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
 
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A bustling outdoor event scene featuring a wide dirt pathway flanked by vendor tents displaying various brands. People are walking and mingling, with some cycling, under a clear blue sky. The tents are marked with logos, and there are various flags and banners in the background, creating a lively atmosphere.
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A cyclist performing a jump on a mountain bike amidst a grassy landscape and bare trees, with a clear blue sky in the background.
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A mountain biker wearing a helmet and a yellow shirt rides down a steep, uneven set of stairs in a historic setting, while a photographer captures the action. The video title is "Extreme Mexican Mountain Biking."
A modern mountain bike with a white frame and orange accents, featuring front and rear disc brakes, knobby tires, and a suspension system. The bike is positioned on a flat surface, showcasing its sleek design and sturdy build.
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Close-up of a bicycle handlebar featuring a black grip with "Syncros" branding and measurement markings visible, set against a blurred background of red foliage.
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A group of cyclists in colorful jerseys and helmets prepare for a race, lined up on a road with spectators in the background. The cyclists include both adults and youths, and various bicycles are visible. The scene is set in a hilly area, with greenery and a banner promoting the event nearby.
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A mountain biker in a red jersey jumps off a wooden ramp into a wooded area, with trees surrounding the scene. Below, a small group of people watches from a dirt path, observing the action amidst a natural landscape.
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A street view image showing the exterior of a modern building located at 882 W Madison St, Waterloo, WI, United States. The entrance is visible along with landscaping and signage indicating the street name. A flag is also seen in the background.
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Poster for the film "Klunkerz," featuring a vintage-style design with the title prominently displayed. The background includes a group of people, likely mountain bikers, along with the tagline "They re-invented the wheel." The poster lists contributors to the film, showcasing various names associated with mountain biking. The overall aesthetic suggests a nostalgic look at the history of mountain biking culture.
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Image comparing two types of tire treads: the left shows a siped center tread with multiple small grooves for improved traction, while the right displays a clipped center tread designed for enhanced stability and performance.
A split image showing two scenes: on the left, a person in a bright green cycling outfit stands next to a rocky outcrop, with a red arrow indicating the trajectory of a fall; on the right, a close-up of a green wallet with visible damage, captioned "Cassie's Jimi wallet post impact."
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A mountain bike with a brown and red frame, featuring front suspension, disc brakes, and thick tires, parked in front of a garage door.
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Image showing various components of the SRAM XX bicycle drivetrain, including derailleurs, crankset, and other related parts, with the text "Sub 2300g incl brakes" prominently displayed.
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A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a gray baseball cap, standing outdoors at an event with tents and people in the background.
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A mountain biker jumping off a dirt ramp in a forested area at sunset, with mountains visible in the background. The scene captures the action and excitement of extreme biking in a natural setting.
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A detailed map of the Pass'Portes du Soleil VTT for 2008, highlighting mountain biking routes in the Les Gets, Morzine, and Avoriaz areas. The map features marked trails, elevation details, and various points of interest. Key locations are labeled, including Les Lindarets and surrounding terrain, with a legend indicating symbols for different route types.
A serene forest path covered with fallen leaves in autumn, featuring a small wooden bridge crossing over a shallow area. The surrounding trees display vibrant orange and yellow foliage, creating a warm, tranquil atmosphere. A backpack hangs on a tree in the background, adding a touch of human presence to the natural scene.
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A computer screen displaying TopoFusion software, featuring a 3D terrain map with a highlighted red trail, an elevation profile graph showing altitude changes over distance, and statistics such as distance, total climbing, and heart rate. The map is centered at coordinates 33.80407, -84.31646.
Group of cyclists riding at night, illuminated by bike lights, with blurred motion creating a dynamic effect in a dark environment.
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Map of Grand Mesa National Forest showcasing the mechanized travel routes on the north side, labeled as Alternative 1. The map features various terrain types with outlined travel routes highlighted in yellow. Additional information is provided in the legend, including symbols for different travel designations and a description of the area's features.
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A close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring an orange GPS device mounted on it, displaying a map interface. The background shows a dirt trail surrounded by fallen leaves and trees, indicating an outdoor setting suitable for biking or hiking.
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An orange and black handheld GPS device displaying a topographic map with a trail, current speed of 0.2 mph, and altitude of 640 feet, mounted on a bicycle handlebar.
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Close-up view of a bicycle hub with blue spokes and a metallic finish, showcasing the intricate design and components of the wheel assembly.
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