-
I honestly don't know and keep wondering the same thing. I've never had that problem happen with racks for instance, and I don't loctite any of these bolts. I've also noticed that it is mostly happening to the vertical (or almost vertical) bolts on my bike : the one under the fork crown and the one under the seatstay bridge.
This is a bit counterintuitive according to the Junker test described in the link sent by @MCamb, which seems to be based on the fact that "shear loading perpendicular to the fastener axis is the most severe form of loading for vibration-induced loosening" : you'd expect bolts parallel to the road to loosen first, as most of the vibrations induced by the road are, I assume, vertical.
If I understand correctly the Junker test, the plate under the fastener has to actually move to have any effect though (at least infinitesimally), so if I had to take a wild guess, I'd say that there tends to be more surface area (and thus more friction) at the dropouts between a rack and the frame, than at the tiny contact point between my mudguard and the seatstay bridge.
Totally unsubstantiated claim though.
I'm still interested in how they're coming loose technically. I've had loads of muddies on loads of bikes and never had one come loose.
Why would one come loose on a mudguard, but not say stem bolts?
Is it something to do with the threading or something?
Sorry, genuinely interested. (Mostly in case it's just luck for me and I should be more careful!!!)