Yeah, it wasn't too bad but it still makes me nervous. I imagine dropped chains into spokes. I first followed instructions from one book and wasn't happy. (I also put on a new rear derailleur so lots of variables here). I then did the Park Tool book routine and am happy with the result.

It isn't my bike, it belongs to my spouse who is much taller than I am. Nevertheless, I took it for a ride and it shifted just fine. Here is what I did to his old steel frame Bianchi hybrid:

Replaced crank
replaced front brakes, cables and housing
replaced rear brake pads, springs, cables and housing
replaced freewheel
replaced rear derailleur, cable and housing
clean front derailleur
replaced front derailleur cable and housing
replaced shifters
replaced chain
replaced pedals
replaced bottle cage with another old bottle cage

I thought about repacking bearings but everything rolls smoothly so why mess with it. Plus, I don't have the tools to remove her bottom bracket

I broke a spoke taking off the freewheel. I paid to have it replaced and the wheel trued. That is my next thing I want to learn to do.

Other than changing out pedals, putting on new brake pads and replacing the chain, everything else was a first time job for me.