Most Competition and International models came with AVA washer rims, however, I got one pair of Raleigh Competition wheels with matched NISI rims (sorry no model name) and the telltale red-logo'd Normandy comp hubs with chunkey atom QRs.
I believe that all AVA rims were polished. The washer rims have a diamond-shaped AVA paper logo (red AVA with blue outline.) I have re-made these rim decals if anyone is interested in them. The better-quality AVA rims with double eyelets used a square blue foil decal, AVA is written in blue, and all 4 corners of the decal are blue to produce the same diamond shape around the AVA. This was used on Raleigh Pro models.
Mavic bought AVA. I have a set of mid-late 70's NOS Mavic washer rims which I'm almost positive are AVA's.
What exactly goes wrong with washer rims ??
I know that with single-eyelet rims, the eyelets often pull through, which is what happened to my Nashbar OT 1989 wheels. The rims were still usable and still ran true, but the "tink tink tink" sound as you pedaled or coasted was very irritating, until i secured the eyelets with silicon caulk.
What exactly goes wrong with washer rims ??
- Don Gillies
San Diego CA
USA