I finally had some time to look at the rims. They are alex 404 rims, and 597x20 is written on the rim! On their website 590x20 is listed, but certainly not a 597 size. The 404 rims are also single walled which I thought was a no no for internal geared hubs! i was a bit overwhelmed having had a similar experience an hour earlier at another bike shop where they ordered the wrong part for me and I felt I had no choice but to pay for it. In this case, the shop was dark, the guy was busy and confusing me with his distain for internal geared hubs. And being canadian and polite and all, I just paid when I realized he wasn't going to help me or even listen to me.
Now, I've tried measuring the rims compared to the 590 rims on the raleigh and the 597 rims on another vintage bike. can't tell.
The guy also put continental cityride tires on the rims without confirming with me if I wanted them or not. We were crushed for time to catch the ferry home, so again, just said okay. I was going to get col de la vies when the tires on the bike got too worn out. They are fine!
So, are the cr-18's really polished? Cause these alex 404s are not going to work with the bike.
As always I have paid too much and not gotten what I wanted. I must remember to just buy online. i want to support small bike shops, but this is what always happens.