Yes, an on-board sensor would be nice, but not essential. It's been decades since I had a tubed road bike. It's also been decades since I haven't had a road bike apartment, but it happens. Miles from nowhere in Wyoming, it was nice to hear the pop of a successful lamp change. The looks of this device are a little less than outstanding. He looks pretty awkward. A design that looks like a very strange build. I don't care what it looks like. If it works. And it happened!