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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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First of all, pulling up an the back stroke is not an efficient way to pedal, not only because it's virtually impossible to coordinate biomechanically at pedaling speeds, but because it's robbing Peter to pay Paul, and whatever miniscule torque you generate back there comes at the expense of propulsive force in the power stroke; all of the sudies I've seen show that.
One may want, momentarily, to pedal with different muscles, but it invariably is less efficient and less powerful than pushing all the way through the power phase (like 12 0'clock to 5).
As has been stated, the big reason to use clipless is for foot stability and security; you can simply focus on driving the pedals and not worry about keeping your foot placed or having them bounce around and slip off, which could be fatal. Being connected like that also allows more fine control in handling.