What's up with my brakes?

jimbo-norco

I have recently swapped my scott for an iron horse with shimano brakes, front is a 4 pot deore xt caliper and the rear is a saint 2 pot. They have no power to them at all and I don't understand why. If you push the bike they operate fine but when your riding and there's weight behind it they just dont work, they're spongy to the bars and they just slow you down eventually. I struggle to get the back wheel to skid (not that I want to I may add) and the front is the same. It's had braided goodridge lines fitted at some point and the pads are fine, I had them bled last week and it's made no difference. Im at a loss on what to try now! Help!!!
Thanks!

Andy B

Spongy = not bled properly, still air in the system?

no power = contaminated brake pads?

stardude

if they are as you say, spongey to the bars they need bleeding again. do the levers come straight back to the bars?

jimbo-norco

They don't come back to the bars but there's no feel to them, and as for pads I've had them out this morning and cleaned them up but no difference it'll have to go to a bike shop I think!