I went through a stage where I tried to ditch all energy food and just eat real food like pretzels on long rides. It worked pretty well even though I've gone back to to trying to utilize more energy foods, but I found that I had to pick my moments with the pretzels. I would sometimes eat some then a hill would come up out of no where and I would choke on the pretzels when I started breathing harder while going up the hill. I agree, they're good, but a little dry and tend to flake and get caught in your throat.

I found fig bars, and lara bars to be easier to consume than pretzels, but still, great choice.