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
 
Close-up of a bicycle handlebar featuring a black and orange design, showcasing the grip and brake lever against a blurred green natural background.
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Aerial view of a small town surrounded by mountains, captured in black and white. The town features a grid of streets, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with trees and open land visible in the surrounding landscape.
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A person in a red shirt rides a mountain bike along a trail in a lush green forest, surrounded by trees and underbrush. The cyclist leans into the turn while wearing a helmet with an action camera attached. Sunlight filters through the leaves, illuminating the dirt path.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire, featuring the tread pattern and details such as the brand "AVL," size "2.4x29," and information indicating it is tubeless ready. The background is a blurred green forest setting, suggesting an outdoor environment suitable for biking.
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A red inflatable boat with a bicycle resting on it, positioned at the edge of a calm lake. The shoreline features sandy areas and scattered branches, with a distant island visible on the water. The sky is clear with a few clouds, suggesting a peaceful outdoor setting.
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A person riding a mountain bike is smiling while resting on a gravel path in a dense forest. The surrounding area features tall trees and lush greenery, with another path visible in the background where two hikers are walking.
A plate displaying a "Drip Test" comparison featuring various substances: a small green dot of slime, a pink drip, and several others labeled as Muc-Off, Stans, Orange Seal, and a finish line marking, placed horizontally across the plate. The background shows a textured surface, adding context to the test setting.
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A close-up image of a mountain bike leaning against a wall covered in lush green ivy. The bike features prominent, textured tires and black suspension forks with orange branding, showcasing its rugged design in a natural setting.
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Close-up of a bicycle tire tread, showcasing its detailed patterns and texture, with a blurred green background that suggests an outdoor setting.
Close-up of a black bicycle wheel hub with the logo "Reynolds Cycling," set against a textured tree trunk and green foliage in the background.
A cyclist in a blue and green jersey rides a mountain bike along a dirt trail in a lush forest. The image captures a dynamic moment as the rider navigates through the trees, showcasing the vibrant greenery and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.
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Close-up image of a bicycle wheel showing a textured tire with a knobby pattern, a portion of the bicycle frame in vibrant blue, and a brake mechanism. The background features a blurred, natural landscape with leaves and soft lighting.
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Close-up of a mountain bike tire showing the tread pattern and specifications, with a blurred background of a green forest. The tire is labeled "GJT 2.5x29," indicating its size and type. The image captures the bicycle wheel positioned on a natural, leaf-covered ground.
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Three mountain bikers are standing on a hillside, overlooking a lush green landscape under a cloudy sky. One biker, wearing a blue shirt and helmet, has his hands on his hips while another, clad in a black shirt with a logo and a red helmet, stands next to his bike. The third biker, wearing a light plaid shirt and a helmet, is slightly turned away from the camera. Bikes are positioned beside them, and the scene captures a moment of appreciation for nature and the outdoors.
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A collection of black bike dropper seat posts arranged closely together on a white surface, showcasing various lengths and adjustment markings.
A mountain biker performing a jump on a dirt trail surrounded by lush green trees. The rider is wearing a helmet and sunglasses, and is in an action pose as he pedals down the path. Sunlight filters through the foliage, creating a vibrant and dynamic outdoor scene.
Two mountain bikers navigating a rocky trail on a hillside surrounded by trees, with a scenic valley and distant mountains visible in the background. The sky is clear, showcasing a bright and sunny day.
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Close-up of a mountain bike tire with rugged tread, set against a blurred green forest background. The focus is on the tire's texture and design, emphasizing its suitability for off-road terrain.
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Two men riding bicycles on a dirt path through a wooded area. One man, wearing sunglasses and a plaid shirt, leans forward on his bike, while the second man, in a helmet and black attire, pedals closely behind him. The scene is set under a clear blue sky, surrounded by green trees and dry grass.
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A close-up image of a black bicycle dropper post, featuring the brand name "ONE" and the model "TWOFORTY" printed on it. The background shows a blurred natural landscape with green trees and grass.
A group of mountain bikers gathered on a rocky terrain surrounded by red rock formations and greenery under a blue sky with wispy clouds. In the foreground, a large agave plant is visible on the red rocky surface.
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A close-up of a cyclist's foot wearing a black mountain biking shoe with two adjustment dials, positioned on a bicycle pedal amidst lush green foliage and pink flowers.
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A cyclist riding a gravel bike on a narrow trail surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a forested area. The rider is wearing a helmet and sunglasses, showcasing a focused expression as they navigate the path. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a vibrant and dynamic outdoor scene.
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Close-up of a metal bicycle frame component, showcasing intricate details like holes and welds, in a black and white setting. The background features blurred outlines of additional frames hanging in a workshop environment.
