Was bringing the xt home from work in the good weather, all was good for about 10miles, had to brake heavily once, all good for a few more miles, then coming down hill there seemed to be nothing from the front brake.
There looks to be plenty of meat on the pads but I don't know how hold they are, there is just under 8k on the 09 plate, could be original I guess, and fluid is looking rather dark. Thinking new pads and fluid and eventually braided lines.
What's people's thoughts and suggestions on pads and fluid?

Mines an 09 plate and probably original pads..Im changing them to HH ebc's..,back ones to the organics.

I changed the brake fluid,front and back,when i bought her.Dot 4 fluid and still have over half a litre bottle left,even though we just changed my mates too.

Spot on cheers.
I've been holding off changing the fluid as I wanted to do the lines but I think now I'll just change it and again when I get new lines.
Wasn't sure if folk were using dot 4 or 5.
I've just changed the rear pads as they were down to metal and went for the ebc carbon graphite

Carbon ceramic or sintered for the front?

EBC...FA209/2HH..fronts

EBC...FA213..organics ...rear

Goldfren S33 road on the front.
Goldfren s33 offroad rear

Never had brake fade and ive only got one front caliper. As mentioned before fresh fluid will help also.

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To boldly go where no Tenere has gone before.

Sounds like the brake fluid is past its best. It should be changed every 2 years as it absorbs moisture over time & boils quicker under heavy braking thus becoming less effective.