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 mountain biker performing a mid-air trick over a dirt jump, with the bike inverted and the rider upside down against a clear blue sky and a backdrop of hills and greenery.
Two cyclists ride fat bikes through a snowy landscape, surrounded by tall evergreen trees. The cyclist on the left wears a red jacket, while the one on the right is in a bright green jacket. The snow is pristine, with tire tracks visible in the foreground, showing their path through the winter scenery.
  1
A smiling adult shakes hands with a young boy in a white shirt, both standing next to bicycles in a grassy area. In the background, several bicycles are lined up, with an individual in a green hat and jacket observing. The setting appears to be a community event or donation ceremony.
A young boy is working on a bicycle in a workshop. He is sitting on the floor with the bike elevated on a stand, focused on repairing the rear wheel. The bike is black with blue accents, and tools are visible nearby. The workshop has shelves filled with various items and a red container in the background.
A blue mountain bike with oversized tires is positioned on a snowy landscape, featuring ski attachments on the front wheel for winter riding. The background shows a snow-covered terrain under a cloudy sky.
  3
A serene forest pathway partially obscured by mist, surrounded by dense greenery and tall trees. The scene conveys a calm, mysterious atmosphere.
  3
Close-up of a Garmin camera lens mounted on a tripod, with a blurred natural background. The lens is prominently in focus, showcasing its circular shape and reflective surface.
  1
Desert landscape featuring two Joshua trees in the foreground, with rugged mountains in the background under a clear blue sky. The area is arid, with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain.
  1
A mountain biker navigates a narrow trail on a hillside, surrounded by lush green forests and rolling mountainous terrain. The view extends into the distance, showcasing layers of hills and valleys under a clear sky.
  10
Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with a dual LED headlight mounted on it, set against a blurred background of industrial machinery. The headlight features two round lenses and a sturdy black casing.
An opened device revealing its internal components, including a clear plastic bottle and a comb-like structure, along with visible wires. The device is partially housed in white plastic casing.
  5
Infographic titled "Night Riding: MTB at Dark" featuring statistics about mountain bikers. It includes three pie charts showing percentages: 42% of mountain bikers own a bike light, 55% have tried night riding, and 64% have access to night-legal trails. The background is dark with bold yellow text, highlighting the nocturnal activities of mountain bikers.
  16
Logo for NiteRider celebrating 25 years, featuring bold yellow text on a black background. The design includes the phrase "Born and Raised in San Diego, California."
Close-up view of a bicycle rear wheel cassette and derailleur, with a backdrop of pine needles. The image showcases the intricate details of the gears and mechanical components used for shifting gears on a bike.
  15
A close-up of a wrist holding a Garmin digital watch, displaying various metrics including speed (3.68), time (20:03), and altitude (16.6). In the background, blurred foliage can be seen, suggesting an outdoor setting.
  3
Aerial view of a sports track with overlaid GPS tracking data from various devices, including iPhone, Garmin, and Magellan, showing different running paths. The colored lines indicate routes taken by multiple users, while device names are displayed in a central text box.
  10
Aerial view of a running track with a GPS tracking path indicated in blue and yellow dots, showcasing the route taken during a run. The image includes a label for the Garmin Fenix 2 device used to track the run.
  52
Close-up view of a bicycle disc brake caliper, featuring a black metallic body with various components, including a brake line attachment and part of a disc rotor. The background is blurred, indicating an outdoor setting.
A person wearing a dark gray t-shirt featuring a graphic of a goat head in blue, with the text "ROCKS BELONG" and "ASAP MOUNTAIN BIKING TECHNICAL - LINEMATES" displayed below the graphic.
  4
A mountain biker navigates a wooden curved track in a lush forest setting, leaning into the turn for speed. The wooden structure is designed for biking, surrounded by trees and natural greenery.
  22
A close-up image of a black cycling shoe, featuring a sleek design with ridged details. The shoe has a dual strap closure system and a rigid sole suitable for performance cycling. In the background, there is a blue Shimano box partially visible. The shoe is displayed on a blue table surface.
A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail in a mountainous area. The scene captures a sunny day with blue skies and rugged terrain, showcasing the "Chutes and Ladders" biking trail in Fruita, Colorado. The trail is designated as 7 miles long with an intermediate difficulty level.
A close-up image of a silver helmet with a visor, equipped with a smartphone mount, on display at a trade show. The background features a banner for "VelocityClip," promoting a smartphone video mount, along with an image of a person using the product while riding a motorcycle.
  3
A beige mountain bike with wide tires, parked on rocky terrain with a backdrop of desert hills and blue sky.
Image of a 2015 Marin Mt. Vision XM9 mountain bike displayed against a blue background. The image promotes the chance to win the bike while supporting MCBC and A4B in opening new Marin singletrack trails. Text includes "RIDE MARIN," details about the raffle ticket price of $10, and a link to enter.
  1
A top view of a mountain bike suspension fork featuring a sleek black design with red and blue adjustment knobs. The fork is mounted on a gray bike frame, showcasing its modern engineering and functionality.
Image of two bicycle handlebars displayed on a black surface, with red labels reading "ETHER" positioned above each handlebar. The upper handlebar is straight, while the lower handlebar has a slight curve. The background is a solid color, providing contrast to the handlebars and labels.
  1
Close-up view of a bicycle's crankset and bottom bracket, featuring a blue Pinion gearbox and black crank arm, set against a neutral background.
  7
Close-up of a bike tire labeled "MAMMOTH" showcasing specifications including 26" x 4.00", 30 PSI, and 120 TPI, with a blurred background of a busy exhibition space.
Close-up of a bicycle handlebar equipped with a digital display device, showing various statistics and measurements. The display includes information such as gear position and battery status. Additional components, including a gear shifter and a sensor, are also visible, suggesting a high-tech cycling setup. The background includes bicycle-related graphics.
  1
Close-up of a bicycle frame featuring a decorative head tube badge. The badge is metallic with engraved text that reads "THOMSON" along with the words "est. 1981" and "Macon, GA Original." The background shows a blurred environment indicating a trade show or exhibition.
  1
A blue mountain bike resting on a rock, situated in a rugged, desert landscape with sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
  1
Mountain bike with a sleek black and red design, featuring wide tires, disc brakes, and a dual-suspension system, positioned against a plain background.
  4
Close-up view of a mountain bike's handlebars and stem, featuring a green frame, black handlebars, and visible brake cables. The bike's components include a red and black stem cap, indicating a sporty design suitable for off-road cycling. The background shows a dirt path, suggesting an outdoor setting.
  4
Close-up view of a mountain bike frame displaying the "Rocky Mountain Bicycles" logo and a "Stan's NoTubes" sticker, with a sandy outdoor background.
  1
Close-up view of a beige mountain bike frame with "URSA" printed on the top tube and a tag indicating "MADE IN USA." The image also features a large, textured tire, partially covered in dirt, set against a blurred natural background.
  2
Close-up view of a mountain bike leaning against a chain-link fence, with a focus on the rear wheel and drivetrain. The bike is partly covered in dirt, suggesting recent use on a rugged terrain. In the background, there are sparse shrubs and rocky ground, indicating a natural setting.
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
A blue mountain bike stands on a dusty trail surrounded by sparse vegetation and rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.
  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.
A mountain biker wearing a green helmet and black gloves rides a bike along a dirt trail, surrounded by lush greenery and mountainous terrain under a clear sky.
  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