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A young woman holding a silver bicycle frame in a grassy outdoor setting at night. She is wearing a light blue tank top and green shorts, smiling at the camera. In the background, there is a wooden ramp and some greenery.
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A close-up view of a Suunto smartwatch on a person's wrist, displaying the time as 2:23 PM and various activity metrics. The screen shows icons for fire, water, and battery percentage, set against a blurred green background.
A person riding a mountain bike in a lush green forest. The rider is wearing a gray shirt, olive green shorts, and black leg guards. The bike features a blue frame and thick tires, with an orange bag secured to the handlebars. The ground is covered with grass and scattered plants.
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A man wearing a black helmet and sleeveless shirt is sitting on the ground in a grassy outdoor area, holding a green water bottle. He appears to be taking a break from biking, with tall grass and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
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A close-up of a pink bike frame resting against a tree. A metal water bottle holder is attached to the frame, alongside a combination lock secured to the bike. The ground is covered in grass and small plants, and the bike has a bit of dirt, indicating recent use.
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A person pushing a mountain bike along a narrow trail in a lush green forest surrounded by ferns and trees.
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Group of four individuals working on a trail restoration project in a forested area. They are using tools like shovels and picks to move dirt and rocks. One person is wearing a red helmet, while others are equipped with helmets and gloves. Sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the surrounding greenery and creating a vibrant outdoor scene.
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Close-up of a wrist displaying a smartwatch with a gray strap, featuring detailed tattoos on the arm. The background is softly blurred with hints of red and green foliage.
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Two mountain bikers ride along a dirt path surrounded by lush green trees and grass. The trail is flanked by rocky formations, and a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds is visible above. The scene captures the essence of outdoor recreation in a natural, scenic environment. Cheyenne Mountain State Park mountain bike trail.
A photo of two mountain bikers riding down a rugged trail surrounded by greenery. One rider, wearing a black helmet and yellow and black gear, is visible in the foreground, while the other, dressed in a blue shirt and helmet, is airborne, performing a jump in mid-air. Dust is kicked up from the trail, highlighting the dynamic action of the scene.
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A group of four mountain bikers riding on a dirt trail through a forested area. One biker is in the foreground, leaning to navigate a small jump or ramp, while the others follow closely behind. The setting is sunny, with trees lining the path, and the ground is covered in leaves and dirt.
A person in a blue shirt and helmet riding a mountain bike on a rocky trail, with red rock formations and greenery in the background. The sky is clear with wispy clouds, showcasing a scenic outdoor landscape.
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Three people mountain biking on a narrow trail surrounded by trees and autumn foliage. One cyclist, wearing a blue shirt and shorts, is in the foreground, focused on navigating the terrain. Two other cyclists are visible in the background, all riding their bikes on a rugged, natural path.
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Interior of a bicycle shop named "Brown County Bikes" in Nashville, Indiana. The space features rows of black bicycles for sale, a counter with bar stools, and a display area for bike accessories and clothing. The walls are painted in light colors, and there are metal industrial-style fixtures and a wooden sliding door in the background. A small child’s bike is positioned on the floor near the counter.
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A person's hands gripping the handlebars of a mountain bike, with a digital speedometer displaying 31.2 km/h. In the background, two other mountain bikers ride along a grassy trail on a hillside, surrounded by a scenic landscape of trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.
A mountain biker rides along a rugged trail with scenic views of mountains and valleys in the background. The cyclist, wearing a helmet and backpack, explores a lush, green landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
A person in a hat is digging through a large pile of snow, creating a tunnel, while another person can be seen in the background. Snow piles are scattered around, indicating a snowy landscape.
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A competitive mountain biking scene featuring riders navigating a dirt trail in a forested area. One racer in a white jersey with rainbow stripes is prominently leading the group, while another cyclist follows closely behind. The course is surrounded by trees and marked with race tape, creating a dynamic outdoor atmosphere.
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A mountain biker riding on a wooden ramp through a forested area, leaning into the turn with a focused expression. The scene features lush green grass and trees, creating a vibrant outdoor setting for biking.
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A mountain biker balancing on a wooden log bridge over a stream while carrying their bike, surrounded by lush green foliage in a forest setting.
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A group photo of individuals standing together in a wooded area, holding a banner for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). The group consists of diverse individuals, including men and women dressed casually, with some wearing hats and sunglasses. There is a dog on a leash in the foreground. The scene is bright and sunny, surrounded by lush green trees.
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A mountain bike positioned on a dirt mound, with a backdrop of industrial silos and construction cranes. The bike features a gray frame and modern suspension components, set against a blue sky.
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