Suzie,
I watched DH change tires a couple of times, and I read a couple of websites with insructions. So a few nights ago I actually changed both my own tires and tubes all myself for the FIRST time. Now I am much more confident. Of course I did it in the comfort of my warm livingroom, not sure how well I could do it at 40 degrees outside. I just put on 700x28's, so mine aren't "too" skinny and flat prone. How wide a tire can your new bike accomodate? YOu might ask them to put on the widest ones that fit to start with- for your road bike, that might mean 25's? Th ewider, the less flats. Oh, and try to get Kevlar or TourGuard treated tires- they have tough membranes inside that REALLY DO help prevent flats- I've seen them in action and they are very impressive.

I don't have any desire to go clipless at the moment. I use regular pedals with PowerGrip straps and I really love how they work for me. Hey, if the clipless thing is keeping you from getting your new bike, and you are comfy right now with your DH's straps, why don't you just get an extra set of pedals and straps and put those on your new bike first? Regular pedals are pretty cheap, unlike clipless pedals and shoes. Besides, then yuo could save $ by not having to buy covers to keep your special clipless shoes warm over the winter! I wear my heavy insulated hiking boots for biking in the cold- heavy wool socks and the boots do fit nicely in my straps.

For walking in the winter, I wear my chunky mukluk boots, but they will not fit in my pedal straps. (See, I DID manage to work the walking subject into this post!)