Yeah, maybe...but I have another theory: I think this may be a "budget" touring bike, sure it has stamped dropouts, but they have 2 eyelets for rack and fenders. And the RD has a hanger which would have to be used on such dropouts, but I've never seen a Mtn. bike with one...I think were seeing a rare early version of Deore as a TOURING powertrain which would jibe with the Tourney AD triple crank...and it's pre-index. If you're lucky, the tubing might actually be a notch above mild steel, looks like the fork is better than average (2 eyelets on it, too).