Pedaling up a hill offers a good way to check this, as certain bikes love to climb and higher quality bikes shift into gear nicely. You'll also want to consider how each bike handles bumpy roads and rough surfaces. If you have the skill, try a few speed bumps and gravel roads to compare the differences.

A mountain bike (MTB) or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which makes them heavier, more complex and less efficient on smooth surfaces.