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
 
  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.
Close-up view of the rear wheel of a bicycle, featuring a thick tire with "Maxxis" branding and a visible gear mechanism. The bike is situated in a workshop environment, with additional wheels and tools in the background.
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
Close-up view of the handlebars and control levers on a green mountain bike, set against a dark background. The image highlights the texture of the grips and the brake and shifter mechanisms.
  2
A close-up view of the front fork of a mountain bike, set against a rocky terrain background. To the left, text encourages viewers to participate in the 2014 MTB Gear Survey, while a bar chart displaying survey data is shown in green and blue shades.
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
A mountain biker navigates a winding trail through a lush green forest of tall aspen trees. The cyclist is wearing a helmet and colorful biking gear, capturing the essence of outdoor adventure and mountain biking in a natural setting.
  2
An elevation profile and terrain map showing a marked trail, with a red path outlining the route through mountainous terrain. The map features various landmarks and contour lines, while a graph at the bottom illustrates the elevation changes over distance.
  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.
A motocross rider performing a jump over a dirt ramp, captured in multiple stages of the aerial maneuver. The scene includes a trajectory line illustrating the arc of the jump, with a close-up inset showing the rider in mid-air. The background features a green landscape under a clear blue sky.
  4
A person riding a mountain bike through a lush green landscape with tall trees and a bright blue sky in the background. The cyclist is wearing a green helmet and gear, navigating a grassy area surrounded by nature.
  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
A person riding a mountain bike over a rocky surface in a forested area, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves. The individual is wearing a helmet and shorts, demonstrating a dynamic riding posture.
  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
A close-up image of a brightly colored, worn shoe resting on a large stone, surrounded by natural elements such as dried leaves and small plants. The shoe features a black toe with red accents and visible text printed on the side.
  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
Topographic map showing the Ashcroft area, including elevation contours, landmarks such as McArthur Mountain and nearby trails, with a focus on the layout of the surrounding terrain and waterways. The map indicates various hiking routes and notable features like a waterfall.
  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
A close-up view of a bicycle tire on a muddy trail, showing tread patterns and dirt accumulation. The surrounding area features a mix of dirt and fallen leaves, indicating a natural outdoor setting.
  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
A hiker walking along a narrow trail in a forest, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the branches. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
  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.
A mountain bike parked on a bed of fallen leaves in a forested area, surrounded by trees with golden and green foliage. The bike features a sleek frame and is equipped with a water bottle holder. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene outdoor atmosphere.
  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.
Logo for Nite Riding Mountain Bikers, featuring the letters "NR" in bold yellow on a black background, with the text "NITE RIDING" and "MOUNTAIN BIKERS" in contrasting white and black. The design is enclosed in a yellow and black shield shape.
  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
A silver mountain bike decorated with a large red bow, positioned next to a decorated Christmas tree. The background features a cozy living space with a rug and window light.
A cloudy outdoor scene featuring several banners for various sponsors at a biking event. People are gathered near tents and a vehicle, with smoke rising from a nearby area, indicating an activity may be taking place. The ground is rocky and there are trees in the background.
  4
A mountain bike parked on a rocky shoreline near a calm body of water, with icebergs scattered in the water and a cloudy sky above.
  4
A close-up view of a folded topographic map depicting mountainous terrain, featuring contour lines, trails, and labeled geographic features. The map includes vibrant colors highlighting different elevations and landscapes.
  9
A close-up image of a gray water bottle attached to the frame of a mountain bike, surrounded by greenery and leaves. The bottle is secured with a metal holder, showcasing its practical design for outdoor activities.
  5
Google Glass GDK announcement event in San Francisco. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
  4
Book cover for "How to Mount Aconcagua: A Mostly Serious Guide to Climbing the Tallest Mountain Outside the Himalayas" by Jim Hodgson. The cover features a scenic mountain landscape with a climber in silhouette. A green box promotes purchasing the book on Amazon.
  1
Infographic titled "King of the Mountain," featuring data and statistics related to mountain climbing. It includes graphs, percentages, and historical context from 1977, along with visual elements like mountains and various icons. The infographic highlights aspects such as the number of climbers, challenges faced, and survey results regarding mountain climbing experiences.
  14
White and black bicycle helmet placed on a bike handlebar, with a forest backdrop featuring a tree and greenery.