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 person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail. They are wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and a dark jacket, with shorts and gloves. The background features dry grass and trees, indicating an outdoor setting.
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A large hillside with the letters "LU" prominently displayed in white and burgundy, surrounded by lush green trees under a bright sky.
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A man sitting on a rocky surface under a bridge, wearing a red sweatshirt and gray pants, with a blue bicycle leaning against a wall beside him.
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A blue and black mountain bike with a modern design, featuring front suspension, disc brakes, and a gear system. The bike is positioned against a white background, highlighting its sleek frame and components.
A white and black dirt bike is parked on a rocky terrain, showcasing its rugged tires and lightweight design. The bike is positioned on a black stand, with a backdrop of red rock formations and dry grass, emphasizing its off-road capabilities.
Magellan Triton GPS device featuring a color touchscreen display with navigation options including Waypoint, Place, Trail, Geocache, Route, and Trips. The device has an orange and black ergonomic design, with a circular navigation button and control keys.
Map of Colorado Springs, Colorado, displayed in Google Maps interface, showing terrain features and nearby search options.
Compact handheld GPS device displaying a colorful map on its screen, featuring a rugged design with buttons on the side.
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Two men in outdoor apparel handling a deer carcass on a forest path, with bicycles nearby. One man is wearing an orange safety vest and helping to lift the deer onto the bike, while another man in camouflage observes. Pine trees surround the area, indicating a hunting or outdoor setting.
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Alt tag: "A QUARQ cycling computer displaying various metrics, including wattage, cadence, speed, heart rate, lap time, and distance."
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A person crouches near a stream, beside a wooden display featuring a sign that reads "DIDY-GO" and bottles of a product. The surrounding area is lush with greenery.
A winding dirt path through a tranquil forest, surrounded by tall trees with a mix of green and autumn-colored leaves. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and the path leads into the distance, inviting exploration of the serene, natural landscape.
A person wearing an orange shirt and helmet is riding a mountain bike, positioned in a natural outdoor setting with a clear sky in the background. The rider appears focused and poised, with a backpack on, showcasing a dynamic cycling posture.
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A winding dirt path cuts through a grassy landscape, surrounded by low hills and scattered rocks under a partly cloudy sky.
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A mountain biker riding down stone steps near a historic archway, surrounded by large rocks and ancient stone walls. The scene is set against a clear sky, highlighting the cyclist's action.
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Close-up image of a black insect, commonly referred to as a stinkbug or clown beetle, positioned on a surface of small gravel or dirt. The insect is shown from a top-down angle, highlighting its distinct body shape and long antennae.
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An illustration featuring a cyclist in an unusual position, riding a bicycle with a skeletal spine incorporated into their body. The background is green, and the text "Riding the SPINE" is displayed in a stylized font above the figure.
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A Garmin Edge 605 GPS device displaying a map with speed and heading information, featuring a gray casing and a black screen with navigation details.
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A red and silver mountain bike with wide tires, front suspension, and disc brakes, positioned on a white background.
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Close-up view of two bicycle pedals, showcasing their metallic design and adjustable cleat system. The pedals are silver with black accents, featuring the brand logo on one side and a threaded spindle for attachment to a bike.
A DVD cover for the film "2 Solo," featuring a close-up of a cyclist wearing a helmet and sunglasses, along with two mountain bikers riding on a dirt path. The title "2 Solo" is prominently displayed in blue, and the cover also includes branding from sponsors like Nike and Trek, as well as a note that it is from the producers of "Off Road to Athens."
Screenshot of the Singletracks website displaying options to download various file formats (GPX, Google Earth KML, Garmin Edge) for mountain bike trails, specifically for Blodgett in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The interface features a section with labeled download buttons and a map outline.
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A DVD case for a cycling workout titled "Cycling Pedaling Strength," featuring an image of a cyclist in action on the cover. Next to it, a black DVD disc is placed in a clear case. The disc is labeled "Singletrack MENDS."
A shiny bicycle cassette resting inside an open cardboard box, showcasing its intricate gear teeth and central sprocket. The box has a light brown color and is partially closed, with the cassette visible from above. The background is a dark surface, emphasizing the metallic shine of the cassette.
A red mountain bike displayed on a platform at an exhibition, with two people conversing in the background. The bike features thick tires and a minimalist frame design, alongside logos for Mavic and Adidas in the backdrop.
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