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 mountain biker navigating a steep, rocky incline, showcasing intense concentration and skill. The biker wears a black jersey and gloves, riding a dark green mountain bike equipped with advanced suspension components. The background features blurred greenery, indicating speed and movement through a forested area.
  2
Alt text: "A black bicycle rear derailleur positioned against a textured, crumpled white background. The component features intricate mechanical details and a sleek design."
  2
A stack of various black bicycle grips, showcasing different textures and designs on their ends, positioned on a wooden surface with soft natural lighting in the background.
  7
Close-up image of a mountain bike tire on a grassy background, highlighting the tread pattern and dirt on the tire.
  3
A middle-aged man riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail in a wooded area, wearing a light blue shirt, black shorts, and a helmet. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dappled effect on the ground.
  3
A dirt road winding through a scenic landscape with lush greenery on either side, leading towards snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
A modern mountain bike with a green frame and black components, showcased against a white wall. The bike features thick tires, a dropper seat post, and a visible drivetrain system. The wheels are outfitted with DT Swiss rims and Michelin tires, indicating performance suitability for off-road trails.
Image of a purple bicycle hub with a black component on one end, featuring multiple holes around its circumference and engraved branding. The hub is positioned on a white background, showcasing its polished finish and intricate design.
  8
A mountain biker in a blue shirt and helmet performs a jump on a dirt trail surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.
  1
A weathered metal sign reads "Rock Creek," positioned in a natural outdoor setting with trees in the background. In the foreground, part of a mountain bike is visible, featuring a textured tire and chain. The ground is rocky and dirt, suggesting a trail or biking area, while some debris is scattered nearby.
An orange mountain bike with black and brown accents is positioned against a dark background. The bike features a lightweight frame, wide tires with Goodyear branding, and a front suspension fork, indicating its suitability for off-road trails.
A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail, leaning forward with one arm on the handlebars and the other braced against the bike. The background is blurred, suggesting high speed, while greenery surrounds the trail. The rider is wearing a helmet, a short-sleeved shirt, and cycling shorts.
  1
Close-up view of a mountain bike's rear wheel and drivetrain, resting against a rocky formation. The bike features a dark frame, a visible rear suspension unit, and a muddy tire. The background shows a reddish terrain with subdued vegetation and a slightly wet surface.
A monochrome image featuring various bicycle components arranged on a wooden surface, including a tire, handlebar grips, bicycle pedals, a bike seat, and a handlebar.
  5
A red and black Stans tubeless sealant injector lying on a wooden surface, featuring a syringe-like design with a clear plastic nozzle.
Two mountain bikers navigating a rocky terrain, one in the foreground wearing a helmet and protective gear, and the other in the background. The scene is set against a backdrop of blue sky with scattered clouds and greenery mixed among the rocks.
A mountain biker wearing gloves and knee guards stands beside a black electric mountain bike on a dirt trail, surrounded by greenery. The bike features prominent branding and is equipped with a sturdy frame and a multi-gear setup. The rider is dressed in shorts and tall socks, ready for an outdoor adventure.
A mountain biker in a black helmet and colorful socks jumps a rocky section of a green, lush forest trail, smiling as they ride their red bike.
  1
A mountain biker wearing an orange helmet and a green long-sleeved shirt jumps over a rocky path in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery. The bike’s wheels are off the ground, showcasing an action shot of the rider mid-air.
Close-up view of a bicycle pedal attached to a bike frame, set against a blurred natural background of trees and foliage. The pedal is metallic with a textured surface and visible screws. The focus is on the pedal's design and attachment point.
  6
Two workers are engaged in outdoor labor on a dirt path in a forested area. One worker, wearing a pink safety vest and gloves, is using a wheelbarrow to transport gravel, while the other, in a green safety vest, is raking the gravel evenly along the path. The scene is surrounded by lush trees and vibrant greenery, showcasing a sunny day.
Close-up view of a mountain bike's handlebars and front fork, set against a blurred natural background. The handlebars are black, featuring grips and controls, with the bike frame visible extending toward the camera.
  3
Smiling woman wearing a gray hoodie, sitting on a floor near a light-colored wall. She has her hair pulled back and is looking directly at the camera with a friendly expression. A blurred background indicates a cozy indoor setting.
A mountain biker performing a mid-air jump from a rocky ledge, with a clear blue sky in the background. In the foreground, dry grass partially frames the image, while photographers capture the action from a nearby ridge. A Red Bull banner flutters in the breeze, indicating the event's sponsorship.
A cyclist in a blue jersey and black shorts rides a teal bike along a gravel path. The background features green fields and a cloudy sky. The cyclist is leaning forward, focused on the ride.
