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 close-up of a mountain bike's rear section showcasing the drivetrain, suspension, and frame. The frame prominently displays the brand name "Giant" in bold lettering. The components include a black chainring, rear derailleur, and a coil shock absorber from RockShox, all mounted on a dirt-covered bicycle with a knobby tire. The background features a blurred natural landscape, suggesting an outdoor biking environment.
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A group of individuals poses outdoors, standing together in a forested area. They are holding a banner for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). The group consists of men and women of various ages, some wearing hats and casual clothing, with a dog sitting by one of the members. The background features green trees and a gravel path.
A person riding a mountain bike is performing a wheelie on a paved surface, with a chain-link fence and industrial structures in the background. The image includes graphic symbols suggesting sound or transmission.
A blue cycling helmet with a matte finish, featuring a close-up view that shows ventilation holes and a chin strap in blue. It includes a small logo on the side and a yellow sticker indicating it has MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology.
A group of four mountain bikers taking a selfie on a sunny trail, surrounded by greenery and hills. One cyclist is making a playful face in the foreground, while others can be seen smiling and giving thumbs up in the background. The cyclists are wearing helmets and sunglasses, with their bikes parked alongside the trail.
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A wooden trail sign indicating the Hatchery Creek Trail, with a bike symbol above it. The background features a wooded area with trees showing autumn foliage.
A close-up view of a person's leg with a black carbon fiber prosthetic limb featuring a logo, sitting on a grassy surface next to a folding chair. The person is wearing a cycling shoe on their other foot, and part of their leg is visible, indicating they are in a casual outdoor setting.
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A group of diverse volunteers wearing matching blue t-shirts gathers in a grassy area surrounded by trees. Some individuals are conversing, while others are engaged with their phones or enjoying refreshments. The scene captures a sense of community and teamwork during an outdoor event.
A person wearing a helmet and protective gear is riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail through a forested area, leaning into a sharp turn. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and trees surround the path.
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A cyclist performing a jump on a dirt bike track surrounded by green grass and trees under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
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A mountain biker riding on a winding trail through a lush, wooded area, with the question "Q: What is your favorite flow trail?" prominently displayed in white text.
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Alt text: A promotional poster for the 18th Annual Meet the Mountain Bike Pioneers event, scheduled for April 30, 2016, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The poster features vibrant colors and images of a mountain biker. It includes details on ticket prices ($15 for museum members, $20 for non-members), raffle items, and sponsors. Proceeds benefit Trips for Kids and the Marin Museum of Bicycling.
Aerial view of Crowders Mountain State Park, showcasing a lush landscape with vibrant fall foliage, a serene lake at the base, and the prominent Crowders Mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
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An infographic titled "Plus Bikes: The Breakdown," featuring a pie chart indicating user opinions on Plus bikes, a word cloud highlighting key attributes like "Fun," "Fast," "Stable," and "Confident," and a pyramid chart showing the distribution of bike types with "Trail" at 60%, "XC" at 24%, "Enduro" at 12%, and "Gravity/Other" at 3%. The chart also includes size categories for 27.5+ and 29+ bikes.
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A sunny outdoor scene at the Sea Otter Classic cycling event, featuring a large red and white banner overhead. Participants and spectators are gathered near the race track, with cyclists riding past and others standing by, enjoying the festivities. The atmosphere is lively, with tents and vehicles visible in the background, indicating a vibrant event setting.
Close-up view of a bicycle tire with the text "RANGER 3.0 26”" displayed prominently. The tire features a rugged tread pattern and includes a pink label that reads "SCRAPER." The image shows a wooden surface in the background, suggesting an outdoor or workshop setting.
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A close-up image of a black rubber grip handle with hexagonal cutouts and blue accents. The handle stands upright on a smooth surface, surrounded by bicycle or sports equipment in the background. The background features a bright yellow color, enhancing the focus on the grip.
A mountain bike resting on sandy terrain, surrounded by lush green vegetation and blue skies. The bike features thick tires, a sleek frame, and a contrasting saddle, showcasing its design for off-road biking.
A bright green cycling helmet with aerodynamic design resting on a dark table, accompanied by a pair of sunglasses featuring mirrored lenses. The background includes blurred tent structures and event setups, suggesting an outdoor cycling event.
A close-up image of a hand holding a clear sports water bottle with a white grip, positioned next to a bicycle frame with visible mounting attachments. The background features a yellow surface, highlighting the scene.
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A brightly colored Cannondale mountain bike displayed at an outdoor event, with green tents and branding in the background. The bike features large tires and a detailed suspension system, and is positioned on a bed of rocks, showcasing its rugged design. People in cycling attire are partially visible in the background.
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A close-up view of two sleek, modern pens resting on a dark fabric surface. One pen is transparent with black and yellow accents, labeled "NINJA," while the other pen is solid black with a gray cap. In the background, partially visible product displays can be seen.
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A black mountain bike with colorful accents is parked in a field of tall grass and purple wildflowers, with rolling green hills visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
A mountain biker's perspective showing a trail with overlay data including speed (10 mph), heart rate (127 bpm), power (324 watts), and elapsed time (2:16:08). The view includes dirt paths and greenery around, indicating an outdoor biking environment.
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A close-up of a person's lower body wearing beige shorts with a zippered pocket, set against a backdrop of rusty metal siding. The shorts feature a small logo near the hem. The person is wearing a red shirt.
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A close-up image of a smartphone mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, with a rugged phone case. The background features a blurred, natural setting with leaves.
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