vabsRider: Virtual Axis Bike Seat

Backer Update: Shipping & Taxes Email
12 days ago – Thu, Sep 10, 2026 at 11:15:07 PM

Hi everyone,

We are currently running finals testing on the shipping and taxes process and ironing out a few minor technical road bumps. 

We haven't sent any shipping and taxes emails out yet, so please don't worry if you haven't received yours. 

We want to ensure the process is seamless for you, and we will post another update as soon as the emails are ready to send.

This slight delay in sending the shipping and taxes emails won't effect our planned shipping window, which is set to commence in October.

Safe travels

Robin.

vabsRider August Backer Update: The vabsRider is Scheduled to Ship in October — What You Need to Do Before We Ship
about 1 month ago – Thu, Aug 13, 2026 at 11:15:23 PM

I have some news I've been looking forward to sharing. Your vabsRider is scheduled to ship in October.

Last month I travelled to Taiwan to visit our manufacturing partners at Chain-Ray again. I had the chance to see more of the process firsthand, including our packaging prototypes. It was a genuinely proud moment. A reminder of how far vabsRider has come since we launched on Kickstarter. 

I'm delighted to confirm that production is on track and we're on schedule to begin shipping your saddles very soon. 

Before we ship, here’s what you need to do 

Since our June update, we've been able to streamline the shipping and taxes process. Rather than multiple steps, you will now receive a single email that allows you to confirm your delivery details and pay your shipping, duties and taxes — all in one place. 

We've partnered with Zonos to handle duties and taxes and, as you know, we deliberately waited until closer to our shipping window so they could calculate the most accurate, competitive rate for your exact location.

When that email arrives, please: 

👉  Click the link and log-in using your email address 

👤  You will be sent a verification code. Input it and you will be taken to the payment screen.

📦  Check your delivery address — and update it if anything has changed 

📱  Check your phone number — this is required by courier companies for delivery 

🚛  Select your preferred courier and complete payment — for shipping, duties and taxes 

Please keep an eye on your inbox (and check your spam folder) and, if you don’t receive your shipping and taxes email, or you have any questions, please contact us directly at [email protected]. 

We’re very excited to get the vabsRider into your hands, and onto your bikes!

Safe travels,
Robin J Macan

vabsRider June Backer Update: Logistical Milestones, Progress Towards Shipping, and Next Steps
3 months ago – Sun, Jul 05, 2026 at 09:01:18 AM

Hello vabsRider Backers,

June was a busy month for us at ataraxyBSC. We are making steady progress towards finalising our vabsRider ‘Golden Sample’: the definitive prototype against which our entire volume production run will be assessed.

Our T1 sample exceeded our expectations, meaning we anticipate minimal alterations for the upcoming T2 sample. Although we are quietly confident, we do still need to physically confirm this through our quality control process, as we move closer to that final sign-off.

With production moving along steadily, we are also putting the final logistics pieces into place. We are excited to let you know that we hope to confirm our shipping timeline in our July backer update.

In the meantime, we want to walk you through exactly how shipping and tax collection will work over the next couple of months so you know exactly what to expect.

Image: vabsRider T1 saddle sample.

The Plan from Day One: Fair, Calculated Shipping

As we mentioned at the start of this journey, we purposely chose not to charge a flat shipping and tax fee during the initial campaign. Flat fees usually mean backers in certain regions overpay to subsidise others.

By waiting until closer to our actual shipping window, we can calculate the most competitive, accurate delivery rate for your exact location.

To calculate the shipping and taxes for your specific delivery address we will use a platform called Zonos.

What is Zonos?

Zonos is a highly secure, industry-leading global technology platform that specialises in cross-border shipping, duties, and international taxes. We are using Zonos to ensure that your country's specific GST, VAT, customs duties, and courier fees are calculated with absolute precision. This eliminates any unexpected ‘cash on delivery’ surprises when your package arrives at your door

Moving Away from BackerKit for Payments

While you filled out your initial backer surveys on BackerKit, your upcoming shipping, duties, and taxes payment prompt will not come from BackerKit. Instead, you will receive an email directly from us at ataraxyBSC with a link to our official Shopify online store, where your precise Zonos-calculated fees will be securely processed.

What You Need to Do Next

To ensure a smooth delivery, this process will happen in two distinct steps:

Step 1: Check your shipping address (email coming in the next few weeks): 

• We will send you an email alerting you that we are about to lock down shipping information. This email will contain a link back to BackerKit so you can double-check that your delivery address is 100% correct.

Step 2: Pay Shipping & Taxes (Expected mid-August) :

• Once shipping addresses are locked: We will email you your custom Shopify payment link.
   
• 30-Day Payment Window: You will have 30 days from receiving this email to settle your shipping and taxes balance.
   
• Secure Checkout: Your payment will be processed securely via credit card at our Shopify online store.

Completing this step will ensure your order is locked, paid, and ready to label the moment the first vabsRiders are ready to ship.

Thank you all for your continued support as we navigate these final logistical milestones. We are so excited to get the vabsRider into your hands!

Safe Travels,

Robin J Macan

& the vabsRider Team

May Update - T1 Assembly, The Road to the Golden Sample and Next Steps
4 months ago – Fri, May 22, 2026 at 03:58:03 AM

Hello vabsRider Backers,

Welcome to your May backer update! We have some exciting physical progress to share as we move closer to volume production.

T1 Assembly at Whistle Design

In exciting news, all the T1 (Tooling 1) sample components have arrived at Whistle Design, and last week we assembled the core structure of the sample vabsRider. 

Seeing the individually manufactured pieces finally come together into the physical product is a massive milestone. The build quality of these first off-tool parts is exactly what we have been working towards.

Expecting the Unexpected: Choosing "Great" Over "Good"

As we assembled the T1 sample, we knew it was very likely that we would have to make adjustments to some of the components. Through the quality control process we discovered we needed to make modifications to two moulds. We are satisfied that we identified these quickly, and that only two components needed to be reworked. 

Working through these solutions, making the alterations and verifying the improvements has taken a little additional time, however overall this is an enviable result considering we are producing an entirely original product, with multiple moving parts.

These bumps in the road are precisely why we’re providing monthly Backer Updates on the manufacturing process. We know you are eager to get the vabsRider on your bike, and we are just as eager to get it to you, but we need to be absolutely satisfied with every aspect of the saddle's multiple components.

We want our 'Golden Sample' – the prototype for volume production – to be perfect. By taking this extra time to perfect the vabsRider, we can be confident that the bicycle saddle you receive will be worth the wait.

Important Housekeeping Information

If you need to update your shipping address or product selection, you can still do so. We will send an email before locking down this information.

Additionally, we will notify all our Kickstarter and BackerKit late-pledge backers before charging you for shipping, duties, and taxes. By processing these charges closer to the actual shipping date, we will be able to calculate the most accurate and competitive delivery rate for your specific location, rather than charging a flat fee.

In the meantime, we will continue to perfect the T1 sample and look forward to updating you on our progress again in June.

Safe Travels,

Robin J Macan & the vabsRider Team

Reminder! Complete your Backer Surveys
4 months ago – Mon, May 11, 2026 at 07:10:37 PM

Hi everyone! 

As we move through the final stages of manufacturing, we are looking ahead to shipping your vabsRiders!