Odd, when I've seen these "grease the taper" threads before it was usually well in favour of greasing.

Also consider that right out of the package that the taper already has a light film of oil so even if you don't add grease the taper is already lubricated to some extent unless you go to the trouble to degrease them.

Around here it's wet enough that steel rusts if left dry or with nothing but a light film of factory oil. Add to that this is an aluminium to steel joint and we have the makings of a galvanic party just like you get with an alloy seatpost in a steel frame. And we all know that EVERYONE greases those.

So yeah, I grease the tapers. Definetly for sure. And I've never had an issue with an arm coming loose on any of my bikes. Best of all there's no chance of the aluminium galling as it squeezes onto the taper. And years later they still come off fine thanks to no corrosion issues despite lots of commuting in wet conditions.

I'd even grease a Campy taper where they specifically say not to and then just slightly reduce the bolt torque to make up for the easier seating.

Really it seems like it's not an issue as far as the crank arm retention goes. Greased or not we're all saying that they manage to stay in place if properley torqued on. So we're left with the only other question for grease or not and that's a corrosion issue. Drier places likely get away with the old factory film providing the protection. Wetter locations will benifit from greasing.

Move over HillRider and pass the popcorn...