Gerbils vs. Rats (Who has owned both?)?

I have plenty of room for an adequate enclosure for each. I also have plenty of time to care for them. I think gerbils have the edge on the cuteness factor, but they don't bond as much as rats do. I would be getting multiples of either animal, but I want to know which is the better pet from someone who has owned both. I still think rat's are cute, but not as cute as a gerbil. I would be getting male rats to avoid spaying females, but is the scent trail of urine the males leave terrible? Is it bad enough to make handling the rats uncomfortable or gross? I don't want so much a cuddly pet, but something energetic that will still play with me, not on me and will still cuddle. Which do you guys prefer?