Jeff, I also leave an unglued space opposite the valve stem. Since I use glue, this may not apply to tape. For a little while after first riding newly glued tubes, there is a ticking every revolution. I think it is the glue being pulled up at the edge of where it stops. The sound goes away after a number of miles. Kind of irritating at first until you realize what it is. I carry a plastic tire lever to get under the tire at the unglued spot. Most of my tires are a bit challenging to get of at first. Really good adhesion.