Originally Posted by
Scrodzilla
I usually go with pretty close because if the frame size is in the right range, other factors can be adjusted based on the individual riders needs (within reason). All my bikes have slightly different measurements/geo but they are all close enough to each other the way I have them set up that they are all comfortable for me. However, I wouldn't ever want to ride a century on my Leader 725 but I didn't build it with all-day rides as its intended purpose.
Based on what my fit calculations say, I should have a 120mm stem on my Bareknuckle but I know that would be very uncomfortable for me. This being said, I should also "technically" be wearing size 11.5 Vans but because I have wide feet, I find size 12s to be much better. Putting two people with the exact same body proportions on identical bikes sized according to bike fit results doesn't mean they will both find everything about the bikes to be perfect.
Calculations are numbers. People don't ride numbers, they ride bikes.
+1. But I ride 54cm - 58cm on different bikes for different reasons, my "chart" size is more like 56cm. On a 54cm I can get my forearms more parallel to the ground in the drops and be nicely tucked in, weight a little more forward, more of a drop in the bars. It's comfy, but not as relaxed as on a bigger bike, more of a coiled spring feel. Smaller, the bike is livelier and a tad lighter, feels better connected hill climbing while standing. However, I am talking road bikes here, not necessarily fg/ss.