Originally Posted by waterrockets

That's fine, but my point was that on climbs, it makes a difference, and I have data that prove it. Let's try all those equipment configurations up Smokey Valley and Ladera Norte in Austin and see if the arrival times are the same.

I'm not making a "because the pros do it" statement. I'm telling the OP that you have more power available with clipless systems. Period.

If you choose to ride at a power level below the benefit threshold, that's another story.