Serious question, why does everyone say you need to carry a spare tube?

I was biking to my office in downtown Denver last month, about 8 blocks from my building, when I got a flat. I had my patch kit, but no spare tube. Everyone online says you're an idiot if you don't carry one. I sat on the curb, found the tiny hole in my tire, sanded it, put the glue on, and waited the full five minutes for it to dry like the instructions say. The patch held perfectly and I rode the rest of the way. A tube costs $8 and takes up space. For a simple puncture, a $2 patch kit works fine if you're not in a huge rush. Has anyone else just patched on the go and been fine, or am I really pushing my luck?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_hannah11d ago

My cousin in Phoenix swears by patch kits and has fixed three flats on the same ride home. I see this all the time where people online make a simple thing sound like you need professional gear. It's like they forget that waiting five minutes for glue to dry is a normal part of life, not a crisis. Why do you think bike forums are so quick to call something stupid if it's not the fastest option?

kellyr1811d ago

Speed gets clicks, patience doesn't.