A reel for storing optical fiber is disclosed that significantly reduces the torsional force applied to optical fiber as the fiber is being wound onto the reel for storage. The optical fiber reel comprises two spindles that are offset with respect to the rotational center of the reel. Such an arrangement causes the fiber to be wound onto the reel in a substantially linear fashion, thus preventing the torsional force and resulting twisting that cause micro-cracks to develop. The spindles are of a sufficiently large diameter to facilitate operational use of the fiber while stored on the spindle without increasing the attenuation of signals that could result from the use of a smaller diameter spindle.