Actually I can fix a flat about as long as it takes to put a new tube in, here's how I do that. With fixing a flat you only have to find the leak which I can usually very quickly, next you remove only about 1/2 of one side of the tire with the leak in the center of the 1/2, next you pull out only about 1/4th of the tube with the hole again in the center, feel inside of tire where penetration was made for any offending debris and check outside as well, then you-or at least I-buff the tube then swab it with an alcohol pad then apply a glueless patch thus no glue to wait to dry, then reassemble. Of course with a stiff wire beaded road tire your going to have to remove the entire side of the tire just to get about a 1/4th of the tube out.

With a tube replacement you have to remove the entire side of tire, pull out tube, check inside and out for the offending debris, and reassemble...except this next part is what most people forget to mention-YOU HAVE TO COMPLETLY DEFLATE OLD TUBE and roll it up tight so it can go back into the saddlebag! Doing this last part will more then exceed the time it would take to fix a tube.

Of course if it's raining and you can't get to a dry area to do the repair then your going have to replace the tube.