Brakes...

[OakLeaf]

I doubt the noise coming from the rear rubber housing means anything.

I wouldn't be so quick. The cable is supposed to glide smoothly through the housing. It has to be hanging up pretty badly before it will make noise. There's probably either corrosion or a whole lot of crud in there and it's going to need to be replaced. Hearing a noise and the brake feeling soft are probably coming from the same problem - the cable going erratically and slowly through the housing.

Still, you're right that if you can't bring the bike to a stop at all, it's not the rear brake that's responsible. Front brake alone is plenty on pavement with reasonable traction when you're not going a million miles an hour. I'd still suspect glazing if the front brake feels normal at the lever but just doesn't work. Two thousand miles is enough to glaze, not nearly enough to need replacement.

[Catrin]

Thanks Oak, that would make sense that there are likely two different things going on. I couldn't remember hearing the noise before, and it also comes from the front rubber housing when I really hit the brakes - but not as loud as the rear.

[Catrin]

LBS said my brakes were basically fine, just a few adjustments were needed. Apparently because of my very short reach, they have to be in perfect adjustment to do the job I am accustomed to them doing. There is little room between the levers and bars, and probably the difference wouldn't have been as noticeable on another bike where the tolerance doesn't have to be so tight. I also now know how to take care of this myself in the future