I fitted a new unramped chainring on my cranks recently. But after every ride, I find I’m missing a bolt and another has worked loose. I tighten them by hand, some of the spin a bit; maybe I should get the special tool.

What do you think?

Could try loctite on threads,

Washers.

I should ask: what cranks/BB?

Crank bolts? I’m assuming you mean chain ring bolts. Are they single ring specific? Use a touch of loctite on each

and get yourself the £4 tool. picked one up a few weeks ago, no more faffing now, especially when the cranks are still fitted to the bike.

You tighten them by hand-very interesting but unfortunately stupid-use an allen key plus a tool to hold the slotted rear part,often an allen key will suffice.

Sorry I meant chain ring bolts. I will get the tool that slots into the nut. It’s just that I’ve never had this problem before and I’ve stupidly, but successfully, fitted chain rings many times.

Blackspire Mono 34t; SLX cranks FYI.

Generally I find i don’t need the slotted tool if the threads are very clean. Try cleaning and regreasing.