Patent ID: 8646797

Claim:
A bicycle having a rear wheel, the bicycle comprising: (a) a frame orientable in a vertical plane, the frame comprising a seat tube having a longitudinal axis; (b) a rear suspension for pivotally coupling the rear wheel to the frame, wherein said rear suspension controls a path traversed by said rear wheel as said rear suspension moves between relatively uncompressed and compressed positions; (c) a rear shock absorber disposed entirely forwardly of the seat tube; (d) a linkage coupling the rear suspension to the rear shock absorber for transferring forces therebetween, wherein the linkage extends in an orientation intersecting a transverse plane passing through the seat tube parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein said linkage is pivotably coupled to said shock absorber and comprises a first link coupled to said rear suspension and a second link coupled to said frame, wherein said first and second links are operatively coupled together and are movable relative to one another to control progression of said shock absorber as said suspension moves between said relatively uncompressed and compressed positions, wherein said linkage transmits said forces around said seat tube.