corkscrew

So I ordered an cane creek S3 headset for my upcoming rockhopper build.

I just realized that I'll be placing an aluminum headset into a steel frame. I've heard horror stories of AL seatposts in steel frames, will this be something I should concern myself with?

The bike will be stored inside, but it also may prove to be foul weather beater...

Al Criner

Grease the headset cups properly before installation, as with any metal-to-metal interface.

JohnDThompson 

No worries. People have been installing aluminum headsets into steel frames for half a century at least.

Just grease up the parts.

Steve530

+1

And, besides, how often do actually replace a headset?

HillRider

And when you do, you use a steel "rocket tool" and a BIG hammer to remove the cups. They'll come out just fine.

joejack951

Being a press fit pretty much seals out anything that could cause corrosion between the two parts, unlike a seatpost in a seat tube which is necessarily a slip fit.

surreal

This is very true. And, even with the seatposts, if you grease it enough, you'll be alright. I like to loosen my seatclamp bolts and make sure the post still moves and regreasing once or twice a year, just to be sure...

-rob

HillRider

This should be standard procedure with any seatpost of any material in any frame of any material. Same with quill stems.

Remove and regrease or reapply the assembly paste for carbon seatposts at least once a year.