Originally Posted by
WNCGoater
Sorry I have to disagree. With clipless there is the option of switching to pulling instead of pushing the pedal, and this engages some different muscle groups, while offering a bit of rest to others. For me, it also changes forces against the foot which gives a bit of rest to areas of the foot being stressed. Heck, you can even unclip one foot, let it hang down off the pedal and pedal with the other if you wish!
Engaging some muscle groups while allowing rest in others by changing how you push or pull the pedal can indeed increase efficiency IMO. There is a reason toe clips came about in the first place and advent of "clipless" pedals.
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+1! Something I have been doing both conciously and unconciously for more than 40 years. I've nursed my knees (lifelong chrondromalicia) many times "deleting" the dwonstroke for miles at a time. Made a point of doing more pullng than neccessary in the early, easier miles of races to have more of the big muscles at crunch-time.
Ben