I am going to be in NYC next week, and I am hoping to squeeze in a visit to a bike shop or two. If they allow test rides, even better.

Best I don't know

Bicycle Habitat and https://mrccycles.com/. I would not come from out of town to see them.

These are interesting.

https://www.velobrooklyn.com/products.html

https://bfold.com/

Beats me what the best are, but don't bother above the 80s.

actually will need to disagree with noteon

Modsquad bikes is probably one of the friendliest places i've ever been to. They carry Felt, Fuji, and Orbea bikes. The location is Frederick Douglass & 114th & you can take the B & C trains to get there

Never even heard of them! Nice to know.

Sid's seems OK. Toga's big (a decent "showroom," as opposed to something like Habitat, which feels more like an "old-school, down-and-dirty" neighborhood shop). "Best" really must depend on what you're looking for, though. Do you know what you want? Then selection probably is more important than a helpful sales staff. Do you need someone to hold your hand? Then you'd be better off visiting a store that has time to give you personal attention.

roy's sheepshead out near coney island... real friendly guys and they'll do pretty much everything to make you happy about your bike

If you're looking for a shop with a nice looking showroom and can take a test ride then check out Sid's Bikes on either 19th between 6th and 7th Avenues or E34th between 2nd and 3rd; the staff are pretty friendly as well. There are lots of other good shops in the city with better wrenches but they're not that big or are cluttered which is a pet peeve of mine. Here are a few that come to mind:

Sid's Bikes
R&A Cycles
Bicycle Renaissance
Toga Bikes

I agree, they will provide free fit for high end road bikes.

Anyone familiar with "Larry & Jeff's" (on 2nd ave, just north of 79th)?

Recently moved over to the UES. Used to go to Toga on the West Side. Looking for a place I'm comfortable with leaving my road bike with if the need arises for some wrenching, and this place is nearby.

Are you going to the bike shop with serious intent to buy or just to look with the expectation of a test ride?

I haven't used their mechanics, but I give them high marks for customer service.

I worked for Larry and Jeff way back in 1978 and 1979. They now are two separate businesses. Jeff owns the place on 80th, and Larry owns the place on 84th. You can find Larry in his shop often. Jeff, not so much. Larry was an incredibly expert mechanic, and I'm sure he supervises his mechanics well. Jeff is also highly knowledgeable.

"best bike shops" and "NYC" don't go together. All bike shops in NYC are fail. Don't waste your time. Use the internet.

Use the Internet for what? Aren't many new bikes not available for purchase on-line?

After going into Richardson Bike Mart in Dallas I can't go into any NYC store. RBM is probably bigger than all of the NYC stores combined. That doesn't necessarily make it better but it sure is big.

NYC real estate is high. You don't find many big stores of any type there, especially in Manhattan. But that doesn't affect the quality of service.

Gotta second that. Fair prices, and super fast service. Everyone is really nice.

as just anecdotal evidence of how good they were... i was willing to take the subway from the UWS to coney island to go pick up my bike. they beat every single bike shop in manhattan and queens in price by enough that it seemed absurd.

Hey, does anyone know... A few years ago, I stumbled into a bike shop in or near Park Slope. It was owned and run by black folks. Very friendly folks, and the shop was decorated interestingly. It was like a cave, with very high ceilings, and it felt very welcoming. Is this shop around, and what is/was it called?

It may be Dixon's on Union Street.
Dixon's Bicycle Shop
792 Union St
(between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 636-0067

Yes, that's it! Anyone have feedback about them? I just stopped by, but it looked like a really good place.

Looks like I'm replying too late, but I'm a fan of Continuum Cycles on Ave B and of Tread Cycles in Inwood.

I just stopped in there for an emergency repair and like you said, nice, friendly people.
That's the extent of my knowledge of it.

Totally agree. Had my bike overhauled there and it was amazing. Shopping there for a new bike now. Really patient, nice guys.