Why did we develop a “gender-specificâ€? frame you ask? With the advances in skill level, training, equipment and technology taking place in the sporting world, athletes are creating a demand for the tools that will enhance their performance and take them to the “next-levelâ€?. It is no secret that women are built differently than men. Body mechanics, strength-to-weight ratio and center of gravity are the primary factors that separate the sexes. Data compiled from the research has been examined, tested and applied to equipment creating a whole separate market for the female athlete aiding them to perform at their highest level. Staats has been building rider-designed frames since 1995 and decided it was about time to build a frame for the ladies. Staats has an extensive history with past female factory team riders who have been world and national champions like Stacy Patton, Alise Post, Kasey Martin, Jill Kintner and Jamie Lilly. Recently we were approached by two of the fastest amateur girl racers in the world, Phantom On-Trac’s Shelby Long and Terra Nichols, to build a custom frame. They had a predetermined set of spec’s they were looking for so we applied them to our years of accumulative knowledge to build the ‘2005 Staats Girl Power Pro’.
What sets the Girl Power Pro apart from “otherâ€? frames? Well, first off, most female riders tend to ride “insideâ€? the bike rather than on “topâ€? of the bike like male riders bike. This is due to the fact that female riders do not ride with their upper bodies as much as the male riders. A female rider uses their legs and body-english to maneuver the bike while the body position is stays more forward than the male riders. Why is this you ask? Primarily because a females center-of-gravity is in their hips and a males is in their chest/shoulders. This analysis does not hold true to all riders but is more common than not. Utilizing this observation, we applied a longer top tube and a more laid back set tube angle. Coupled with a more forward bottom bracket placement, this geometry will position the rider directly over the bottom bracket and more in the “saddleâ€? of the frame. The increased top tube length allows for improved mobility over the front end of the bike while maintaining a more efficient “power-positionâ€? over the bottom bracket. With a shortened chain stays, it lends to a more responsive transition of power when the horsepower is laid down. The compact rear end compliments the geometry of the front triangle contributing to a balanced frame that is responsive yet forgiving in its ride characteristic. To finish off a well thought out design, we needed to use materials that would augment the frame. Having access to some of the finest tubing available, we spec’d out a blend of True Temper Platinum OX and Columbus tubing. The diameter of the tubing used is slightly smaller so to trim the weight down with out impacting the strength and torsional integrity of the frame. A finishing feature we applied is the compatibility for 20x1 3/8â€? wheel. Again, this is based on the observation that this wheel size is the most predominant in the 13 and over girls’ classes.
This is not a gimmick-frame but a well though out design with the world-class riders input and ten years of frame building experience behind it. So if you are a female racer looking to take your racing to the next level, this is the equipment you need.
2005 Staats Girl Power Pro Specifications:
Top Tube 21.5�
Rider Area 21.75�
Chain Stay 14.5�
BB Height 11.0�
Head Angle 74*
Seat Angle 68*
Wheel size 20x1 3/8�
Head Tube 1 1/8�
Seat Post 26.6
Weight 3.75lbs
Color “Boy-Beater-Blue�
* Comes with two frame decal options
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.