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THE FORCE STORY
Every great brand has a story, and FORCE is no exception. Ours began in Zlín with a passion for cycling, a tiny shop, and a big dream. Today, FORCE stands for quality cycling gear that made it to the Tour de France. So… how did we get here? Let’s ride through five key stages of our journey.
THE START OF
OUR JOURNEY 1991
It all began in 1991, when Dalibor Kmenta and two partners founded KCK Cyklosport. They had no big business experience — just a lot of passion and determination. Armed with a paper map and zero language skills, they drove to Italy for bike component suppliers. Meeting manufacturers face-to-face, they built their very first partnerships. All three had a background in racing, so they knew exactly what cyclists were looking for. At first, they imported global brands — but their ambitions went far beyond that. The company grew fast, expanded its range, and quickly earned a strong foothold on the market.
A NEW DIRECTION
OUR BRAND 1995
A few years later, Dalibor Kmenta took over the company and made a bold move — to create a brand of his own. And that’s how FORCE was born. The goal? High-quality cycling gear at a fair price. “Why keep selling someone else’s brand when we can build our own?” he thought. And it turned out to be the right call. It started with seatposts and clamps, but the range soon grew to include more components and accessories. With its mix of quality, affordability, and constant innovation, FORCE quickly gained popularity among riders. A distributor became a brand, one that was ready to lead. And this was only the beginning.
STEPPING ONTO
THE WORLD TOUR 2014
2014 marked a major milestone — FORCE gear made its World Tour debut. At the Giro d’Italia, our helmets and sunglasses appeared in the pro peloton for the first time, thanks to our collaboration with Team Colombia. That first step into professional cycling opened the door to more big opportunities. In 2019, we partnered with the French team B&B Hotels – Vital Concept, putting FORCE gear in the hands of elite riders. No one knew then that just a year later, FORCE would be seen on the start line of the world’s most iconic race — the Tour de France.
EXPANSION
AND GROWTH 2015
As demand grew, so did the need for more space. The company moved into a new warehouse in Otrokovice, speeding up logistics and opening the way to international expansion. By now, FORCE was far more than just a Czech brand. The product line kept expanding, with cycling apparel, more components, and practical accessories. From racers to casual riders, cyclists across Europe were choosing FORCE for both performance and everyday riding.
FORCE AMONG
THE ELITE 2021
In 2021, FORCE reached another breakthrough — becoming an official partner of the Belgian World Tour team Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert. Success followed fast: from stage victories at the Vuelta to Biniam Girmay’s historic win at Gent–Wevelgem — the first African rider to ever win a spring classic. This partnership secured FORCE’s place among the most respected brands in the pro peloton. And FORCE wasn’t just about road cycling. Our collaboration with the elite marathon team Canyon Northwave (later Canyon Sidi), led by legend Kristián Hynek, brought FORCE gear to podiums at the European and Czech MTB marathon championships — and into the world’s top off-road races.
What’s next? One thing’s for sure – FORCE doesn’t back down. We keep innovating, supporting pros and everyday riders alike, and spreading the love of cycling wherever we go.
From a small shop in Zlín to the global stage.
