Originally Posted by
MuppetMower
Where did you pull these numbers from? I can do 20mph easy with clips/straps with my current setup. So if I go clipless I will be doing 40mph no problem??? Why didnt anyone tell me this before???
The idea is that with platforms you only exert force on the pedals with the downstroke, or ~25% of the total cycle. With clips you exert it on the downstroke and the upstroke (50%), and clipless you can apply force throughout the entire stroke cycle.
Of course it's an oversimplification. See
here for platforms vs clips, and
here for clips vs clipless, if you're at a university.