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Thought I’d get a new pannier/shopping bag in time to kick off both the Farmer’s Market season and June Bike Month in Vancouver.

Axiom’s new line of Phoenix bags and panniers lets you head around town in style. The Mercato Shopper’s not exactly a traditional pannier, but does clip onto the side of a bike rack with built-in hooks cleverly hidden in a zippered pouch.

The bag comes with an optional carrying strap, and there’s handles built into the bag for easy carting around.

I chose the black and white floral motif. The bag also comes in a light yellow/grey colour pattern. I particularly like the bottom of the bag, made of sturdy rubber to keep the bag stable while cycling.

The material is coated 600D polyester fabric that will withstand the rain. It can accommodate up to 60 lbs. and is pretty easy to put onto the more common rack styles out there.

A lot of cycling companies are raising the bar when it comes to pannier design and I’m happy to see Axiom’s bags get a new lease on life in this regard. I currently own Axiom’s popular Monsoon panniers. I hope that the Mercato will last as long as these have.