I just found out that one of the tutors was late today because of a flat (and he ended up *running* with the bike over his shoulder). He's currently cursing up a storm about the "stupid bike" and how it made him late - but he didn't have a flat kit and had timed his departure much too close. I don't think the bike is to blame here...

I'm going to offer him my patch kit after his session. My spare tube won't fit, he's running 700cs and I have 26 inchers, but I can at least get him sorted out for the ride home. And I hope this doesn't put him off bike commuting, he just needs a bit more preparation.