Smitty2k1

I bought this pair of old Arkel panniers from ebay and I'm pretty sure there should be some sort of hook on the bottom of the elastic strap to hook around the bottom rail of a rack. The ring that's there currently just keeps it attached to the nylon webbing, which I believe is intended to be used as a compression strap. Any suggestions on inexpensive hardware (like off the shelf from Home Depot or available online) to fix it?

I was considering buying a whole new set of hardware from Arkel or Ortlieb or Vincita but figured I'd try out this hardware first if I can get it working again.

GeorgeBaby

The should be a J-hook attached to the bungie cord, which would hook to the bottom of the rack. The bungie/Jhook combo is designed to go between the strap and the bag, so that the strap limits the bag from swinging out.

Here's the part you're after
https://arkel.ca/collections/replace.../hook-with-web

TiHabanero

That attachment system is reminiscent of what is used on my Jandd panniers. There is a J-hook, however on the Jandd the hook is only about 1.5 inch long. The system works quite well as I have never had the panniers eject from the rack, even during the many crashes I have taken. The tension provided by the elastic cord and the shape of the hook is essential to the security of the bags. The Jandd hooks are a bit different than what is shown in the link. It is actually a double hook made from a smaller diameter wire which allows the hook to get wedged into the rack hook. Only a picture will demonstrate it, but I am not able to provide one at this time.

robow

I once toured with a woman friend of mine on some very rough roads. During all that bouncing around, the "J" hook on her pannier sprung loose from her rack and got caught up in her spokes and down she went. That may be the only time it has ever happened in mankind's existence but..... when I use a pannier with that type of mounting system (and I do occasionally) I like to take a small zip tie and really anchor that "J" or "S" hook so that it can't easily come off the rack.

GeorgeBaby

The bags posted by the OP have the first (I think) generation Arkel thumb-lock for the rack top. I used those for years on my JANDD bags. There's no bounce to them.

saddlesores

i'm pretty sure nothing is missing from that setup.
the "ring" is not to keep it attached to the webbing, it's just snagged, and it should be an open hook. if it's a ring around the black webbing, i suspect the prior owner used some other lower attachment method, and just clamped the hook down to keep it out of the spokes.

the white bungee cord would be threaded between the bag and the web strap, and once you hook the two hanger over the rack rails, you pull the bungee cord down and clip the hook to the bottom of the rack support leg. that bungee holds the bag down to keep from bouncing off the rails, threading it thru the webbing holds it against the rack.

BobG

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
What saddlesores says, like this ...

saddlesores

i forgot to attach an illustration!
a picture says (in this case) 128 words.
thanks, bob

Prowler 

I have two old pairs of panniers and both have rings like the OPs. I have small stainless steel hooks that attach to the “second” set of braze on rack mounts on the rear DO. The rack is screwed to the front set and the small hooks to the rear set. I first found those hooks on an old Cannondale tourer but I don’t know who made them. Banjo Brothers calls them “dropout hooks”. If the pannier bounces around and the ring slips off the hook, the ring is less likely to do a mischief with the wheel.

In 2019 I bounced my Cannondale panniers over 300 miles of the GAP and they did not bounce loose. Suitable design.

Smitty2k1

Thanks - hadn't seen those "dropout hooks" before. Makes sense.

I may just get a new hook and bungee and make it a more traditional setup. Or drop $30 each on modern Arkel hardware

BobG

Here's the long hook posted by GeorgeBaby installed on your short bungee. Arkel says their newer top rail "Cam-Lock" clamp pictured is adequate without the bungee ...

https://arkel.ca/blogs/products-tech...k-on-some-bags

https://arkel.ca/collections/replace...s/cam-lock-kit

79pmooney

I much prefer the solid lower hooks of the Ortleibs. Yes, I've had the panniers come off. Nearly every time I've forgotten to push down that last click. But when they come off, they have always fallen clear of the bike and never a danger at all. As handy as bungies are, I've stopped using them in large part because I know of too many bad crashes they've caused. (Hiking and sailboats - no spinning wheels, no spokes and they work great!)

curbtender

Looks like a carabiner instead of a J hook. That would keep it from bouncing off?

djb

remember also, it seems to me that I once had panniers with an oval thing like this, and they were made to slip over the end of that little poking out bit on one of the rack stays.
I also have added a hook thingee to an old pair of panniers that had only an oval doohickey.