A retimer device is provided that includes an elasticity buffer, a receiver, and a controller. The elasticity buffer adds or subtracts data in the elasticity buffer to compensate for different bit rates of two devices to be connected over a link, where the retimer is positioned between the two devices on the link. The receiver receives a data stream to be sent between the two devices on the link. The controller determines, from the data stream, a modification to one or more characteristics of the link, and causes size of the elasticity buffer to be changed from a first size to a second size based on the modification.