Carbon seatpost / aluminium frame - How to best avoid problems?

murtagh

Would anyone have any experience or advice on carbon seatposts in aluminium frames?
I'm considering getting a CF seatpost and was concerned about the seatpost seizing in the tube or the aluminium corroding over time.
Having read up on the topic it seems these are common problems.

I was wondering if there is a best approach to prevent problems with the cf/alu contact surfaces.
Opinions seem to be mixed on whether grease/paste is beneficial or not.
In fact the only approach I didn't see contradicted was to use a non-alu shim between the seatpost & seattube. (as suggested by Craig Calfee here)

I also found this thread in which blorg (I assume there is only one! ) recommends USE thermoplastic shims, although not in the context of CF vs alu.

So, in summary...
CF post & alu tube:
1) Grease/paste (perhaps removing, cleaning, & reapplying regularly)?
2) shim between cf & alu surfaces?
3) 2 clean surfaces & cross ur fingers?

Thanks!

blorg

Use carbon assembly paste, it is great stuff. You only need a shim if you have a smaller seatpost (a smaller seatpost will be less stiff, but maybe a little more shock absorbing.) Before I used assembly paste I went with nothing and never had a problem. Assembly paste reduces required torque, so less chance or damage. Also gets rid of squeaks, and would prevent seizing- although I've not had that with a carbon seatpost even with nothing.

murtagh

Thanks!