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
 
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A person wearing a helmet and protective gear is sitting on a brightly colored tricycle on the side of a road. The individual is angled to the side, with one foot resting on the ground and the other on the pedal. The background features a grassy area alongside a quiet road marked with a stop line.
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A person with curly hair and sunglasses smiles for a selfie, surrounded by lush green mountains and bright sunlight.
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A mountain biker riding on a winding trail through a lush, wooded area, with the question "Q: What is your favorite flow trail?" prominently displayed in white text.
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Alt text: A promotional poster for the 18th Annual Meet the Mountain Bike Pioneers event, scheduled for April 30, 2016, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The poster features vibrant colors and images of a mountain biker. It includes details on ticket prices ($15 for museum members, $20 for non-members), raffle items, and sponsors. Proceeds benefit Trips for Kids and the Marin Museum of Bicycling.
Aerial view of Crowders Mountain State Park, showcasing a lush landscape with vibrant fall foliage, a serene lake at the base, and the prominent Crowders Mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
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An infographic titled "Plus Bikes: The Breakdown," featuring a pie chart indicating user opinions on Plus bikes, a word cloud highlighting key attributes like "Fun," "Fast," "Stable," and "Confident," and a pyramid chart showing the distribution of bike types with "Trail" at 60%, "XC" at 24%, "Enduro" at 12%, and "Gravity/Other" at 3%. The chart also includes size categories for 27.5+ and 29+ bikes.
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A sunny outdoor scene at the Sea Otter Classic cycling event, featuring a large red and white banner overhead. Participants and spectators are gathered near the race track, with cyclists riding past and others standing by, enjoying the festivities. The atmosphere is lively, with tents and vehicles visible in the background, indicating a vibrant event setting.
Close-up of a mountain bike tire with pronounced tread, showcasing a colorful, splattered design on the fork. The background is blurred, hinting at a sandy outdoor setting.
Close-up view of a bicycle tire with the text "RANGER 3.0 26”" displayed prominently. The tire features a rugged tread pattern and includes a pink label that reads "SCRAPER." The image shows a wooden surface in the background, suggesting an outdoor or workshop setting.
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A close-up image of a black rubber grip handle with hexagonal cutouts and blue accents. The handle stands upright on a smooth surface, surrounded by bicycle or sports equipment in the background. The background features a bright yellow color, enhancing the focus on the grip.
A mountain bike resting on sandy terrain, surrounded by lush green vegetation and blue skies. The bike features thick tires, a sleek frame, and a contrasting saddle, showcasing its design for off-road biking.
A bright green cycling helmet with aerodynamic design resting on a dark table, accompanied by a pair of sunglasses featuring mirrored lenses. The background includes blurred tent structures and event setups, suggesting an outdoor cycling event.
A close-up image of a hand holding a clear sports water bottle with a white grip, positioned next to a bicycle frame with visible mounting attachments. The background features a yellow surface, highlighting the scene.
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A brightly colored Cannondale mountain bike displayed at an outdoor event, with green tents and branding in the background. The bike features large tires and a detailed suspension system, and is positioned on a bed of rocks, showcasing its rugged design. People in cycling attire are partially visible in the background.
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A close-up view of two sleek, modern pens resting on a dark fabric surface. One pen is transparent with black and yellow accents, labeled "NINJA," while the other pen is solid black with a gray cap. In the background, partially visible product displays can be seen.
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A black mountain bike with colorful accents is parked in a field of tall grass and purple wildflowers, with rolling green hills visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
A mountain biker's perspective showing a trail with overlay data including speed (10 mph), heart rate (127 bpm), power (324 watts), and elapsed time (2:16:08). The view includes dirt paths and greenery around, indicating an outdoor biking environment.
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Image of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame exhibit, featuring two bicycles displayed on the wall, one in silver and one in yellow. Above the bikes, the words "Mountain Bike Hall of Fame" are prominently displayed. Various posters and information panels about mountain biking are visible in the background, contributing to the educational environment of the exhibit.
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A close-up of a person's lower body wearing beige shorts with a zippered pocket, set against a backdrop of rusty metal siding. The shorts feature a small logo near the hem. The person is wearing a red shirt.
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A close-up image of a smartphone mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, with a rugged phone case. The background features a blurred, natural setting with leaves.
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Alt text: Close-up view of a blue mountain bike frame featuring red and black accents, with a visible suspension system and tires in the background.
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A close-up of a hand wearing a black and gray patterned biking glove, gripping a bicycle handlebar. The background features green grass and blurred foliage.
A close-up view of a cyclist wearing a red vest and a helmet, standing beneath a canopy of trees. The background shows branches and a clear blue sky, suggesting an outdoor setting suitable for biking. The cyclist appears to be taking a selfie or adjusting their perspective.
Close-up of a bicycle's rear gear mechanism, showcasing the chain and gear assembly with metallic components in natural lighting.
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Video showing a forest floor covered with moss and scattered twigs and branches, with a play button overlay in the center. The scene captures a natural setting rich with greenery and textures.
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A mountain biker stands on a hillside, overlooking a vast landscape of mountains and greenery. The scene features a mix of trees and rocky hills, with a clear sky in the background. Overlaying the image is a graphic symbol representing wireless connectivity.
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A colorful motocross helmet featuring a glossy red, black, and gold design, with ventilation openings and a padded interior. The helmet has a prominent logo on the side and is shown from a three-quarter angle.
Close-up of a bicycle crankset featuring a Shimano XTR component. The image highlights the gears, chain, and polished metallic finish of the crank, set against a blurred background to emphasize the bike's intricate parts.
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Close-up of a bike repair stand attachment featuring a black body with a red clamp. The attachment is marked with the text "FEEDBACK SPORTS" and surrounded by green grass in the background, indicating an outdoor setting.
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An assortment of items on a black surface, including a white sticker featuring the logo "singletracks.com" with a mountain design, an orange flyer with information about mountain biking resources, and a postcard-sized photo of a cake decorated with the same "singletracks.com" logo and a bicycle motif.
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Close-up of various beer bottle caps scattered on a dark table surface, with a reflection of a bicycle in the background.
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