Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
So, you tell me. Since the data indicates that you are not supplying power on the upstroke, then what is the big advantage of clipless -- other than that they feel good? How do we quantify that advantage? And is it nearly as important as most people presume? And while it's a big improvement over traditional clips, which can cause big issues in an accident, what advantage does it offer over PowerGrips which still clamp your foot in but are safer than traditional clips?
For casual/fitness cyclists you may be mostly right.
But what your charts don't show is that small changes in foot/pedal position can have an effect on overall power output. Having a positive click in to ensure that you are exactly where you want to be is important for racers and others looking to maximize performance.
Also, from reading here it seems many people have repetitive motion issues in their knees that having and exact pedal location with a pre-set amount of float helps with.