How to use and change gears corretly on 18 speed bike

Passport1

Hi
Yerars since had or been on a bike and got 18 speed bike recently - 3 Levels on the left hand handle bar and 6 levels on the right hand handle bar

Had been told that for most part all will need is to have the Left level level at 2 and then shift up and down the right hand lever - higher numnbers when going fast and lower number when going slower

If have the left gear shift at Level 2 there is like a clicking sound coming from the bike. When i have the left gear shift at Level 1 this noise does not seem to appear but ive been told that having Left gear lever at 1 and the right gear lever at 4-6 is not good idea as it too much of stretch on the chain and could cause damage but if we have the left gear level at 2 and the right gear lever at 4-6 then you hear this clicking or clankingsound

Also when changing the gears in the right level, the changing of the gears does not seem to be happen easily. When changing gears the gears dont seeem to change cleanly and there is a lot of clanking sound and the gears seems to change of their own accord. When changing the right gears are you mean to shift up and down in slow montion or in one smooth movement

What are we doing wrong here?
Can forum advise please?
Thanks

LastGasp

You should'nt use the inside front ring with the outside two cogs at the back. Also you shouldn't use the outside front with the inside two at the back. Either of these combinations causes the chain to go "sideways", (not in a straight line from front to back) giving friction and a lot of wear. However you should be able to ride in the middle front chainring and any back cog without any funny noises or problems. It sounds like your cables might have stretched a bit, or maybe they were never adjusted properly to start with. You should bring it back and get it adjusted.

SerialComplaint

I answered this same question on Askaboutmoney a few weeks ago - see http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=136363&highlight=bike+gears