globe9

I know this is a dumb question, but the last time I changed a tire was on my 1980's era Schwinn Stingray(no gears, old fashioned brakes) so it seemed considerably simpler than now as I'm looking at my 05 Marin Hawk Hill.....I don't want to mess anything up, so should I just take it to a LBS? The brakes are intimidating me. What tools do I need? A neighbor told me to just pry off with a screwdriver, but I don't know....I really want to learn to do this, but I don't want to screw up anything on my bike. Please help. I went to Parktools.Com and their explanation is VERY long and seems complicated...is it really that hard to change a tire?

slowandsteady

No it isn't that hard to change a tire.

https://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html

vpiuva

You're a southern grrl, use those charms and go make friends with the guys at your local LBS.
They'll change it cheap (or may have a free clinic so you can learn additional skills), and have them teach you how to do it, something you'll need to know if you have a flat on the road.

Your local recreational cycling club may hold basic bike maintenance clinics, too. Ours does.

joshuastar

just for the record....your neighbor is very wrong. don't pry off with a screwdriver.

GRedner

For goodness' sake don't use a screwdriver - you'll probably dent your rim or puncture a sidewall or something. Buy a set of cheap-o nylon tire levers and use those to help pry the tire loose.

Floyd

The 'Sheldon Brown" site mentioned is good. IF you did this when you were a kid (younger) then it should not be all that complicated, in spite of what it looks like. Take your time and you will be proud of yourself when you do that first one. If 'Sheldon' sounds too complicated, come back here an we will give you the step by step. .. ... ... ...peace

Bobby Lex

Some things are easier to demonstrate, than they are to explain in words. Remember back in grade school English class when the assignment was to write down instructions for tying a shoelace?Suddenly, something as simple as tying your shoelace turned into a 3-page monstrosity when you tried to explain it in writing.

That's why the Parktools explanation seems long and complicated. But it really isn't.

Go back to the Parktools site. Print the instructions out. Sit down with your bike and the printed instructions. Break down the instructions into 1-sentence increments. Methodically follow the directions.

After you have followed the instructions one time, with a real wheel and tire, hands-on, start-to-finish, it should all click for you.

Bob