A guide for repairing hook and bungee bike panniers

By North St Bags

Our bags easy to repair using common bike tools. We use a classic hook and bungee system for our standard pannier attachments. This article covers how to repair or replace the hook and bungee parts that make up this system. We will cover what tools you will need, and how to test your work to make sure your bag will function properly out there on the road. 

You may have a broken or bent part that needs replacing, or perhaps you are switching bikes and need a larger hook size. Thesis guide will show you every step of the way.

We’ll show the basic repair for our most common hook and bungee setup, as used in our Commuter Micro Pannier and Gladstone Grocery Pannier. This system includes two top hooks - (installed at the top of the bag for hanging off of the bike rack), a bungee (stretchy cord material) and a bottom hook for connecting to the low point of the rack. The top hooks are bolted to the bag using stainless steel hardware. The bungee is secured to the top hooks with two plastic hanger clips.

What tools will I need?

The hook and bungee system is designed to be serviced or repaired easily with common bike tools. 

You will need:

  • 3mm hex key
  • A flathead screwdriver or other blade-like implement
  • 8mm box wrench (or adjustable wrench)
  • Pliers or channel-locks
shot showing tools for pannier repair

You may also need replacement parts from our Pannier Hardware Kit such as top hooks, a new bungee or bottom hook.

If you also want to adjust the length or tension of your bungee part, you will also need a pair of scissors and a lighter.

How to replace the bungee & bottom hook

Follow these steps to replace the bungee or bottom hook part of your pannier.

Step 1 - Start by removing the existing bungee part from the plastic hanger clips. Pry apart the cylinder part from the hangar to release the hangar’s clips from the bungee itself.

Using a flathead screwdriver, butter knife or other blade-like implement works well for this.

detail shot showing how to pry the bungee hangar open for repair
Step 2 - You can then replace the bungee and/or bottom hook as needed. Ensure that the bottom hook is facing away from the bag.
detail shot of pannier showing parts laid out to replace the bungee

 

Step 3 - Feed the cylinder parts back onto the plastic hangar part and feed the bungee through the hangar part.

Make sure that the bungee extends slightly past the edge of the hangar part

detail shot of pannier showing how to insert the bungee part back into a new hangar
Step 4 - Using the pliers, clamp down on the cylinder part to lock the clips and secure the bungee.
detail shot of how to clamp the bungee into place


Step 5 - Pull hard on the bungee to ensure it’s installed securely

 

How to replace top pannier hooks

Follow these steps to replace or repair the top hook parts of your pannier. Please note that some of our bags are lined, and some sewing will be required to access the top hook hardware. The Commuter Micro Pannier, Macro Pannier and Grocery Pannier are not lined and have easy access to the hardware inside the bag. 

Step 1 - Loosen the bolts from the nut using the allen key and box wrench.

detail shot of pannier showing how to loosen nuts and bolts


Step 2 - Replace the hooks or other parts as needed.

detail shot of pannier showing parts


Step 3 - Install the top hooks back in place. The top hole of the hook will take a 12mm bolt. The bottom hole (with bungee hangar) takes a 14mm bolt. Be sure to use the washer parts and tighten well!

detail shot of pannier showing tightening bolts into place



Need Help?

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. Use our contact form. We also offer repair services for any issue you are having with your bag. To get your repair ticket started, fill out our repair form and a member of our team will contact you with next steps.

 

Related articles:

How to Choose the Best Bike Pannier

How to Select the Ideal Bike Pannier Hook Size

Spring Biking in PDX

Curtis Williams