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
 
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A person in a yellow and black cycling outfit rides a mountain bike along a narrow trail surrounded by trees and autumn foliage. The cyclist is focused and wearing a helmet, with a race number visible on the bike.
Map depicting mountain bike (MTB) trail routes, featuring highlighted trails in red and overlay text indicating "500" and "Hundreds of MTB trail maps."
A podium ceremony at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, featuring five participants celebrating their achievements. The first, second, and third place winners are holding trophies and flowers, standing on the podium, with a backdrop displaying sponsor logos. An audience can be seen in the background applauding.
Graph displaying speed (in mph) and altitude (in feet) over distance (in miles) and time, with a top chart showing fluctuating speed in red and altitude in green, and a bottom chart illustrating speed changes in yellow over time.
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A bicycle front fork with a white and black design featuring graphic elements and logos, designed for suspension. The fork has a glossy finish, visible shock absorbers, and an adjustable feature at the bottom.
Two male mountain bikers riding on a dirt trail through a grassy area. The rider in the foreground, wearing a yellow and black jersey and helmet, has a focused expression as he pedals intensely. The rider behind him, dressed in a patterned jersey and helmet, is also engaged in the ride. The background features greenery and trees, suggesting an outdoor setting.
<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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A futuristic bicycle featuring a sleek, minimalist design with a dark frame and unique, large black wheels. The bike has no visible gears or brakes and showcases a modern aesthetic with an orange accent.
Logo of VeoGeo, featuring the word "VeoGeo" in bold black letters on a light brown background, with the word "BETA" in orange positioned to the upper right.
A mountain biker is airborne, falling off their bike while descending a sandy slope, with their bike above them and a caution tape line in the background. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear.
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A hand-drawn illustration of a lightweight bicycle, labeled as a "fine cow-trailing bicycle," designed by J.F. Scott. The bicycle features a distinctive frame, two wheels with balloon tires, a front rack, and a rear carrier. Accompanying text outlines the bicycle's specifications, including materials, components, and features like the gear system and odometer options.
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A scenic view of a mountainous landscape featuring a twisted, weathered tree branch in the foreground. The background showcases rolling hills and distant peaks under a cloudy sky, with varying shades of brown and green vegetation.
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A mountain biker standing beside a rocky trail in a forested area, wearing a pink shirt and shorts, with a bicycle next to them. The surrounding landscape features greenery and colorful autumn leaves.
<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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Two mountain bikers race over a dirt jump course, kicking up dust as they compete closely against each other. They are wearing helmets and protective gear, with one rider in a black and yellow jersey and the other in a red and white jersey. Colorful flags line the course, and a tent is visible in the background.
Logo of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) featuring the letters "IMBA" in black within circular shapes, accompanied by a red button that says "JOIN" and the text "imba.com."
Two mountain bikers navigate a rocky path during a race, with one rider in a blue jersey and the other in a red and yellow jersey. They are surrounded by green foliage, and there's visible dirt and stones on the track. The background features a cloudy sky.
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A close-up view of handmade wooden carts with metal wheels placed on grassy terrain. In the background, a group of people can be seen observing the carts, with a hillside in the distance. The image showcases traditional craftsmanship and community engagement in Rwanda.
A sign indicating that biking is prohibited, positioned next to a wooden bridge surrounded by lush greenery.
Promotional banner encouraging users to add a review in August for a chance to win, featuring the text "Add a Review in August for a chance to WIN!" and a yellow star graphic alongside a device labeled "Garmin."
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A black and orange Cannondale mountain bike with a lightweight frame, featuring disc brakes and wide tires, displayed against a plain background.
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A graphic showcasing a helmet at the top and four different helmet covers labeled as Izmir, Dublin, Paris, and Tokyo below. The design is sleek with a dark background, highlighting the options available for customizing the helmet.
<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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Five cyclists in coordinating red and yellow cycling suits with "CHINA" printed on them stand beside their mountain bikes, while a man in a black jacket smiles in the middle. They are outdoors, likely preparing for a ride or photo opportunity.
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Label for Fat Tire Amber Ale featuring a vintage-style illustration of a red bicycle against a blue background with green vines and a tree. The text "Fat Tire" is prominently displayed at the top, along with brewing details at the bottom.
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Alt text: Two vending machines designed for bicycle parts, located at a Trek Stop. One machine is shown with a bicycle parked next to it, while the other features a person interacting with the vending machine. The machines are prominently labeled and situated in a well-lit outdoor area.
<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
A black bicycle pedal featuring a dual-sided design with stainless steel clips and a threaded attachment for easy installation. The pedal is branded with the name "LOOK" prominently displayed.
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Four male musicians posing for a photo with a red background. They are dressed in a mix of casual and semi-formal attire, with one wearing a cowboy hat, another in a fedora, and the rest in t-shirts and sweaters. The band's name, "Weezer," is displayed above them in a bright, stylized font.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a narrow dirt trail surrounded by lush green forest, with tall trees lining both sides of the path. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a vibrant and inviting outdoor scene.
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Illustration from U.S. Patent 6,273,391 B1, showing mechanical diagrams of a bicycle brake system. The image includes two figures: FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, depicting different views of brake components attached to a bicycle wheel.
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<a href="http://www.sorbawoodstock.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fall-festival&catid=1:general&Itemid=11">SORBA Woodstock</a> is holding the annual mountain bike Fall Festival at Blankets Creek on Saturday, September 27 from 9am-4pm and the singletracks crew is going to try <em>really</em> hard to be there (how's that for commitment?). The festival will be the official grand opening of the new trails in Area 51 and if the event is half as cool as the posters it will be seriously dope!

<strong>Update</strong>: I forgot to include the location: The <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=558">Blankets Creek</a> trail is in Woodstock, GA just north of Atlanta.
<img id="image1140" alt="blankets-creek-festival.jpg" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
A cyclist performing a mid-air jump on a bike above a large pit filled with foam cubes, inside a covered skatepark. In the background, a few people are observing the stunt.
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Stainless steel flask with a decorative engraved design, tilted at an angle, showing the cap and handle.