Brakes directional?

[ferball]

I had to install brakes on the rear side of the fork and backwards, they slow the bike but dont really grab. If I apply the brakes and roll backwards they grab like nobody's business. So are brakes unidirectioinal or did I do something wrong?

 

[The_Aleman]

The pads themselves are often directional, but the brakes themselves shouldn't be. After all, rear brakes are installed the same way you currently have your front brakes. Try flipping the pads around.

 

[DuctTapedGoat]

The calipers could be installed backwards - that's a possibility.

Though yes, they're often directional, you can see it when they are. As well, they need to be toed in.

 

[ferball]

I'll try turning the pads around, but they are the cantilever style brakes not caliper. I wanted the extra stopping power of cantilever, but it does not seem to be working.

 

[Elmo]

Check your pads. They should be toed in, I.E. put a piece of business card under both sides on the side opposite to the rotation and use a clamp on the brake arms and tighten the pads down.