johnyrrr, that is a wilbers-rearshock, specially made for this bike. the standard-shock had the habit to scratch the underside of the seat, when driving over a bump. the new one is harder and has a mechanical stop, preventing the tire from touching the seat. when i sit on the bike, it IS lower on the back - its just on the picture, that it looks like it could use a few centimeters less on the shockabsorber. the driving is btw much improved with the wilbers (i also have their springs on the fork), its roadholding