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 mountain biker navigates a dirt trail in a forested area, with a wooden sign indicating "No Walking" attached to a tree. Dust kicks up behind the cyclist as they ride, surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees.
Pie chart displaying the distribution of navigation tools used, with segments for: App (35.4%), App + GPS (23.9%), None (17.6%), GPS (12.3%), App + GPS + (6.2%), and Cyclocomputer (4.6%). Each segment is labeled with its corresponding percentage.
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Close-up of a bicycle saddle mounted on a seat post, positioned against a backdrop of green foliage. The saddle is black, featuring the brand name "Selle Italia" and the model designation "SLR." The seat post is black and includes a cable indicating it may have an adjustable height mechanism.
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A cross-sectional view of a Rohloff internally geared hub, showcasing its intricate internal mechanisms, including gears and cogs, with a blue outline. The image also features a statistic indicating that 3.4% of mountain bikers own an internally geared drivetrain.
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A close-up view of a mountain bike navigating over rocky terrain, with one wheel positioned on a large stone and the surrounding dirt path visible. Sunlight illuminates the bike's vibrant colors, and lush greenery can be seen in the background. The cyclist is partially visible, wearing bright shorts and preparing for the next challenge on the trail.
A Garmin cycling GPS device displayed from multiple angles, showcasing its training status screen on the left, a detailed map on the center display, and a side view with a mounting bracket on the right.
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Digital hanging scale displaying a weight of 24.88 lbs, with a maximum capacity of 25 kg (55 lbs). The scale has a bright red casing and features buttons for power, zeroing, and mode adjustments. The background is blurred, indicating an indoor setting.
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Favorite Mountain Bike Stems
A group of young cyclists in colorful jerseys and helmets is starting a mountain biking race on a dirt path. Dust is being kicked up as they pedal forward, surrounded by spectators cheering them on. The scene captures the excitement and energy of the event.
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Top Trail Bikes of 2017
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A cyclist in a black helmet and sports attire rides a mountain bike through a rugged landscape, featuring colorful vegetation and rocky terrain in the background.
A winding dirt bike trail curves through a sparse forest. The path is surrounded by leafless trees and scattered fallen leaves, creating an autumnal atmosphere. An overlaid graphic of sound waves adds a visual element to the scene.
Close-up view of an electric mountain bike handlebar control, featuring a Yamaha display with buttons for adjusting settings, alongside a graphic indicating "1.2% eMTB." The background shows a blurred fence, emphasizing the focus on the control unit.
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A group of mountain bikers gathered in a wooded area before a ride, with various bicycles parked nearby. Some participants are wearing cycling gear and helmets, while others are socializing and preparing for the event. A natural backdrop of greenery enhances the outdoor atmosphere.
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A close-up image of a bicycle handlebar featuring an orange LED light mounted securely on a black bracket. The handlebar has red rubber grips, and the background consists of greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
Close-up image of a bicycle's rear drivetrain component, showcasing the linkage and details of the black frame. Overlaid text reads "30% BOOSTED."
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Two mountain bikers navigating a lush, green forest trail, with vibrant foliage surrounding them. An overlay graphic highlights "Southern Highlands Traverse" and indicates the route from Front Royal, VA, to Flagg Mountain, AL.
Best Mountain Bike Trails in the World
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Digital display showing a Shimano bike computer mounted on the handlebar, indicating a gear reading of 1.4% along with options for shift mode and suspension mode. The background is blurred, emphasizing the bike computer's details.
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A mountain biker performing a jump over a log on a wooded trail, surrounded by lush green foliage.
A group of cyclists is gathered around a white van in a wooded area, with bicycles being repaired and maintained. One bike is mounted on a repair stand, while two cyclists are engaged in maintenance work. The scene captures the camaraderie of outdoor cycling activities, surrounded by trees and gravel.
High-performance mountain bike with a two-tone red and yellow frame, set against a lush green forest background. The bike features thick tires, a rear suspension system, and a water bottle holder, showcasing its suitability for off-road riding.
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A graphic showing a map of Northeast Philadelphia, highlighting biking trails and parks, with a prominent silhouette of the city's skyline at the top. The words "Big City Singletrack" and "Northeast" are featured prominently.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a gravel trail surrounded by lush green trees, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. An abstract graphic symbol indicating live streaming is overlaid on the image.
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A black and red bicycle helmet with ventilation holes, resting on a stone surface, with raindrops visible on its surface, and a blurred natural background.
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