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
 
Close-up view of a bicycle's drivetrain, featuring a white frame, chain, and gears, set against a textured stone background. The image highlights the bike's mechanical components, including the crankset and chain tensioner.
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Close-up view of a bicycle crankset featuring a SRAM XX1 chainring and crank arm, with a visible chain and tire in the background, set in a cycling event environment.
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Close-up of a bicycle handlebar featuring a textured black grip and a gear shifter labeled "SRAM X0," set against a blurred green background.
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Logo featuring "singletracks" at the top, three stars above, and a stylized mountain graphic. A ribbon at the bottom reads "Best MTB Gear 2012."
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A street view of a historic brick building featuring retail storefronts, with bicycles displayed in the large windows. The scene includes parked cars in front and greenery along the sidewalk, evoking a charming urban atmosphere.
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A winding dirt path through a lush forest, surrounded by tall trees and vibrant green ferns. The scene captures a peaceful, natural landscape with a mix of aspen and conifer trees under soft sunlight.
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A scenic view from a rocky outcrop surrounded by trees, overlooking a lush green valley below. The landscape features rugged terrain with scattered rocks and patches of grass, creating a natural and tranquil setting.
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Four individuals are engaged in outdoor work, arranging large stones in a wooded area. They are using garden tools such as shovels and hoes. The scene shows a sunny day with autumn foliage in the background, indicating a community service or landscaping activity.
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A green Trek mountain bike with black tires and yellow accents, positioned against a weathered gray wooden wall. The bike features a lightweight frame, front suspension, and flat handlebars.
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A dirt trail winding through a grassy landscape, surrounded by low shrubs and scattered vegetation, with a signpost indicating trail information. In the background, a panoramic view of rolling hills and distant mountains under a clear blue sky with a few white clouds.
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A close-up view of a Garmin Edge cycling computer mounted on a bike's handlebars, surrounded by fallen leaves in a natural setting. The device is secured with a blue elastic band.
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Bar and pie charts illustrating unrestricted revenue trends from 2006 to 2011. The bar chart on the left displays revenue growth in major categories, including individual support, grants, corporate giving, and trail consulting, with a significant increase noted over the years. The pie chart on the right shows the breakdown of total unrestricted revenue for 2011, amounting to $4.29 million, categorized into individual support, in-kind contributions, membership fees, and royalties.
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Three mountain bikers navigating a dirt trail surrounded by trees and wildflowers, with mountains in the background under a clear sky.
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A bottle of Eagletack beer sits on a wooden railing, with a blurred background of green trees and mountains. The sunlight creates a warm atmosphere, highlighting the beer's label and the natural setting.
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Close-up view of a bicycle handlebar and stem, featuring a black stem with branding and gold handlebars, set against a blurred green background.
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A panoramic view of a tranquil river winding through a rocky landscape, surrounded by green grass and sparse trees under a cloudy sky. The foreground features layered rock formations leading down to the water's edge, while the horizon showcases rolling hills and a serene, reflective surface of the river.
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A group of five mountain bikers navigating a rocky hillside covered in green grass and wildflowers. The riders are dressed in various cycling attire and are positioned at different points on the slope, showcasing the challenging terrain.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike's crankset, showing the chainrings, pedals, and chain. The components are slightly dirty, suggesting recent use on rough terrain. The focus is on the intricate details of the crank arms and chainring design.
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A mountain biker navigating over a large rock on a forested trail, surrounded by trees and greenery.
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A mountain bike positioned on a rocky trail with a scenic view of rolling hills and cloudy skies in the background. The bike features a black frame, knobby tires, and front suspension.
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A man riding a mountain bike on a trail with a young child seated in front, both wearing protective helmets. The scene is surrounded by trees and greenery, indicating a sunny day outdoors.
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A crowd of mountain bikers gathered at the starting line under a large inflatable arch marked "Kenda" in a misty, mountainous landscape. Participants are preparing for a race, with trees and fog creating a scenic backdrop.
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Assorted bicycle pedal components arranged on a wooden workbench, featuring various models from different brands, including Shimano. Tools are visible in the background, indicating a workspace focused on bike maintenance or repair.
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An event poster for "Pedalpalooza" at Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails in Woodstock, Georgia. The vibrant design features a colorful background with a bicycle gear graphic and playful text. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 5th, 2012, from 9 AM to 4 PM, highlighting group rides, bike games, demos, food, music, and more.
