Commuter Waterproof Overshoes : my list

My search for an ideal commuter bike waterproof overshoe is ongoing
Here I will keep a list of my consumer journey

Table : list of waterproof overshoes I have tried or interested in
Purpose : To help me buy or recommend a set of overshoes for my size 11 trainers/shoes in wet weather 

Waterproof Overshoes List

Velotoze	Bought sept 2015 Like the concept (Sleek, light, easy to carry ) but ripped when removing  after 3 goes Too easy to rip ? Struggled to put on (without talc) Maybe not for ordinary footwear and maybe my size 11 trainers were too big for the size (large)   verdict : not for consumer cycling ?
Boardman overshoes (Halfords) £14.99	Bought Nov 2015 update zip is poor quality. broke. protection wasn't so good in the bin

Shimano bike websites

Official Shimano Bike Websites
Shimano USA Shimano EU (english)

In my opinion comparing Shimano bike components is unnecessarily difficult including on the official Shimano sites. It's a pity for the general cyclist. Here are the official USA and EU (english) sites anyhow.

UK : Cycle multi-tool in Wilkinson Stores

Cycle Multi-tool I would suggest for commuter cycling it's a good idea to have a multi-cycle tool that is lightweight and will fit most bolts and screws on a commuter bike. There are multi-tools that include a lot more but I prefer a multi-tool that is as lightweight and small as possible.The allen keys seem to fit all the bolts on my bike. In the UK I went for this : Wilko Multi-cycle tool Price : £3.29 Shop : Wilkinson Stores

UK : Ridge All Terrain Pro bike helmets in Halfords

UK

I saw this helmet in Halfords.
Brand : Ridge
Helmet : All Terrain Pro RF6
Price : £24.99

I haven't seen this helmet anywhere else. Don't know if it's exclusive to Halfords. It looks a pretty decent helmet, and one of the least silliest looking I have seen. It also has a good fit with the padding strips being thin so you don't look so much like Atom Ant. It has a backlight too. And a dial adjuster. Overall it looks decent to my naive eye for the price.

Link for Halfords page

UK : Wilko worth a visit for commuter bike accessories

Some bike accessories in Wilko

click for fullsize image

About : UK, bike accessories in Wilkinson Stores, especially the inexpensive high-power lights.

Wilko Stores seems like the new Woolworths. They have a bike accessories section and to me they are getting their appeal to the commuter biking marketing pretty accurate.

Personally I think high power lighting is a must for commuter cyclists, and Wilko have inexpensive front and rear light on sale, and you can press their buttons in the shop.

I took this photo in store to give you an idea. You may not buy anything there but at least you know it's worth a glance.

Look out for : Their single high-power lighting. Front is about £10 and rear about £8 ? 

UK : Hi Viz vest out of Poundworld

For UK readers
Hi Viz vest from Poundworld (cost £1)
Includes 2 reflective stripes that go all around

Comes in 3 sizes I think (small, medium, large)

I got this hi viz vest out of Poundworld. In some shops these used to be ridiculously expensive (some still are) but I guess the likes of the pound/dollar shops smashed their monopoly. It's only £1 but it seems decent quality. To have the 2 reflective strips all around is great. Its 100% polyester and can be washed at 40 degrees a maximum of 25 times. This one is a 'large' size. Plenty of room. Great for commuter cycling. In the UK if you are going to buy a hi-viz then this one should certainly be considered. I don't like 'full jackets' or suchlike. It is also 'meshlike' (albeit, quite close meshing) which should help with sweating.

Amazon USA search (all depts) :  'Hi viz vest'
Amazon UK search (all depts) :  'Hi viz vest'

update : Nov 2015

Apparently UK trading standards forced it's withdrawal in 2014 as their tests suggested the grey trim has almost no reflective property.

Daily Mail article Nov 2015

I did a quick photo test using a torch comparing it to Boardman overshoes and a Decathlon arm strap. my 'test' was inconclusive (to me)

Rerflective backpacks

reflective gray backpack

hi-viz backpack

I spotted these backpacks in Sports direct (UK)

I especially like the gray one as it's cooler looking and presumably glows under lamp light. It's £25 though. I'm presuming there are other alternatives.  The bags were being marketed for 'runners' but would be great for bike commuting I guess. It looks like they have waterproof zips but there is nothing saying the bags are waterproof.

Yellow 15l bag bag. Much Lighter. Presumably only 'hi-viz' and doesn't 'glow' (not sure). Was £12.

Gray 15l bag. Seems sturdier than the yellow bag. Presumably scothlite or something similar. Was £25. 

UK : Wilko Wireless Cycle Computer £7.50

For UK readers
I spotted this in Wilkinson Stores recently

Wilko Wireless Cycle Computer for £7.50, reduced from £15

Previously I bought what appears to be the common 'cheap' wireless cycle computer off Ebay (called something like brand name 'Sunding' wireless cycle computer) for about £8 via Hong Kong which I found to be useless junk (I will write about this later).

I have since bought a 'Bell' Wireless Cycle Computer for £15 which I found to be good. After my 'Sunding' experience I guessed it was unlikely I would get a decent wireless cycle computer for under £15 (I would consider Cateye since I expect them to be quality), but my guess is that this will be of a decent standard (not confirmed).

Hopefully this is a new standard price for wireless cycle computers rather than a brief sale. I would guess that wireless cycle computers will make the wired type obsolete over time.