Drum brakes directional?

[XC204]

Any body know if drum brakes are directional? seems the cable and actuation lever should be to the rear in my thinking.
Thanks

 

[CCR]

seen them both ways, think it just depends on the hub and attaching hardware that goes with it.

 

[scrumblero]

honestly when you look at the insides, it doesn't look like they are, but I always do em like they tell ya in teh directions :roll:

 

[udallcustombikes]

All the ones I have seen and used have the brake arm on the forward side.

 

[yoothgeye]

I'm speaking from my rear hub, but in cars/trucks equipped with drum brakes they are directional, as in, if you try to brake rolling backwards, things don't go according to plan. Ask me how I know.

As for performance, they did a test years ago, 4 wheel drums vs. 4 wheel discs, in the beginning the disc equipped vehicle outperformed the drum equipped, but over repeated back to back braking tests the discs faded and the drums held their ground.

But, not many of us are trying to use our bicycle drum brakes in reverse :| or doing repeated hot stops with them.

 

[XC204]

Its an old drum which I think is a band. I put it on right side, lever and cable trailing and it works good and seems protected from bumps by the fork. Thanks for the help guys.