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 black cycling shoe with white accents, featuring three adjustable straps and a buckle, resting on a grassy surface.
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A group of cyclists riding in a race on a roadside, with one cyclist dressed in blue and black bringing up the rear. The scene is from the Tour de Georgia, 2005, with cars parked alongside the road in the background.
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A large group of cyclists wearing colorful clothing and helmets gather on a city street, with "Welcome" signs visible above. The scene captures the energy of a biking event, showcasing riders in various outfits as they prepare to set off. Trees line the street, and buildings are faintly visible in the background.
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A unique motorcycle sculpture constructed from animal bones, featuring a skeletal frame and intricate details. The bike has a distinct design, resembling a creature in motion, with a stylized skull at the front and a long spine leading to the back. The sculpture is set against a neutral background, highlighting its artistic and unconventional nature.
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A scenic view from a high vantage point overlooking a valley, with a small town visible below. In the foreground, a sign warns of a 200-foot cliff and instructs to dismount, ensuring safety for those in the area. The backdrop features rugged terrain with distant snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.
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Two mountain bikers racing on a dirt trail surrounded by trees. The lead cyclist, wearing a blue and white jersey, is depicted in motion, reaching forward with one hand while pedaling. Behind him, another cyclist in black shorts and a blue jersey is closely following. The terrain is uneven, with a mix of dirt and gravel. The scene captures the excitement of an outdoor biking competition.
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A mountain biker in an orange and black outfit is airborne as they jump off a wooden ramp in a forested area. The bike's wheels are off the ground, and trees surround the jump, showcasing a dirt trail in the background.
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Side view of a vehicle displaying a colorful wrap featuring the logo of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) with autumn-themed graphics. The design includes the text "INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION" and a Canadian flag icon, emphasizing a connection to mountain biking in Canada.
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A collection of craft beer labels and a bottle. On the left, a bottle of Cottonwood Endo India Pale Ale. In the center, a colorful label for Fat Tire Amber Ale featuring an illustration of a red bicycle surrounded by floral designs. On the right, a label for Singletrack Copper Ale depicting a scenic mountain landscape with a bicycle.
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Map of the United States with highlighted locations and a message promoting community change through biking initiatives, featuring the phrases "We're creating change in our own communities" and "places for bikes."
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A person riding a blue kick scooter with large wheels, wearing a helmet, a white t-shirt, and shorts. The scooter has a flat deck and is designed for standing while riding.
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A graphic design featuring a stylized mountain bike rider performing a trick, positioned above a jagged, upward-angled line on a dark textured background. The line represents a path or trajectory, suggesting movement or progress in biking.
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Map showing a route through Arizona with a red path indicating a specific travel or tracking route, and a list of active checkpoints on the left side, including various names and locations. The map features regions like Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson, with terrain details visible.
A completely white bicycle is propped against a wooden pole in a grassy area. A sign is attached to the pole, featuring printed text. The bicycle's wheels, frame, and handlebars are all painted white, blending into the surrounding environment.
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Image featuring various downhill mountain bike gear, including handlebars, wheels, helmets, and tires. Products displayed are the Easton MonkeyLite DH handlebars, Easton Havoc DH wheels, Crank Brothers Opium wheelset, THE Industries Celtic ONE helmet, THE Industries Tiki ONE helmet, and ITS Intruder tire. Each item is accompanied by star ratings.
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Banner for the 3rd Annual Kona Shoot the Ride Photo Contest featuring the text "SHOOT THE RIDE" and "THE 3RD EDIT," along with various action shots of mountain biking and participants. The design includes a collage of photos showcasing biking stunts, joyful expressions, and event highlights, promoting the contest's revival on konaworld.com.
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A group of mountain bikers wearing helmets and brightly colored jerseys gather on a paved path surrounded by trees. Some riders wear red and white jerseys, while others wear orange and black. In the background, a person wearing a yellow shirt observes the group. The scene captures a moment of discussion or preparation before riding.
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Alt text: A webpage for the Singletracks MTB Video Contest featuring sections for video submissions, a leaderboard displaying video titles and their votes, and a countdown timer for contest duration. The background includes images of trees, suggesting an outdoor theme related to mountain biking.
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Logo of the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour featuring a stylized "fmb" in bold black letters with a green and black globe graphic above it, all enclosed in a rounded shape.
Confident executive about to cycle to work
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A helicopter is parked on a grassy field with a backdrop of rolling hills and a cloudy sky.
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A cyclist performing a trick on a bicycle, lifting the front wheel off the ground while navigating outdoor concrete steps. The sun is shining brightly in the background, creating lens flare effects in the image.
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A cyclist descends a staircase on a bike during a mountain biking event. Traffic cones and race barriers are visible along the course, with a large sign indicating the "24 Hours of Adrenaline" race. The surrounding area features hills in the background and a pathway lined with more cones to guide participants.
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Two mountain bikers navigate a winding dirt trail on a mountainside, with lush green hills and rocky terrain. Snow-capped peaks rise in the background under a clear blue sky, while winding paths extend through the landscape.
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Wooden sign for Blue Mound State Park surrounded by greenery, displaying "BLUE MOUND STATE PARK" and "DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES."
A close-up view of a bicycle handlebar featuring a handheld GPS device mounted on it. The orange GPS unit, labeled "PN-40," displays a map and is positioned on a dirt trail surrounded by fallen leaves, indicating an outdoor biking environment.
A mountain biker in protective gear speeds along a dirt trail, surrounded by a blur of green hills and a blue sky. The cyclist is focused and in motion, with trees and clouds fading into the background, conveying a sense of adrenaline and excitement.
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Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms and helmets are equipped with firearms, standing alert in a military setting. Their faces are painted in green and black for camouflage. The background suggests a water landscape, possibly during a military operation or training exercise.
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A scenic view of a mountainous landscape, featuring a distant mountain peak against a clear blue sky. The foreground includes a mix of lush green vegetation and patches of dry ground, with a winding trail leading through a forest of tall, thin trees, some of which appear to be dead or fallen.
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A scenic view from a rocky cliffside overlooking a valley with a small town. In the foreground, a sign warns, "Dismount Now! You are on the side of a 200-foot cliff," framed in wood. In the background, the landscape features rolling hills and snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.
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A diverse group of people stands in a large cathedral, each holding a bicycle and a piece of paper. The bicycles are lined up in rows along the stone floor, with stained glass windows visible in the background, creating a serene and unique atmosphere for the gathering.
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Map of Glen Canyon Park showing green walking paths, surrounding residential areas, and nearby landmarks such as George Christopher Playground and Diamond Heights Shopping Center.
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Bird's-eye view of a wooded area featuring intricate paths outlined in red, resembling a maze-like layout.
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A mountain biker in protective gear leans into a corner while navigating a dirt trail surrounded by trees, with a racing number visible on their bike. The scene captures the essence of downhill biking, showcasing the rider's skill and speed in a natural setting.
A serene forest path winding through trees and surrounded by large rocks, with a carpet of fallen pine needles covering the ground. The scene captures a tranquil natural environment, suggesting a peaceful outdoor setting.
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