I would like to close this section with a segment from an open letter I published some time ago:
You will find people who worship most major designs out there and others who despise these same. There is a good reason for this. Most of it only exists in people's minds. Many people hate mono-pivots, but revere Ventanas, not knowing that a Ventana is essentially a mono-pivot with linkages that act as shock tuning (with respect to pedaling at least). There are some differences in the major designs, and some small advantages here and there, but in the end it is mostly academic. Stick with the major concepts and one will not change your life over the others. Of course I am speaking of comparing bikes within particular categories, not comparing free ride to XC or downhill.
This is the conclusion I have drawn from my model. Most people build a model and use it to sell one idea or another. My contention is that the four or five major, basic forms CAN all work about as well as the others.
In the end, execution is far more important. A quality company is far more important then a slight difference in the position of a pivot. And make sure the bike fits right. This applies to intended use (be realistic) as well as body weight and body dimensions.
Most of us with propellers on our heads just like to talk about this stuff because we enjoy applying the skills we have acquired to our hobby (though some obviously have religion). Let me close with a piece of a conversation I had with a professor of mechanical engineering, with whom I have discussed my theory several times:
I said that in the end, the simplest designs are the best. He responded, that this is almost always the case.
For most people this means a basic mono-pivot, or a basic 4-bar with the pivot on the chain stay or the seat stay. Some are obviously swearing that you need a link on the chain stay, but don't tell that to people who own Ventanas or Rockies.
Keep it simple and go with your gut feeling; you have to like the bike when you look at it (with whatever standards you really find important).
Good luck,
Ken Sasaki.