One of my (many) LBS's had a tire-changing demo earlier this summer. Like Deb, the tech recommended letting out most of the air so that the tube and tire are more pliable. Then, he put the side of the tire already mounted either on the ground or against his stomach right at the bend of the hips and pushed that side flat. Doing so created some slack around the tire. It wasn't much, but it was apparently enough to make it easier to work the unmounted side into place with his thumbs.

Quote Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
As women I think we are often discoureaged from doing mechanical things, and I don't think anyone should leave home without being able to change a flat and make at least minor emergency repairs.
I agree fully with that. I haven't tried the bare-handed tire changing trick yet, but now I'm gonna have to when I put my new tires on.