Yes, these AVA rims were generally, but not always, standard equipment on Raleigh Pro's and Internationals of the early and mid 70's, maybe earlier too even. The Pro usually came with eyeletted AVA's while the International usually arrived with non-eyeletted. The aluminium seems a bit soft compared to Mavic and other period rims and two ex-racers I know (one an ex pro) hate them. I still have the original non-eyeletted set on my 1974 Raleigh International - I've had no problems with them over three years and close to 1000 miles. According to my Pro friend who rode for Team Raleigh in the US from '73 -'77, the team bike's did not come through with AVA's but usually Mavic's; I'll have to ask him what model next time I see him.
I hope that's helpful.
Eric Elman
Somers, CT
> I have a beautiful and near perfect Raleigh Professional stamped for 1974
> (fastback lug) with a full 1973 Campy gruppo, and it too has AVA tubular
rims.
> They are the only parts left, still needing polish since I acquired the
leggy
> Mink Blue beauty. Anyone know offhand if these rims are likely original
to the
> bike? If not, what were? Thanks...
>
> Best regards,
> Mark Agree
> Southfield MI
>
> In a message dated 10/23/2003 11:49:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
>
> > Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 23:39:38 -0400
> > From: "David Bilenkey" <dbilenkey@sympatico.ca>
> > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Subject: [CR]RE: AVA rims
> > Message-ID: <HBECIOPCNPKEJLCJBKNKGELAHCAA.dbilenkey@sympatico.ca>
> > In-Reply-To: <026101c399d3$35eed6a0$6400a8c0@jfbender>
> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset="iso-8859-1"
> > MIME-Version: 1.0
> > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> > Precedence: list
> > Reply-To: dbilenkey@sympatico.ca
> > Message: 13
> >
> > Speaking of AVA rims I have a front wheel that was given to me over the
> > summer; a non-eyeleted AVA tubular rim laced 3X with Robergel double
butted
> > (1.8/1.5mm stainless I think(?) no rust on them anyway) to a large
flange
> > Normandy hub. 800 grams total (pretty light). Perfectly true, and the
label
> > is in nice shape too, other than being a bit dusty and needing a good
> > polishing, seems like a nice enough (if you don't mind the Normandy hub)
> > wheel, although it was the first time I'd come across AVA rims.
> >
> > Does anyone know when they were generally available?
> >
> > David Bilenkey
> > Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
> > couple degrees below freezing tonight...:-(
> >
> >
> >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> > >[mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of Joe
> > >Bender-Zanoni
> > >Sent: October 23, 2003 10:05 PM
> > >To: jerrymoos; Cino1947@aol.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > >Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Replacing Aluminum handlebars NOW AVA
> >
> > snip
> >
> > >I've heard mixed things about the rims too. Way back when I knew the
owner
> > >of a Bob Jackson tandem who said they were the only sewup rim that
worked
> > >for him and otherwise I have heard stories of the rims cracking
> > >too. I know
> > >there are eyeletted and non-eyeletted versions and that could explain
the
> > >diverging views- any insights or opinions?
> > >
> > >Joe B-Z