Hi everyone
I'm new to cycling (since childhood) and this forum. I recently bought a Pashley Mailstar / Pronto (with the step through frame not the really old ones)
I've finally got round to getting it ready to go out on it and..... I'm too short!
I'm 5'4'' with 30" inseam and on the lowest limit of the seat I can only just touch the peddle with the tip of my shoe. Definitely not possible to ride it.
I think of the bike as something I want to preserve as much as I can and not hack up the seat tube unnecessarily.
There is the bit of the seat tube just under the saddle where it narrows in which would let the seat be lower but the clamp won't hold onto that without something extra.

Basically I'm asking:

• Can I modify the bike frame to make it fit me
• Can I modify the tube on the saddle so that the clamp will grip it further up the tube
• Is there nothing I can do, sell the bike and get a more normal bike that actually fits my short legs.

Thank you!

No,No,Yes

#1 rule: always test fit before you buy. Sell it and start from scratch this time with more knowledge.

OK thanks.
Would I get anywhere with pedal blocks or crank arm shortening?

Don't try to kluge an ill fitting bike into a slightly less ill fitting bike. Would you buy shoes four sizes too big and stuff newspapers into the toe to make it fit?

Sell and buy a bike that fits. Most 'step through' frames and 'dutch bikes' are made in sizes for shorter people, so you can easily get something in the same style.

Shame I really like the bike. Thanks anyways.

It wasn't meant to be. Your "true" bike is still out there. You'll find it.

You can preserve the bike all you want but there is no reason to preserve that seat post. Seat posts are a dime a dozen and there is nothing special about this particular one. Cut that seatpost down to size!
Also- if the top of the seatpost looks like this:

Chances are you can flip the clamp pieces upside down and lose an inch.

possibly trying a thinner seat

Look for a good bike fitter that offers a frame fitting service. I also purchased a bike that doesn't really fit me, I can ride it but my position I believe isn't optimum. Next bike I'm going to try find that optimum size. I'm weirdly shaped so the standard S/M/L size guides isn't helpful.

What size is the frame? I think they say you should be in a Small. Medium maybe. Large absolutely not.
https://www.pashley.co.uk/contact/sizing-guide.php

If the seat won't go any lower, you really should get the size frame you need. Making it work for saddle height will only leave you to find other things about it that don't fit right but you don't notice now because the saddle height is such a big deal currently.