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 person wearing a black cycling helmet and a green plaid shirt kneels on the ground in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a focused expression as they engage with their surroundings.
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A group of people sitting together at a table, enjoying a meal outdoors. One woman in the foreground is smiling with a piece of greenery in her mouth, while others in the background appear engaged and smiling as well. The setting features a casual, relaxed atmosphere with greenery and rustic decor.
A vibrant arrangement of various mountain bikes against a neutral background, featuring different colors and designs. A bold text overlay in the center reads "SAVE BIG ON THESE MTBS," highlighting a promotional offer.
A mountain biker rides along a dirt trail through a lush, green forest, surrounded by trees and grass. The scenery is vibrant with various shades of green, indicating a sunny day in nature.
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A close-up view of a person standing in a wooded area. The individual is wearing a green plaid shirt and Pearl Izumi Amfib Alpha insulated mountain bike pants. The ground is covered in fallen leaves, and greenery surrounds the scene, creating a natural, outdoor setting.
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A mountain biker leans into a turn on a dirt trail surrounded by trees in a wooded area. The rider is wearing a bright yellow helmet and a black and yellow jersey, showcasing an energetic posture as they navigate the curve of the track. Fallen leaves cover the ground, adding to the natural setting.
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Close-up of a bicycle's drivetrain, featuring an oval chainring and crankset labeled with "SRAM," along with a section of a tire with visible tread and dirt. The image captures the intricate details of the chain links and the connection between the components, highlighting the mechanical design of the bike.
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Image featuring a collection of mountain biking clothing and shoes, including three pairs of footwear in various colors and styles at the top, and an orange jacket, a black hooded jacket, and a plaid shirt at the bottom. The text "MTB CLOTHING SALE" is prominently displayed in orange at the center.
Four mountain bikes are displayed in a grid format on colored backgrounds. The top left bike is red with white branding. The top right bike features a sleek black design. The bottom left bike is light green, showcasing a unique frame design, while the bottom right bike is black with subtle detailing. Each bike has oversized tires and modern components, illustrating a focus on performance and style.
A person wearing a helmet and an orange shirt is riding a mountain bike on a dirt path surrounded by tall trees in a forest. The ground is covered with pine needles, and there are some brown leaves on the trees, indicating a late autumn or early winter setting.
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A side-by-side screenshot of a mobile and desktop version of Google News displaying articles from Singlettracks.com. The mobile view, on the left, features a mountain biker on a trail with headings for "Bike Trails," "Mountain Bikes & Gear," and "Mountain." The desktop view, on the right, includes various articles related to mountain biking, along with navigation options for "Home," "For you," and "Following."
Four outdoor clothing items displayed against a neutral background: a pair of blue pants with pockets, a mint green and black long-sleeve shirt, olive green shorts with a contrasting waistband, and a dark grey jacket with an orange zipper and hood.
A close-up image of a cyclist's knee, featuring protective 661 Recon knee pad with a white logo, against a backdrop of a mountain bike's frame and tire. The knee pad is black with colorful accents, and the cyclist is wearing a blue and pink outfit, with blurred natural scenery in the background.
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A light-colored gravel bike standing on a dirt trail surrounded by greenery, featuring a sleek frame design, drop handlebars, and wide tires suitable for off-road biking.
Image featuring outdoor apparel and accessories: a black beanie priced at $25, a pair of ski goggles labeled "SALE" with a $60 price tag, waterproof gray socks, and a pair of black pants. Additionally, there are four neck gaiters in different colors available for $10.
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Close-up view of a bicycle's rear derailleur and cassette, featuring a SRAM derailleur, with a blurred background of autumn leaves.
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A close-up view of a car's dashboard display screen showing a rear-view camera image with guiding lines. A hand is pressing an on-screen button, while various vehicle status indicators are visible on the screen. The display warns the user to check the surrounding area and be prepared to brake. The steering wheel is partially visible in the foreground.
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Marine Cabirou in a blue jersey and helmet performs a mid-air jump over a dirt trail, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage. The scene captures the excitement and skill of mountain biking in a natural setting.
Close-up of a YT Izzo mountain bike's drivetrain, featuring a blue frame, a detailed gear set, and the text "LIVE UNCAGED" displayed on the bike's frame. The background showcases a natural, wooded environment with fallen leaves.
A young child in a blue shirt and helmet rides a Specialized Riprock mountain bike on a dirt jump track, maneuvering over a small ramp in a grassy park with trees in the background.
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Close-up view of a purple mountain bike frame with the text "RIFTZONE" visible, alongside a dirty rear tire and components, set against a blurred green outdoor background.
Andreas Kolb poses with a YT Tues downhill race bike.
