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 close-up image of a gray water bottle attached to the frame of a mountain bike, surrounded by greenery and leaves. The bottle is secured with a metal holder, showcasing its practical design for outdoor activities.
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Google Glass GDK announcement event in San Francisco. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
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Book cover for "How to Mount Aconcagua: A Mostly Serious Guide to Climbing the Tallest Mountain Outside the Himalayas" by Jim Hodgson. The cover features a scenic mountain landscape with a climber in silhouette. A green box promotes purchasing the book on Amazon.
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Infographic titled "King of the Mountain," featuring data and statistics related to mountain climbing. It includes graphs, percentages, and historical context from 1977, along with visual elements like mountains and various icons. The infographic highlights aspects such as the number of climbers, challenges faced, and survey results regarding mountain climbing experiences.
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White and black bicycle helmet placed on a bike handlebar, with a forest backdrop featuring a tree and greenery.
A scenic view of a forest during autumn, featuring a mix of vibrant orange, yellow, and green trees against a clear blue sky. The foreground shows lush grass and scattered shrubs, while tall pine trees create a dense backdrop.
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An electric mountain bike parked on a rocky terrain under a clear blue sky, showcasing its sturdy design and off-road capabilities.
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A mountain biker rides along a dimly lit trail at night, illuminated by bright headlights from their bike and another cyclist in the background. The scene conveys a sense of adventure and the thrill of nighttime biking in a natural setting.
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A cardboard box filled with shredded packing material containing three Clif Bar packages: Spiced Pumpkin Pie, Iced Pumpkin Pie, and Pecan Pie.
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A topographic map showing a recommended outdoor route with a total distance of 28.5 miles and an elevation gain of 6,335 feet. The map features a highlighted trail in orange and includes additional data such as a profile of elevation changes along the route, with the highest point reaching 1,982 feet. A rating system with stars indicates user feedback, and options to print, download, or access GPS data are also provided.
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Close-up image of a black fishing rod with the word "NAPALM" and various design elements, including a crosshair graphic, displayed on its surface. The background features a blurred array of colorful fishing gear.
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A collection of bike repair tools, including an orange and silver "Fix It Sticks" multi-tool in the center, surrounded by various silver bits and accessories for general maintenance.
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Close-up view of a bicycle tire, showcasing the detailed tread pattern and the branding on the sidewall. The background features a blurred orange graphic, emphasizing the focus on the tire.
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A close-up view of a bicycle frame, showcasing a sleek, modern design with a dark gray finish and white accents. The frame features the brand name "Firezzer" prominently displayed, along with detailing on the manufacturing link and structural components.
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A hand holding a compact action camera, showcasing a small screen and lens, with a blurred background of people and event signage.
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A close-up view of mountain bike handlebars on rocky terrain, with a scenic landscape and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky. The bike frame features the word "REPACK" prominently displayed.
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Close-up view of an electric mountain bike, highlighting the rear suspension, motor, and battery system. The bike is positioned under a tent, with an outdoor landscape visible in the background.
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Close-up view of a bicycle wheel rim, showing a yellow section with a black outer edge and a visible seam. The background is slightly blurred, indicating a workshop or display setting.
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A fat-tire bicycle parked on rocky terrain, surrounded by sparse vegetation and mountains in the background. The bike is olive green with thick tires designed for rugged trails.
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Logo for Singletracks featuring the text "Best MTB of 2013" in a prominent orange banner, surrounded by a black shield design with five stars and a gear illustration in the center.
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A digital illustration of a helmet, labeled "BULT," featuring an adjacent computer screen displaying a camera view. The helmet is shown from the side, highlighting functional buttons, an indicator light, and an arrow pointing to adjustable camera features. Key components and their functions are detailed in numbered sections.
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A black mountain bike positioned on a gravel path surrounded by trees and greenery, with the bike angled to showcase its wheels and frame. The scene indicates a natural outdoor setting, ideal for biking.
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Close-up of a plaid fabric in shades of gray, red, and white, featuring a button and a zippered pocket. The texture and pattern of the fabric are clearly visible, highlighting the casual style.
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A man in a green cycling jersey stands in a wooded area, smiling. He has a mustache and is wearing a gray cap, with a rocky trail and trees in the background covered in fallen leaves.
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A person wearing a red long-sleeve shirt with a chest harness mounted with an action camera, standing outdoors in a forested area. The action camera is attached to the harness, positioned at the person's chest.
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A website interface titled "Discover Your Trail" featuring an outdoor scene with a winding path through greenery and mountains. Below the image, it includes sections for outdoor recreation data services, activity and location search options, and a promotional section for a product, along with contact information.
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A modern two-story building called "Crash Pad," featuring a sign and a spiral staircase on the side. The entrance is well-lit, with large windows, and the surrounding area has green grass and trees. The image is taken during dusk, showcasing a vibrant blue sky.
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3D-printed object resembling a manifold or connector, situated on a build plate with clips holding it in place. The background features a 3D printer and various materials on the surface.
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A split-image showing two trails in a forested area. The left side features a wooden bridge elevated over a pathway, surrounded by trees and greenery. The right side depicts a dirt trail leading into a clearing, with a rock formation in the background, under clear blue skies.
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A silver air pressure gauge with a red hose attached to a nozzle. The gauge features a circular dial with indicators for pressure levels, ranging from 0 to 60 PSI. The nozzle is designed for connecting to tires or other inflatable items.
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Close-up image of a textured surface resembling natural fibers, featuring a light beige color with subtle variations and fine strands visible throughout.
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Black knee pad worn on a person's knee, secured with a strap, set against a blurred background of greenery. The knee pad features a logo and perforated texture for ventilation.
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A close-up of a black and green cycling shoe worn with a black sock, resting on a textured tree trunk in a natural outdoor setting, surrounded by green leaves and branches.
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A man wearing dark sunglasses and a gray t-shirt, outdoors with a blurred background of natural scenery.
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A Redline D660 29er mountain bike is displayed against a rocky backdrop, showcasing its sleek design and components. The bike features a black and green frame, SRAM X0 brakes, and a SRAM 9-Speed PowerGlide II cassette. The image also includes details about the bike's specifications and comments from users.
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