Bicycle Mechanics - Chainring bolts slipping

Ok, this is probably going to sound like a stupid question, but here it goes...

I put a new chainring on; it is on a singlespeed crank and I got chainring bolts for a singlespeed. However, as I try to tighten the bolts down, the back (that holds the everything together and the female, threaded part) simply keeps on turning and doesn't tighten up to an acceptable tightness. I don't have a wide enough flathead screwdriver to hold it in place, I tried holding it with needle nose pliers as well as simply putting pressure on it with a regular screwdriver.

How am I supposed to keep it from turning? Is there a special tool that's sold? I've searched, but I can't seem to find anything. Do I need new chainring bolts? Is there some trick to do it so I don't have to buy a special tool. What? Thanks.

Eight bucks will get you one of these ... at Harris Cyclery:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/TL6123.jpg

We talking Shimano ... or ... what?

There is no good substutute for that little tool. They are all crap; made of stamped steel. But you need it.

If the threads are all clean (thread and unthread them about 20 times each while watching TV to polish those threads), and greased, you can usually get them on without the tool. But it really is something you should have.

jim

Hmm. Thanks; I suppose I will have to go get one then. Oh well, it's always good to have more tools right? Woo hoo!

Or, you could convert to hex key chainring bolts, such as found on Truvativ cranks. 5mm on the back, 6mm on the front.

http://wheelsmfg.com/content/view/786/54/

hmmm, no singlespeed listed.

There is no good substutute for that little tool. They are all crap; made of stamped steel. But you need it.

If the threads are all clean (thread and unthread them about 20 times each while watching TV to polish those threads), and greased, you can usually get them on without the tool. But it really is something you should have.

jim

It's more important that any surface which the NUT resides is clean of grease. I'm not convinced "chasing" the threads in the manner you describe does anything. The last hundred chainring bolts i've tightened to spec, none have needed that chainring bolt tool.

Hozan makes a spring loaded integrated hex key/chainring bolt tool that was meant for removing seized bolts (it fails at that) that is really nice to use.

[QUOTE=operator;8918642] I'm not convinced "chasing" the threads in the manner you describe does anything. QUOTE]

If the threads are a bit rough to begin with (say, a burr where the thread starts), then it can do a little. But not much, to be sure.

jim

Plus ... it's something to do .... ;)

Or, you could convert to hex key chainring bolts, such as found on Truvativ cranks. 5mm on the back, 6mm on the front.


man those things are crap. run far far away, i just in the last week threw the ones off my sram red rings in the bin.

you have an alternate to the tool. put a dab of 2 part epoxy like araldite on the backing plates to fix them to the crank arms. every ones of my track cranks are set up in this way, where you are frequently pulling rings on and off, also stops you dropping the backing plates.

if you are going to glue, do it on stainless or cro-mo plates.

man those things are crap. run far far away, i just in the last week threw the ones off my sram red rings in the bin.


And why is that...? They come stock on a lot of bikes with absolutely no problems.