Bicycle Mechanics - Specialized hardrock tire change how?

I decided to post this thread here instead of the mountain biking forum cause it makes more sense. You all can erase the one I started in the mountain biking section if ya want.

Can ya walk me through the quick releases of the v-brakes and whatever else on the hardrock sport so I can learn how to do a tire change? I'm swapping out the street tires the LBS put on for a pair for off-road.

Oh hey Raiyn the link you gave me was nice and all but wasn't all clear as to the specifics on my bike.

Thanks everyone.

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQtires.shtml

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQtires.shtml

that link is like reading an encyclopedia. Too many words thats not really communicating anything.
Lets start with the brake release. Can you please tell me or show me how to release the tektro v-brake release that comes standard on the hardrock sport so that I don't end up braking the thing?

Phew! Ok i finally got the brake release opened. Now I opened the whell release (front wheel). Now what?
Should I unscrew the adjusting nut or should I leave that alone?

Manually squeeze the brake calipers close by hand and slip the noodle thing out so the brake calipers open up.
Let all the air out of the tire.
Pop the QR, then undo the adjusting nut until they're open wide enough to slide out of the tabs in the fork drop-out holding the whole wheel in place.
Take the wheel off, make sure there's no air in the tire.
Use your thumb to push the tire away from the rim, slide a tire lever under the bead of the tire to lift it and pry it off away from the rim.
Now, with the tire lever in there, put the little hook on the other end of the lever around a spoke and use that as leverage to slowly peel the tire away from the rim.
Once the tire is off, you're ready to put a new tire on.
Put the tire on so that one side is completely on the rim with the tube inside it, inflate the tube a tiny amount so that it holds its shape (so you don't pinch flat it).
Seat the other side of the tire onto the rim starting where the valve for the tube is by hand. Continue pressing the tire bead onto the rim with your thumbs or palm and seating it by hand all the way around.
The last 10 inches or so is especially hard. At this point, let the air out of the tube and use your palm to push the tire and bead as hard as you can towards the rim to seat it.
Practice practice practice.

ok I did that on the front tire and I am starting to inflat it. Something is bothering me though.....
I'm installing a 26x1.95 " tire and so far it seems to look very thin on the wheel there. Its just about as thin as my raleigh dual purpose road tire. Shouldn't it be wider? its made for off-road use it should shouldn't it?
Perhaps I am not pumping it enough? I'm using a cheap pump that doesn't have a pressure gauge.

:(

*sigh* :( I'm such a noobie.....but I was able to change my first set of tires. :)
.........after 4 hours though. :|

Raiyn? I'm gonna talk to you in the mtn biking forum about the tires you selected. Be there cause we gotta talk!