Are loosening chainring bolts just a byproduct of fixie riding or am I just using cheap *****e?

hmm...I haven't had this problem, but I have Sugino 75s and the bolts come with the arms, and are seated fairly well. I have heard of some people super-gluing these to make sure they don't loosen, but you can also try loctite (red? that is the 'weakest' if I remember) to aid in keeping them fastened tightly.

I find this happens on all my bikes where I run one ring on a double crank. Loctite works, as does nail polish on the threads. Also, I take a worn out chain ring, and cut it up, using the bolt hole sections as washers on the other (unused) side of the crank. Seems to work every time.

Red is near the strongest and will require heat to aid in loosening the bolts. Better to go with the blue version as it will be a bit easier to get them out but will still be near-permanent as far as unwanted loosening.

I'm using cheapo BMX bolts. Are there better ones I could use? When I go to tighten these I notice a little sprinkle of metal dust falling. DAMN I hope that's not from the chainring!

I had that problem for a while but I think it was because of the holes in the chainring were worn and no longer round. So check that out. Loctite sounds like a good suggestion too. And the metal dust is most likely from the bolt threads getting stripped - make sure you're screwing them in straight.

Are you using that special tool to hold the nut in place (the one with the two little tabs)? That helps a lot to really crank those suckers down properly. Darkmother's suggestion of making washers also works (especially if you're not using single stack c.r. bolts), but there is an easier solution, which I have employed from time to time: Buy five washers at the hardware store, which should run you about $2.

Don't locktite - grease 'em up.

Seriously - grease the threads on the nuts and bolts, and grease the holes. It will hold tighter and you'll never have to re-tighten.

If properly tightened (using the stack bolt tool YTS mentioned), you shouldn't need any thread locker. Grease is good, it helps you to get the threads started properly as well as seating them with nice uniform tension that won't randomly give out.

The shavings really sound like you're cross-threading.

OK I'll try the grease. I was told by a local bike wizard that I should use aluminum bolts instead of steel. So I'll give that a try as well.

my aluminum bolts broke in about a month. plus, they're super expensive.

i just stick with the 5 dollar single speed ones.

Ya know,when he said aluminum that was the first thing that went through my head. I can't see them being anywhere near as strong as steal.