The question is simple. Does the momentary drag rise as the gear translate result in a greater or lesser performance loss over clmbing with the gear out and thus taking the constant drag penalty with the gear down and locked. I have never flown a Cardinal RG but I have lots of time in a late model 210 (no main gear doors). There is virtually no discernable check in the climb as the gear retracts and it definitely climbs better with the gear retracted. I always retracted the gear when clear of the runway with a positive rate of climb and hold Vy untill 500 ft AGL.
Why not try experimenting. Pick a calm day and take a friend to note the time from rotation to 100ft AGL using both methods.