I dont have tubes,but you say you carry a plug kit and an air compressor,but you don't think most of us carry a tube patch kit and the tools to change a tire on the side of the road.You think everybody is stupid?Back in the day,I carried a couple tube patches and a tube of glue.I took one side of my tire off the rim with the spanner wrench that came in the standard bike tool kit wheel still on the bike.Wasnt real easy,but not rocket science.I have tubeless tires and I dont/wouldnt carry a compressor.I shouldnt jinx myself,but I havent had a flat on any of the bikes I've had since about 1980 or so.I think the last was in Rockaway in '78.Certainly wouldnt avoid buying or riding a bike long distance just because I had spokes and a tubed tire.Really more of a coincident that the last 4 bikes I had had cast wheels.

 

So cast wheels are immune to flats? Nice ill be switching over ASAP!