What characterizes a good / bad wheel path?
Traditional single-pivot suspension systems are designed with the main pivot rotating around the middle (front) chain ring. The reason is that in this scenario drivetrain elements are least likely to hinder the suspension movement and action. However, due to the main pivot being located fairly low the rear wheel now follows a path where first has it has an upward movement, then, during the second have of travel, arcs forward. However, the force which actuates the suspension does not act from either under the bike or from behind the wheel; rather, it is determined by a factor acting from under and one factor from behind the wheel. The resulting wheel path would therefore be arcing towards the back and the top. A single-pivot design can implement this wheel path by moving the pivot higher up. A derailleur based drivetrain however also works against this by acting as a negative force on the suspension during pedal induced forward movement; typically riders will complain about a severe bou
