Total Newbie bike gear question

Aim to keep your legs spinning at about the same rate no matter what the terrain. In other words: if you are on flat terrain, spin your legs at a rate which feels natural to you (i.e., not to fast, and not to slow). When the road turns uphill, shift your way to an easier gear to try and maintain that rate. Conversly, when the road goes downhill, shift into a harder gear. The rate your legs are spinning is called "cadence," and you want your cadence to be somewhat consistent.

As for the actual mechanics, shifting using your right-hand lever will make it easier or harder in little steps at a time (FYI: you're shifting your rear derailler with this shifter). Using your left-hand lever, you'll jump an entire "cluster" of gears at once, making it easier or harder in one very large step (FYI: you're shifting your front derailler with this shifter).

Don't worry about what each lever is doing, what size gears make what kind of difference, etc... just go ride and play with the shifters *constantly* until you get the hang of "what does what."

You'll have it in no time.

Good luck!

Sheldon Brown is an excellent resource for cycling questions. http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

Here's an article on shifting: http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html

Bill