here are a couple of sites that can help educate you about bike (and let you fix your own in the future)
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
http://sheldonbrown.com/
a bike co-op is place where you can share tools to fix and repair bikes....generally found in larger towns/cities.
Also you could contact forum member wrk101 he is in waynesville. He flips bikes (buys them fixes them and sells for a profit) and has a stellar rep. This way you could get bike that is known good.
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)