Originally Posted by
CliffordK
The first thing is to try the Allen Wrench without the tool.
If the chainring is tight, then you may well be able to break the bolts loose without the special tool.
I usually get slippage if the bolts or spacers are sized wrong, and don't tighten properly.
I just swapped the chain ring (44T to 40T) on my wife's Electra Loft 7D this morning, and I was able to loosen all chain ring bolts without a chain ring nut tool, even though a basic one is built into the end of my Pedro Chain checker.
Chain Checker Plus II » Pedro's NA (pedros.com)