toe clip questions

[Scotmitchy]

Bought a set in Decathlon yesterday and had my first try today - glorious weather for March, eh?

So, I now cycle almost tippy toe, or at least on the balls of my feet. I was never aware that I have been cycling on the arch. It was perfectly comfy on the ball of my foot, but I feel the need to raise my seat a little, does this sound right?

Also my feet got hot, was this because my foot was stuck largely in the one position, whereas before I probably moved more?

I did ten miles today, and although a relatively easy route I found it flew by, so I am impressed.

My only gripe will be cured by practice, that is the toe clip was weighted to the bottom of the pedal, I found it hard to cslip into place.

 

[xpc316e]

If you have moved from having the mid-foot on the pedal to the fore-foot, you will have to raise the seat a little to get back to the optimum saddle height.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Thanks, that is what I felt. Also, a few achey muscles today, inc my bum, so suspect I was riding at a slightly different angle.

 

[HovR]

So, I now cycle almost tippy toe, or at least on the balls of my feet. I was never aware that I have been cycling on the arch. It was perfectly comfy on the ball of my foot, but I feel the need to raise my seat a little, does this sound right?

Yeah, that sounds right. If you think about it, your foot naturally rests and an angle larger than 90 degrees from your shin, so the ball of your foot will be lower down than the arch - Hence you needed to raise your saddle.

 

[Paulus]

Hi there Scotmitchy, hotfoot is a common complaint. Several things can help. Were the toe straps tight around the foot? If so loosen them a little, more commonly your footwear may of been done up too tight, what shoes were you wearing?

 

[Scotmitchy]

I was using toe clips, not straps, just a shape to put the foot in.

And standardish trainers, but thick sports relief socks.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Half-traps.
No idea why your feet are getting hot, possibly extra tension/flexing causing extra blood to the feet?
Re your seat height, at the bottom of the downstroke with your foot roughly level/normal, your knee joint should stop just short of locking.