Patent ID: 7980579

Claim:
A rear suspension system for a bicycle having a rear wheel and a frame including a seat tube having a longitudinal axis, said system comprising: (a) a rear suspension pivotally coupling said wheel to said frame, wherein said rear suspension controls a path traversed by said rear wheel as said rear suspension moves between relatively uncompressed and compressed positions; (b) a rear shock absorber disposed entirely forwardly of said seat tube; and (c) a linkage coupling said rear suspension to said shock absorber for transferring forces therebetween, wherein said linkage extends in an orientation intersecting a transverse plane passing through said seat tube parallel to said 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.