A wireless, passive wheel-speed and detection system is provided for measuring the rate of rotation of a rotating component of a bicycle. The detection system includes a sensor arrangement having a first portion mounted on the bicycle and a second portion mounted on the rotating component. The sensor arrangement generates an input signal representative of a revolution of the rotating component. A transmitter circuit is operatively connected to the sensor arrangement for converting the input signal to a radio frequency signal and for transmitting the radio frequency signal. A controller receives the radio frequency signal and translates the radio frequency signal to a value indicative of a rate of rotation of the rotating component.