I don't like larger frameworks because they force you to code in a particular manner which almost always deviates from the rest of the code I write.

Personally I prefer to use very small libraries that solve a specific need. TWIG for templates, for instance (used to roll my own). Limonade for a route controller etc... Then all I have to do is "glue" them together with minimal effort. Simple, effective and a low learning curve - can't really get much better than that.