The disc brakes probably
were "detuned" in the shop--or, at the manufacturer--due to liablilty issues that could crop up if a "newbie" got hurt while trying to learn to use disc brakes
properly!
I know my "Sirrus" disc came with resin pads and unusually "soft" steel rotors for that reason; when the rotors did not last, I had them replaced with metallic (sintered) pads and "normal" Deore rotors front and rear!
The rear brake--with any bike brake system--is "weaker" than the front, anyhow (it is roughly a 70/30 ratio).
With discs, this normally does not mean a hill of beans--the rear will stop you cold, by itself!! Fast!!
BTW: I
hate 'modulators' on my brakes, and have them removed before I take the bike home!
It's just as "easy" to learn how to use the darned things properly...you can do it on a single ride, if you do it right...and live where there are mucho stop signs and traffic lights just waiting to help you out with "stopping practice".
