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Cleaning the ss for the first time [s]ever[/s] in a long while tonight, noticed that all of the chainring bolts were somewhat loose. And when I say loose I mean *insert double entendre of your choice, so long as it describes a very loose thing.*
What's the most likely culprit, do you think?
Initial thoughts were one or more of the following:
a) Hamfisted spannering resulted in undertightened bolts when first built
b) No threadlock
c) Chainline issue-induced 'waggling' has undone them
d) Thermal expansion/contraction during winter
e) Other
I've never had them come undone on any other bikes before, even ones I've dis/assembled myself.
Glad I cleaned/noticed it this weekend or it would have likely ended badly for both bike and rider. Eek.
are they short enough to not bottom out? ie single speed specific?
tbh you probably just need to do them up tighter. The proper tool does help and is only £3.
a) Hamfistedness
[u]dont[/u] use threadlock!!
I've only had a chainring come loose once in many thousands of km on singlespeed or Rohloff.
Best bet is do them up tight, ride for a bit to let everything settle in, then tighten them again.
I also avoid aluminium bolts as I don't feel I can tighten them enough without them breaking.
Use threadlock 222 as is only low strength and will only require 5Nm to get loose. I use it on all bolts.
Thanks all.
Short/ss chainring bolts used, no threadlock, and I used the proper tool - just not well enough, by the looks of it.
Having tightened them up and had a good old look on the commute this morning it seems that the chainline isn't quite right - separate issue, but good to notice...
Happened to me a couple of times before in the past plus its sounds like my cleaning regime too, worst time was when out a fair way from home when the bolt fell out which then caused a surly stainless ring to basically fold in half under load resulting in a long scoot home, subsequently always carry a spare bolt and peg spanner for the back with me now and also check reasonably often too now.