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 set of ski goggles paired with a compact action camera, positioned next to a map highlighting Whistler, British Columbia. The map displays geographic coordinates and elevation details, emphasizing an outdoor adventure setting.
  2
Sign indicating a "Danger Welding Area" in an industrial setting, with a yellow curtain and various boxes in the background.
  1
A professional cinema camera on a dark background, featuring a matte black design with a prominent lens, a rigged body, and various attachment points.
  7
Close-up view of a Cannondale mountain bike frame featuring bold green and black lettering. The bike's shock absorber is visible, highlighting its suspension system. In the background, other bicycles and people are partially blurred, indicating a busy outdoor event or exhibition.
  1
A mountain biker crossing a wooden bridge on a trail surrounded by lush green foliage and mountain scenery. The rider is in motion, emphasizing a dynamic outdoor adventure experience.
  18
A mountain biker riding uphill on a dirt road, surrounded by open plains and a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds. Fenced areas and sparse vegetation line the path, with another cyclist visible in the distance.
  14
A group of three men standing near bicycles in an outdoor setting. One man, wearing a black shirt and shorts, is speaking animatedly. Another man, dressed in a cycling jersey and helmet, listens intently while standing next to a bike. The third man, in a dark shirt, appears engaged in the conversation. In the background, there are trees and a wooden structure.
  3
A cyclist riding on a rocky mountain trail, with steep slopes and pine trees in the background. The path winds gently up the hillside under a cloudy sky.
  10
A scenic view featuring five bicycles parked along a roadside with a backdrop of lush green mountains and a clear blue sky. The bikes are equipped with backpacks and gear, indicating they are set for an outdoor adventure.
  19
A topographical map displayed in the MapSource software, featuring a highlighted track in yellow that outlines the trails in Heritage Park. The map includes a menu on the left side with options related to track management. The background shows detailed elevation contours and roadways.
  1
Two individuals biking along a dirt trail in a lush green forest, surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves. A small pool of water reflects the surrounding vegetation on one side of the path.
  2
Close-up view of a mountain bike's crankset, featuring a black chainring, a white chain guide, and a portion of the bike's chain. The background includes dirt and leaves, indicating an outdoor setting.
  1
A group of mountain bikers racing along a gravel path, leaning into a curve as they navigate a grassy area. Spectators are gathered in the background, surrounded by trees in a misty atmosphere. Brightly colored cycling gear and bikes are visible, creating a dynamic scene of competitive energy.
  3
Interior of a cabin with two mountain bikes hanging from the ceiling, a pantry stocked with canned goods, and bunk beds with green mattresses. There are also various camping supplies stored on the floor.
  12
A mountain biker riding on a wooden trail through a lush green forest, flanked by rocks and surrounded by dense foliage.
  2
Screenshot of the Singletracks website displaying a list of mountain bike trails in Arizona. The page includes trail names, cities, ratings, difficulty levels, and options to filter and search for trails.
  4
A person performing a wheelie on a bicycle on a city street, wearing a blue tank top and light-colored shorts, with a colorful belt.
  1
A close-up view of a gray backpack featuring a partially opened compartment revealing a blue hydration reservoir inside. A hand is shown adjusting the zipper of the backpack.
A group of mountain bikers competing in a race on a dirt trail. One cyclist in the foreground is focused on navigating the course, wearing an orange and gray jersey with a race number, showing signs of a scraped leg. Two other riders are visible in the background, also engaged in the race. The scene is set in a green, wooded area.
  1
Close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring carbon fiber components, including "ProTaper" branding, and a headset with "Ritchey" labeling. The background consists of soft-focus greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
Aerial view of a large outdoor event featuring a long line of people walking along a dirt path. The scene includes tents and canopies set up alongside the path, with vehicles parked in the background. The landscape shows greenery and an open field, indicating a rural setting.
  2
Map showing a hiking trail with a red route marked on a topographic background. Key points along the trail are labeled as 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7THD. The map includes contour lines indicating elevation changes, as well as a scale indicating distances up to 1 mile. A compass rose is located at the top right corner.
  3
A person sitting at a table in a room with a green backdrop, working on a drawing or notes while a bicycle is positioned nearby. The setup includes various cameras and lighting equipment, indicating a video or photo shoot environment focused on cycling or bike maintenance.
