I tend to rely on Cr. MK too much, what other options can replace it?

I figured this might be one of the probably many reasons why I can’t get into E. Ryu. Everytime I’m in the range of it, I press the button. However it is much more slower than Ryu’s and I get counter-hitted frequently. What can I do about it?

Focus, Dive Kick, f.mk, and ex axe kick.

cr.mk is very slow it cannot be use to compete with others when in range. use cr mk is very obvious to other player because that is a popular poke and they wont let you get an easy hit, you gotta do some random movement.