Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,561
Likes: 799
From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Bacchetta Quattro, Catrike Speed
I always figured that my lowracer was the equivalent of a 3-man paceline of uprights. So, 1-on-1 is my advantage; 5-on-1 is theirs. I've done a 5-on-5 once; we dropped the uprights on a climb. One of them inched past me about 2/3 up, but collapsed into the ditch as soon as he cleared my bike. It was comical.
Most recumbents, including trikes, do not enjoy any aero advantage over a good upright road bike.