Originally Posted by
garage sale GT
Spokes will fail because of not enough tension or uneven tension.
Your old hybrid just might have had non-stainless spokes. The spokes may have been weakened by corrosion.
Barring those things, spokes will simply fatigue after lots of use. They are loaded and partially unloaded with every revolution. They will eventually just wear out from metal fatigue, and there's nothing you can do except regard them as a replaceable component like the tires or chain.
Properly tensioned spokes fail from mechanical damage (errant derailleurs or sticks) or corrosion. They'll outlast several sets of rims.