When the lowest gear isn't low enough

[txred9876]

Or that they have a bigger cassette in the back. - Count the number of teeth on the smallest/largest cog: what's yours-11-23?? what's theirs? a 12-25 or 12-27?
I don't really think spin class is needed to teach you better spinning.

I was not referring to spin class teaching one better spinning. I think the cardio and endurance one can gain out of spin classes is valuable. I know in my case it has made me a stronger rider (in a very quick time frame).

Tina