For a given riding distance, Do clip pedals make riding harder or easier?
Clip allows you to pull the upstroke, which causes you to expend more energy,
but does it balance out with a lower riding duration (ride ends sooner)
For a given 5 mile loop, I assume the ride will be completed sooner with clip pedals.
But, the rider will have worked more during that shorter ride.
Yes, clip pedals are more efficient, but I am wondering which is the better workout…..
- Clip pedals which allow more work, but reduce total riding time for a given distance
- Flat pedals, which allow for half work, and therefore a longer ride, for a given distance.
Basically, it seems to come down to sprint a mile in X mins, or jog a mile in Y mins.