Crank bolts of SRAM Force eTap AXS D1 crankset keep on failing

Tech Tech Help
1

I have a SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain on my 3T Strada in a 1x configuration. I’m very happy with the drivetrain overall, but I have an issue with the official SRAM crank bolts. Last year when I had my bike in for its yearly service, the new LBS noticed that one of the crank bolts went AWOL. To my knowledge nobody has touched the crank bolts since I got the bike in April 2021.

The LBS ordered SRAM crank bolts and replaced them. Two days ago I had the chain ring replaced with a bigger one and when the mechanic tried to remove the crank bolts, one of them snapped. They called me and I asked them to replace my crank bolts with steel crank bolts. (The SRAM ones are made from aluminium.)

Is this a common fault? Or am I just very unlucky? Are there solutions (e. g. anodized steel bolts) that are aesthetically more pleasing to the eye?

2

Are you talking about the spider bolts (T20 or T25 head)? The chainring bolts that hold the chainring to the spider, M5? Or the bolt that holds the crank to the spindle, M8 head?

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3

Neither. I left out a crucial piece of information: I do have a Quarq power meter installed, and I am using 107 mm BCD SRAM chain rings. It is the bolts that affix the chain ring to the power meter, which broke.

4

Not common for those to break or fall out, but not unheard of. SRAM and Shimano both use thread adhesive so they don’t fall out as much as they used to 15 years ago.

5

I’ve definitely seen loose/protruding chainring bolts on modern bikes. Once so bad it was gashing the frame