I have the 2006 edition of " Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists". According to what he says, scientific study with computers and all the test they have run there is no doubt, that clipless pedals help you put out more power. They had a hard time proving this a while back, but they have now. The wonderful world of technology and science, and I believe him.

Cooker,

I wasn't trying to say that riding with one foot makes anyone more efficient overall, but if you ride clipless it might give you better technique because you have to pull and not just push. I think that riding this way would even out your pedaling.

That's exactly what I'm arguing against. I think you "even out your pedaling" by training one leg to work in harmony with the other. To do that you use them both.
Regards.
RGC

Does it say how much?

I'll look it up tomorrow and see if I can find it and get back to you.

The last aspect of bike fit to consider is the pedal system. Having the proper pedal fit can help eliminate foot and knee pain, as well as help you increase the amount of power you're able to get out of the bike.

Modern clipless pedals are a significant innovation compared to the clips,straps, and slotted cleats of just a few years ago. With clipless pedals, there's no pressure across the instep caused by toe straps; there are no toe clips digging into the end of your toes.Clipless pedals are easy to enter and exit. In a crash, your feet automatically disengage so you aren't attached to the bike as you fall.

The less float your cleats have, the more power you can produce. With more float, your leg muscles have to work harder to stabilize your foot as it rotates on the pedal. Therefore, it's best to choose pedals with the least amount of float you need.

Anyhow it go's on and on. It also says with platform pedals you do lost contact for a split second on every revolution.

I do so luv a good sense of humor. This thread (and just about every other on BF, and lets permutate that to the rest of the expanding online cycling universe) just oozes "non-biased opinions and responses". No axes out here to grind, not ever a pen knife - oh sorry, dated... Leatherman.
as for toeclips, I still find them quite effective when I want to train behind a semi gawin 60 mph; in prep for the eventual faceoff with Team Cinzano. An, next time, before he getz a chance to stick that there pump inta my front wheel, I'm gonna slap both his shifters full forward. dam eye-deez!

an wat Dig said

WORD!

Two item overlooked (I think) so far in this thread.

1. For the sport rider, a healthy portion of the performance/effeciency gains of the clipless pedal system is in the shoe. Biking shoes have especially stiff sole/arch areas. This provides a gain in effeciency due to lower power losses as the foot flexes and eventually fewer problems with the physiological structure of the foot as it trys to distribute power from the ankle area to to ball of the foot. (I think this is sore planters tendons)

2. Even if you pedal normally (push only) most of the time, there will be instances where a little burst of power will get you up the hill or over the top of the hill more easily. This may not be an effeciency improvement but you will feel better for it.

It possible for sport riders to use the shoe without cleats or clipless pedals. Easy walking touring shoes or mountain shoes without mud grabbing soles work very well on platform pedals. Look up the Shimano M020 or M032 style of shoe to see what I mean. This style of shoe allows you to walk normally (feels just slightly strange because the sole does not flex much) but is still stiff enough to be more effecient and to reduce foot pain.

Happily riding double sided, wide, low psi touring pedals, with no retention, in my soft soled sandals where my toes are free to wiggle and never get numb like they used to. I can ride in them for miles and walk too, with no problems. I can get off the bike fast and noislessly and I don't need to have special shoes to operate my bike as I have ridden in boots, elkhide slippers and skateboarder shoes. I don't need super stiff soles since I don't use tiny pedals and my wide pedals distribute the load over a larger area. Its all in the way you match the combination. I don't need to buy special shoes or pedals in order to ride and I don't need to maintain my cleats or pedals in freezing weather or in muddy conditions. As for speed,I am actually faster without retention and have proved it over my daily course that I have ridden hundreds of times. Since I am comfortable I can ride for longer and harder than when my feet felt numb. I have massive float room that helps me avoid knee problems, since my feet are allowed to find their own sweet spot or even vary the sweet spot,to give my feet a slightly different position while actually riding. I'll never go back to clipless or any retention for that matter.

Great! You have found something that works for you, your preferences and your types of riding. Others might find that different combinations work best for them in their situations. Some, like me, might be best served by one shoe/pedal combination in one situation and others in different situations. There's more than one way to skin a cat.

I mean it, I'm reaching for the tear gas....

Can't really give a lot of input on clipless-tried 'em, just couldn't "adjust" to clipping in and out. Guess I've ridden platforms too long to change (creature of habit here!). But, I have found that what some call "freestyle" pedals (platforms with traction pins) seem to work better for me than just plain road platforms. The pins hold my shoe securely in place, and I at least feel like more of my effort goes into the pedal stroke.