Trainer noise and downstairs neighbors

A friend of mine had the same problem, the woman below him kept complaining of someone in the complex was running their vacuum cleaner at all hours.  The complex manager thought she was crazy.

 He went out an got a fluid trainer, virtually silent.

In comparison to an old wind or mag, they are silent. Either there is something wrong with the trainer, or your floor boards are made of balsa wood

Try getting a trainer tire like chi said, or adjust the contact the tire makes with the resistance unit roller. Also, put a blanket under a piece of plywood and then put your trainer mat on top of that. But watch the contact with the fluid housing, as it gets really hot.

Where is your setup, in the middle of the room? Try putting it toward the wall, preferably as far away from where your neighbor sleeps (this would involve asking him, but better that then pi&%ing him off further).

My .02 -

I don't think it's right to "screw the neighbor" (as someone posted) or any such thing.  I've always lived in apartments, condos, etc. and the one thing that drives me nuts more than noisy neighbors is discourteous neighbors.  From what you posted the guy seemed fairly reasonable about the noise and hasn't said anything about the 5AM riding at all.  I say return the courtesy - let him know what you want to do and work out a schedule or something.  Chances are even if the noise bothers him (it would bother the h3ll out of me!) he'll be accommodating because you had the consideration to try to work it out with him.

Seriously - how would you feel if you had a noisy neighbor, you let it be known to them that they were interfering with your quality of life, and their response was "well, tough."

Also, re: "I'm not going to just stop riding because my neighbors want to sleep until noon on the weekends...is that mean of me?"  --> not sure if I'd call it mean, but it sure is self-absorbed.  Your neighbor has every right to quiet in his apartment *all the time*, not just when its convenient for you.  You, on the other hand, have *no right* to subject your neighbors to the "fall-out" of your life-style (a trainer for you, but it might as well be blasting a stereo, playing drums, having an incessantly barking dog or banging on the floor with a hammer just because I find it enjoyable).

"I'll probably just leave a note under the guy's door about what hours/rooms I can ride so I don't bother them too much."

 I think that will go a long way.  It's like when people where I've lived have parties - they'll go to the adjoining apartments and let them know that it will be noisy at such and such a time.   Just the courtesy of the heads-up takes away a lot of the annoyance factor.  You can even bring him in on your sound proofing experiments - try different techniques and have him let you know how they work.

I have no idea if this is even feasible, but there is a newish drywall product called 'Quiet Rock.' 

It's a composit gypsum with a sound attenuating core.  It's being used alot in new condo construction to decrease sound travelling between units.  Maybe you could get a piece and put it under your trainer?

Good luck!