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 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.
Close-up of a bicycle's rear gear mechanism, showcasing the chain and gear assembly with metallic components in natural lighting.
  3
  3
  7
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.
  1
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.
  3
  3
  3
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.
  9
  3
Close-up of various beer bottle caps scattered on a dark table surface, with a reflection of a bicycle in the background.
  15
  4
Close-up view of a dirty mountain bike tire labeled 'MINION SS' with specifications showing '29x2.30' and '60 PSI,' set against a blurred green forest background.
  11
A snowy outdoor event scene featuring participants and tents, with two individuals pulling a cardboard ramp set up with two beer kegs on it. Spectators in the background are under canopies marked with "Visitor Information" and event signage, while snowflakes fall gently.
  2
An indoor skate park featuring a series of ramps and bowls, with graffiti-style art on the walls. The ceiling is painted blue with yellow clouds. Overhead lights illuminate the space, and a few skaters can be seen in the background.
  5
  2
  3
  1
  3
  4
A muddy trail in a wooded area, featuring tire tracks and scattered leaves, with a semi-transparent symbol in the center that resembles sound waves.
  2
  3
Group of seven men posing in front of a white van, with several mountain bikes nearby. They are outdoors on a sunny day, smiling and wearing casual clothing. The background features trees and a gravel area.
  1
A pair of black cycling shoes placed on a baking tray made of aluminum foil inside an open oven. The oven's interior is dimly lit, showcasing the shoes on the rack.
  6
A winter landscape showing a bike leaning against a tree, surrounded by snow and dried grass. The scene captures a serene outdoor environment with a lake in the background and bare trees with some remaining autumn leaves. A graphic overlay of concentric circles is present, suggesting a theme of motion or connectivity.
  4
A mountain biker catching air while jumping off a dirt ramp in a wooded trail. A second bike is visible in the background, partially obscured by trees. The image captures a dynamic moment in off-road cycling, surrounded by lush greenery.
  2
A serene view of a forested landscape featuring lush green meadows, tall pine trees, and a gentle stream flowing through the scene, under a partly cloudy sky.
  3
A cyclist in a red and white jersey rides a mountain bike along a dirt trail, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain in a forest setting. A timer displays the elapsed time as the cyclist navigates the path, which is marked by a green line. The scene captures the sense of adventure and speed in outdoor biking.
  3
A cozy workspace featuring two desks with iMac computers, a black swivel chair, and a patterned yellow chair. The walls are painted green, accented by a wooden shelf displaying small items and a framed picture. Natural light comes in through a window above, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere of the room.
  2
Close-up of a green bicycle hub surrounded by spokes and a disc brake, with a textured surface and gravel in the background. The image focuses on the intricate details of the wheel assembly.
  2
  1
  1
  4