Originally Posted by
mickey85
Tell me that the pros pull up on the back stroke on every stroke. I'd be interested to see that information. Bet they rarely do it either. Truth be told, I use toe clips and do find a bit of an improvement using those over platforms, just because I can push forward and down, but I've never, ever pulled up.
That study has been mentioned numerous times but it's also somewhat suspect. I doubt anyone pulls up on each and every backstroke and you personally may not pull up at all, but that doesn't mean that nobody ever pulls up
Last year I was experimenting with riding sockless and that pretty proved to me that the oft cited study is either misrepresented or was poorly done. Once my feet got sweaty I was nearly pulling them out of my shoes when riding hard. I had to stop and tighten them. Under normal riding conditions my feet stayed firmly in place so I was either not pulling up or not pulling up as much.
I'd recommend that the OP just skip the clipless pedals if they're making his commute less enjoyable except that I think going uphill is one area where they give a commuter a significant advantage.