Originally Posted by
Happy Feet
Efficiency can also be seen in different ways.
The GCN guys are testing efficiency in terms of maximum wattage output in a controlled setting for a short period of time. As I said before, for long distance touring the efficiencies could be not needing to think about where the foot is on the pedal, always having the foot oriented in the best position, being able to "float" the foot etc...
And as I said, those efficiencies may diminish if the conditions change such as if you start and stop a lot, don't do high mileage or ride rough terrain.
Here's a pic of my buddy after he just fell while clipped in. We are bushwhacking a section of the Trans Canada Trail between road sections and he chose his clipless gravel bike while I used my platform off road bike. This section required more effort from him because we were on and off the bikes a lot.
Here's a pic where I am doing long days on hwys. Here clipless was more efficient because I dismounted infrequently, and then often only one foot down for pictures..
the two examples you show are pretty much how I look at it. I have nearly always tended to be dismounting infrequently, and anyway I commute in traffic with spd's and have for ages, and am fairly used to and fast at unclipping.
That said, there are times like your fallen friend photo shows, that its easier without clipless, and I know I have been on mtb trails where my pedals were a factor, and you really had to be on the ball--but again, the vast majority of the time its not a problem.
also, some people have lower bike handling skills and reactions than others, and clipless are going to be a challenge for them, but there is no clear answer here is there?? (as always with a topic like this)
for touring on a heavy bike, I would have to be going somewhere where I would be hike a biking a lot to not use spd's, or certainly a lot of on and off , and or walking on rocks and such a lot where the cleat would slip a lot....that sort of thing.
but so far, I havent done that sort of tour, so not an issue.