Tag: bamboo

Blackbox Case Gives Your Mac a Bamboo Shield

Let’s face it – Apple notebooks aren’t cheap, so when it comes to protection, you want more than just a plastic sleeve with a funky design. Enter the Blackbox Bamboo Case for the MacBook Pro and iPad. These cases will have your MacBook running with the very best rugged laptops.

Handcrafted from solid bamboo, the cases were made to protect your Apple kit at all costs giving it hardshell protection from falls, scratches, and dents. Each case is also treated with a water-resistant finish to guard your laptop from rain or the accidental splash of coffee. Design-wise, the cases fit snugly around your MacBook/iPad and each case features a laser-cut leather strap and wool-felt liner. The cases do add a little bulk to your device, and a small portion of your device remains exposed (the portion surrounding the leather carry strap), but with prices starting at $99, it’s a small grievance for what could be a life-saving shield for your MacBook or iPad.

Blackbox Case Official Website
[via Gigaom: Blackbox bamboo MacBook Air case is beautiful and takes a beating]

Bamboo on the Ski Slopes

When thinking of bamboo the first thought that comes to mind might very likely be a tropical jungle? It probably wouldn’t be snow sports, but that isn’t stopping a few companies from utilizing bamboo as a material for making snowboards.

And why not? Bamboo is a fast growing grass that offers a great deal of rigidity and strength. And unlike other materials it is quick growing and makes for a nice natural look. It’s been used for floors for years, and now is hitting the slopes. Continue reading Bamboo on the Ski Slopes

Wood You Like to Add Style to Your Bike?

The use of wood in the construction of bike components is as old as the ‘safety bicycle’ or what we know of as the modern frame layout. Throughout the years, wood has been pushed aside by chromoly, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber and even bamboo as a preferred component material, but it is not completely gone. Wood is actually starting to reappear in the bicycle industry, though mostly by small component manufacturers looking for a unique niche in the sea of carbon fiber and modern materials. Paul Sykes of Portland, Oregon is one such individual who is bringing wood back to bicycles with his component company, Sykes Wood Fenders.

Continue reading Wood You Like to Add Style to Your Bike?

A Bamboo Bike That You Can Build

Bamboo Bike Studio frame with bamboo rack

Pottery, sewing, knitting and jewelry making are just a few of the weekend workshops that are available to people wanting to learn a new art or hone a skill. Now bicycle frame building can be added to this list. Bamboo Bike Studio is offering a multi-day, hands-on class in the art of building a bicycle frame and best of all you’ll bring home your very own frame or bike!

Continue reading A Bamboo Bike That You Can Build

Interbike: DannyShane to Preview New Products for 2012

Oh Danny Boy, Las Vegas is calling, as eco-conscious cycling apparel company DannyShane has announced that it will previewing its 2012 cycling apparel line at next month’s Interbike International Trade Expo in Las Vegas. The innovative cycling apparel company is known for its product line that features a proprietary fabric blend of 50 percent bamboo white ash (BWA), a natural, eco-friendly performance fiber. The BWA is infused into every weave of jersey fabric, providing natural UV protection that is breathable and moisture wicking.

“We are excited to return to Interbike and look forward to previewing our 2012 spring line at North America’s largest cycling trade event,” said Shane Hunt, president of DannyShane. “We unveiled the DannyShane 2011 line at last year’s expo, and the industry and consumer response since then has been phenomenal. Our new line builds on that success with new, innovative designs and a continued commitment to capturing the wonderment of cycling’s past in our styling, while using cutting-edge, eco-performance fabrics.” Continue reading Interbike: DannyShane to Preview New Products for 2012

New Spin on Bamboo Bicycle

We’ve seen many bicycles designs that incorporate sustainable materials, including bamboo. But most are built around traditional frame designs. Now Alexander Vittouris, a master’s student at Monash University in Australia had devised a three-wheeled vehicle made of the quick growing grass.

He is in the running for the Australian Design Award for his concept bicycle. Rather than take the time to harvest, weave and compress the bamboo, which has traditionally been needed to make the grass conform to traditional bicycle frame design, Vittouris instead made his vehicle conform to the shape of the bamboo – creating a skeleton frame from the long strands.

In other words, his Ajiro bicycle was essentially grown in the backyard of his Malvern East home. After taking shape, traditional bike parts were incorporated, so the result is a front-pedal design that resembles a recumbent bicycle.

And while Vittouris admits the first concept didn’t come cheap, he does envision a future of mass-grown vehicles, planted in fields.

[Via WAtoday.com.au: Bamboozled? Give it a grow]

Composite Carbon Bamboo Surfboard Ready to Catch Some Waves

Last week we noted a surfboard that added solar power, and this week we noted something almost as unique and certainly just an interesting. It is a board that is made of composite materials – combing space age carbon with the natural grass of bamboo!

This is the result of a five year R&D project from Tiki International. The company has now unveiled its first production models that utilize Carbon Bamboo composite technology, build around a high density EPS core, with bamboo layers and carbon rails. The result is a board that has strength yet weight gain. The board will be available in three shapes created by world renowned surfboard shaper Bruce McKee.

