Jim,

I think the contender had plenty of elevator for sport flying. The counterbalance reduces servo load and increases the elevator response. Since you have yet to solo your trainer I would say leave alone and a standard servo will have plenty of torque to operate the elevator. I feel the rudder should be modified like OverTheEdge, myself and I think flmlm did. i.e. rudder being larger at bottom then top this should reduce the opposite roll with rudder application.

However you may be like me I build so I can personalize my planes. Can't do any harm but reduce the throw a little on elevator for the first flights or use low rates.

Scott