Jeff Barber

Jeff co-founded Singletracks with his wife Leah in 1998 and has been dedicated to sharing the mountain bike information that inspires others to take epic adventures ever since. He started mountain biking in high school and served in the US Air Force before devoting himself full time to Singletracks in 2007.

Though formally educated as an engineer, Jeff began writing stories at an early stage, inspired by his mother who is a longtime accomplished author. He enjoys covering the world of mountain biking from every possible angle, whether it's trails or gear or skills. His goal for every story: that readers learn at least one new thing.

Author snapshot

MTB Background and expertise

  • Riding experience: Trail, XC, and bikepacking.
  • Mountain biking since: 1992
  • Number of products reviewed: ?. I think my first product review for the site was this one for a plastic wallet.
  • Current stable: Canyon Neuron, Orange P7 hardtail, and Scott Fun XC

Education and writing experience

  • Bachelors of Science in Engineering, Duke University
  • Masters of Business Administration, Duke University
  • Other publications: Panther Press (Lakeside High School - Augusta, GA), CitySearch.com
 
A collage featuring five images related to biking: 

1. A competitive mountain biker in action during a race, showcasing intense focus and speed.
2. A man holding a bicycle wheel and looking directly at the camera, set against a forest backdrop.
3. Two men standing outside on a sunny day, casually dressed and posing together.
4. A mountain biker riding on a sandy slope, demonstrating skill and balance.
5. A smiling man with a helmet and smudged face, looking directly at the camera, surrounded by greenery.
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A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape featuring several mountain bikers riding along a trail in the foreground, surrounded by lush green forests and rolling hills, under a partly cloudy sky.
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A cyclist stands confidently against a brick wall, wearing a long-sleeved jersey that features a gradient of red to white, adorned with various sponsor logos. He holds a black and white helmet in his right hand and poses with a serious expression.
Two bicycle brake rotors are displayed on a rocky surface, showcasing their intricate design with a combination of metal and black components. The background features greenery, indicating an outdoor setting.
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Cartoon depicting three cyclists standing with their bikes, looking up at a ski lift in a mountainous landscape. A large red canopy is visible in the background, and the scene is vibrant with green trees and blue sky. The caption at the bottom reads, "The most frightening part of the ride."
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A close-up view of a hand holding a digital caliper measuring the width of a muddy bicycle tire. The caliper displays a measurement of 59.92 millimeters. The background shows a blurred interior space with a tiled floor.
A scenic view of a winding dirt path bordered by vibrant greenery, featuring a mix of leaves in shades of green and yellow. A striking blue flower stands out among the foliage, with a background of rocky terrain and sparse trees. The landscape suggests a natural, outdoor setting, possibly near a coastal area.
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A group of mountain bikers racing on a dusty trail, surrounded by trees and a few spectators in the background. The riders are wearing colorful jerseys and helmets, showcasing determination as they maneuver through the course. Dust is kicked up around them, highlighting the intensity of the competition.
Black bike pedal with a copper-colored top edge, featuring a large "P" logo and multiple screws, set against a light yellow background.
Group of eight individuals, including children and adults, standing together outdoors with bicycles. They are smiling and wearing helmets, surrounded by trees in a sunny setting. Some are casually dressed, and there is a mix of clothing styles among the group.
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A blue mountain bike is positioned on a bed of straw, showcasing its sleek frame and large knobby tires. The bike features a front suspension fork and is set against a wooden backdrop with some potted cacti in the background.
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A Garmin device displaying performance metrics, featuring a message that says "Great Jump!" along with statistics for distance (3.1), hang time (0.35), and speed (32.0). The background is a solid turquoise color.
Close-up of a mountain bike wheel resting on a rocky surface, surrounded by grass and dirt. The image features a yellow logo in the bottom right corner.
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Close-up of a bicycle frame featuring a striking pattern in black and metallic gold, set against a dark background. The image highlights the intricate design details on the frame, including text that reads "SPIRIT" and "BCA," along with the bike's cable housing.
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A humorous cartoon depicting two characters outside a garage filled with several black bicycles. One character, wearing a yellow shirt and holding a bag, asks the other, dressed in red, to retrieve his bike, specifying, "It's the black one." The scene features a bright green lawn and a brick wall in the background.
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A group of young cyclists in colorful jerseys and helmets sprinting off the start line during a mountain biking race. A photographer captures the action in the background, while spectators cheer them on. The scene is set in a grassy area with trees in the background under a clear sky.
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A colorful graphic featuring layered mountains in shades of green, yellow, red, and white, with a stylized logo of Mulberry Gap in the lower left corner. The design includes intricate patterns resembling topographic maps amidst the mountain silhouettes.
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A cluster of white blooms with delicate, ruffled petals and hints of pink markings, surrounded by green foliage in a natural setting.
Concept plan for Quarry Lake Park, illustrating features such as a lake, picnic areas, fishing pier, canoe and kayak launch, obstacle course, mountain bike trails, and future pedestrian bridge. The layout emphasizes recreational spaces and natural surroundings.
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A cartoon image shows two scientists discussing a bicycle displayed on a table. One scientist holds a piece of paper while explaining adjustments to the bike’s specifications. The humorous dialogue at the bottom reads, "We just need to decrease the wheel diameter, make the axle wider, and go with a 20mm rear thru axle to get a 9% stiffer wheel. Totally worth it!" The background features mathematical formulas on a wall, adding to the scientific theme.
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A narrow dirt path winding through tall green grass and wild vegetation, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
A scenic mountain landscape featuring a winding dirt path through lush green meadows and scattered wildflowers. In the background, rolling hills rise toward a blue sky with a few clouds, while dense evergreen trees line the lower slopes, creating a tranquil and picturesque outdoor setting.
A man wearing a black helmet and sleeveless shirt is sitting on the ground in a grassy outdoor area, holding a green water bottle. He appears to be taking a break from biking, with tall grass and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
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Women Mountain Biking Powderhorn Yeti
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Cartoon of a man on a bicycle wearing a helmet. A camera is mounted on a long arm above him, capturing footage as he rides along a dirt trail surrounded by mountains and trees. The caption reads, "Finally, my helmet cam footage won't be shaky!"
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