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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Alt text: A colorful graphic featuring the phrase "The More You Know" with a rainbow effect on a gradient yellow and green background. On the right, a smartphone screen displays an image of a pumpkin and the app icon for "singletracks" at the top, along with status icons at the top.
A forest scene featuring three decorated bicycles beside Christmas trees adorned with ornaments and garlands, set against a backdrop of trees and a stone wall. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and the atmosphere appears overcast and misty. Village Park/ Abrams Rock mountain bike trail.
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A mobile screen displaying the Singletracks website, featuring a mountain biking path with greenery and dirt. Options to "Get Directions," "Add a Photo," and "Check In" are visible at the bottom, along with the website logo and time at the top of the screen.
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A cartoon image featuring two characters in a forested area. One character, dressed in a red shirt and blue pants, is standing on the left holding a piece of paper, while the other character, wearing a yellow shirt and a blue helmet, is sitting on a red mountain bike. The character on the bike humorously states, "Seems like I never crash when I have my pads on, so now I just wear them for good luck." The scene depicts a lighthearted interaction about biking safety.
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A forested area featuring a dirt bike jump under construction. A shovel stands upright on a pile of dirt, while colorful flags mark the site. In the background, a person stands on a finished jump, surrounded by trees and natural greenery.  Arundel Community Trails mountain bike trail.
A father and son biking together on a dirt path through a forest. The father rides a mountain bike, pulling the child, who is riding a yellow bike, with a tow rope. Tall trees and greenery surround them, creating a natural setting.
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Close-up of a bicycle helmet resting on a rock, featuring a built-in LED light on the front. The helmet has a dark gray color with ventilation holes and a hint of bright green visible inside. The light has three LEDs set within a dotted black casing. Natural outdoor setting in the background.
A close-up of a person's knee wearing protective padded cycling shorts, featuring a black and orange design. The background shows a natural, green forest setting with trees and foliage. The shorts have branding visible on them, indicating they are from the Pearl Izumi brand.
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A cartoon scene depicting two men in a garage, one kneeling beside a blue mountain bike while explaining its features to the other, who is standing with a smile. The dialogue bubble reads, “And with the flip chip, I can transform it from enduro to a gravel bike.” The background shows trees and a wooden fence.
Two fitness smartwatches are positioned on a soft blue background. The watch on the right has a black strap and displays heart rate data and workout statistics. The watch on the left features a white strap with additional information on its screen, including activity time, calories burned, and distance covered. Both watches are angled towards the viewer, showcasing their digital displays and sporty design.
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A humorous cartoon featuring a couple in a garage, looking at a red car with a mountain bike precariously balanced on the roof. The man, wearing a yellow shirt, is saying, "My bike has suffered more garage crashes than trail crashes," while the woman, in a pink shirt, has a surprised expression. The garage contains various tools and storage, emphasizing a cluttered, playful atmosphere.
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A close-up of a red sign displaying the words "WRONG WAY" positioned among trees in a wooded area. In the background, a cyclist rides along a path near a dirt mound, with parked cars visible further back. The ground is covered in fallen leaves.
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A blue mountain bike with black and brown tires sits on green grass in a natural landscape, surrounded by trees and tall grass under an overcast sky.
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A mountain biker wearing a helmet and protective gear stands beside his bike on a wooded trail, surrounded by tall trees and lush green foliage. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a dappled light effect on the forest floor.