I agree with John about the golden rods not being my first choice, but the key to them working properly is that they need to be supported so they dont bend or flex. A good way to test this is to operate your servo & hold the rudder, elevator etc with your fingers & operate the radio to move that control surface you are holding. If the golden rod bends easily instead of trying to move the control surface you are holding in your fingers you need to reinforce the golden rods ( usually by glueing a cross brace over & under the golden rod from one side of the fuse to the other). The elevator is probably the most critical surface on a trainer to be concerned with, so get that one right. The ailerons will just make the plane roll lazy or slow or not at all. If the rudder is connected to the nose gear your steering wont be effective or reliable on grass if it flexes. I have used golden rods myself on trainers and they will work if properly supported.....Gene

PS.... Just replaceing golden rods with a 2-56 or even a 4-40 rod will still flex or bend also over a long run thru your fuse if they are not supported also. If you have a straight shot thru the fuse & you cant get in there to add support, you might want to consider useing a wood dowl rod with 2-56 or 4-40 short metal rod ends that will accept a clevis or z bend. The appropriate size carbon fiber rod with the same metal ends JB welded is another option......Gene