I seem to get a bit obsessed with frame sizes whenever I pick up a new bike because I want to be really sure the bike fits before dumping time and money into it. I spent years convinced my 55cm Merckx was a tad too big before finally accepting it was a good fit. Part of my problem is even though I am average height (5'-8") I have long legs and a shorter torso, so on my 55cm bike I have to run a 80mm stem (hence my conviction in was a bit too big). Recently I picked up a 53cm Bianchi and now I'm convinced it is a tad too small even though I can get nearly the same setup as the 55 by using a 100mm stem. Though that stem length is often stated as being "ideal", I can't get the stem as high on the smaller frame so now I have a pretty big saddle to bar drop, though it felt fairly comfortable on test rides. I know I can get a longer extension Nitto stem, but it just looks too strange to me on a racing bike.

I think my perfect frame size is something around 55x55 or even 55x54 or 55x53 if I could ever find one. It is surprising how big a couple of centimeters difference can seem on a bike. So I was wondering whether other C&Vers had their frame size really dialed in to an exact size, or how big of a range of sizes you feel comfortable riding by making stem/seat adjustments.