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 bike with a sleek gray and blue frame is positioned on rocky terrain, surrounded by sparse vegetation and distant hills. The bike features wide, knobby tires and a modern design, ready for off-road riding. The sky above is partly cloudy, adding to the outdoor adventure ambiance.
Close-up images of a bicycle's mechanical components, featuring the rear hub and gearing system. The images show intricate details of the gears and shifters, including the control lever on the handlebars and a gear adjustment mechanism. The background consists of a rocky terrain, highlighting the bike's outdoor setting.
  4
Close-up of an orange bicycle frame with a distinctive black mesh design, set against a blurred background of a trade show or exhibition, featuring two out-of-focus individuals and another bicycle in gold.
  4
A display of a new fat bike at the Interbike 2016 trade show, featuring a prominent orange frame, wide black tires, and a unique triangular bag attached to the frame. The background includes other bikes and attendees exploring the event.
Interior view of a helmet showing two areas labeled with different statuses. The green label indicates a "Normal" area, while the red label indicates a "Compressed & compromised" area, highlighting the differences in the helmet's structural integrity. The black padding and additional details of the helmet interior are visible in the image.
A mountain bike with a green and black frame is positioned on rocky terrain under a cloudy sky. The bike features thick tires with visible dirt, highlighting its use in off-road conditions. Surrounding the bike are sparse desert plants and red rocky ground, emphasizing a rugged outdoor environment.
Three colorful bike pedals in green, red, and orange are displayed on a wooden surface, surrounded by marketing materials and product boxes.
A bright yellow and teal mountain bike stands on rocky terrain, with a backdrop of desert-like vegetation and rocky hills. The bike features thick tires and a modern design, emphasizing its suitability for off-road trails.
  1
Close-up view of a mountain bike frame, featuring a muted olive green color with a prominent "co-op" logo in white. The bike has a thick, knobby tire and a red accent on the frame. The background shows a patterned carpet, suggesting an event or exhibition setting.
Close-up of a mountain bike front fork and wheel, with muddy tires and dirt visible on the frame, set against a background of mulch and foliage.
  1
A cyclist navigating a sandy, winding trail surrounded by logs and vegetation, captured from an aerial perspective. The rider is wearing a helmet and cycling gear, focused on maintaining balance and speed on the uneven terrain.
  2
Close-up of a bicycle headlight featuring multiple LED bulbs, designed for outdoor use. The light has a sleek black casing with orange buttons, mounted on a handlebar. In the background, a promotional sign is partially visible, showcasing related products at a trade show or exhibition. The setting features a colorful, blurred backdrop, emphasizing the product.
A brightly colored bike cover in yellow and gray is displayed on a wooden floor. In the background, there are diagrams and specifications for various bicycle fenders mounted on the wall. The setting appears to be a trade show or exhibition for cycling accessories.
A person holding a drone with a camera attached, featuring illuminated green and red lights at the base of its propellers. The background shows a tabletop display and blurred attendees.
  3
A close-up image of colorful bicycle hubs arranged on a display. The hubs are in various colors, including black, gold, orange, red, and purple, highlighting their detailed designs and branding. A graphic symbol representing connectivity is overlaid in the center.
Aerial view of a large parking area filled with numerous vehicles, including cars and vans, situated in a desert landscape. In the background, hills and power lines are visible under a cloudy sky. A sound icon is superimposed in the center of the image.
  2
Close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring components such as a Shimano XT brake lever, cables, and a Merida branded handlebar. The image highlights the intricate details of the bike's braking system and overall design.
  4
A black mountain bike with wide tires, positioned in a rocky desert environment surrounded by shrubs and vegetation. The bike features a sleek frame with the brand name "Lamere" visible. The image captures the bike at an angle that highlights its design and tires, set against a natural backdrop.
A turquoise mountain bike positioned on rocky terrain, with a clear blue sky in the background. The bike features a full suspension system, knobby tires for traction, and is set against earthy, desert-like surroundings.
A black and orange mountain bike resting on rocky terrain with desert hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
Four mountain bikers in helmets are preparing to ride on a snow-dusted grassy area. The group is positioned slightly downhill, with one cyclist wearing an orange helmet and blue jacket, another in a black jacket, a third in a gray shirt, and the last in a red and black jacket. In the background, there are trees and a clear blue sky.
  15
A mountain biker riding down a rocky trail in a rugged desert landscape under a clear blue sky.
A mountain biker navigates a curved trail through a lush forest, with greenery surrounding the dirt path and trees in the background.
A muddy trail lined with trees, featuring tire tracks and scattered leaves, overlaid with a stylized sound wave icon in the center.
