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
 
Three mountain bikers celebrate on a podium after a race. They are wearing jerseys and shorts, with medals around their necks. The middle cyclist holds a trophy and raises one arm in triumph, while the others acknowledge the audience. The backdrop features logos related to British Cycling and the event.
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A topographic map showing a hiking trail with labeled waypoints, contour lines, and directional markers, overlaid on a 3D landscape view. The map features a red trail path, scale bar, and geographic coordinates displayed at the bottom.
A narrow forest trail covered in fallen leaves and twigs, flanked by dense green trees on either side.
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Map of Overend Mountain Park, showing its location relative to Durango, Colorado, with notable landmarks like the Animas River, Fort Lewis College, and Historic Downtown, marked with numbers for reference. An arrow points to the park's area in the southwest.
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Image showing a close-up view of a bicycle secured with a lock. The bicycle is positioned on its side, highlighting the wheels and frame. The background includes a glimpse of an indoor space with other items visible.
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A family stands next to a sign that reads "Bikes Prohibited 230 Metres" in a natural setting. One adult is holding a child, while another adult is leaning against a bicycle, both wearing helmets. Lush greenery surrounds them, indicating an outdoor environment.
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Two cyclists riding on a frozen lake under a clear blue sky. One cyclist is performing a wheelie while the other rides in the background. Snow-covered trees line the shore in the distance.
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A smiling cyclist wearing a colorful athletic jersey and a headband poses with a fat bike in a snowy landscape. The bike is equipped with bright red and yellow gear bags, and the background features a cloudy sky with trees in the distance.
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A scenic view of mountains rising in the background, with a shoreline in the foreground. The mountains are covered in lush greenery, and the sky above is clear with a few clouds. Gentle waves lap at the sandy beach, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
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A modern, conceptual bicycle with a sleek design featuring large, circular wheels and a minimalist frame in blue and black. The handlebars are uniquely styled, and the seat is positioned above the frame, emphasizing a futuristic aesthetic. The background is a simple gray, highlighting the bike's innovative appearance.
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A decorative license plate featuring the text "Bike IDAHO" in bold letters at the top. The plate showcases an illustration of a mountain biker in action against a backdrop of mountains and trees, with a sunset gradient from red to white above. The message "PRESERVE OUR TRAILS" is prominently displayed at the bottom, alongside the label "NON EXPIRING."
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Illustration featuring a silhouette of a mountain biker riding on a hillside with the text "Women of Dirt" above and "BOM" at the bottom. The design includes elements of nature, such as greenery and a stylized background.
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Close-up of a Maxxis bicycle tire with visible mud, set against a blurred background of trees and nearby discarded tires. The tire features bold yellow lettering and a red stripe, indicating its brand and model.
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Alt text: Promotional poster for the Outerbike event in Moab, Utah, scheduled for September 30 to October 3, 2010. Includes details on bike demos, meal times, a movie showing, and an outdoor party, along with logos of participating bike brands. The poster emphasizes the community aspect of biking, highlighted by the phrase "IT IS ABOUT THE BIKE."
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Garmin Edge 705 cycling computer displaying speed and heart rate metrics on its screen, featuring a map interface and various control buttons on the sides.
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A person with curly hair stands beside a tree, playing a musical instrument, while a bicycle with saddlebags is parked nearby. The setting is outdoors, surrounded by greenery in a sunny environment.
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A series of action shots depicting a mountain biker performing tricks in mid-air over a snow ramp at night, with bright floodlights illuminating the scene. The background shows a crowd watching the event, set against a snowy landscape.
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Close-up of a waterproof black jacket featuring the logo "GORE BIKE WEAR." The fabric shows water droplets on its surface, indicating its water-resistant properties. The jacket has a zippered pocket and contrasting gray detailing.
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An image featuring a smartphone displaying the Singletracks website alongside a calendar, with a person wearing a green and black cycling jersey. The image includes a badge stating "2010 Best of MTB."
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Image of a 2010 Titus FTM Carbon mountain bike with promotional text announcing a giveaway for the bike and a free tattoo, set against a blue patterned background.
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A Garmin Colorado GPS device mounted on a bicycle handlebar, displaying a map of the Buckhorn Trail with details about distance and area. The background features blurred greenery typical of a forested trail.
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A cylindrical container with orange caps on both ends, resting on green grass and leaves. The container features the words "EARTH" on the upper portion and "LEADS" on the lower section, accompanied by orange warning symbols.
