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 humorous cartoon depicting a man in a yellow shirt and a black helmet climbing a steep hill while carrying a mountain bike. The scene features green pine trees in the foreground and a clear blue sky in the background. The caption at the bottom reads, "Now the bike rides Jim."
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 backpack with a divided interior showing neatly rolled clothing items in various colors, alongside a turquoise bicycle helmet. The compartments are organized, highlighting the practical use of space for storage.
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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.
An artistic book cover featuring a smiling man with a mustache, wearing sunglasses and a purple hat. The background has a vibrant, patterned design, and the title reads "Eary Fisher and the Bicycle Revolution." The book is placed on a wooden surface alongside a pair of eyeglasses and a small green plant.
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A cartoon scene featuring two men in a motorcycle showroom, looking at various colorful motorcycles. One man is dressed in a bright yellow shirt, while the other wears a red shirt. Above them is a sign that reads "Acme Motorcycles." The caption below indicates a humorous remark about the price of motorcycles compared to mountain bikes.
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A group of officials and community members gathered under a tent for a ceremonial event. They are holding a large check that reads "Cocke County Partnership" with an amount of $6,000,000. The individuals are wearing masks and pose together, smiling for the photo, with some dressed in coats and formal attire. The setting appears to be outdoors, indicating a community event focused on funding or partnership initiatives.
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A mountain bike parked on a dirt path in a forest, with tall pine trees and a fallen log in the background. The bike features thick tires and a sturdy frame, surrounded by natural foliage and pine needles.
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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 map displaying mountain bike trails in Sedona, Arizona, featuring various colored routes and key points of interest. The map is accompanied by an embed code section for integrating the trail information into websites.
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 mountain biker leaning into a turn on a dirt trail covered with autumn leaves, surrounded by lush green trees in a forest. Another cyclist can be seen in the background on a separate path.
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.
A blue and purple mountain bike with a lightweight frame, front suspension, and knobby tires, set against a bright yellow background.
A mountain bike with a sleek green frame, positioned among ferns and undergrowth in a natural setting, highlighting its sturdy tires and detailed gearing.
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.
Close-up of a mountain bike's adjustable dropper seat post, featuring a black and orange design, set against a blurred forest background. The bike's turquoise frame is partially visible, showcasing its vibrant color in a natural setting.
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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 black multi-tool wrench with a textured handle, designed for specific applications, featuring a circular opening with four small pegs and the label "10T." The wrench is set against a light blue background.
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.
A mountain bike rests on a trail surrounded by autumn foliage, with fallen leaves covering the ground and trees in the background. The scene captures a peaceful moment in a wooded area during the fall season.
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An arrangement of bicycle parts, featuring black handlebars wrapped in red and black tape, two red rubber grips, a pair of red metal bike pedals, and a black saddle with a red graphic design. All items are displayed on a dark background for contrast.
Trail sign indicating a bike trail. It features symbols for biking and directional arrows, with text indicating trail availability (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). The background shows a wooded area with fallen leaves.
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A black bicycle chainring with multiple teeth and cutouts, displayed against a light green background.
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Mountain bike parked on a bed of autumn leaves near a creek, with trees in the background. The bike features a sleek white frame, black front fork, and wide tires designed for rugged terrain.
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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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