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 rides along a dirt trail with a panoramic view of a town below and mountains in the background. The image is in black and white, capturing the texture of the landscape and the cyclist's focused posture. A distinctive hilltop with a structure on it is visible in the distance.
  2
Map titled "Most Popular MTB Trails by US State (2015)" showing various mountain biking trails across the United States. Each state is marked with its most popular trail, highlighted in teal, while less popular trails are noted in gray. The map includes states like Colorado, California, and New York among others, with specific trail names such as "Cuyuna Lakes" and "Allamuchy SP." Yellow dots indicate the location of the trails.
  15
Image of two Contour action cameras side by side, labeled "ROAM 2" and "ROAM 3" below each camera. The ROAM 2 has a sleek black design with a prominent lens and textured grip, while the ROAM 3 features a more refined look with a slightly different lens design. Both cameras are showcased against a black background.
A black bicycle wheel featuring a sleek rim design with spokes radiating from the hub. The rim displays white graphics and markings. The image showcases the wheel from a frontal perspective against a white background.
Image featuring a mountain biker in action, wearing a helmet and cycling gear, with the text "BULLS" prominently displayed. The background includes a blend of geometric shapes and colors, promoting the new BULLS bikes coming to the United States in 2015.
Alt text: Instruction manual for milKit installation showing steps to measure and refill tire sealant, including illustrations of the syringe and valve.
A collage featuring 21 different craft beer cans, arranged in two rows, with a bold label stating "21 Craft Beers to take Mountain Biking." The cans display various colorful designs and branding from different breweries.
  3
Close-up of a mountain bike tire with a tread pattern, partially muddy, featuring branding for Vee Tire Co. and WTB, set against a background of green grass.
  5
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Silhouettes of four mountain bikers on a ridge against a golden sunset, with mountain ranges in the background. Text overlay reads "Shimano Deore XT" and "Components of Adventure."
Alt text: A green Trek mountain bike stands against a textured gray wall. The bike features a front suspension fork with an orange accent, a black saddle, and knobby tires, indicating it is designed for off-road riding.
Close-up of a bicycle's crankset featuring a Shimano XTR drivetrain, showing the pedal, chainrings, and chain against a rugged outdoor surface.
A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail surrounded by bare trees in a forested area. The rider is leaning forward on the bike, wearing a helmet and a green and black cycling jersey. A water bottle is attached to the bike frame. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure and mountain biking.
  7
Image of a scenic singletrack trail through a wooded area, featuring a path bordered by trees and dappled sunlight. The image is accompanied by information about the Green Mountain trail, including its length of 3.4 miles, its starting point at the Deep Gap trailhead, and options for the path ahead. There are also navigation and website details visible alongside the image.
  1
A woman wearing a helmet and casual clothing stands beside a white mountain bike in a scenic outdoor setting, ready to ride. The background features lush greenery and a clear blue sky. Text on the image identifies her as a CNN Hero.
Close-up image of a mountain bike's suspension system, featuring a shiny gold Kashima Coat component. The suspension has a white top with visible dirt, suggesting it's been used in rugged outdoor conditions. The background is blurred, emphasizing the focus on the suspension piece.
Three mountain bikers riding along a dirt trail surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers, with rolling hills and forests in the background. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure and activity.
  5
A mountain biker navigating a rocky terrain during sunset, with vibrant sun rays illuminating the landscape. The biker, wearing a yellow helmet and white long-sleeve shirt, leans into the ride as they maneuver over the boulder. The scene captures the beauty of outdoor adventure and nature.
Close-up of a bicycle frame featuring the name "MINNESOTA 2.0" in bold lettering, with raindrops visible on the metallic surface. The background shows a snow-covered landscape with sparse vegetation and trees.
  4
Infographic about mountain biking travel trends. It highlights that mountain bikers take an average of 2 vacations annually, with an additional 2 trips where biking is not the main focus. Key statistics include that 62% of bikers travel to explore new trails, while 22% travel to discover new places. The top months for mountain biking travel are May, June, and September. A bar graph shows the typical trip lengths in nights.
  2
A person riding a fat tire bike on a snow-covered trail, surrounded by trees in a winter landscape. A second fat tire bike with a silver frame and blue rims is parked nearby, with a sign in the background indicating that the trail is open.
