Gear shifters

[IckleTrixter]

I went ahead and bought http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6254.html but I am very confused by the gears.
Its 18 speed, with 1-6 on the right shifter and L and lots of - on the left shifter. (Revo shifters) Can anyone explain how I'm supposed to use the left shifter ?
Its all very confusing to me

 

[Erudin]

L on the left and 1 on the right will be your lowest (easiest) gear for hillclimbing, H on the left and 6 on the right will be your highest gear.

From: http://forums.bicycletutor.com/thread-161.html

"... Low (small ring) may not require twisting the shifter all the way to the L-mark and similarly High (large chainring) may not require twisting all the way to the H-mark. On my bicycle with Revoshifters the small and large chainrings are engaged one click before the L or H marks so that is as far as I twist the shifter for those gears....You may find that in certain gear combinations the chain will rub slightly on the front derailleur. Because the Revoshifter is not indexed you can easily "trim" the front derailleur by moving the left Revoshifter one click in one direction or the other to eliminate the rubbing."

See also: http://bicycletutor.com/gear-shifting/

 

[lpretro1]

Rt shifter works rear gears, left shifter front gears. Using little on front and big on back gives easiest to ride gear, big on front with little on back is hardest gear to ride - the rest varying degrees in between. Avoid extremes ie big/big or little little. Just use whatever gear feels best - don't worry about the numbers!

 

[PpPete]

Think of it this way:

L is the Low Range (for going up hills)
The next click ought to be marked M for medium range (where you spend most of your time)
Last click ought to be H for high range for downhill, or wind behind you, or going really quick when you is fit.

Within each of those three Ranges you have six gears (numbered 1-6 on Right shifter).
But the ranges do overlap.

 

[IckleTrixter]

There is no H on the left. Just L and lots of dashes, about 10 or so............
Why cant it just be 123 like on my old MTB????