Ideas for pannier hold-down tie replacement?
 

Thanks for reading. I own some Delta compact panniers

which
are great for commuting as they are a convenient size.
You may know that panniers that clip onto the rack have
an elastic with hooks that keeps the pannier's clips from popping
off the rack. Over time both side's have broken and I have
improvised solutions, then contacted Delta (no dice: no answer
from e-mail or phone message)

All it requires is an elastic and some hooks. The elastic
can crimp or tie onto the pannier attachment rings, but I never
see hooks that would work. For the right elastic I suppose
I will need to go to a fabric store. Any ideas?

Thanks once more.http://www.speedgoat.com/images/products/39156.jpg

Umm... metal hooks like that are available at any hardware store. They're called S-hooks and should be near the chains. Simply insert one section of the S through the elastic loop, then use a pair of pliers to squeeze it closed so it can't fall off.

(I replaced both hooks on my grocery panniers this way!)

For the elastic maybe try some ponytail holder elastics. I have found them in a heavy, plain, black with no adornments. Any Walgreens, Safeway, etc. should have them. They are sturdy, cheap, and versatile.

Depending on how much you need it to stretch, you could use a large O-ring in place of the elastic. Hardware stores usually have an assortment. Some vacuum cleaner belts are like big O-rings and you can find a selection of those at hardware stores and places like Target and Wal-Mart.

Thanks, bmclaughlin807, mstrpete, striegel,

I admit that I didn't show a great deal of innovative self-reliance here. I was just pulling a blank- happens to me some days. Double-thanks.