Both are great bumpers. The rust issue will have more to do with how many adjustable pieces there are that rub. The Calmini is a very simple bumper with only one adjustment for the tire that you pretty much just set once unless your tire size changes. So from that standpoint, it will have a small advantage. Of course if you get a base Skid Row then you will be without all the sliding attachments too, I believe.
The Calmini is better looking.
Both bumpers attach in a similar fashion, but the Skid Row comes pre-drilled for a 2" body lift if you ahve one or may add one later. With either bumper I would highly recommend paying the $90 for the Skid Row frame stiffeners; especially if you will be towing anything. The last 8 inches of the frame is not fully boxed and the stiffeners will help quite a bit to reinforce that area.
The Calmini bumper rattles and the latch isn't very good. One of our club members had his swingarm pop open when he hit a bump and twisted just the right way. And that thing really swings too! The Skid Row has a far superior latching mechanism that latches the swingarm tight and keeps it from rattling. Score some points for Skid Row there and honestly, this feature alone would probably sway me toward the Skid Row. That and the upgrade options available with it.
I still think I have the best rear bumper/tire carrier.
Sorry; not sold in stores!
If you hadn't thought about it, I would highly recommend buying a set of SLR or Calmini AAL's to beef up the rear suspension. The steel bumpers are heavy and will take a toll on your rear spring packs.
Hope that helped somehow!
