info time... looks like it's needed... someone actually thinks that iron is ADDED to stainless... umm.... and the Nickel is added to promote better machining characteristics, not to limit corrosion... etc... chromium is the key to limiting corrosion... if eliminates oxidation past the very top of the material, thereby preventing rust... and 304 is SPENDY stuff.... 304...
https://connecteddiscourse.files.wor...tion.png?w=640

316 stainless is even more expensive, and has molybdenum added for improved strength...

the stuff used for bike cables is a lower grade, most likely containing zero nickel... 200 series... no machining required, and nickel is REALLY spendy!
http://www.tradekeyindia.com/Pimages...9bcf7feea351df

any "rust" found on a SS cable is surface buildup from cheap cable housings...the crystals grow into the areas between the strands, FROM the cable housings... or the seller lied about the cables....... imagine that, eh? the 15%+ chromium in the SS prevents oxidation of the iron, which is over 75% content in the 200 series steels... steel is mostly iron.... and i'm still chuckling about someone thinking there is copper in SS...