This new Feather Foil, as it has been dubbed, offers the natural feel of a bamboo board with the responsive performance of a carbon deck. Consider it the best of both worlds the meeting of old age and space age.

[Via Global Surf News: Tiki launch carbon bamboo composite technology]

Cane-do Bike from Bamboo

We’ve noted other “green” bikes, including those made from renewable materials including bamboo, but recently Vijay Sharma showed that he has a cane-do spirit for making bikes from the quick growing grass (which bamboo technically is rather than a wood).

What makes these bikes stand out is that Sharma has created his bikes using the skills his father, a carpenter, taught him. The result is that Sharma has turned this into a not-so-small business making the Bambikes. Sharma also notes that bamboo is comparable to steel in terms of strength, something the people in North-East India know quite well as the material is used to build houses. Bamboo is also known to be shock-absorbent and flexible, while still retaining rigid – qualities that are essential for bicycles. Continue reading Cane-do Bike from Bamboo

Oh Danny(Shane) Boy Membership Program Launched

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we thought it would be worth noting that if absolutely, positivity feel the need to wear green today, at least do it with some style. And if you’re going to wear green while riding, you can put on the green and do so by being a bit green in the process too.

DannyShane, the maker of eco-conscious cycling apparel, announced this week the launch of Club DannyShane, an exclusive membership program for cycling enthusiasts. Club DannyShane founding members receive a DannyShane Targa Limited Edition Jersey (available only to Club DannyShane members), a Club DannyShane bracelet, exclusive discounts, new product previews and invitations to special events and a member ride in Austin, Texas later this year. The cost for Club DannyShane membership for 2011 is $125.

“We are excited to launch this new program, offering our clients exclusive founding membership into Club DannyShane,” said Shane Hunt, president of DannyShane. “We know that cycling goes far beyond the gear and apparel. It’s part of a lifestyle, and we look forward to connecting and riding with our members.”

We should mention that all DannyShane cycling jerseys are infused with bamboo white ash (44 to 50 percent bamboo white ash)  in every weave of the fabric, and this natural fiber provides natural moisture-wicking capabilities that promise not to irritate skin or rinse out like chemicals. The bamboo further captures odor naturally, provides natural UV protection, and even offers ultra soft comfort that dries quickly.

DannyShane Official Website

SIA: Snow Sports Looks to Another Good Year

While much of the country is again trying to dig out from a major winter storm, the white stuff probably has the snow sport industry smiling. After all, if it is going to snow you might as well enjoy it. This week the shift has moved from the show floor halls at Snowsports Industries of America to the outdoor demo days, but we look back at the word from the show.

The buzz is that the slopes will feature skiers and riders clad in “svelte” high-tech gear of all sorts, including down sweaters, as well as faux fur and tight fitting outfits with bold colors. On the board there will likely be more rocking, as the major trend continues to be the rocker shapes, as well as a greater emphasis on all-terrain freestyle boards.

Snowboarding and skiing will likely take a cue from cycling, with helmets becoming a greater emphasis for safety. According to numbers from the show, the numbers of people wearing helmets has increased to a record high 57 percent. And as with other sports, the helmets are evoking a new sense of style, becoming fashion accessories rather than just protective gear. Continue reading SIA: Snow Sports Looks to Another Good Year

Interbike 2010: Oh Danny Boy, Oh DannyShane

With apologies to the classic Irish tune, and to our friends at DannyShane: Oh Danny Boy, the bamboo, the bamboo is calling.

The eco-conscious cycling apparel company is doing something very unique with bamboo. While we heard about a bamboo water bottle previously, and even a bamboo bicycle, we never thought we’d ever have the chance to wear bamboo whilst riding. The whole grass skirt thing doesn’t seem ideal for use with a bike. But DannyShane will suit you up in the fast growing grass.

The has created a line of proprietary fabric blend materials that 44 to 50 percent bamboo white ash (BWA), the latest innovation in truly natural fibers. And according to reports the BWA should capture odor naturally, breathe easily and provide natural UV protection while still feeling soft. The fabric dries quickly too, as it provides the BWA into every weave of fabric, helping provide natural moisture-wicking capabilities. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Oh Danny Boy, Oh DannyShane

This Bamboo Holds Water

With all the eco bottles on store shelves, you expect to see stainless steel or BPA-free plastic for the newest offering. Bamboo? Does it hold water? Glass? Won’t it break? Together they make a sturdy and attractive bottle to tote around your non-potable.

The Bamboo Bottle Company combines sustainable bamboo and glass to make its new bottle. The 17 oz. “original” bottle is BPA-free. It is constructed of a bamboo tube with a glass insert and top and bottom caps. Bamboo was selected for the outer because of the species’ stability, hardness and strength. Phyllostachys Pubescens bamboo, also known as Moso and Mau Tzu bamboo, are grown and harvested, then hand selected and hand cut for the bottle. While bamboo is sustainable, the hand harvesting allows for maturing and flowering strands of the plants to remain flourishing to their full 90 feet, which takes about nine months. It also avoids the use of heavy machinery to minimize impact on the ground soil. The cut bamboo continues to grow as it is a type of grass. Continue reading This Bamboo Holds Water