Quote Originally Posted by Juliegoddess View Post
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.