The tip about talc and clingfilm is one I use but its really to stop tubes chafing in a saddlebag and being ruined when you need them (old touring tip) the ease of fitting is a bonus.
I used the talc trick yesterday when I changed my tubes. Definitely helps that little bit.
The missus bought a bike last week. B'Twin Fit 500. Great bike for the money (£350+). Went out for a 20 mile ride with her on country lanes and some major A roads and dual carriageways.
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/683350917 She did bloody great seeing as she hasn't ridden a bike for over a decade. Hit some decent hills, too. The only downsides were that she fell into a hedge, had a rear wheel p******e in the rain (which I had to change) and she threw the chain off a mile from home. The bike came with Hutchinson Equinox 23mm and, although they feel great to ride and were a doddle to get on and off the rims with no tyre levers, they offer no flat protection whatsoever. I swapped them out for some Spesh Armadillo's I had hanging around.