  4
A black fabric pouch next to a dual-lens LED light mounted on a small metal heat sink, with connecting wires visible on a granite surface.
  8
Bar graph illustrating the best mountain bike destinations with text reading "The BEST Mountain Bike Destinations." The background features a subtle topographic map design.
  3
A display of various Garmin smartwatches on a promotional table, featuring multiple models in different colors mounted on stands. A television in the background shows a video of a person jogging outdoors. Some attendees are interacting near the display.
A close-up view of bicycle tires and rims displayed at a trade show. The image features the "WTB Scraper" rim alongside a "Breakout" tire, with a dark background and a partially visible bag labeled with a logo.
  8
Close-up of two patterned tires stacked next to each other, showcasing the tread design and rubber texture against a blurred wooden background.
A close-up view of a fat tire bike wheel, featuring a thick, textured black tire and a white bike frame. The background consists of dry grasses and patches of snow, indicating a winter setting.
A collection of four bike racks, each designed to hold multiple bicycles. The racks are in different colors: red, orange, blue, and gray. Each rack features a modern, curved design with holders for securing bikes, showcasing their versatility and aesthetic appeal. The image highlights the various color options available.
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Black and white photograph of an underpass at night. The scene features a wide, empty street leading to a painted wall adorned with abstract floral designs. Soft lights illuminate the mural and the area beneath the overpass, casting shadows and creating a serene atmosphere. A sidewalk is visible on the right side, adding context to the urban setting.
  12
A cyclist standing next to a fat bike with snow-covered terrain and mountainous landscape in the background. The cyclist is wearing a vibrant red jersey and a helmet, while the bike is equipped with gear for winter conditions.
  2
A group of people gathered around a large bonfire on a snowy terrain at night, with sparks and smoke rising from the flames. In the background, there are buildings illuminated by artificial lights. The scene captures a social gathering, with attendees wearing winter clothing and some holding drinks or items.
Close-up of a bicycle's head tube featuring a vintage Motobecane badge. The badge displays a stylized red and black "M" with wings and the text "MOTOBECANE U.S.A." beneath it. The bike's frame is silver, partly illuminated by sunlight, with blurred background elements of a brick wall and concrete.
  7
A mountain biker in a black and white outfit performs a jump in a forested area, with trees in the background and dirt trails visible below.
  12
A mountain biker navigating over large rocks and boulders on a rugged trail. The rider is wearing a helmet and is focused on maintaining balance while riding. Lush greenery is visible in the background, highlighting a natural outdoor setting.
A user interface displaying details for a bicycle ride request. It includes a bike description (Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Sora) with specific features, ride reviews from two users, a map indicating the location (Poncey-Highland, Atlanta, GA), and profile information for the bike owner, Charles Q. The layout suggests options for scheduling a pick-up and drop-off time.
  4
A compact electronic device with a blue dial and control panel, connected by a wire to a cylindrical power connector. The device is attached to a sturdy, black fabric case, which is also visible in the image. The overall setup suggests it is an accessory for a larger system or equipment.
  20
Alt tag: "GoPro HERO4 action camera in a protective case, mounted on a stand, with a small external light accessory attached."
Infographic titled "All Hallows' Eve" featuring statistics and information about Halloween-related trends. It includes data on Halloween spending, top costumes, and safety tips. The design uses a mix of colorful charts, graphs, and icons related to Halloween festivities, highlighting key points in a visually engaging manner.
  8
A group photo of volunteers in front of a building with a sign reading "Trips For Kids." The diverse group includes adults and a child, all smiling and wearing name tags. They are dressed in casual attire, standing in two rows, with a mix of outdoor clothing styles. The atmosphere appears friendly and community-oriented.
Close-up of a bicycle crankset featuring a black pedal arm and a green chainring, with a silver bike frame in the background. The chain is positioned around the chainring, and fallen leaves are scattered on the ground.
  9
A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees on a sunny day. The biker is wearing a helmet and sports gear, captured in motion as they maneuver over the terrain.
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Two red bicycle hubs from Profile Racing, featuring detailed branding, positioned in front of two black bicycle rims with "Atomic" written prominently in red.
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Cycling GPS device mounted on a bicycle handlebar, displaying speed (0.0 mph) and distance (2.08 miles) on a screen with a map and route information in a forested outdoor setting.
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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.
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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.
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