Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Again, not really. This belief is apparently based on old studies using slow-motion footage to analyze pedal strokes; more recent studies, using power meters in the pedal itself, indicate this is not what happens. You are only applying power on the down-stroke, and the rest of the time you can, at best, keep your other foot out of the way. You aren't applying a significant amount of force on the upstroke.
I.e. "pulling up hard" doesn't do anything. The best you can do is work to develop a smooth pedal stroke, and I don't think you necessarily need to be clipped in to accomplish that goal.
I tend to agree that with a smooth spin riders do not generally pull up much on the pedals. I disagree on what you seem to be implying that means. Specifically it does not mean there is no advantage to a foot retention system and does not mean that using one is not more efficient. The article does not state or even imply that is the case.
Also I think that while it is not part of a smooth spin, there are times when pulling up does occur and may help. While you may not do it when using an efficient spin, you may do it when near the top of a short climb to engage different muscles to get over the crest without down shifting. I personally believe that is helpful in some limited cases, but even if it isn't it does not negate the usefulness of clipless and other foot retention systems.
A few points...
- The author says in the article, "The most they can hope for is to unweight the rear foot so it adds less drag to the power output of the foot that is pushing downward". That doesn't mean there is no gain from unweighting the rear foot. Even if it is an small difference it is repeated over several thousand pedal strokes per hour. So while it may be a small difference it still is a difference.
- The article recommends that to learn that silky smooth spin you should practice one legged pedaling. Try that with no foot retention system sometime.
- Whether you pull up or not you will not convince me that more power isn't generated over a larger portion of the revolution, especially not based on one person's read of one survey.
- There are other differences as well. Not everyone may consider it an advantage, but I personally think the fact that my feet are always the same place at at the same angle on the pedal helps me maintain good form.