I have Shimano bladed spokes on my bike. The last time I trued & equalized the tension in my rear wheel I didn't notice I twisted a few spokes slightly. The nipple also turned the spoke around its axis despite me having oiled the nipples prior to truing (with low-viscosity "dry" silicone oil). The twists aren't a lot (max 1/4 turn, most of them 1/8 turn).

I have a 100km+ ride (on good roads) this coming weekend and I'm wondering if there is any real mechanical risk here. Having 5 spokes without a perfectly aero-aligned blade is not a concern, really. It's whether the increased rotational tension in the spoke is of concern or it's negligible.

There's still time to take the wheel out, try to un-stuck the nipples from the spokes by loosening them completely and adding more oil but the entire exercise, including the subsequent truing, it's going to take a little time. I'm fine with doing it if needed, but if not, I can postpone till the after-ride maintenance.

And by the way, if anyone knows some tricks about how to keep a bladed spoke with its fixed orientation while turning the nipple, please let me know. I've tried holding the spoke with pliers (near the rim end, not on the blade) but it's very clumsy because of the spoke wrench's handle (I have the PT ones).

Thanks a lot,
jl

the spokes will unwind and quite often will loosen itself as the nipple sticks.

you can hold the spokes in place by using a bladed spoke holder or just an adjustable wrench.

Are you saying that some of the spokes are turned 90-degrees to the direction of travel? That's not very aero...

It's not a problem, they will actually unwind over time.

When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.

That doesn't always work. You may need a tool to actually hold the spoke in place. A plastic bladed spoke guide is the best as it won't damage/mar the spokes.

twisted spokes are no good. use this:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/TL4610.JPG

if your truing stand is strong and stiff (like a bicycle fork) you can also push the rim towards the side of each spoke as you turn the nipple.

Thin spokes at high tension wind up more than that.

A piece of tape on one of the spokes will give you an idea of just how much so you can avoid problems.

Just to close the thread - I fixed the 2 or 3 spokes that were twisted (not just rotated so they weren't aero, but twisted). Trying to hold the blade with an adjustable wrench was a PITA, I think I'll make a long holder (not as fancy as this one, but some hard plastic & hacksaw blade should do it).

You undo the twist with each adjustment so they don't accumulate. Yes, piece of tape really helps.