Brose error 71: Pedal rotation not detected by drive
The motor controller is not receiving a valid signal from the pedal rotation sensor, so it cannot tell that the cranks are turning. As a result, motor assist cuts off and the speed reading stays at zero even while you pedal. Walk assist through the control panel will also no longer engage because it relies on the same sensor input.
| Drive system | Brose Drive (S, T, C - also used by Bulls, Rotwild, Fantic, BH, Trek Allant) |
| Severity | Dealer needed |
| Keep riding? | Ride with caution |
| Typical cost | Expect roughly 30 to 60 EUR for a clean, reset, and minor adjustment; 80 to 180 EUR for a cadence or torque sensor replacement including labour; and from about 250 EUR upwards if the fault traces back to the motor controller. |
Likely causes
- Magnet ring on the crank or bottom-bracket axle contaminated with oil, mud, or metal swarf, or sitting out of alignment with the sensor.
- Loose or damaged connector between the cadence/torque sensor and the motor harness, often after a wheel-out service or a crash impact.
- Internal failure of the torque or cadence sensor element inside the bottom bracket.
- Moisture ingress into the sensor plug after rain, washing, or riding through deep puddles.
- Motor controller unable to read the sensor signal, usually only confirmed after the sensor and wiring have been ruled out.
- Worn or bent ISIS crank or chainring bolt changing the air gap between magnet ring and sensor.
How to fix Brose error 71
- Stop the bike in a safe place and put it in a gear that does not chain-bounce.
- Switch the system off completely using the control-panel power button, wait around ten seconds, then switch it back on - this is the manufacturer reset step.
- Lift the rear wheel, support the bike, and turn the cranks by hand while watching the display to see whether the assist responds.
- Clean and dry the magnet ring on the crank or bottom-bracket axle and check that its alignment to the sensor housing has not shifted; do not use strong solvents on plastic parts.
- Unplug and replug the sensor connector at the motor cover or controller to clear any corrosion, and check the cable for chafing along the down tube.
- If the code returns immediately after a clean power cycle, the fault is with the sensor itself or the motor controller and a dealer diagnostic is required.
- Book the bike with an authorised dealer so the fault memory can be read with the Brose diagnostic tool and the sensor signal measured against specification.
Warranty: A genuine sensor or wiring fault inside the two-year component warranty is normally covered, while contamination, crash damage, water ingress after modifications, and worn crank parts are treated as owner or wear-side issues.
Typical cost: Expect roughly 30 to 60 EUR for a clean, reset, and minor adjustment; 80 to 180 EUR for a cadence or torque sensor replacement including labour; and from about 250 EUR upwards if the fault traces back to the motor controller.
Frequently asked
Can I reset Brose error 71 myself?
Yes, switch the system fully off with the control-panel button, wait about ten seconds, then switch it back on. If the code clears but returns on the next ride the sensor or wiring needs a bench diagnosis, not another reset.
Is it safe to keep riding with error 71?
You can pedal the bike home without motor assist, as the brakes, gears, and lights still work. Avoid using walk assist and do not ignore the code if it returns, because repeated faults can mask deeper sensor or wiring damage.
How much does it cost to fix code 71 and is it under warranty?
A simple clean and reset sits around 30 to 60 EUR, while a sensor or harness replacement typically runs 80 to 180 EUR, and a controller-level repair can exceed 250 EUR. Genuine sensor or wiring faults are usually covered inside the two-year warranty, but contamination, water damage, and crash damage are not.
Related Brose codes
Manuals and video
Official source: Brose error code table, Pedego dealer service guide
Not an official Brose document. Compiled from workshop experience and public service information; details can differ per system version and bike brand.