vabsRider Bicycle Seat Reduces Pressure by up to 80% Compared to Traditional Saddles
How Real-Time Pressure Mapping Confirms 8 Years of ataraxyBSC's Engineering
Robin Macan - ataraxyBSC Founder
04-11-2024
Introduction
Cycling is a great way to stay fit, but many cyclists experience discomfort due to pressure exerted on the seated area during rides. This can lead to a variety of issues, including numbness, nodules, chafing, sexual dysfunction, vulvar hypertrophy, tenderness and traumatic urethritis [1, 2]. The pain of static seats can linger long after the duration of a ride.
These issues can prevent people from experiencing the joys and benefits of cycling. It’s no wonder there have been many attempts to re-design the bicycle saddle. However, a fresh perspective from ataraxyBSC is changing the game with the vabsRider, a revolutionary dynamic bike seat engineered to reduce cycling pressure by up to 80%. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a weekend rider, this seat is designed to support your body for an optimal riding experience.
What Makes the vabsRider Unique?
ataraxyBSC’s vabsRider is the world’s first virtual-axis bike seat, featuring a split-seat design that adapts to a rider’s movement. Unlike traditional saddles that apply static pressure, the vabsRider dynamically distributes the load away from sensitive areas, reducing soft-tissue pressure and discomfort.
ataraxyBSC’s vabsRider is the world’s first virtual axis bike seat. Its split-seat design naturally follows the motion of a rider’s legs while cycling. In contrast to traditional saddles, which mostly provide a static seating platform, the vabsRider offers an adaptive solution. The vabsRider was designed to eliminate the pressure on the soft tissue area (groin), with adjustable features to compensate for diverse anatomy.
When cycling, the pressure exerted on the saddle plays a significant role in comfort and injury prevention. Excessive or uneven pressure can lead to discomfort and long-term problems, especially during longer rides. Thanks to pressure mapping completed using state-of-the-art technology from German company, gebioMized, researchers can now accurately measure how pressure is distributed between the body and the saddle while riding. This quantitative data helps us understand how saddle designs impact the rider’s experience. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a weekend rider, this seat is designed to support various body types for an optimal cycling experience.
But how does the vabsRider really stack up when it comes to comfort?
In this blog, we dive into a study comparing the pressure distribution of the vabsRider saddle to that of a mainstream saddle.
The study setup
About Anthony Mezzini
This study and analysis were completed by Anthony Mezzini on Friday the 6th of September, 2024, Anthony is an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) and Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with over 10 years of experience working with cycling athletes of all levels. Anthony owns and operates
In this study, a recreational male cyclist (56 years old, weighing 91.5 kg, and standing 175 cm tall) was asked to ride on two different saddles mounted on a commuter-style bicycle: the traditional saddle and the vabsRider. A pressure-sensitive mat was used to collect data on how much force was applied to the saddle from the cyclist’s body. This mat included numerous pressure sensing points and due to the size of the pressure mapping pad, the vabsRider’s seats were tested one side at a time.
After adjusting the saddle height to ensure proper leg extension, the cyclist pedalled comfortably. The researcher, Anthony Mezinni collected pressure data during two trials:
- One with the traditional saddle and
- One with the vabsRider saddle
Left image: traditional saddle mounted on a commuter-style bicycle
Right image: study subject riding the vabsRider mounted on the same bicycle.
Key results
The data showed a significant 75%-80% reduction in pressure when using the vabsRider compared to the traditional saddle.
Above: Pressure distribution on traditional cycling seats compared to the vabsRider dynamic bike seat
The results from this controlled comparison are not entirely surprising, as the pressure distribution has been engineered to move away from a ‘point load’ to a ‘distributed load’.
Benefits of the vabsRider for Cyclists
If you've experienced pain or discomfort while cycling, switching to the vabsRider can be a game-changer. By reducing pressure on the soft tissue areas, this seat minimises your risk of saddle sores, nerve compression, and other cycling-related injuries.
Final thoughts
While this study involved a single cyclist, the results are promising. A dynamic saddle that adapts to the rider's movement, like the vabsRider, could significantly affect cycling comfort. For those looking to increase their cycling experience, this innovative design could be a game-changer.
As always, it’s essential to try out different saddle designs to find what works best for you. Each body is unique, and what might work for one cyclist may not be ideal for another. But if comfort and injury prevention are priorities for you, exploring new saddle designs like the vabsRider could be a worthwhile investment.
For a deep dive into this study, read the full report here.
Thank you to Anthony Mezinni at Elbows Akimbo for helping us complete this analysis. To see Anthony’s other work and services, please visit elbowsakimbo.com.au.
References
- Carpes FP, Dagnese F, Kleinpaul JF, de Assis Martins E, Bolli Mota C. Bicycle saddle pressure: Effects of trunk position and saddle design on healthy subjects. Urol Int. 2009;82(1):8-11.
- Potter JJ, Sauer JL, Weisshaar CL, Thelen DG, Ploeg H-L. Gender differences in bicycle saddle pressure distribution during seated cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(6):1126-34.
📩 Sign up to our Newsletter
Be the first to hear about our vabsRider Kickstarter launch and exclusive updates from the team!
