Mountain Biking - brake pads

I recently bought a Kona Coiler about 4 weeks ago. At first the hayes brakes were excellent and stoped my bike on a dime. In the last few days ive noticed that it takes alot more effort to get the same stopping power from the rear brake. Today it was so bad that the rear wheel would not lock up or stop the wheel even when I slammed the brakes going at a good speed. The wheel would stop but after a few revolutions. I cleaned the rotors and tried a few things but nothing helped. Eventualy I got fed up and switched the front pads into the rear calipers, and now the rear works like when it was brand new. The front brakes now work very bad and hardly stop me, exactly like they did when they were in the rear. My question is that how often do brake pads wear down? could there just be something on the pads that casue them to not grip the rotors? i cleaned the rotors and pads already so i dont think that is the problem. should i just buy new pads and see what happens?

Crappy pads maybe? You could try getting new ones.

They are the stock ones that came with my bike, anyone else have these problems? Is it possible to wear down pads in 4 weeks?

mine are looking like they need to be replaced already too... just got the bike in sept and havent had that much time on these pads.. I suspect they don't last all that long when riding a lot of technical terrain until you start to feel comfortable enough to not be braking as much..

I have Hayes discs also and have been having the same problem, yup, the rears. My LBS thinks I'm crazy 'cause I keep bringing it back, they pretend to do something and it stops fine for a couple of rides then the same thing happens again. I have about 200 miles on them. Hayes told me that the pads are contaminated and I should change them and that even touching them with oily hands can do that to 'em. Funny though, I touch the fronts on purpose just to see what'll happen and they're fine.

Yea same thing happens. Have you tried new pads to see what happens?

how much oil is on all of your chains? chain oil will contaminate the pads way fast. If most of your problems are in the rear I would look into a highend chain lube (that WONT slig off) and make sure you wipe the chain down with a clean dry rag after you lube it. once oil touches the pads they will be done there is no saving them, you will need new pads and you will also want to clean the rotors.

They are the stock ones that came with my bike, anyone else have these problems? Is it possible to wear down pads in 4 weeks?

no they are contaminated. pads sould last a good time. tipical weekend warior sould get 1-year easy less with more and agressive riding, but you did not wear them down in 4 weeks.


you can try, getting some fine sand paper (800-600ish) and lightly sanding the pads down to totaly clean materal, and washing the rotors W/ CRC Brake Kleen (available at any auto parts store)