Close-up of a bicycle saddle labeled "BEL-AIR III," mounted on a black seat post with a visible leveling tool on top. The background features a blurred, lush green forest setting, indicating an outdoor cycling environment.
  14
A person riding a mountain bike performs a jump off a dirt ramp in a wooded area. The scene features bare trees and a cloudy sky in the background, conveying a cool, overcast day.
  1
Alt tag: A mountain bike with a blue and red frame, equipped with thick tires and suspension, positioned in a garage environment with a gray concrete wall in the background.
  1
A mountain biker in a red shirt and blue shorts is navigating over a large rock in a lush green forest. The scene features dense trees and vibrant foliage, highlighting an adventurous outdoor setting.
A modern mountain bike with a sleek gray frame, featuring high-performance components and wide tires, is positioned on a grassy patch in a lush, green forest setting. The bike's suspension system is prominently displayed, showcasing its advanced features, while tall trees and greenery create a vibrant natural background.
  46
Close-up view of a bicycle's rear derailleur and cassette, showcasing the Shimano GRX components and chain in a softly lit environment.
  3
Close-up of a bright orange protective gear piece attached to the waist of a person wearing matching orange clothing, showcasing a modern design and branding details.
A group of protestors stands in front of a building, holding signs with messages related to a strike, including "Live Laugh Strike" and "REI: It's Time to Negotiate." A large inflatable rat is prominently featured among the crowd, symbolizing labor disputes. The protestors are dressed in a mix of white t-shirts and casual wear, some wearing sunglasses, while demonstrating solidarity for their cause under a partly cloudy sky.
  1
Close-up of a bicycle's head tube featuring a metallic emblem with a stylized "K" on a glossy blue finish. The image shows the bicycle's cable routing and part of the fork in a natural, softly blurred background.
  6
Two mountain bikers navigate a dirt trail through a lush green landscape, surrounded by fog and palm trees. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure in a misty, tropical environment. One biker, wearing a helmet and riding gear, is focused on the path ahead, while the other trails behind, slightly obscured by foliage.
  2
Close-up of a pair of black Praxis bicycle pedals resting on a textured stone surface, with visible dirt and mud indicating outdoor use.
Image of a wooden mountain bike ramp located in a forested area, featuring a prominent Red Bull logo. Text overlay reads "Track in Vision Bielsko-Biala" along with event branding for the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
A close-up view of an electric mountain bike with a sleek orange and black frame, showcasing the digital display on the bike's top tube. A rider, dressed in dark outdoor gear and gloves, is adjusting the bike, with rain droplets visible on the frame, set against a green, natural backdrop.
  5
A yellow mountain bike positioned on a dirt path with rocky terrain, set against a backdrop of colorful canyon formations and a sunset sky. The bike features wide black tires with "Maxxis" branding and a sturdy frame, highlighting its design for off-road riding.
  2
A close-up of a bike handlebar with a GPS device displaying a map. The screen shows battery life at 85%, the time at 12:45, and route information with distance markers. The background features greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
  6
A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail, leaning into a turn while riding a vibrant pink bicycle. Surrounding the trail are trees and scattered stones, indicating an adventurous outdoor setting.
  1
A smiling person wearing a large straw hat and a blue t-shirt stands outdoors near a gravel path, with trees and a dry landscape in the background.
  3
A blue mountain bike is standing on a path covered with autumn leaves, surrounded by trees with golden and green foliage in the background. The lighting creates a warm, inviting atmosphere typical of fall.
  16
Close-up view of a bicycle handlebar grip featuring a black adjustable lever mechanism. The grip has textured surface for better traction, and the lever is partially extended, showcasing markings for adjustment settings. In the background, blurred outlines of a bicycle frame and natural foliage are visible.
  9
A close-up view of a mountain bike's rear wheel kicking up dirt and dust while navigating a rugged trail. The cyclist’s foot is visible on the pedal, showcasing biking shoes and the bike's details, including the drivetrain and rear suspension. Green trees are faintly visible in the background, suggesting an outdoor setting.
  1
A gravel road winding through a lush green forest, featuring a wooden sign for Mulberry Gap that highlights services like home-cooked meals, hot showers, and an event barn. Two cyclists ride along the road, with a vehicle in the background. Nearby flowers are visible at the base of the sign.
  4
Close-up view of a mountain bike's handlebar and stem, featuring a black handlebar with measurement markings and a sturdy stem with a modern design. The background is blurred with hints of greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
  13
A person standing outdoors wearing a short-sleeve, camouflage-patterned athletic shirt in shades of green, gray, and peach. They are posed with one hand on their hip, set against a blurred urban background.