Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - clipless pedals and efficiency

Maybe this doesn't have anything to do with clipless pedals but just pedalling efficiency in general. When you are pedalling, do you pedal with your foot flat or do you end up "pointing" your toes as you pedal? Does this make sense?

For maximum efficiency, I think you want to keep your foot flat. You want to make sure that you're pushing on the down stroke and pulling on the up stroke. I believe that some people consciously point their toes inward on the up stroke, because it encourages you to pull upward. Or maybe you're supposed to point your toes in on the down stroke? I always forget...

I keep my feet relatively flat. I don't really see the advantage of pointing your toes.

There's no correct way. Some people pedal toes down naturally, others are more flat. If you do pedal toes down as I do, saddle may have to be higher. I go by feel more than by any formula, myself. Whenever I have tried to pedal flat, I find I'm dropping my heel as my leg tries to get more extension.

well, I pedal with toes a bit pointed down, and in. The down for me is more comfortable in general for me calf muscles, and I find that pointing them in a bit helps keep my knees over the pedals a bit more, as opposed to getting a bit sloppy laterally. This might not matter to most, but I have some old knee issues, and it make a difference to me. I am using clip/straps with either running shoes or merrils.

There's no correct way...

+1

Personal preference - although looking at powercranks videos, i.e., perfectly circular pedalling, flat seems to be the most common position.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=107218924939112789

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6781970871449394336

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7128869053068126852

I have read that the best form is to feel like you're scrapping mud from the bottom of your foot. To do this you must keep your foot flat. This also reduces stress on your shins.

flat footed and circles.

I pedal like I walk up stairs. Flat with a scrape/pull-up on the trailing foot.
Can't say enough good things about using a fixed gear as a pedaling tool. I USED to think I pedaled fairly round till I rode fixed for the first time. NOT!!

Much better now, thank you...

on a long ride i vary it up to try to keep my feet fresh. Nomrally pretty flat but if my foot is getting tired i will point the toes down and sometimes go heel first pointing the toes up.

flat pedaling uses the upper muscles in your legs and is much more powerful. but the ideal stroke is flat on the downstroke then scraping back, pulling up and pushing forward. and repeat

There is a form of pedaling callled "ankling" (a rapid flicking the ankles from an uptoe to a downtoe postition). I read an article in a cycling magazine long ago. Some TDF riders use the technique. So more than likely what works best for you. Same as form on the bike. Plenty of riders climb using a common form. Fernando Escartin was a very sloppy looking rider but not many could keep up with him in the mtns. Miguel Endurain sat high on the bars and looked great. But both were very effective. So find what works for you!