@soupycresta the way to tell if its a mechanical brake usually if u follow the cable guides at some point the cable is exposed either when the cable reach the calipers, randomly across the frame or when pulling the levers u should be able to look into the brake n see the cable
@soupycresta or it could be that the pads r worn out if u could send a pic of the calipers themselves id be nice (also is it one of the brakes in particular or both)
@soupycresta its pretty tough to diagnose without seeing what it looks like but it could be that the cable at the caliper level isnt tight enough so the pads dont make contact with the rim until the very end