spaceballs

Trying to install the dual-compound Kool Stop MTB Brake pads. You would think I could understand something like "rim direction" but I am having some trouble. Can you help?

I am just trying to figure out which way is forward and which way backwards.

https://www.koolstop.com/brakes/index.php

Go to the third one down from the top. It is the MTB Pad. Mine looks just like this one. Each pad, on the top, is marked with an L or an R and an arrow. I am certain these refer to Left and Right. Is this the left of the wheel when sitting on the saddle or when looking at the bike from the front? Well, that's it. Just trying to make sure I am getting these things on right. Sorry I am having trouble with something so simple.

Thanks for the help.

JiveTurkey

The black, shorter side points toward the front of the bike when installed correctly.

The pad in the picture is a left pad.

The left side of the bike is the "non drive-side" (the side without the gears and chain on a typical bike). Left is from the perspective of straddling the bike and facing forward.

Panthers007

On the Thinline Dual-Compound pads for v-brakes, the black goes up front. They have a small rubber tab on the back that gives you a little toe-in if you install them flat against the rim.

spaceballs

Got it. That is what I thought, but wanted to check.

Yellowbeard

Ugh, I can tell you that there's no guess work with the salmon Thinlines. I double checked the direction (which is always when I seem to do things backwards) and put them on with the short side pointing back. The squealing was incredible.

FBinNY 

I guess folks aren't calling them "long tailed" anymore. If they did you'd know which end goes to the back.

The logic for the design is that the forward motion of the rim torques the pad rotating the toes out. Moving the pivot bolt forward re-establishes equal pressure over the length of the pad.

tippy

Are you installing parts on the bike or on your body???

Parts installed on the bike are in reference to the BIKE's left and right not your body's left and right.
Standing in front of the bike doesn't magically change the front wheel to the rear wheel so why would the left and right side of the BIKE change?

The BIKE's left side is always the BIKE's left side ... no matter where you are standing.

Grand Bois

"The plow tip is a small wedge-shaped projection at the rear end of most Kool Stop models.
It acts as a squeegie to clear water and grit from the rim, so that they don't get caught between the braking surface and the rim. (Setting conventional flat-surfaced brake shoes so that they provide toe in creates the risk of trapping grit and sand between the brake shoe and the rim. This grit then gets embedded into the surface of the brake shoe, where it grinds away at the rim every time the brake is applied. This causes premature wear to the braking surface of the rim, a serious problem on bicycles ridden in muddy/sandy conditions.
It also provides a built-in guide to ensure correct "toe in" of the shoes."

JiveTurkey

tippy's a bit snippy.