Missing Chain ring bolt
 

I was investigating some new noises emanating from my bike and noticed that one of the bolts holding my chain ring on was missing. Is this just a freak incident or a sign that something is wrong? (i.e. bent chain ring, over tightened areas?) I have no idea so I thought I would ask the experts. Are the bolts just under way more stress on a fixed gear?

Just replace the bolt (or all of them).

Probably was just loose and fell out.

And be sure to grease the threads.

That was the first, and only, thing to go wrong with my bike (knock on wood). I heard it happen and was lucky enough to find the parts. Tightened them up, trouble-free since.

and be sure to get steel bolts. Aluminum chainring bolts are asking for trouble.

Thanks everyone. Picked up some steel ones for $7. I'm just going to replace the one and tighten up the others for now. Hang on to the rest for some later date.

Last question, do you regularly check the bolts? Should I be checking this semi regularly?

eh
the last time I touched the bolts was over 6 months ago when I changed my chainring

If you install them right the first time, they never need to be checked. If you skimp on the torque, they can fall out.

Replace it right away. When this happened to me I kept riding on it, and ended up snapping one of the remaining 4 bolts and bending my chainring in half. This happened in traffic.

Make sure you use grease and a proper chainring bolt tool. They won't come out unless you want them to.