Originally Posted by
calyco
What a difference a stiffer sole and being clipped in makes, I feel like I have double the power and can go twice the distance I normally do (about 30 miles).
This comes up every month or so. Fyi, they've done studies on pro bikers. They concluded that pro bikers didn't really pull up, and on the flat clipless provided no additional power. However, it feels like it's faster for some reason.
Most of the benefit of clipless is for fast riders spinning fast, or tired at the end of the race - clipless keeps their foot solidly attached to the pedal. You really don't want your foot flying off the pedal when racing, and that's the primary benefit clipless brings.
Other than feeling faster for many people.