You're going to get a mixed review of opinions here. Dbol is by far my favorite oral. I respond to it very well. I've utilized it both ways. There is absolutely no substitute for the way I look and feel on Dbol minus the AI.....until I really need to add it in.
The methyl-estradiol that it converts to is very potent, but it converts at a suppressed rate.
You read here every day how people try to mitigate every single aspect of an AAS cycle. It's these same people that become so obsessed with it that wonder why they have issues after the fact with gyno, depression, etc. The hormonal compensatory mechanisms are very delicate and even mild variations can drastically change things.
My advice: Dbol without an AI is a very good experience that will produce exponential results in size, strength, and feeling of well being. I would absolutely have an AI on hand regardless, but only utilize it if you note that estrogenic effects are beginnig to manifest.
As righthook said, there is nohting wrong with a little bloat. The difference between utilizing an AI with Dbol vs. not utilizing it unless it's warranted is very significant from my own experience over the years.
The key fact to take home here is to always be prepared for the worst, but not to necessarily fear it. Everyone is unique, so results will widely vary due to a multitude of different factors relevant in your own hormonal/biological milieu. This is why you should start low and titrate dosing to effect. You'll eventually determine your sweet spot with different compounds this way while avoiding any significant side effects.
-John