Do you ever feel all thumbs? I certainly feel all thumbs when it comes to bicycle maintenance. It\’s a relief to know that I\’m far from alone.

For years I\’ve had a book on bicycle maintenance. Sometimes I\’ll browse around in it, but I don\’t dare try much by myself. Even watching videos doesn\’t help me much. They tend to go through things too quickly for me; and a video isn\’t the same thing as one-on-one personal instruction, where you can take it one slow step at a time.

It reminds me of the saying: \”Nothing is as easy as it looks.\” How true that is! For example, watch those  who have had some practice change the tube in a bicycle tire. Those folks can get through it all in a few minutes. I have trouble just getting the tire off the rim! It takes quite a lot of strength. If anything, getting that tire back onto the rim is even harder.

That\’s my reason for using tire liners. I first got them after my trike had eight flats in about 14 months, and I use them for the hybrid and the road bike, too. I even got them for the trailer\’s wheels!

One day I might need to replace a bicycle. Then the old one can be my \”guinea pig\”, and I can start learning derailer adjustment and other things. I don\’t expect I\’ll ever become a professional \”wrench\”, but it would be nice to not have to rely on the bike shop.