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
 
  2
Alt tag: Close-up of a mountain bike handlebar displaying a Shimano gear and shift mode indicator. The display shows numerical values for gear settings and shift mode, set against a textured background of rocky terrain.
  5
  2
Close-up view of a mountain bike front fork featuring the "Bluto" brand name, with a textured tire visible beneath. The background consists of green grass, indicating an outdoor setting.
  5
Alt text: Infographic from the 2014 Singletracks MTB Gear Survey displaying the top mountain bike brands by region, including lists for Australia, Canada, and the Southeastern and Northeastern United States.
  5
A mountain biker rides across a log bridge over a small stream in a forested area, surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery. The biker is wearing a helmet and has a backpack, focusing on maintaining balance while navigating the rough terrain.
  1
A scenic view of a small mountain town street, lined with buildings and shops, under a cloudy sky. In the background, a prominent mountain rises, partially shrouded in mist, with trees flanking the street. Several cars are parked along the road, and a lamppost is visible in the foreground.
  13
Mountain bike parked on a dirt trail surrounded by tall trees and rugged rock formations. The path leads upward between two large rock outcrops covered in moss and foliage.
  1
Close-up view of a SRAM Rise 60 bicycle hub, featuring the XD freehub design. The image highlights the hub's sleek black finish and intricate detailing, showcasing its compatibility and technical specifications for high-performance cycling.
A person in a yellow helmet and shirt watches as a cyclist in a gray and blue jersey rides a mountain bike across a wooden ramp on a dirt track surrounded by green hills and shrubs on a sunny day.
  12
A winding dirt path leads through a grassy hillside, with evergreen trees dotting the landscape. In the distance, rolling mountains are visible against a clear blue sky, scattered with fluffy white clouds.
  21
  2
Close-up of a SRAM X9 bicycle rear derailleur attached to a bike, set against a rustic, rust-colored background. The derailleur is detailed with black components and a yellow adjustment mark.
  8
Infographic comparing preferences of mountain bikers for hand-built versus machine-cut trails. It shows that 87% prefer hand-built trails, with various trail features like rock gardens, roots, and jumps listed. The image includes demographic preferences, indicating that hand-built trail enthusiasts tend to be male, expert-level, aged 44 and older, from specific regions, while machine-cut trail users are female, beginners or intermediates, aged 0-18 and 55+, from different areas. Logos of bicycle brands are also displayed.
  16
Logo for the Dark Nite Series featuring the text "THE DARK NITE SERIES" in stylized letters, along with the NiteRider logo, and the phrase "12 HOURS OF NIGHT NATIONALS" at the bottom, all set against a black background with a bright yellow oval.
A black fat tire bike is parked in tall green grass, with a wooded area and clear blue skies in the background. The bike features wide tires, a sturdy frame, and is positioned at an angle to showcase its design.
  7
  2
  44
Black sunglasses with a sleek design resting on a textured surface, reflecting the surroundings. The lenses are dark and slightly mirrored, giving a modern look.
A mountain biker in a green jersey and helmet rides over a wooden bridge in a forested area, surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery. The biker appears focused and in motion, navigating a dirt trail.
  4
  6
Close-up image of a helmet-mounted light, featuring a bright LED lamp, a black housing, and a red button. The light is attached to a white helmet with adjustable straps, set against a blurred industrial background.
  3
  3
Map of the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States and Canada for the year 2017, featuring various trail locations marked across the regions of both countries.
  19
A close-up view of a person wearing a CamelBak hydration pack, positioned on their lower back, while holding onto a bicycle handlebar. The background features a forested area, suggesting an outdoor activity like biking or hiking.
  4
  2
A bright turquoise mountain bike with striking pink accents. The bike features a sturdy frame and is displayed on a stand against a green backdrop, indicating a bicycle event or exhibition.
  2
  5
Outdoor recreation map for Sedona, Arizona, featuring topographic shaded relief and details on 14 popular mountain bike trails, including elevation profiles, trail mileages, and difficulty symbols. The map is waterproof and designed for outdoor use.
  2
  4
  4
A view of an outdoor event area with various vendor tents, including those for bike brands. The scene is accompanied by overcast skies and a few people walking around. There is a green signboard in the foreground, and a cyclist can be seen riding in the background.
A group of people standing together in a forested area, holding a banner for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). The individuals, dressed in casual outdoor clothing, appear to be involved in mountain biking activities, with a couple of them smiling at the camera. A dog is also present among the group.
  6
  11
Map showing fatbike popularity across Canada, with a color gradient indicating areas of high popularity versus low popularity. The title reads "Fat Biking: The Numbers Behind the Addiction."
  10
  6
Image of a black smartphone case with a transparent front panel and a separate back panel, both lying on a woven surface. The front panel has a red edge and cutouts for buttons and a camera, while the back panel features a textured design.
  10
A smartphone with a navy blue and white protective case, lying on a textured stone surface. The screen is displaying various icons and applications.
  1
A green bike helmet resting on a rustic metal pipe, featuring ventilation holes and an orange chin strap. In the background, blurred greenery and a stone wall can be seen.
  4
A close-up view of small, colorful cameras arranged on a dark surface. The camera in the foreground is blue with a metallic lens and a rainbow stripe, while other cameras in the background are red and black, each featuring similar design elements.
  1