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 forest pathway obstructed by fallen tree limbs, with signs indicating trail information partially visible. Surrounding the area are tall trees and dense greenery, suggesting a natural setting that has experienced recent disturbance.
A black and white map of St. Louis featuring various locations marked with bike icons. The bold text "FIVE 2 RIDE" is prominently displayed in the center, with a red location pin highlighting the number "2." The city name "ST. LOUIS" appears below.
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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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Alt text: Close-up of a mountain bike tire featuring the name "PACE," the size "29x2.10," and a pressure rating of "65 PSI," with additional tire patterns visible in the background.
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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 blue and orange cycling helmet positioned next to matching blue sunglasses, both featuring a sleek, modern design. The helmet showcases ventilation holes and an adjustable strap for comfort, while the sunglasses have a sporty aesthetic suitable for outdoor activities.
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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Alt tag: "Close-up view of a bicycle's drivetrain featuring a chain guide and a 1X drivetrain system, with visible dirt on the tires and frame."
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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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An image showcasing a winter landscape with snow-covered ground and dense trees in the background. Prominently displayed is the text "FIVE 2 RIDE MINNEAPOLIS" featuring a location marker icon. A fat-tire bicycle is positioned to the left, suggesting a focus on winter biking activities in Minneapolis.
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A male athlete stands confidently against a red brick wall, wearing a black cycling bib with a deep cutout and a black cap. He has his hands on his hips, displaying a focused expression, and the background features a smooth concrete surface.
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A close-up image of a person wearing protective gloves and a welding helmet, focused on welding a custom mountain bike frame. Bright sparks are flying from the welding torch as they carefully manipulate the metal components. The background is dark, highlighting the action of the welding process. Text overlay reads: "7% of mountain bikers own a custom MTB frame."
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A cyclist in bright orange gear rides a mountain bike along a dirt trail surrounded by trees, with autumn leaves scattered on the ground. The image features a design overlay indicating sound waves.
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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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A close-up view of several bicycles displayed in a shop, showcasing their handlebars and frames in various colors, including red, green, and blue. Price tags are attached to the bikes, and a softly blurred brick wall can be seen in the background, adding to the rustic ambiance of the store.
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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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Close-up of a person wearing black outdoor shorts with a zippered pocket, standing in a forested area surrounded by green foliage. The shorts feature a small logo on the hem and bright zipper accents.
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A mountain biker performing a jump over a log on a wooded trail, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Map illustration highlighting urban areas in the Midwest and Texas, with the title "Big City Singletrack" prominently displayed. The map features major streets and landmarks, including Minneapolis, against a contrasting dark background.
Two cyclists riding on a wooded trail, surrounded by trees and greenery, with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE CHICAGO" prominently displayed, featuring a location pin graphic. The image has a black and white filter with a hint of a colorful element in the text.
Map background featuring a gray topographic design, overlaid with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" in bold white letters. A red location pin icon is positioned over the text, and "DALLAS" is displayed below the main title. The image conveys a sense of navigation and location-based services in the Dallas area.
Image depicting a nature path surrounded by trees, featuring the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" in bold white letters, with a red location pin icon where the "2" is placed, and "HOUSTON" in smaller letters underneath. The overall tone of the image is monochromatic with a focus on the contrast between the text and the background.
Alt text: A forest trail with two mountain bikes parked on either side, featuring the text "FIVE 2 RIDE DETROIT" in bold letters, with a location pin graphic.
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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Close-up view of a mountain bike handlebar and grips, featuring textured black grips, brake levers, and a portion of the bike frame. The background shows a rocky surface with patches of green moss.
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A mountain bike resting on a rocky surface, with a vibrant orange and black frame. The background features a clear blue sky and sparse vegetation, suggesting a natural outdoor setting. The bike is equipped with high-performance tires and a water bottle attached to the frame.
A person riding a mountain bike along a dirt trail in a wooded area, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves. The scene is illuminated by natural light, creating a serene outdoor atmosphere.
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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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Close-up of a black Selle Italia SLR bike saddle, attached to a silver saddle rail, with green foliage in the background.
Mountain bike mounted on a repair stand against a brick wall, showcasing its suspension and gears. The bike is slightly dirty, indicating recent use.
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A smartphone displaying a topographic map app is placed on a detailed map, featuring hiking trails and elevations. The screen shows options for current location, elevation profile, and saving maps for offline use, with a signal icon overlaying 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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A wide view of rolling green hills and distant mountains under a clear blue sky, with a winding path visible through the landscape. An overlay symbol representing sound or audio is centered in the image.
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