I was coming up to a stop sign on my ride yesterday afternoon when one of the rear brake pads parted company with the bike. This makes the brakes not work so well. With the front brakes not quite adjusted right yet, there was nothing to do but ride through the sign.

Fortunately it's a low traffic intersection and there was no one coming. Whew! Nothing like feeling the brake lever come all the way to the bar and nothing happening.

Bike maintenance tonight.

Whoa, consider yourself lucky.... what's with the string of people having accidents/bike problems recently? Are the Clydesdale Gods mad at us for some reason? :(

Whoa, consider yourself lucky.... what's with the string of people having accidents/bike problems recently? Are the Clydesdale Gods mad at us for some reason? :(

Yes, they are very mad with their children for attempting to become heathens. For the sake of appeasing the Clyde/Athena gods stop by your local buffet and perform your penance.

Seriously though, be careful out there.

The front brake is by far the more important. Don't ride unless it is in good working order.

I was coming up to a stop sign on my ride yesterday afternoon when one of the rear brake pads parted company with the bike. This makes the brakes not work so well. With the front brakes not quite adjusted right yet, there was nothing to do but ride through the sign.

...or swerve, or...there are usually a few choices.

How did your brake pad "part company" with your bike? I've never had such a thing happen.

Yep, I know the front is more important. Truly, I've got no one to blame but myself for not adjusting it correctly to begin with! Having just gotten the bike all together Monday night, I just wanted to ride it.

From what I can tell, as I was applying the brake, the pad came off the mount. It was an old Campy pad that appears to have been crimped and maybe glued onto the mount. New pads are getting installed all around tonight, and I'll be tightening up that front brake as well.

how did the front brake not work at all? even not adjusted it should offer some slowing effect.

newer brake pads slide in then are screwed in....better than glue i would think.

Yeah, it would have stopped me. As a matter of fact, it did - about 30 feet past the sign. It was adjusted tight enough to lock the wheel when standing still, but not enough to stop the bike while moving.

I fixed it tonight. New pads are installed and adjusted correctly.