Help with fitting

[OakLeaf]

I definitely get Achilles tendon issues from having my saddle too high.

But I wonder if your crankarms aren't too long for you. Your issues sound very similar to mine. If I ride anything longer than 165 mm, my seat height is simultaneously too high at the bottom of the pedal stroke - where I have to reach for the pedal with my toes and cause myself Achilles issues - and too low at the top of the pedal stroke - where I have to flex my knees past 90° and cause myself kneecap tracking problems.

How long are your cranks? How long are your legs? It really has as much to do with tibia/femur ratio as with overall leg length, but inseam might give you a clue.

Also, when you moved your seatpost down, did you also move your saddle back on the rails?



On the cleat that you can't get adjusted enough, which extreme is it at when it hits the limit? (fore, aft, inside, outside, rotated toe-in or toe-out)? That might give you some clues as well.