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 navigating a winding path through a wooded area in late autumn, surrounded by bare trees and fallen leaves on the ground.
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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Graphic design featuring a stylized mountain bike in front of an artistic background that includes the Statue of Liberty and text reading "The Ellsworth Economic Recovery Plan." The overall tone combines elements of patriotism and outdoor recreation.
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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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Close-up image of a bicycle handlebar featuring a textured gray grip, a brake lever labeled "STROKER," and a metallic brake mechanism. The background shows a rocky surface and some natural elements.
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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.
A cyclist riding a mountain bike superimposed over a line graph displaying fluctuating data trends over time. The graph features a notable peak and dip, with time markers from September to February.
Group of cyclists riding at night, illuminated by bike lights, with blurred motion creating a dynamic effect in a dark environment.
Worn fingerless glove resting on a hand, showing signs of use with dirt and debris on the surface. The background features a wooden deck and grassy area.
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A custom mountain bike leaning against a stone wall, surrounded by dry leaves and trees in a forested area. The bike features a sleek frame with a mix of colors, large tires, and a front suspension fork, suggesting it is designed for off-road cycling.
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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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A Clif Bar energy bar package with a design featuring a climber scaling a mountain. The flavor is "Crunchy Peanut Butter," and it highlights that the bar is made with organic oats and soybeans. The package emphasizes nutrition for sustained energy, with the net weight listed as 2.4 oz (68g).
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A person wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and winter clothing stands next to a fat bike equipped for snow cycling. The individual has a reflective sign on their jacket and is positioned in a snowy landscape with sparse trees in the background. A sign can be seen behind them, indicating a trail or pathway.
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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Close-up of a bicycle tire with the brand name "Kenda" visible, showcasing a blue rim and a valve stem for inflation. The tire is described as tubeless and features twin pair spokes, suitable for racing. The background is blurred, highlighting the wheel.
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A person sitting on a mountain bike in a forested area, surrounded by tall pine trees. The individual is wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, smiling slightly while resting one hand on the bike. The atmosphere is serene with an overcast sky.
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A person in a helmet riding a small orange bike down a narrow, rugged dirt trail surrounded by trees and greenery. The rider is leaning forward, navigating a steep section of the trail.
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A group of mountain bikers in bright jerseys and helmets, lined up on a road for a race, surrounded by spectators. The setting includes greenery and a hillside in the background, with a banner visible on the right side of the image.
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A fitness instructor stands in front of three exercise balls of different colors, speaking to the camera in a gym setting. The background features exercise-related items and a door leading to another room. A play button indicates it's a video.
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A mountain bike tire lying on the ground next to a red hand pump. The pump features a gauge on top, and two tire levers in red and black are placed nearby. The surface beneath is concrete with some dirt and small debris.
Close-up of a mud-splattered race bib number 21 attached to a bicycle at an outdoor endurance event, with a blurred background of a rider's leg.
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Close-up view of a bicycle's drivetrain, featuring a brown frame, crankset, and chain. The rear wheel is visible with a knobby tire, set against a textured concrete background.
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Smiling man wearing a gray baseball cap and reflective sunglasses, standing outdoors at a busy event. The background features tents and people, suggesting a festive atmosphere.
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A person performing a pull-up on a metal bar, viewed from behind. The individual has muscular arms and is wearing a sleeveless black shirt, with a clear blue sky in the background.
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A person wearing a helmet stands beside a mountain bike in a wooded area, adjusting the bike while surrounded by trees and foliage.
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Two mountain bikers navigate a rocky trail on a scenic overlook, with vast desert landscapes and distant mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
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A close-up of a male cyclist with tousled hair, wearing a black and red helmet and a red cycling jersey, showing a dirty and exhausted expression after a race. Mud is visible on his face, indicating he has been competing in challenging conditions. In the background, another cyclist is partially visible, also in a red helmet.
Colorful party hats and noise makers on a white background. The hats are metallic with blue, red, and green polka dots, featuring fringed edges. Two shiny noise makers in red and gold are also present, adding to the festive atmosphere.
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