Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
Yeah, there's a whole myth about clipless being more efficient or faster. People see the attachment to the pedal and naturally think "must increase efficiency". But you can search youtube for numerous comparisons done and in the lab with equipment there is no improvement with clipless.
Some people argue that clipless is advantage in niche situations in racing like letting you put down more power in all out sprinting. Races can be won by 5 seconds or simply not getting dropped from the pack so it's a bit different. It could be, it's hard to test and I don't race so I don't feel qualified to wade into it, but I know they can test the difference in riding on the flat and found no difference.
Used to be there was a big advantage in clipless of your foot not slipping off the pedal by accident but you can fix that today with five ten bike shoes.
Like I said, both clipless and flats are good systems. Which to choose is a matter of personal preference. But per people testing in the lab increasing pedal stroke efficiency isn't a difference between the two.
riding flats or clipped in, doesnt matter to me what other folks use, live and let live is my motto.
however, my lifetime of riding, 30 years of touring, and riding regularly, and using spd's since 92 have shown clearly to
me the increased efficiency of clipless pedals--very specifically with climbing.
In tests I did very early on, I found that for climbing, there is a noticeable difference, and I like a lot even on the flats that I can switch up my muscle groups in how I pedal, which is a nice break.
I figure also the fact that I am not a strong rider, so I tend to notice small advantages.
but hey, again, thats my take on it, and certainly with touring on a heavy bike where one realizes right away that there really is hardly ever any real "flat", I'll take any advantage I can (and throw in all the unloaded riding aspects of clipless that are great--stability flying over rough surfaces, sprinting for lights or whatever--both things I do every day and clipless are great for this.)