Originally Posted by madpogue

Bridgestone made a series of bikes with this sort of lug work, and stainless steel main tubes. The ones I've seen here in the States were badged as a Kabuki brand (iconic "red face" Kabuki head badge), under the Submariner series. And they have unpainted main tubes, no doubt to "proclaim" to the world that they're stainless. They may have been painted/badged/marketed differently elsewhere, however. Put a strong magnet on one of the main tubes. Steel will have a strong attraction, stainless steel will have a weak attraction, and aluminum will have no attraction at all.

"Second the motion" to re-equip with road controls. Even if your MTB levers are working well, the experience will be better with road levers, which may affect your decision whether cycling is right for you. Or perhaps better put, if you still have doubts after riding for a while, and you think it's due to the controls, then don't give up on the sport. It sounds like you're outside the USA. Unless shipping to your country is very expensive, used road shifters / brake levers are easy to find and at least reasonable in price. Check the "C&V Sales" section here on BF.