Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
I've never seen a single scrap of evidence to support this claim.
You use the same muscles, whether or not you use any foot retention.
Researchers and experts like Andy Pruitt have used pedal-based power meters for years. No one adds power on the upstroke, not even top pros. All you wind up doing is lifting your leg, without losing contact.
Clipless is not about power, it's about control.
Have you ever sprinted, or attacked (or chased an attack) on a climb ? I can feel my foot trying to pull out of my shoe from the upward force.
On longer sustained climbs, I can decide to utilize my hamstrings and pull through the bottom of the stroke. With some shoes with older delta cleats, if there was any play, you can feel the shoe slide back ..... I'm curious about these "studies" and how they were run.