Read this section.
This section explains the important considerations involved in most of the full suspension frames built today.
This section is less difficult, except in one or two places perhaps, and is of great use to consumers.
{A technical note about the pictures in this segment: The main triangles are not drawn to scale and the paths are not meant to represent solutions for any particular real-world situations or as endorsements for any particular designs – they are constructed merely to illustrate the points.}
Before analyzing paths, we make a few general comments on some other issues.
Both major suspension types (mono-pivots and 4-bars) may be as light or as strong as any dual suspension bike can viably be, examples of both having found success in XC and DH. Both types can also achieve comparable lateral stiffness for a given frame mass.
Mono-pivots are a bit simpler of design, but most of today's 4-bars are about as reliable.
Some 4-bars offer adjustable travel and geometry. This is equally possible with a mono-pivot, but as of this writing, mono-pivot manufacturers have yet to answer in a substantial way.