Yes, they seem to be pitted. The biggest problem visually is the dark spots. The spokes look bad as well. They are dark and will not shine up like I think they should. Are they stainless? I would guess yes. The thing that surprises me is the nipple/spoke contact seems to be free and not frozen. At least the ones that I have tried are turnable. I currently have the bike down to the bare frame and none of the threaded fasteners were frozen or rusted together. It came apart as easy as a new bike.