Hasta La Ideas

David Peterson et Random Photons Productions ont utilisé et monté les vidéos proposées par l’ISS, mise à la disposition du public en Creative Commons par la NASA. Le montage de ces vidéos en timelapse permet d’offrir des images de la Terre, mais aussi de voir une comète passer de manière spectaculaire.

Fix a flat and open a beer at the same time with Budnitz Bicycles’ new titanium tool

Combining a trifecta of our own personal passions—minimalist design, bicycles and beer—is the newly released Beer Wrench from Budnitz Bicycles. The pocket-sized tool features a 15mm wrench to remove axle bolts on one end, and a bottle opener on the other, and secures to most bicycles’ water bottle cage mount with two easily removable thumb-screws. Made by the company that put super simple, titanium bicycles on the map, each wrench is machined from aerospace-grade titanium to cut weight down to an ultra-light 35 grams.

While designed specifically to fit any standard axle bolt, the 15mm wrench is also compatible with Shimano’s Afline internal hub bolts and Pitlock spindle keys. Plus, the simple engraving on the bottle opener—”The road is the destination”—may just help to ease the inevitable frustration of fixing a flat. Find the Beer Wrench directly from Budnitz Bicycles online for $38.

Foldable ski and skin combination eliminates splitboards from the backcountry equation

While splitboards continue to grow in popularity, the technology involved has generally remained stagnant, leaving riders on a compromised board lacking the performance they often need in the backcountry. As a solution, two snowboard industry veterans have come up with MTN Approach, a foldable skin and ski combination that easily fits into a backpack at the end of the ascent. While you’ve still got to “earn your turns”, the traditionally cambered skis feature permanently affixed climbing skins and cross country-inspired bindings to improve efficiency and reduce fatigue while touring.

At just 140cm long when extended and roughly 21″ folded, the 3.5lb skis fit neatly into the MTN Approach backpack, keeping the weight against the back—one’s center of gravity—and out of the way during the descent. While it’s questionable whether the skis will hold up to extreme abuse, the folding hinge is made of durable fiberglass-filled nylon with a hardened aluminum cam, and the poplar wood ski core features capped construction and full metal edges to perform like a traditional all-mountain ski while traversing.

While all the specs are appealing, the biggest thing the system offers is the freedom to ride any board in your quiver. Rather than being limited to one shape as with a traditional splitboard, the MTN Approach backpack allows the wearer to carry any board comfortably in multiple positions, ready to ride once the goods have been reached.

To better understand each design detail in the MTN Approach system their site offers a handful of descriptive videos alongside numerous endorsements from some of the most reputable names in snowboarding. The MTN Approach system—skis, packpack and backcountry shuvel—sells directly for $795.

Innovative design uses discarded coconut husks to make lighter, stronger models

As the latest innovation in sustainable surfboard production, Global Surf Industries‘ Coco Mat Technology employs coconut husk fibers to reduce both board weight and harmful chemicals used in processing and manufacturing. Weighing between three and four pounds lighter than traditional epoxy boards, the strength-to-weight ratio of the Coco Mat boards supports their claim as the world’s lightest, strongest and therefore fastest surfboards currently on the market.

The production process for Coco Mat surfboards uses discarded fibers gathered from local self-sustaining crops near the manufacturing facility, making the production process significantly more environmentally sound than the methods to make traditional epoxy models. The readily available husk fibers only require minimal processing before being randomly arranged between layers of fiberglass, an innovative technique that lends each board a unique look and, more importantly, reinforces the fiberglass laminate.

The agile, loose-riding boards include the small fish, which at just 6’4″ makes an ideal board for less than ideal conditions. Plus, the board’s squat shape helps it retain stability, which would otherwise be lost with extra length.

As the boards grow in size the weight differential increases as well, with the Coco Mat stand-up paddle boards and longboards weighing in four pounds lighter than traditional epoxy models. Keep an eye out online and in specialty shops for the NSP Coco Mat boards‘s March 2012 release.

Another innovation from Global Surf Industries is the foamtop Albacore, an update on the Seaglass Project Tuna. Available in two sizes under 5’6″ the finless surfboards are an ideal learning tool for kids and adults, even in sloppy, small-wave conditions. Usually only found on massive rental longboards, the foamtop design is added to the super short board for a fun, safer ride. Look for the Albacore in select shops and online April 2012 where it will retail for under $275.

For other innovative uses of discarded coconut fibers on CH check out Homeschool Outerwear.