The wonderful world of chainring bolts....

[magnatom]

Just a quick question really. I had to buy some chainring bolts for my Ribble double. However, when I ordered them I didn't realise that they needed some special tool thingy to tighten them correctly (hex on one side, flat head tool thing on the other).

I have managed to tighten them, but not as well as I would like. Rather than buy another tool I'd prefer to get bolts that can take hex tools on both sides, but ordering online it is near impossible to see what ones are built that way. Anyone recommend any? They don't need to be fancy, just for use on my winter commuter!

 

[MacB]

Mags, I bought one of the little tools and they are good for removing them, though you can use some needle nose pliers instead. But for tightening them you shouldn't need the tool, just the allen key. Put a bit of grease on the threaded bit and keep turning them until they catch. I picked this up elsewhere and thought, rubbish, the back part will just keep spinning. Gave it a go and, lo and behold, they tightened right up, I'm sure there's a mechanical explanation but i don't know it.

 

[Alien8]

You could splash out and get a chainring bolt tool from PBK now at £3.51 reduce from £13.00 (allegedly).

 

[HLaB]

I've never used a special tool, just a large flat screwdriver or something else to stop that side rotating and tightened with an allen key.

 

[Crackle]

You don't need a special tool, most of the force is on the hex side and a flat screwdriver placed on one side of the chainring bolt is enough to hold it whilst the bolt bites or loosens. MacB's advice is good, don't waste your money Mags, it'll only take you a few fiddles to get the technique.

 

[magnatom]

Hmmm. I don't think I have a flat headed screwdriver wide enough, and I have at least one bolt that if I keep turning the hex without holding the other side (with a chisel!!) that the bolt just turns.

I'll try and fiddle some more over the weekend I suppose! (oo-er!)

 

[Crackle]

It doesn't need to go across both flats, you should be able to do it with one. You might need a good push. Just imagine your jamming it into the groin of someone who's just pulled out on you.

 

[MacB]

Hmmm. I don't think I have a flat headed screwdriver wide enough, and I have at least one bolt that if I keep turning the hex without holding the other side (with a chisel!!) that the bolt just turns.

I'll try and fiddle some more over the weekend I suppose! (oo-er!)

Have you greased the thread? I only had one that didn't catch quickly unaided and just holding my fingertip on the back of it was enough to do the trick. This doesn't work without cleaning then greasing the threads first, obviously making sure you don't get grease on the outer part.

 

[magnatom]

Grease is the one thing I haven't done. I'll give it a wee go this weekend. Ah the fun I have at the weekend!

 

[buddha]

Not much help to the OP. But for anyone getting new bolts, these allow you to use 2 allen keys.

 

[PpPete]

You could splash out and get a chainring bolt tool from PBK now at £3.51 reduce from £13.00 (allegedly).

Ooh that's posh. I have a cheap pressed steel one, hardly ever had to use it though.

 

[Crackle]

Not much help to the OP. But for anyone getting new bolts, these allow you to use 2 allen keys.

They're for single rings are they not. They'll stick out to much for a double or triple.

 

[buddha]

Yep, wrong link - I've corrected that now

 

[Smokin Joe]

I've never used a special tool, just a large flat screwdriver or something else to stop that side rotating and tightened with an allen key.

+1.

 

[palinurus]

Tools I have used for this job:

Flat bladed screwdriver
Steel rule
Decorating scraper
Nothing at all (works most times)
Nail file