I've really been needing to learn to change a tire and since I need to take my knobby tire off in the back and replace it with a slick tire so I can use the trainer, the time is now!

I'm having a huge problem with my brakes, though. I have Avid Shorty 4 cantilevers and these babies do not want to be released. I've tried to squeeze them together to get enough slack so I can get the one cable released but it's not enough. I even had my Dad try and he couldn't do it. Is this normally this difficult? Is there some way I can get more slack? I'm afraid to mess something up and end up taking it to the shop.

I did get the tire changed, although I'm pretty sure I didn't do a great job -- I don't think the tire is seated right and it's kinda bulgy. I ended up deflating the tire so I could just get it out, but I should be able to release the brakes. On a positive note, I felt kind of awesome after getting the tire off, changed, and back on. Even if it didn't turn out right and needs to be done again.