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this is the bike I have bought... 18" frame I did all the measurements and followed all the guidance I could as to the size of frame.
It IS a womans bike... It is only big because I think it is (that doesn't make much sense huh) I haven't ridden a bike for years and when you have to balance on this 2 wheeled monster it seems too big... but I actually have the height lower than is recommended... And I do find it odd that the handle bars can't be raised... I had thought I would have some kind of option as to my position while riding (ie more upright) but seems that I bought the wrong bike for that.
I have already been through the 'send it back' argument with OH and I think he is right that I was just overwhelmed and any bike would have been daunting. We are going through to the shop at the weekend (I was adamant that I would buy on-line, and I made the best choice I could) I plan on getting a new Big Ass saddle while there lol...
I don't think I have bought the
wrong bike, just one that is a bit scarier than the old ladies, step through frame, wide saddle, wicker basket, low saddle... which might have been an easier one to get on and off, but it wouldn't have survived on the rough paths and hills around here... Oh, and it is 24 gear... and any tips on how best to use them would be greatly appreciated... it would help with the hills.
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Sorry if I made the assumption that you had bought the wrong bike it just sounded like you had a mans mountain bike and as I now realise riding my wifes ladies spec bike it is a whole new game.
I think the steering that you have is the A Head system and that needs setting up for your riding position.
As for useing the gears the simple to understand way ( for me writing this) iis to try and keep the chain in a straight line. Imagine the front chain rings so if the chain is on the outer largest ring then keep the chain on the outer most 2 back cogs. If that is too hard then move the chain from the large outer ring to the middle ( front) ring and keep the chain on the rear middle three cogs...... if this is to hard then drop the chain to the smallest front ring and the corrosponding rear inner 3 cogs.
I hope that is easy to understand, probably not but it's most efficient way to ride and you will soon feel the best way to ride. To try this out find a cycle path and ride on that not on the road as one slip on the gears can have you wobbling all over the place.
I really hope you enjoy your cycling, I miss it terribly now I can't do it as much as I did back in the 90's. My best effort was the coast to coast in 14 hours 28 minutes...... now it's as much as I can do to look at the bike and get out for about 5 miles slowly......
) But the saddle is either a mans one or made for a pre-childbirth women... which IS a problem as [TMI WARNING] due to child birth my pelvic bones are wider that they once were which means that my pelvis is not well supported by the seat - it does not make cycling impossible by any means but I have more aches than I ought to have.... 
