hello...i previously posted in another forum because i thought it would be more issue-specific, but i'm trying here to tap other minds (and in hopes of not having to buy yet another bike).

i am trying to fit myself on a bike and i've had horrible trouble. i started by moving the seat back so that i could stand in between saddle and stem without being too compressed.

from there, i've worked with seat height but i have to keep raising higher and higher to get a decent ability to pedal ...but then the bike is hard to get onto/off of at stop signs, lights, etc.

i have tried both clipless pedals and pedals with toe clips but i cannot get my feet back far enough to use them, so i end up pedaling with my "midfoot". and even then, my knees are too far forward.

i am using a saddle with a pretty long rail, compared to others in the store i purchased it from, but after my most recent move back, there's not much further back i can shift it. now it seems i will still have to keep raising the seat to get a good stroke, but then i'm stuck with one of the original problems--mount and dismount.

i have also raised the handlebars as far as they'll go to help--i believe i've surpassed it, as there's a "^MINIMUM^" line visible on the stem.

this is a women's bike and i'm only 5'3. it is also my 3rd bike ....2nd in the last month. i've received advice to find a different style (crank forward) but i really don't want to buy yet another bike. i don't have the room for all of these as is!

something i was hoping would work but have not tried is a setback post for the seat. i could also search online for longer-railed saddles but i'm not sure how successful that will be.

i really appreciate any and all advice.....i am enjoying getting back into cycling and it is helping my weight loss goals considerably, so i really want this to work!