Back in the 90's when I bought my first bike, it seemed like every time I wanted to go for a ride, I had a flat tire (an exaggeration of course...but's that's my memory of it). So, I bought some heavy tire liners and if I ever had another flat, it was extremely rare. This was before the internet and with my current level of knowledge on tires and suppleness, etc..., I wouldn't dream of using tire liners. I guess Ignorance is Bliss.