Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <tire><commuter><repair>
Title: Is a tire patch kit really necessary for urban commute?
Question: I'm cycling for urban commute, on well-maintained roads and bike paths, Vittoria Randonneur "puncture resistant" tires, and at no point on my ride am I more than 1/2 mile (usually within 1/4, I bet) from a bike shop.  I also presume that I'll never be without a wallet and cell phone and am in a city with good public transport.  Given that, is there really a reason to bother carrying a patch kit or extra tube with me?

Answers:
sents: text: Well, to answer this, there are a couple things to consider.
text: 1)
text: What are the hours or operation of the bike shops?
text: Do you plan to ride when the shops aren't open.
text: 2) Are you sure that all the bike shops will always have your tube size in stock.
text: Seriously, you think they would always have 700x32 in stock, but I've had it happen enough times that it's annoying.
text: Not to mention the number of times I've settle for using presta when I'm really supposed to be using schraders.
text: 3) How far do you really want to walk, and what is the penalty for being late?
text: Walking 800 m (1/2 mile) could take around 10 minutes.
text: In that time you could have already changed the tire.
text: Do you lose pay when you get to work late?
text: If this happens too much will you be seen as unreliable, and get your shifts cut? 4)
text: How much does a patch kit or extra tube and a frame pump really slow you down?
text: A patch kit can easily be stored in those bags that go under your saddle, or in your jersey pocket.
text: A pump can be mounted on the frame, and you probably won't even realize it's there.
text: Personally, I don't think there's much reason not to carry a pump and spare tube.
text: Although it does seem useless at this point.
text: I ran over a broken beer bottle on the weekend and heard and felt the glass crush underneath my tires.
text: Thanks to gatorskins and tuffy tape, I didn't even have a flat.
text: I seriously question why I should bother.
text: But then 3 months ago I had a valve fail.
text: It's almost never the case that I get a flat from an actual puncture, but usually from pinch flats or other unexpected things.
text: I don't think I've ever had to use my allen keys on my commute, but I still carry them.
text: That being said, the day you have to walk a mile because you didn't want to carry something as small as a tube and pump is the day you're going to rethink why you don't carry one.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/163/Kibbee
score: 12
sents: text: There is no unique right answer to this, but I can put it two ways: The way you described (very low puncture risk, good external infrastructure), if it bothers me, I wouldn't carry anything but a good extra tube and a pump.
text: If it is not an absolute "bother", I would feel WAY more carefree if I did pack a patch-kit.
text: The second option allows you to change your mind if you want to stray away from your usual route, say, to ride longer, to go to a friend's house, or whatever.
text: Also, if you don't carry your kit everyday, chances are you will forget it at home when you go out for a non-commuting ride.
text: Now for the extreme opposite, I definitely would not recommend riding without a spare tube and a pump, EVER!
text: (But that's also a matter of choice.)
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2355/heltonbiker
score: 9
sents: text: Think how fortunate you would feel to be able to help a fellow cyclist who happened to get his /her second flat of the morning by handing them a patch to help them on their way.
text: I believe what goes around comes around, maybe they would help you while walking the 1/2 mile to you bike shop to fix your bike.
text: Sometimes it is worth taking a just in case item for the circumstance that you just can't predict.
text: Most of us ride for the enjoyment and a few ounces won't really impact that.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2452/mikes
score: 5
sents: text: I don't bother to carry a patch kit or any tools on short-distance commutes.
text: My rule is that if I could walk home in a pinch, I don't need that stuff.
text: FWIW, I've had more instances of running out of spares due to multiple flats on long-distance rides than I've had instances of walking home because of a single flat on in-town rides.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2152/Adam Rice
score: 3
sents: text: You have to decide the best balance between The disadvantages of carrying a tube, pump and levers and
text: The disadvantages of being stranded with a flat tyre.
text: Seriously, that's all it comes down to.
text: Think about what you'll do if you get a flat anywhere along your commute and how much of an inconvenience it is.
text: Then compare that to the inconvenience you experience from carrying spares and fixing a flat on the road.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/1588/Mac
score: 2

Summary of the answers:
Most people consider carrying a patch kit a sensible precaution. It is a light, easy to carry item that will save time and inconvenience in the event of a puncture. Some cyclists, however, do not carry this item when they are only going short distances and they could walk home if they had to.
Consider the inconvenience of having a puncture on your commute without a kit, and the possibility that the bike shops will be closed or not have the right part. While it may be easier to push the bike on short commutes, a patch kit is small and light and provides peace of mind at a low cost.