Originally Posted by flatlander_48
That's the point behind toe clips and clipless pedals: you can apply power on the upstroke...
This has been discussed a lot. According to this article elite cyclists don't actually pull up...the cleat just helps keep the foot on the pedal.
http://www.topbike.com.au/pdfs/colso...ly_aug2002.pdf
The cleat may also help deliver power horizontally, pushing over the top or pulling through the bottom.