I have about 10,000 miles on the same set of Michelin Ultralights, and no patches. About 71 grams and smooth stems.

Flats occur either from bad luck with glass, thorns, etc, or from poor mounting. Some people have more bad luck depending on where they live and the debris in the roads. I feel bad for riders who have to deal with that. I might see broken glass twice a year as I ride around it.

The tubes are going into semi-retirement though this year as I will be riding tubulars most of the time.