Eliminating turbo trainer low frequencies between terraced properties?

St1mpMeister

Neighbour has a turbo trainer and has it upstairs in their 2 storey house.

The houses are terraced so that vibrations from the trainer travel through the floorboards and end up booming as the echo builds up.

The low frequency actually makes me queasy... very weird effect. Think of it like a tumble dryer sound booming in your stomach. The houses are narrow, so there isn't really a way to escape the sound by going to another room.

The trainer is apparently on a mat.. but it hasn't really improved the situation when the RPMs really build up.

I've asked if the trainer could be put downstairs instead as the concrete floors wouldn't carry the sound but this request was ignored (nice!)... so I was curious if others have a solution to keep the vibrations down while it's upstairs that I might be able to suggest?

I saw someone on reddit mention possibly putting the trainer on two old tyres?

dahat

Increasing the 5km limit might help with the noise!!!

A second mat maybe?

crosstownk

What's needed is something to absorb the vibrations. A second mat may help somewhat but probably won't eliminate it.

The two tyres idea should absorb most vibrations but at the expense of making the trainer somewhat unstable. An old duvet as a mat might significantly absorb vibrations without loosing much stability.

Grassey

I have those interlocking foam kids squares down, and a rubber turbo mat over it. Do sessions in room above the sitting room, missus says she wouldn't know I'm on it when she's in there.

crosstownk

Grassey wrote: »

I have those interlocking foam kids squares down, and a rubber turbo mat over it. Do sessions in room above the sitting room, missus says she wouldn't know I'm on it when she's in there.

Could she hear anything before you put the foam squares down? I suppose what I'm really asking is did you use the foam squares to solve a noise/vibration problem?

Grassey

I don't think I ever did the turbo without them, I just happened to have a load of them handy when I was setting up the turbo room so laid them at the start.

knockoutned

Another option would be to get anti vibration pads, primarily designed for washing machines in apartments. You get a thick rubber blocks that you put under the turbo

St1mpMeister

Grassey wrote: »

I have those interlocking foam kids squares down, and a rubber turbo mat over it. Do sessions in room above the sitting room, missus says she wouldn't know I'm on it when she's in there.

cheers, so something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Piece-Interlocking-Foam-Activity-Tiles/dp/B0759TBYN8/

To be honest hopefully with the improving weather the bike will be taken off the device soon and used outdoors instead.

I mean I cycle every morning in this weather and never felt bothered by it.

But if it's a permanent fixture, or it won't be removed until June I might just buy some of those kids squares and hand them over.

site_owner

have you seen the mat its on? it could just be a sweat mat or yoga mat.
really needs to be on a thick anti vibration mat and that should make a big difference

Grassey

St1mpMeister wrote: »

cheers, so something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Piece-Interlocking-Foam-Activity-Tiles/dp/B0759TBYN8/

Indeed that's them (or the lidl equivalent)

St1mpMeister

site_owner wrote: »

have you seen the mat its on? it could just be a sweat mat or yoga mat.
really needs to be on a thick anti vibration mat and that should make a big difference

Nope, no idea what it's on. Was just told it was on a mat.

Neighbour isn't the easiest to talk to and very private.

Jonesy101

Belligerence must sometimes be always met with belligerence. If you get no joy place a speaker right beside the wall and play for hours and if he complains say its on a mat.

I dont think you should hold out for the good weather :D what use is that to you if youre feeling ill and it will only start again next september.

Everywhere I can see says need to use pads to reduce the vibrations, i say he has it on an old yoga mat which is obviously not deep enough. Doesnt sound like hes the kind of guy to go out and buy pads to help you out. He also wont be too impressed if you hand over pink and yellow kids mats.

If you want to go full geek follow the instructions here https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/2656/what-can-be-done-to-make-a-trainer-work-quieter

else could try the specific anti vibration pads https://www.amazon.co.uk/etm-Anti-Vibration-Washing-Machine-Mat/dp/B00QVN1JPA/ref=pd_lpo_60_t_2/261-3236726-4555404?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00QVN1JPA&pd_rd_r=be0f2e6d-b1ae-4d29-bfd1-1ec954942634&pd_rd_w=Z2ACN&pd_rd_wg=Tdk0z&pf_rd_p=da0677f5-a47b-4543-8b54-10be576b8f26&pf_rd_r=XWH2992T058KCJ2N7EMR&psc=1&refRID=XWH2992T058KCJ2N7EMR

good luck! this must be so irritating

St1mpMeister

Jonesy101 wrote: »

good luck! this must be so irritating

Indeed! Guitar amp may be on stand by... but would prefer to find a solution first... depends on how often it occurs obviously as the weather change now may mean it's no longer being used

jimm

You seem to be very patient and reasonable about the situation and the softly softly (pun intended) approach hasn't worked.

If you are in Dublin..........https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/environment/air-quality-monitoring-and-noise-control-unit/making-noise-pollution-complaint/noisy-neighbour-complaint

I'd imagine other local authorities have similar units.