Abstract: A rear suspension bicycle in which a lower linkage member between the front triangle and the rear wheel swingarm of the bicycle extends a significant distance backward toward the rear wheel. Rear suspension configurations according to the present teachings may exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: (i) the center of curvature of the rear wheel axis of rotation and the instant center of the bicycle may be substantially equidistant from the pedaling axis when the shock absorber is fully compressed, (ii) as the shock absorber is compressed from a fully uncompressed state to a fully compressed state, a rate of change of chainstay length may decrease substantially linearly, and (iii) as the shock absorber is compressed from a fully uncompressed state to a fully compressed state, the acceleration anti-squat value may decrease from a value substantially equal to 100% to a value of substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: A bicycle rear suspension system is connected between front and rear triangles. The suspension system includes an eccentric bearing unit disposed within one of the front and rear triangles, a connecting member connected pivotally to the other one of the front and rear triangles, and a pivot. The eccentric bearing unit includes an outer bearing, and an inner bearing movable within the outer bearing along an annular path. The pivot extends through the inner bearing of the eccentric bearing unit and into the connecting member such that, application of a force to the rear triangle results in pivoting movement of the rear triangle relative to the front triangle, and movement of the inner bearing along the annular path.

Abstract: A bicycle rear suspension system includes a main frame and a rear wheel suspension system. The main frame generally comprises a seat tube, a down tube, a top tube, and a head tube. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a first linkage member, a rear wheel swingarm, and a second linkage member. The first linkage member is shorter than 15 mm from its pivotal connection to the main frame and its pivotal connection to the rear wheel swingarm, and changes its direction of rotation as the rear wheel is articulated generally vertically. The rear wheel suspension system allows for a preferential rear wheel axle travel path that provides for increased rates of chainstay lengthening in the first part of the vertical rear wheel travel with a rapid change to reduced chainstay lengthening in the latter part of the vertical rear wheel travel so that the overall change in chainstay length is small relative to the amount of vertical rear wheel travel.

Abstract: A bicycle comprising a front triangle and a rear wheel having a rear wheel axis, a rear wheel suspension system further comprising a link further comprising a first pivotal axis for connection to said front triangle and a second pivotal axis for connection to a rear wheel swingarm, wherein the distance from said second pivotal axis to a first vertical plane decreases during a first portion of suspension compression and increases during a second portion of suspension compression; and wherein said first vertical plane is defined as a plane which is perpendicular to the ground and offset in the direction of the rear wheel with respect to the first and second pivotal axis. During the first portion of suspension compression and during the second portion of suspension compression the front triangle remains stationary with respect to the first vertical plane.

Abstract: A bicycle comprising a front triangle and a rear wheel having a rear wheel axis, a rear wheel suspension system further comprising a link further comprising a first pivotal axis for connection to said front triangle and a second pivotal axis for connection to a rear wheel swingarm, wherein the distance from said second pivotal axis to a first vertical plane decreases during a first portion of suspension compression and increases during a second portion of suspension compression; and wherein said first vertical plane is defined as a plane which is perpendicular to the ground and offset in the direction of the rear wheel with respect to the first and second pivotal axis. During the first portion of suspension compression and during the second portion of suspension compression the front triangle remains stationary with respect to the first vertical plane.