no they arent i bought a few years back i think it was a 98 diamond back response SE i payed around $700 i think and then i remember later versions being totally downgraded and being less than what they used to be, after that i had a Trek Y-5 medium which later got stolen so i needed a bike in a hurry and just grabbed a Gary Fisher Tassajara to hold me through until i can get another full suspension. ( i needed something to play with lol ) however i am highly impressed with it and its quality i payed around $649 and i would recommend this bike for the around $500 thread as a matter of fact i think im going to stick with Gary Fisher bikes.