I was slowing down at a stop light using my front brake and all of a sudden, my brake lever came all the way in towards the grip, felt loose, and I lost all braking power.  I pulled over to the side of the road to inspect, and after squeezing the lever a few times, I seemed to regain the ability to brake.  I did notice a swishing sound that was dependent on speed as I completed the rest of my journey (riding slowly and using the rear brake only).

I suspected the brake pads and took them out to inspect.  While one pad seems to have plenty of material left, the other (non-piston side) is worn down to the metal.  What could have happened here?  did the brake material completely detach from the pad, or did one side just wear out that much faster than the other?  When I took my bike to a mechanic a couple of months ago, he said that the brakes were about halfway done before needing replacement.  I find it hard to believe that I went through the second half of the brakes' life in just a few months.  And anyway, shouldn't the wear be about even on both sides?  

Thanks for the advice,
Phil

No, It felt a little squishy recently, but no unusual sounds.  Do you know why it suddenly lost braking power?  Even if they pad wore down to the metal, wouldn't it still maintain some stopping power?

}…~§}|{^_%#@

My brakepads fell off right in my driveway back in february. I was about to hop on the bike, and notice a piece of debris on the driveway that looked suspicious. Took a closer look - it was one of the brakepads, and the second one was loose in there.

I have since upgraded to the big brake kit sold by RycaShawn, and it makes so much difference, so much more confidence in the brakes now.

The brake pad that fell apart on me was EBC brakes, they are a reputable vendor from what I know, but nevertheless.

In my case it was the ceramic part of the pad separating from the metal part.

https://youtu.be/IL031aSTSuI

Wow, that's pretty remarkable (and scary).  I am thinking that must be what happened to me, given the sudden loss of braking power.  I didn't think to check the road for the missing brake material in the moment.  

I bought some more expensive pads this time that EBC, which is what I was running before.

Here is a picture of my rotor.  You can see the two circumferences where the top and bottom of the pad were rubbing on the rotor.  It is a lighter shiny silver color.  I am thinking to continue using this rotor, but I will do the tolerance test with calipers.