I don't patch. While I can appreciate patching for the cost of new tubes, it's the lack of reliability as for why I dont patch. I've seen too many patched tubes fail, with the result being cutting into my riding time. I also replace tires before they become too worn for the same reason. So, despite riding lightweight tires and latex tubes I rarely get flats. On group rides when someone gets a flat and wants to patch it or replace it with a patched tube, I emplore them to use my new unpatched spare tube. Reliability is more important than the nominal expense incurred.