Davis Painter, 4, rides over a see-saw on the course during the mountain bike clinic at Boulder Indoor Cycling in Boulder, Colorado December 15, 2009.  CAMERA/Mark Leffingwell 

For more photos, see www.dailycamera.com
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Close-up view of a muddy bicycle pedal, specifically a Time ATAC model, showing its metallic and plastic components. The pedal features a secured clip mechanism and a logo marked with the brand name "TIME."
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Close-up image of a bicycle fork featuring a label for "FOX ISOLATED TECHNOLOGY" and a dial for adjusting settings. The fork is predominantly white, with a red adjustment knob and visible wheel spokes in the background.
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A detailed topographic map showing various trails and route markers, with numbered points of interest, labeled locations, and a "Start/Finish" area highlighted. The map includes features such as roads, natural landmarks, and a legend indicating different symbols used on the map.
Close-up view of a white bicycle saddle with a sleek design, featuring a carbon fiber texture and red accents. The saddle is mounted on a black seat post, set against a background of pine needles.
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A cyclist wearing a bright yellow safety vest and helmet sits on a bike equipped with yellow panniers, set against a busy market street with pedestrians and stalls in the background.
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Promotional flyer for the 2nd Annual Tri-Flow XC Indoor Invitational, featuring event details from January 15-17, 2010. Highlights include qualifying runs, finals for men and women, and opportunities to ride with professional XC mountain bikers. The flyer lists cash prizes for top finishers, notables from the previous year's competition, and sponsorships from Subaru, SRAM, and others. Contact information and event schedule are included at the bottom.
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Two smiling men pose together, one with his arm around the other’s shoulder. Both are dressed in collared shirts, and the man on the left holds a certificate or award, while the other stands confidently beside him. They are in front of a neutral background that appears to be a printed map or design.
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Event flyer for Crankbrothers Christmas Sidewalk Sale and Ride on December 19th, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Features discounts of 40-75% on Crankbrothers clothing, demo wheels, and pedals. Includes a ride with Hans Rey at 11 AM, with varying difficulty levels for participants. Sponsored by Laguna Beach Cyclery, offering test rides on demo bikes. Promotes free "pedal spa" maintenance for Crankbrothers pedals, and mentions support for local food bank initiatives.
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A high-performance archery sight with a sleek black and silver design, featuring a multi-pin adjustment mechanism and a circular wheel for easy aiming and precision. The sight is mounted on a sturdy base with a logo at its base.
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A glass of creamy egg nog topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, garnished with two cinnamon sticks, with the text "INFINIT Egg Nog RECOVERY" beneath it.
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A custom bike dashboard displaying the specifications and components for a mountain bike titled "DH Monster." The image features a list of components, including the frame model, forks, wheels, tires, and various parts, along with their prices. There is also a section for user comments and options to rate, comment, or create a new custom bike. The layout is sleek and includes a background image suggesting outdoor or camping themes.
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Two hands hold different design options for a product called Gyrowheel, which features two contrasting wheels: one in white with yellow and black designs, and another in black with red and orange designs. The text above reads "GYROWHEEL - REINVENTING THE (TRAINING) WHEEL."
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A silver Giro bicycle helmet resting on a bed of pine needles and fallen leaves, showcasing aerodynamic design features and ventilation holes.
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A silver bicycle decorated with a large red bow is positioned next to a Christmas tree adorned with decorations and lights. The tree is set against a wall, with a patterned rug underneath it, creating a festive indoor scene.
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Aerial view of ancient ruins surrounded by grassy fields. The site features several standing stone structures and outlines of walls, hinting at its historical significance. The landscape includes trees and open space, creating a serene atmosphere.
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A close-up view of a mountain bike tire, labeled "Vulpine 2.1 29", resting on a bed of pine needles and leaves. The tire features the brand name "Easton" and details about the tire's specifications and rubber compound.
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A handmade wooden bike with a streamlined design, featuring two large, knobby tires and a single seat, placed on a textured stone surface.
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A close-up view of several blue, oval-shaped tablets with "Pfizer" and "VGR 100" printed on them, arranged on a light surface.
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A mountain biker riding on a large wooden wheel structure built into a forested environment, surrounded by tall trees. The biker is wearing a helmet and a red jersey, focusing on navigating the unique wooden feature.
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A close-up view of people wearing bright yellow waterproof jackets and hats, standing behind a glass panel covered in raindrops. The scene conveys a rainy environment, with a blurred background of figures and soft lighting.