Avid Elixir 4 hydraulics - brake fade???

[AcidReflux]

On a long, fast, downhill trail on Monday I experienced brake fade at the bottom. I couldn't lock the rear wheel on grass. When I dismounted I could smell the heat in the rear brake.

The front disc is 203mm. Rear disc is 185mm. I couldn't rely on the front too much because of the marbles on this trail and the risk of wash-out. I weigh 110kg. The bike is probably 30 hours old. Is brake fade to be expected generally for a heavy rider or only when the brakes are new?

The three chaps I was with had never experienced brake fade. I'm curious to find out whether this was a one-off or not...

Edited by AcidReflux on Friday 10th September 14:12

[BOR]

I'll take a wild guess and say that you had the back brake permanently on, braking lightly for most of the descent ?

This technique will put too much heaat into the brakes and cause fade. The correct solution is to use the brake less often, but harder, to allow a few seconds to cool down.

The pragmatic solution is to go up a size on the rotor( my solution to my similar lack of skill).

[AcidReflux]

That makes sense. Thanks for the suggestion. The trail was a bit of a rush so I can't remember whether I was riding the brake, but I could well have been as I was following someone on an unfamiliar descent. I'll have to try it again and concentrate this time.