Aimed principally at Triathletes and Cyclists, Decathlon’s Geonaute is a slightly quirky, yet very user-friendly training aid – great for cross training but more experienced riders will want something more advanced.
There are a host of clever features including wireless cadence and speed sensors and to the Geonaute's credit it works very, very well in either mode. The fitting kit, in keeping with the rest of the design, is simple yet effective and well sealed against the elements-torrential rainfall and drenching from deep puddles failing to make any impression. Similarly both the chest sensor and main unit are water resistant to 1 and 2 ATM (Approximately 15 and 30ft) respectively.
Other functions include watch with very effective alarm and a welcome backlight easily accessible whether running or cycling. There’s also a sensor, attaching to running shoes which detects output, speed and distance- a real boon for cross trainers or those looking to vary their fitness regimes. There’s a count down timer, split timer, average and maximum heart-rates, average, maximum speeds and of course cadence.
The 325 page instruction manual might look daunting but the well translated English section is a mere fourteen pages-besides anyone whose ever owned a digital watch will find the CW700 a doddle to programme-ten minutes tops. I initially experienced some difficulty persuading the chest sensor and watch to communicate but once paired readouts are incredibly reliable and it also seemed to work with a leading brand’s chest unit.
For all it’s many charms, similarly priced competitors allow programming according to height, weight, age and gender for establishing appropriate and accurate target zones-something which is arguably essential in establishing proper training goals despite representing good value when quality and ease of use are taken into account, this is a disappointing omission in a very competitive market.
Verdict
Innovative, user-friendly training aid best suited to less experienced riders
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Decathlon Geonaute CW700 HRM
Size tested: std
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Decathlon suggest the CW700 is aimed at triathletes and cyclists, although I would suggest it's best as a general, non-specialist sports fitness aid.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Wireless speed and cadence kits enable it to be used to monitor speed and cadence aboard the bike and to this end work quite effectively-the trainer attachment is a very unusual and useful touch for cross-training.
User friendliness encourages regular use but readings and output aren't detailed enough for individualised, tailored training.
Generally well made.
135g Complete kit (Including Sensors)
Comparable with most HRMs
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It performed very well giving accurate and consistantly reliable output in all modes and the head unit will calibrate with other chest sensors. To some extent, it needed greater sophistication of measurement (Rider gender, age, height, weight etc) to be really useful.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Nice, innovative and intuitive design.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
A little too simplistic in terms of performance analysis.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No
Would you recommend the product to a friend? With certain reservations
About the tester
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)