Experienced riders: trusting a bike fitter VS trusting your "ass"
People, I need your opinion and knowledge.
I recently went to a renowned local bike fitter to get some size guidance before buying a new road bike, following the gospel.
I'm in between sizes (52/54, S/M) on most models I like and I told him my goal was to understand if I could use the smaller ones, since on my current bike I feel stretched and not really in control. I literally said "I often feel that the bike decides where I go". I have slightly longer than average inseam, for my height, and average flexibility.
The experience was...underwhelming. Everything was rushed. He put me on the machine for less than 20 minutes, never actually set up the smaller geometry and quickly recommended me to go for the larger one.
After this I went in store and, since I didn't feel particularly convinced by this consultation, decided to try both sizes, for 40 minutes each.
Long story short: I preferred the smaller one. They're fairly similar, but the sensation of being stretched was gone, everything felt more natural.
What would you do? 40 minutes isn't exactly the biggest sample, but I also don't feel as if the bike fitter properly explored all options.
Should I trust him or my ass?