Bicycle rear suspension system

A bicycle (10) having a rear wheel suspension system (12) which includes an upper link (26) and a lower link (28) both pivotally attached to the frame (20) and to a rear stay member (30). An instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) of the rear stay member (30) is defined at an intersection between an upper axis extending through first and second pivots (38, 40) of the upper link and a lower axis extending through third and fourth pivots (32, 34) of the lower link. Throughout a travel distance of a shock absorber (24) of the suspension system, the instantaneous center of rotation remains below an average chain torque line (ACTL) of the bicycle, the lower axis remains above an axle axis (36) extending through the rear wheel axle, and a portion of the lower axis defined between the third and fourth pivots extends below the average chain torque line.