When I first got my bike it came with very poor rim tape which was barely wide enough to cover the spoke holes in the rim, causing me many problems with flat tires until I bought some decent, wide rim tape and replaced the factory crap tape. I've never had a problem with flats due to bad rim tape since, and don't feel the need to carry any with me. Not that I'd have room for it anyway, since my underseat bag is full of other stuff.