Brake Fade

Brake fade is a temporary loss of braking power caused by overheating during long or repeated hard braking, such as descending a mountain pass or on track. It affects both disc and drum brakes, although drums suffer more because they shed heat poorly.

• Pad fade: the pad material overheats and grips less; the lever feels normal but the bike does not slow as it should.
• Fluid fade: the brake fluid boils, forming vapour bubbles; the lever becomes soft or comes back to the bar.

To prevent it, use engine braking on long descents, avoid dragging the brakes, use pads suitable for your riding, and change brake fluid regularly, because water absorbed by old fluid lowers its boiling point. If fade happens, ease off and let the brakes cool before relying on them again.