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A close-up view of a person's leg covered in mud or dirt, wearing a black flip-flop, standing on a gravel surface.
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A close-up view of two Garmin cycling computers mounted on a bicycle handlebar. The orange Garmin Edge 705 is prominently displayed, showing elevation data on its screen, while the black Garmin Edge 305 is positioned just next to it. The background features a natural trail environment, with a blurred focus on the ground.
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Black athletic shirt with a white stripe and a logo on the hem, partially obscured by green leaves.
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Three individuals hike along a dirt trail surrounded by lush green trees. One person, wearing a black shirt and holding a walking stick, stands on the path while looking ahead. Another person, dressed in red, is slightly further back, and a third person is kneeling down, possibly examining the ground or adjusting something. The scene captures a peaceful moment in nature, showcasing the vibrant foliage and earthy trail.
A man in a denim outfit rides a mountain bike on a dirt path, leaning forward as he navigates the terrain. The background features lush green hills and a clear blue sky.
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A rugged fat bike with wide tires leans against a large rocky outcrop, set in a rocky terrain. The bike features a minimalist design and is covered in dust, indicating recent use in an outdoor setting.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a trail in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by green hills and rocky peaks under a partly cloudy sky. The cyclist is wearing a helmet and an orange and gray shirt, carrying a backpack.
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A mountain biker in protective gear jumps over a rocky terrain during a competitive event, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. The scene captures the excitement and intensity of the race amidst a lush green forest backdrop.
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Close-up of a mountain bike brake caliper, showcasing its metallic components and the "ELXR" logo. The caliper appears slightly dirty, indicating use in outdoor conditions. The background features blurred greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
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A narrow dirt path meanders through a dense, foggy forest, with bare trees rising on either side. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and tranquility, as the fog obscures the view ahead.
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A person with short hair wearing a gray t-shirt and a black apron stands confidently with arms crossed in a workshop. The background features various tools organized on a pegboard, including wrenches and bike repair equipment.
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Logo for the 5 Points Recreation Area, featuring a stylized number 5 and the text "CLOUDLAND CONNECTOR" in a modern font, set against a background resembling a topographic map. The logo is enclosed in a triangular shape with a dark red and white color scheme.
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Close-up of a mountain bike front fork resting on fallen leaves, featuring a black and red bike frame in the background. The fork has white lower legs and gold stanchions, with branding visible on the side.
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A winding wooden pathway surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, showcasing the natural landscape and the design of the trail. The path curves gracefully, blending with the forest environment.
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A winding dirt trail through a dense forest of tall, straight trees, with a person in the distance wearing bright clothing. The ground is covered in pine needles and there are fallen branches along the path.
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A mountain bike with a muddy frame is leaning against a green military-style water tank in a wooded area. The ground is covered in dirt, indicating a rugged outdoor environment.
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A sign on a fence indicating "Propriedade Privada" (Private Property) with additional text about property rights, against a background of a rural setting featuring trees and a stone structure.
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A black mountain bike is positioned on a rocky surface in a wooded area, with trees and greenery in the background. The bike features larger tires and a sturdy frame, designed for off-road trails. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting shadows on the ground.
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A white cycling helmet with multiple ventilation holes, resting on green grass with some dried leaves nearby.
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A map of the United States showing varying levels of mountain biking trail solitude, with shades of green indicating different levels of solitude across various states. Darker shades represent areas with higher solitude, while lighter shades show lower solitude levels. The map includes Alaska and Hawaii, but the focus is primarily on the continental U.S. The title “MTB Trail Solitude” is displayed in the upper right.
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A group of people gathered around a bike display at an outdoor event. Two individuals are inspecting a mountain bike while others converse near a tent displaying the Giant brand. Various bicycles are lined up in front of the tent, surrounded by tall trees in a sunny setting.
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A close-up image of a bike bell attached to the handlebars of a bicycle. The bell has a shiny metallic surface, featuring a logo with a bicycle graphic and the word "SOMBA." The bell is secured with a black strap.
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A line graph depicting mountain bike ownership from 2008 to 2011, showing the percentage distribution of different types of bikes: 29ers (blue), FS (red), HT (orange), and Other (green). The graph illustrates changes in ownership trends over the four years, with percentages ranging from 0% to 100%.
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A pair of black and white cycling shoes placed inside an oven, with the oven lights on and metallic foil lining the rack below. The shoes show signs of use, indicating they are designed for cycling activities.
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