Complete Road Bike Newbie...

[nscrbug]

Thanks Owlie! That explains some things!! I see from photos of the bike I want that the brake levers appear to also move from side to side, so this must be the "one way" and the "other way" you are talking about.

Of course, I know my bike shop will fill me all in. I just thought I'd like to NOT be a complete no-mind when I get there!

Yup, this pretty much sums it up. The brake levers and integrated shifters are actually referred to as "brifters". You have the brake lever, which is likely a silver-colored lever...and then on the inside of that, the black-colored shifter lever. To shift into a higher (harder) gear on the rear cog, you would move the black shifter lever on the RIGHTSIDE of handlebar towards the INSIDE (to the left). To move into a lower (easier) gear on the rear, you would move the silver-colored lever (which basically moves BOTH the brake and shifter concurrently) to the INSIDE (to the left).

For the front rings, the same logic applies. To move to a smaller (easier) ring up front, you would move the black shifter lever on the LEFTSIDE of handlebar, towards the INSIDE (to the right). And to move into a bigger ring (harder), you would move the silver lever towards the INSIDE (to the right).

Hope that makes sense! And if I messed that explanation up, please feel free to correct me.

[OakLeaf]

Different makes and models of brifters work differently. Whenever you test ride a bike, make sure you understand how the brifters on that particular bike work!

Tipping your handlebars up is dangerous because it puts your brakes out of reach. If you don't have any physical problems, a well-fitting bike should be comfortable in riding position. Once you find a frame that fits you, you can fine-tune the distance to your brake hoods by changing to a stem with a different length, rise or both; by changing to a set of handlebars with different reach; or by moving your brakes higher or lower on the handlebar bend (but not outside of the bend).

Complete bikes usually don't give you much option to raise the handlebars on the steerer tube. Sometimes you might be able to put a slightly taller spacer under the stem and get a few millimeters.

Have fun with your search!

[ny biker]

I've got nothing to add, except -- after riding a mountain bike for several years and then getting a road bike, I felt a bit unstable on the road bike at first. It's a fat tire vs. skinny tire thing. But don't worry, that feeling goes away. Just ride and you'll get used to it quickly.

Good luck!