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 cartoon illustration of a man in a red shirt standing in a bike shop, pondering between different mountain bikes on display. The bikes are various colors, and a sign in the background promotes a sale. A humorous text at the bottom reads, "Light weight, durability, and low price: Pick 2."
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A group of search and rescue team members in yellow shirts gather around a map at a campsite, discussing strategy. Some team members are wearing masks, and a dog is sitting nearby. The atmosphere is focused and collaborative as they plan their response efforts.
A person on a mountain bike is looking out over a scenic landscape featuring a large body of water, rolling hills, and a blue sky with wispy clouds. The individual is wearing a helmet and a green plaid shirt, and has a gray backpack. The view includes sandy areas and distant mountains, showcasing the natural beauty of the surroundings.
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A close-up view of a person's hand gripping the handlebar of a mountain bike, showcasing the brake lever and orange grip. The background features a forest floor with fallen leaves.
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A mountain biker navigating over a large rock in a wooded area, with leaf-covered ground and trees in the background. The biker is positioned with weight forward, indicating motion and skill as they tackle the rocky terrain.
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Sign detailing that the trails are maintained by volunteers from Flagler Area Biking SORBA, encouraging donations and participation. The sign includes a logo and QR code, with nearby road signs indicating a one-way direction and the name "Hoot Owl." Lush greenery surrounds the sign.
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A gravel bike parked on a dirt path surrounded by tall grass. The bike features a light frame with red and black accents, and it has two water bottles attached to the frame. The scene is set in a natural landscape, highlighting the bike's suitability for off-road riding.
Map of Chattahoochee Bend State Park's mountain bike trails, featuring color-coded loops: East Loop (yellow), Mid Loop (orange), Campground Loop (red), and West Loop (blue). The map outlines the central and western zones of the park and includes a donation call to support local biking initiatives.
A scenic view of a rugged landscape featuring grassy terrain and shrubs, with a backdrop of mountains under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground includes tall grasses and a barbed wire fence, highlighting the natural beauty of the area.
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A mountain biker performs an impressive jump over a bar during a competition, with a crowd of spectators closely watching in anticipation. The scene includes a mix of excited onlookers, some wearing helmets and sunglasses, while others hold drinks and cameras. Colorful flags and tents are visible in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
A mountain biker in a blue jersey and black shorts rides rapidly on a purple bike through a grassy landscape, with motion blur conveying speed.
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A person's hands holding two different types of soil: on the left, dark, rich soil with visible organic matter and roots, and on the right, lighter, sandy soil with a dry appearance. The background features green grass and natural vegetation.
A mountain bike parked on a rocky outcrop overlooking a scenic mountainous landscape. The bike features a green frame with colorful purple and gold accents, large knobby tires, and is positioned on a dirt trail surrounded by dry grass and rocks. The sky is partly cloudy, enhancing the outdoor atmosphere.
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Two mountain bikes mounted on a Yakima bike rack attached to the rear of a vehicle. The bike in the foreground features a vibrant pink frame with black and yellow tires, while the bike in the background has a more subdued color. The scene is set in a parking lot with trees in the background and a clear sky above.
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A young man with blond hair is seated next to a bicycle, wearing a black hoodie with the word "SICK!" printed on the front and a light blue cap with a logo. He is leaning against a metallic surface, looking thoughtfully into the distance. The background features gray industrial structures and a hint of an outdoor area.
A close-up view of a mountain bike tire as it navigates over rocky terrain in a forested area. The background features lush greenery and various sizes of rocks scattered along the trail. The image captures a sense of motion and adventure.
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A close-up view of a bike's handlebar with a GPS device displaying a map. The screen shows a detailed route overlay with an elevation of 12,000 feet indicated. The background features green grass, suggesting an outdoor setting.
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A mechanic wearing a mask is focused on repairing a bicycle in an outdoor workshop setting. Tools and bike parts are visible on a table behind him, with additional bicycles parked nearby. The backdrop includes a blue van and a white truck under a clear sky.
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Alt text: A colorful graphic featuring the phrase "The More You Know" with a rainbow effect on a gradient yellow and green background. On the right, a smartphone screen displays an image of a pumpkin and the app icon for "singletracks" at the top, along with status icons at the top.
A forest scene featuring three decorated bicycles beside Christmas trees adorned with ornaments and garlands, set against a backdrop of trees and a stone wall. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and the atmosphere appears overcast and misty. Village Park/ Abrams Rock mountain bike trail.
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Close-up of a bicycle cassette and chain, featuring gleaming metallic gears and a turquoise frame component, with a focus on the intricate details of the chain links and sprocket design.
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A humorous cartoon depicting a man in a yellow shirt and a black helmet climbing a steep hill while carrying a mountain bike. The scene features green pine trees in the foreground and a clear blue sky in the background. The caption at the bottom reads, "Now the bike rides Jim."
A mobile screen displaying the Singletracks website, featuring a mountain biking path with greenery and dirt. Options to "Get Directions," "Add a Photo," and "Check In" are visible at the bottom, along with the website logo and time at the top of the screen.
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A person wearing a helmet and protective gear uses a chainsaw to cut a large log on a construction site. Dust and wood shavings fly into the air as they work, with a trailer and equipment visible in the background on a grassy, uneven terrain.
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A man wearing a black helmet and sunglasses stands in a wooded area, dressed in a green and black checkered flannel shirt over a blue t-shirt. The background features soft-focus greenery, suggesting an outdoor environment.
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A backpack with a divided interior showing neatly rolled clothing items in various colors, alongside a turquoise bicycle helmet. The compartments are organized, highlighting the practical use of space for storage.
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A cartoon image featuring two characters in a forested area. One character, dressed in a red shirt and blue pants, is standing on the left holding a piece of paper, while the other character, wearing a yellow shirt and a blue helmet, is sitting on a red mountain bike. The character on the bike humorously states, "Seems like I never crash when I have my pads on, so now I just wear them for good luck." The scene depicts a lighthearted interaction about biking safety.
An artistic book cover featuring a smiling man with a mustache, wearing sunglasses and a purple hat. The background has a vibrant, patterned design, and the title reads "Eary Fisher and the Bicycle Revolution." The book is placed on a wooden surface alongside a pair of eyeglasses and a small green plant.
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A cartoon scene featuring two men in a motorcycle showroom, looking at various colorful motorcycles. One man is dressed in a bright yellow shirt, while the other wears a red shirt. Above them is a sign that reads "Acme Motorcycles." The caption below indicates a humorous remark about the price of motorcycles compared to mountain bikes.
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A group of officials and community members gathered under a tent for a ceremonial event. They are holding a large check that reads "Cocke County Partnership" with an amount of $6,000,000. The individuals are wearing masks and pose together, smiling for the photo, with some dressed in coats and formal attire. The setting appears to be outdoors, indicating a community event focused on funding or partnership initiatives.
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A mountain bike parked on a dirt path in a forest, with tall pine trees and a fallen log in the background. The bike features thick tires and a sturdy frame, surrounded by natural foliage and pine needles.
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A forested area featuring a dirt bike jump under construction. A shovel stands upright on a pile of dirt, while colorful flags mark the site. In the background, a person stands on a finished jump, surrounded by trees and natural greenery.  Arundel Community Trails mountain bike trail.
A map displaying mountain bike trails in Sedona, Arizona, featuring various colored routes and key points of interest. The map is accompanied by an embed code section for integrating the trail information into websites.