Mathieu van der Poel celebrates victory by raising their bike above their head at the finish line, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd with banners and flags.
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A close-up view of a mountain bike tire in motion, navigating a dirt trail with loose soil and fallen leaves. The background shows a natural terrain with rocks and vegetation, indicating an outdoor biking environment.
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A close-up image of a scale displaying a weight of 67 grams, with a black bicycle pedal placed on it. Next to the pedal are two screws, and a portion of a bicycle component is partially visible in the background, all set on a weathered, wooden surface.
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A group of mountain bikers navigating a steep, wooded trail during a race, with spectators cheering on the sidelines. The scene is set in a lush forest with greenery and a banner in the background indicating the location. Some riders are focused on their ascent while others are in different positions along the challenging course.
  5
A close-up of a bike handlebar with a GPS device displaying a map. The screen shows battery life at 85%, the time at 12:45, and route information with distance markers. The background features greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
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Alan Hatherly in a white jersey with rainbow stripes and black shorts rides uphill on a mountain bike, displaying concentration and effort. The background features a green landscape, suggesting an outdoor trail.
Screenshots of a mobile website interface showing the user following a page on Singletracks.com. The first screenshot displays an article about MTB trail trends. The second screenshot features a menu option highlighted with "Follow singeltracks.com," and the third screenshot confirms the user is now following Singletracks.com with a prompt to manage their following. The background has a gradient color.
A green bottle of Clausthaler non-alcoholic beer sits on a moss-covered rock, accompanied by a blue bottle opener and a bottle cap. Surrounding the scene are fallen leaves and greenery, suggesting a natural outdoor setting.
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Image showing winter deals for mountain biking and gravel cycling, featuring a pink mountain bike, a pair of black gloves, a smart bike trainer, and black cycling pants, with a snowy forest background.
A vibrant outdoor park featuring a circular green tunnel sculpture. A winding dirt path leads through manicured grass, with colorful letters scattered along the pathway. In the background, lush trees provide a scenic backdrop under a clear blue sky. Two green benches are positioned nearby, inviting visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
  5
A view of a leaf-covered backyard surrounded by trees in autumn, featuring a circular trench in the ground, a trampoline, and a patio area with chairs. The scene captures the warm colors of fall foliage and a peaceful natural setting.
  5
A pair of muddy shoes standing on a bed of gravel, with pants also covered in dirt. A backpack is visible nearby, showing signs of wear and dirt.
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Top view of a mountain bike handlebar featuring black grips and bright orange ends, set against a grassy outdoor background. The bike's front tire is visible, indicating an adventure-ready setup.
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A cyclist in a white helmet and tie-dye shirt leaps off a dirt ramp on a Transition Scout mountain bike, surrounded by blurred green foliage, conveying a sense of motion and adrenaline.
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A collection of red acrylic sheets with various cut-out shapes, featuring the logos "NINJA" and "APEX." The surfaces of the sheets have a slight dusting, indicating they may have been recently manufactured or handled. The sheets are stacked together, showing their intricate designs and cut features.
  3
A mountain bike with a light beige frame and black wheels, displayed against a mint green geometric patterned background.
A smiling man wearing a cycling helmet and sunglasses, standing outdoors with red rock formations in the background under a clear blue sky. He is dressed in a dark hoodie and has a beard, capturing a moment of enjoyment during a biking adventure.
  5
Cam Zink performing a jump over a dirt path on the Vacay, captured from a low angle with a fisheye lens. The background features rolling hills and clear blue skies, while the surrounding vegetation includes dry grass and sparse trees.
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Image featuring various mountain biking accessories available for under $50, including a black bike handlebar stem, a white helmet, a pair of black gloves with the GORE-TEX logo, a brown Patagonia pouch, and a black portable air pump labeled 'Fanttik', all set against a light purple background with the text "MOUNTAIN BIKE DEALS" prominently displayed.
A small, newly constructed restroom building with a peaked roof, made of wood and metal siding. Two entrance doors are visible, each labeled with gender symbols. A payment kiosk is mounted on the wall, and the building is surrounded by greenery and trees in the background. A concrete path leads up to the entrance, with gravel landscaping nearby. Brown's Mill mountain bike trail.
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A close-up view of a bicycle wheel rim on a textured surface, featuring a pink valve tool and several spokes attached to the rim. Sunlight casts shadows across the surface.
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A person in cycling gear riding a Tout Terrain Ceres gravel bike on a rocky trail surrounded by autumn foliage and trees.
A creative image featuring a pair of bicycle handlebars floating in a vast desert landscape under a clear blue sky. In the background, mountains are visible, with a small group of people on a hilltop. The scene evokes a sense of adventure and freedom in outdoor cycling.
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