Originally Posted by
HiYoSilver
Did you read any of those articles? Without stack and reach it doesn't help much, there are simply too many variables when all that matters are:
1. height of saddle above bb
2. horizontal offset of saddle to bb
3. reach to handlebars
4. vertical offset to handlebars
You can have all sorts of variety of seat tube angles, top tube lengths,
etc and yet have all 4 of those the same.
There are two things you care about with a frame -- fit and handling. Since your body only touches the bike in three spots -- hands, feet and seat -- fit is entirely determined by the shape of the triangle between saddle, handlebars, and bottom bracket. So you're kind of right.
But handling is determined by everything else. That's why bikes come in so many shapes and sizes.
What I would like to see is a database where I put in the dimensions I want and it gives me examples. Even better would be one where I tell it my fit dimensions and my desired handling and it gives me suggestions.