Závodní speciály značky Favorit dosahovaly vždy velkého množství medailových úspěchů na vrcholových světových akcích. Největšími úspěchy československých reprezentantů na bicyklech Favorit je kompletní olympijská medailová sbírka.
Melbourne 1956 - stříbro Tokio 1964 - zlato Moskva 1980 - bronz
Závodní speciály značky Favorit dosahovaly vždy velkého množství medailových úspěchů na vrcholových světových akcích. Největšími úspěchy československých reprezentantů na bicyklech Favorit je kompletní olympijská medailová sbírka.
Melbourne 1956 - stříbro Tokio 1964 - zlato Moskva 1980 - bronz
Závodní speciály značky Favorit dosahovaly vždy velkého množství medailových úspěchů na vrcholových světových akcích. Největšími úspěchy československých reprezentantů na bicyklech Favorit je kompletní olympijská medailová sbírka.
Melbourne 1956 - stříbro Tokio 1964 - zlato Moskva 1980 - bronz
FAVORIT: 118 YEARS OF HISTORY
Favorit’s racing specials have always achieved a great deal of success in the form of medals at world top racing
events. The greatest achievement of Czechoslovakian representatives on
Favorit bicycles is a complete Olympic medal collection.
Melbourne 1956 – silver Tokyo 1964 – gold Moscow 1980 – bronze
1901
SPORTS BIKES FROM ROKYCANY
SOLD BOTH IN THE LOCAL MARKET AND WORLDWIDE
The beginnings of bicycle production in Rokycany date back to 1901, when entrepreneurs Swetlík and Kastrup
(owners of ES-KA Cheb) and František Hering founded production under the brand Tripol Hering. From 1934 to 1948, there were already two producers, Tripol and Tudor, manufacturing bikes in Rokycany.
1948
Cycling gained real popularity in Czechoslovakia only after the end of World War II. However, it developed at such a pace that it was decided to run Czechoslovakia’s own production of racing bikes. The choice fell on the factory in Rokycany, which was the most suited for such production in terms of size and expertise. In addition, the plant had had many years of bicycle production experience.
After the nationalization of 1948, the two companies Tripol and Tudor were merged into one, the individual
plants were specializing in particular components and final assembly was reduced. Following a subsequent
reorganization in 1950, the Rokycany plants went under the control of a new national enterprise, Eska-Cheb.
In the same year, a special workshop was established, where a new group of designers constructed the first 15 bicycles with the F1S label designated for the Czechoslovak national racing team.
Because importing bicycle parts from Italy and France was too expensive for the communist Czechoslovakia, the factory management decided to construct the entire bike locally. This turned out to be a fortunate decision. Thanks to the development carried out by the factory and the skills of its workers, soon it was able to produce bikes that met all requirements for a cutting-edge racing bicycle.
1950 saw the establishment of the TJ Favorit cycling club, where all the new products for road, track and indoor cycling were tested. As our representatives started bringing home medals from the Olympic Games, the World Championships and other international competitions, the Favorit brand was getting more and more respect and recognition among experts.
1951
The demand for Favorit bicycles was huge and so production continued to grow. In the first year (1951), 5,148
bikes were produced, while four years later it was 13,531 and in 1961 31,175 bikes. In 1978, the millionth Favorit
bike was produced in Rokycany. Labour productivity had steadily increased; in 1981 it was four times more than
in 1968. At the end of 1981, production increased to 65,328 bikes per year.
1 000 000
FAVORITS PRODUCED BY 1978
Favorit’s reputation quickly spread beyond the Czechoslovak borders. Export had become increasingly
important, and in the 1980s, Favorit bicycles were already exported to 38 countries. However, these were not
only the countries of the Communist bloc, as it was usual at that time. Favorit was mainly exported to the US,
Canada, and the West Germany, which were demanding markets with emphasis on high bicycle quality.
The production of the special F1S racing bike for the needs of the national team had also increased. In addition
to Czechoslovak cyclists, representatives of Finland, the USSR and Bulgaria also competed on this bike in 1956,
followed by teams from India, Albania, Cuba, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and individuals from other countries. It
was a huge advertisement for the Favorit brand.
1989
After the Velvet Revolution, the plant was privatized and the company Favorit Rokycany, a. s. was founded, but
it did not catch up with the mountain bike craze. The factory, production technologies and trademarks of Favorit
then changed hands several times.
2011
In 2011, the original trademarks of the original Favorit were bought by the entrepreneur Ing. Richard Galovič.
Between 2012 and 2014, he was developing an original line of Favorit bicycles in the Czech Republic in
cooperation with specialists and employees of Favorit. Soon he presented a new collection that builds on the
original tradition of top-quality handmade bicycles that at the same time meet the demanding criteria of the
present time. The production of Favorit bicycles has remained in Rokycany, right where it began in 1922.
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