  1
A smartphone mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, displaying a map or cycling app, with a grassy background.
  5
A cut tree trunk resting on the ground, surrounded by branches and foliage. The trunk shows visible growth rings and a smooth, polished surface.
  9
A person lying on a stretcher with a neck brace, likely receiving medical attention. The background includes a green surface and a hand wearing a purple glove, indicating the presence of medical personnel. The individual appears to have a serious expression on their face.
A mountain biker navigating a narrow dirt trail surrounded by green foliage, wearing a helmet and cycling gear, focused on maneuvering through the path.
  5
Image of the Bull/Jake Mountain Bike Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia, featuring a path surrounded by trees, along with trail statistics and options for nearby mountain bike trails listed on a webpage.
  13
A group of mountain bikers in colorful jerseys and helmets is positioned at the starting line of the USA Cycling National Championship. They are lined up on a dirt path beneath a large banner that reads "USA Cycling National Championship," with a visible timer showing "20:60.00" in the background. Spectators are gathered along the sidelines, eagerly watching the race about to begin. The scene is set in a mountainous outdoor environment.
Alt text: Promotional graphic for the Crankworx event in Winter Park, Colorado, featuring the event title prominently and a countdown timer showing days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the live stream starts, along with sponsor logos for Powerade, Shimano, and Kona.
  4
A book cover titled "The Complete Mountain Biker" by Dennis Coello, featuring a cyclist navigating through a mountainous landscape. The cover has a blue background with white and yellow text, highlighting topics like technique, equipment, and repair for mountain biking.
  8
A person stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a scenic landscape of tall pine trees and a lake in the distance under a clear blue sky. The individual is wearing a black shirt and shorts, with a backpack, and appears to be enjoying the view.
  8
Map of the Colorado Trail, showing the trail's route highlighted in red across the state of Colorado, with marked waypoints and geographical features, including mountains and forests.
  5
A mountain biker in mid-fall, upside down over a dirt slope, with their bike partially elevated above them. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, and a caution tape barrier is visible in the background.
  3
A fluffy white dog standing in profile, with a friendly expression and long, thick fur.
  9
A mountain biker in a black helmet and gear is seen mid-air as he jumps off a rock on a wooded trail. Surrounding him are tall coniferous trees and greenery, with a sign indicating the trail nearby. The scene captures the excitement of mountain biking in a natural setting.
  6
Close-up image of a bike frame tube displaying the "Spot Brand" logo, with an evergreen tree in the background.
A wooden bridge surrounded by lush greenery, with a sign in the foreground indicating that bicycles are not allowed. The sign features a pictogram of a person riding a bicycle crossed out in red.
  3
Close-up of a rugged mountain bike tire, showing the detailed tread pattern, with a blurred background of green hills and trees, indicating an outdoor setting.
  4
A vintage black bicycle with teal fenders parked against a weathered wall featuring peeling paint and a closed wooden window shutter.
A rugged smartphone case with a touchscreen display, featuring an interface displaying various apps including messages, photos, and maps. The case is designed for durability and protection.
A mountain biker riding on a scenic hillside with lush greenery and towering mountains in the background, under a clear sky.
  2
A scenic landscape featuring a dirt path winding through tall green grass, with rocky hills rising in the background under a clear blue sky.
  4
A large outdoor sign advertising Treestyle, described as the fastest growing bike park in the United States. The sign promotes "Freeride Fridays" and highlights outdoor activities available, alongside event dates from July 29 to August 1. The background features trees and a building in a mountainous area.
  12
A mountain bike lying on a grassy hillside with a scenic view of mountains in the background. The bike features a gray frame, thick tires, and a gear system, indicating it is designed for off-road cycling. The surrounding area is lush with green grass and scattered wildflowers, under a clear blue sky.
  4
Close-up view of a bicycle brake lever featuring a black and white design with a purple adjustment knob labeled "GRAVITY." The background is blurred grass, emphasizing the lever's details and functionality.
A smartphone mounted on a bicycle handlebar, displaying a webpage. The phone is in a protective case with a simple design, and the background is a green grassy area.
  6