Cycling to and from work or school, for leisure, for health, or to run errands is a great way to have some fun while you're also doing other stuff you might have to rely on public transport or a daily driver to do. But the fun stops when your butt is sore, and that's not just a figure of speech.
With the 2020 international health crisis and ever-mounting environmental concerns, cycling has come back into fashion. Technically, it's never been out of style and its steadfast popularity over decades is proof of it, but the new – and still booming – market of e-bikes has expanded, finally reaching a segment of the population who might have never considered a two-wheeler before.
Today, we're seeing more two-wheelers around the city, both of the traditional, pedal-power-only variant and the more modern, techy, motor-assisted counterpart. The boom of this market segment has allowed makers and regulators to identify bicycles as suitable alternatives to other means of transport in large urban areas, contributing to less pollution and congestion and offering incomparable health benefits.
But one thing hasn't changed, and that's the basic shape and functionality of the bicycle saddle. There's a saying about how you shouldn't reinvent the wheel since it's already perfect, and the decades of not-reinventing the saddle might make you conclude that it also applies to this essential component of a bike.
Photo: ataraxyBSC
Australian engineer Robin Macan doesn't agree.
In fact, he's been working to prove just that since 2016 when, as an occasional rider, he found he couldn't get over the idea that no one had yet invented a pain-free bike seat. As much fun as Macan had out riding, it was nothing compared to the pain in his butt in the aftermath – and if you're a rider yourself, you know that only too well.
No matter the advances with bikes, the suspension, the frame, or extra accessories you buy, long, frequent rides will result in a sore pelvic area. That's because the seat is the only part of the bike that doesn't respond to your movements, putting up resistance against a part of your body that is mobile throughout the entire experience.
Photo: ataraxyBSC
That's the gist behind Macan's idea, which has since evolved into the vabsRider saddle, described as the "world's only virtual axis bicycle seat" and getting ready to go into production with ataraxyBSC, a startup that Macan founded.
In 2019, Macan joined forces with industrial designer Philippe Guichard from D2 Design and Development, and in 2021, with Whistle Design Group, which gave their ideas and designs a physical representation. Since then, the team has been working on testing, adapting, and redesigning the seat to the iteration presented today.
The vabsRider is unlike any other bike seat, in that it takes a mobile approach to the entire experience of riding. It's made up of two halves that move independently one from the other as you pedal. The seat can be adjusted for angle and for width, which means that you can adjust it to your most comfortable riding position or favorite riding style, and the size of your butt – if you'll pardon the French.
Photo: ataraxyBSC
Whereas the usual bike saddle resists your movement and, this way, puts pressure on your pelvis, the vabsRider moves as you move. In doing so, pressure moves from the hip bone to the femur, ensuring a more even load and – you guessed it – no more butt pain.
The vabsRider is "dynamic, flowing, in motion with your body and pain-free," the maker says. In theory, this sounds like a winning idea, but the demo video below hints there might be some kind of learning curve in using such a dynamic saddle, including the way the whole body tends to sway to one side and another more.
The saddle is suitable for all bikes, whether motor-assisted or not, and regardless of how experienced the rider is. The company divides riders by types (family, e-bike, later in life, and a vague "general"), noting that all of them will feel the benefits of a dynamic saddle from the first ride.
Photo: ataraxyBSC
"I firmly believe this great dynamic bicycle seat we have developed is a true testament to the fantastic and talented working team behind the name," Macan says.
Details on the vabsRider remain scarce as of this writing, including regarding a production timeline, estimated MRSP, or even the materials used in the construction. ataraxyBSC says that they've been testing the product extensively but, again, they don't get into specifics. We've reached out to them for clarification, and we'll update the story when and if we hear back.
In the meantime, it seems that ataraxyBSC is out testing local waters, offering the vabsRider saddle for demos at events in their general area. The next one will take place on Sunday, June 16, at the Hawthorn Velodrome in Victoria, Australia. If you're not in the vicinity, you can still keep an eye on the project by joining a mailing list for updates.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News