[TomBouch]

My bike got left out in the rain on top of my car for a couple of days. Now the front brakes are squealing and have very little stopping power. I had no front wheel on while the bike was on the roof rack so the front pads were very exposed to the weather. Should I replace the pads or do you think they will dry out? I don't want to spend the $20 if I don't have to. Thanks. Tom.

 

[Cayenne_Pepa]

Ask your LBS to inspect the brakes, and see what they tell you. Personally, I would never leave my bike exposed to the elements for no more than one full riding day, before a thorough cleaning/wipe-down. In fact, I would never leave my expensive bike, let alone $400+ brakeset- outside, ever.

Worst case scenario, is you'll probably need to disassemble the caliper assemblies, including the pads, and clean entirely with rubbing alcohol. I once found an old TV left outside in the rain years ago, and dissected it entirely, cleaning every component with rubbing alcohol, and drying the internals in the sun, for two sunny days. Six years later- the TV still works like a charm! Alcohol and Q-tips, are amazing stuff.....

 

[ziscwg]

try 2 things
1) take the pads out and sand them just a touch in a figure 8, turn 180 deg and repeat.

2) do the "sticky piston" fix on it. Go to Magura website to see the procedure. It's not hard, just kind of a pain.

rebed the pads. (20 stops from 15 mph on flat surface)