RE: Which control rods do you use?
Use good ol' dowell rods. Put a 'z' bend on servo end and an adjustable clevis on the other. Cheap and efficient! I have used dowell rods for very long runs by breaking it up into sections via a 'walking beam' arrangement if I can't use pull-pull cables. I have used carbon arrowshafts for big airplanes and I put elevator horn upright so the servo pulls elevator to up position instead of pushing (think flexing). We fly upright most of the time. I always use pull-pull on rudder, if possible- weighs nothing.