So if your back brake level has no feel to it (no bite) and little stopping power when riding, but brake works when wheel is free spinning, what is the list of things to check in order.

Pads,
Levels,
cables ??

Excuse very basic question. Quite interesting riding with only a front brake working properly!!!!

Contamination of the brake pads or braking surface would be my first thought. Brake cleaner and ‘scotchbrite’ on the disc and pad surface.

Re-build and try it

Hth

Marko

Thanks Marco, that’s a job on the list but puzzled by the lack of tension in the brake level. When I pulled on it, there was no bits at all which made me wonder if I needed to make a simple adjustment, perhaps the the cable?

Sounds like brakes may also need bleeding?

Sounds like either;

No fluid pressure
No pad friction

Fixes are;

Bleed
Clean pads and disc surface (if that doesn’t work you should replace the pads)

As they are I assume cable discs I would check;

Adjustment of inner / fixed pad
Cable tension
Frayed or knackered cables or outers
Pads for excessive or terminal wear
Decontamination as posted above

And check cables haven’t jumped out of their stops.

Contamination of the brake pads or braking surface would be my first thought.

That’s GOT TO be secondary to pad wear, every time.

Are the pads worn?
Yes = Replace pads
No = Other issue

🙂

Even assuming its discs

That’s GOT TO be secondary to pad wear, every time.

You don’t need to shout!

I’d assumed the OP had checked the pad wear.I’d also assumed that if the pads were down to the metal noise would have been an issue as well.

Marko