Tubes can be so frigin' frustrating!

I think I invented about 3 new combinations of curses this afternoon!

Another tube with a slow leak.
An honest flat I can accept,
but slow leaks? WTF! GRRR!!!!!



Alright...rant over.



Questions:

1. What tubes are you guys having good luck with?
   
2. What are the best quality tubes?
   
3. Any benefit to threaded valves?
   
4. What size valve stands up to daily pumping (as needed) best?

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And I don't want to hear "cheap tubes are just as good as expensive tubes..."
because they are not. I'm not saying that expensive automatically equals better,
but when it comes to tubes, I think I can afford to splurge a bit.

I haven't bought one cheap tube (and I've had to do it by force,
not because I wanted to) that didn't miserably fail me.

I want to buy 1/2 dozen or so GREAT tubes.

I just want them to hold pressure, to last more than a hundred miles, and "if" they happen
to be lighter, wonderful. BUT I'd gladly give up grams for quality and reliability anyday.

I was set on getting superlight tubes such as Michelin AirSTOPS,
but I'm worried they won't hold up as well as regular tubes.

Also, "if" I can go with light tubes, is it true that butyl would be the way to
go for ride quality and better air retention than the lightest material tubes?

Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

______________________________________

Specifics:
56cm Alu road bike
210lb/5'9" rider
700X23c
130 PSI
Maxxis Xenith Hors Categorie Tires
OEM Mavic CXP22/C3 Hubs
B.S. Tubes!


Next set of tires:
Continental Grand Prix 4000S 23c
Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheelset