In the normal course of riding, the rider will experience differences in terrain, wind conditions, and even sprinting. Sprinting to me can even mean going from a standing start to a desired speed or even from one speed to a higher speed. All this in a non racing context. This is when the pull up really helps, even to the point that a rider actually wants to favor the pull up over the push down.

The pull up is just another tool to use in riding. I think very few riders would abandon their pull up in these situations just because theorists appear to argue that the pull up is of very little consequence in pedal efficiency.

How many of us have experienced riding in an organized Century or half Century going up say a one mile climb and passing riders who have not mastered the pull up?