[AlCapone]

My Hayes Stroker Trails just lost power. Both brakes, on the same day. The rear one will barely lock, and the front one is a little worse than the rear. The levers still feel the same. Is it just pad contamination? I tried cleaning the pads and rotors with nail polish remover (what my local bike shop recommended) but it didn't make a difference? What could be the problem?

 

[Bicyclist]

Pad contamination. New pads + rubbing alcohol on the rotors.

 

[AlCapone]

Thanks.

 

[Steve M]

Could be contamination, or it could be overheating from dragging the brakes too much on longer descents. In either case though, what Bicyclist said should fix it.