can help me out :) Well, mostly help out my brother.

My bro lives in Manhattan and has been a runner for the last few years but thanks to a really bum knee (arthritic and he will be having an ACL/meniscus repair in June) will have to give up the running. So, with some friendly (:D) encouragement from his sister, he's decided to take up biking as his newest form of exercise. I'm supposed to take the lead on bike research as the supposed bike expert in the family (HA!). Right now I'm just trying to give him the names of some reputable shops in NYC. He's looking to buy a road bike and is willing to spend $1k-1.5k. He's never owned a road bike before. Suggestions?

Two I've used for repairs or accessories are listed below. I didn't buy a bike at either one, however.

My opinion is very much based on whether they treat me a biker instead of an old lady. Chelsea is great for repairs and advice. I've heard they don't let people test ride when shopping (a legitimate problem in that neighborhood).

Gotham I like because they really helped with saddle selection. Most of my neighbors use them for repairs and seem happy with their work.

Gotham Bikes
112 West Broadway (Tribeca just north of Chambers St, subway A-C-E or 1-2-3, or 4-5 will get you close)
(212) 732-2453

Chelsea Bikes
130 W. 26 St. (between 6th and 7th Ave.)
(646) 230-7715

This one I haven't used but they have a good reputation and are involved in advocacy:

Bicycle Habitat
244 Lafayette
212-421-3315

Bike and Roll rents Treks if he wants to try them out. They also sell used bikes in late summer; that's where I bought mine.

Larry's Bicycle Plus is supposed to be great. See KC.
http://larrysbicyclesplus.com/
http://larrysbicyclesplus.com/articl...nners-pg54.htm

+1 on Bicycle Habitat

Sid's on 34th Street is also a good place, but he will need to speak to Ashlei. She's the best.
http://www.sidsbikes.com/

Also, he can visit the New York Cycle Club message board (open to all) http://www.nycc.org/mb/threads.aspx?B=1 and start a thread about best bike shops, or do a search for past recs.