Originally Posted by
Burton
Incorrect? Some people still believe in the Tooth Fairy too. Eventually most people come to grips with reality, which isn't all that terrible anyway!
This topic's been studied at length for years in the never ending effort to shave a couple thousands of a second off the times of some of the worlds best cyclists. It doesn't happen. The muscles that are used on the 'upstroke' are the weakest, metabolically inefficient muscles on the leg and using them for anything other them what nature intended - lifting the weight of the leg in preparation for the next extension - just leads to premature fatigue.
If you can post meaningful numbers or references that indicate anything otherwise - I'm quite sure a lot of people would like to see them.
Now if you want to believe the upstroke provides any significant advantage - feel free! Personally I think red bikes are faster myself!
+1. The only study I've seen is analyzing pros, and the surprising finding they use downstroke to their generate power almost exclusively, not upstroke....apparently it's amateur racing-riders that use pull.
If someone has done any competent distance study comparing clipless to cages or straps I'd like to see it. Clearly clipless are "efficient" in locking the feet to a spinning pedal, but I suspect the other claims are more marketing hype than reality. But, whatever... I think they are a nuisance regardless.