A black motocross helmet with a glossy finish and white graphic design sits on a wooden stump, surrounded by grass. The interior features purple padding for comfort, while the visor is slightly raised. The helmet showcases advanced protective technology, suitable for off-road biking.
  2
A bright green mountain bike is positioned on lush greenery, surrounded by tall plants. The bike features a sturdy frame, front suspension, and knobby tires suitable for off-road terrain. Trees and foliage can be seen in the background, suggesting a natural outdoor setting.
  4
A trail sign in a wooded area, featuring symbols indicating allowed activities such as hiking and biking, and prohibiting horses and ATVs. The sign also includes information on the trail's difficulty level marked as "easiest." The background shows a natural landscape with leaf litter and greenery.
  4
A wooden board on soil with several screws protruding from its surface. A person's foot, wearing a sneaker, is partially visible in the corner of the image.
  2
A close-up view of a mountain bike's handlebars, featuring a digital display with data such as time, speed, and elevation, set against a backdrop of green foliage. The handlebars include branded components, and the display shows various metrics related to a ride.
A blue hydration reservoir placed on green grass near a small, muddy body of water, with a drinking tube attached.
  11
A person holding a cycling device with a colorful map display, featuring GPS navigation and various cycling metrics. In the background, multiple cycling accessories are partially visible on a blue table.
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A pile of tangled black rubber bicycle inner tubes on a dirt surface, with the caption "TUBELESS TIRES" above and a humorous note about mountain bikers still using tubes below.
  20
A winding dirt bike trail in a wooded area, featuring a smooth curve surrounded by trees and scattered leaves on the forest floor. A rope is visible marking the trail boundaries.
Exterior view of a Performance Bicycle store featuring large signage advertising "Super Sale!" and "All Bikes on Sale!" The building is set in a green grassy area with trees and power lines in the background.
  2
Aerial view of a winding road surrounded by lush green landscape, with pathways curving through trees and open fields. The scene includes a few small structures along the road and various segments of paved and unpaved surfaces.
  1
Two CamelBak Elixir electrolyte hydration products are displayed against a brick wall. The first tube is labeled "Tangerine Orange with Energy," and the second is "Watermelon Kiwi." Both tubes are white with colorful labels, featuring the CamelBak logo and hydration details. Surrounding them are small plants and leaves on the ground.
  3
A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail in a scenic desert landscape, with rugged mountains in the background and sparse vegetation surrounding the path.
  2
A vibrant orange bicycle frame displayed on a workbench, surrounded by various tools and equipment. The background features a pegboard with tools hanging neatly, and there are orange water bottles and goggles on the table, all set in a warm, orange-toned atmosphere.
  2
A mountain biker performing a backflip in mid-air above a dirt jump, set against a dramatic landscape of layered red rock formations and mountains under a cloudy sky. A crowd can be seen in the lower left, observing the stunt. The scene captures the thrill of extreme sports in a picturesque outdoor setting.
Close-up of the waistband and buckle of mountain bike shorts with the text "10 Best MTB Shorts" overlaid.
  5
Close-up of a green mountain bike's front suspension fork and tire, set against a background of lush green grass. The bike features visible branding on the fork and a rugged tire tread pattern.
  3
Exterior view of the Marin Museum of Bicycling, featuring a large decorative bicycle sculpture in front and bicycles displayed on the roof. The building has a modern design with large windows and a prominent sign reading "Marin Museum of Bicycling - Mountain Bike Hall of Fame." The surrounding area includes outdoor seating and accessible parking.
A person in athletic clothing is sitting in a medical facility, showing a significant injury on their knee. The area around the knee appears swollen and discolored, indicating a possible abrasion or laceration. The individual is holding their pants down to reveal the injury, while a medical chart and seating area are visible in the background.
  7
An illustration showing two bicycle rims side by side. On the left is the Frequency i25 Team 29 rim featuring a white and red design with a logo. On the right is the KOM i25 27.5 rim, characterized by a sleek black design with a bold 'KOM' logo in gray. Both rims are displayed in a curved position to highlight their profiles.
An orange mountain bike is positioned on rocky terrain, with a scenic backdrop of canyons and hills under a partly cloudy sky. The bike's tires and frame are prominently displayed, highlighting its rugged design suitable for outdoor adventures.
  2
Map showing the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States and Canada for 2016, highlighting various locations across the two countries with trail names marked in each state or province.
  6
A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail through a scenic mountainous landscape, with lush greenery and distant hills in the background. The rider wears a helmet and a backpack, displaying an active outdoor lifestyle.
Close-up view of a bicycle's disc brake rotor and hub, showcasing the intricate design of the metal rotor and spokes against a textured surface with some greenery in the background.